Pure Horserace: An Age-Old Question

Sen. John McCain May Be Tied To The War, But The Age Issue Still Simmers

(CBS)  Of all the presidential candidates of both parties, none are more closely associated with the war in Iraq as John McCain. While most of the field is trying to keep their ties to the war at arm's length, McCain continues to tether himself — and his candidacy — to the troop surge and continued support for U.S. involvement in Iraq.

It's an issue for his campaign that has already drawn thousands of column inches and hours of airtime and will continue to be the opening line of almost any discussion about McCain's presidential prospects.

The Arizona senator continues to insist there is little alternative to military success in Iraq, something he made perfectly clear in his interview with Scott Pelley on "60 Minutes" last night. McCain was perfectly comfortable talking about a position most find politically uncomfortable at best. But it was another issue that seemed less pleasant for him to discuss — the age question.

Reminded of a recent CBS News poll about voter attitudes toward a candidate's age, McCain seemed to bristle at the question. The poll asked what age respondents felt was preferable for a president taking office. Exactly zero percent picked 70 years or older — McCain would be 72 upon taking office if he should win the White House.

With a thin smile, McCain responded, "I don't like this line of questioning at all. I find it offensive." He then quickly launched into a recitation of his work schedule, telling Pelley that he works "seven days a week, 12, 14, 16 hours a day," and insisted voters will judge him by his conduct during the campaign, not his age.

McCain had to have been pleased at Pelley's observation that the senator 'seems inexhaustible," but the exchange demonstrated the sensitive nature of the issue. On the Democratic side, Barack Obama has energized voters in part because he brings a youthful, new voice into the political process. McCain has positioned himself as an established leader, someone with the experience of years.

In years past, that's been a winning recipe for Republican candidates, at least in terms of nabbing the nomination. Whether age is a virtue in 2008 isn't yet clear, but it's safe to say that it's a concern for McCain's campaign. You can always change positions on Iraq — but you can't stop time.


If He's Blogging, Is He Running? The Fred Thompson boomlet continues to be the talk of Republican circles — and for the first time in a while, we've heard from the former Tennessee senator. While the political world awaits word on his potential presidential candidacy, Thompson is talking — about Iran. On a blog.

Weighing in on the conservative Red State blog, Thompson says he's concerned about the outcome of the British hostage situation and the seeming victory of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Thompson wrote:

Maybe it's because military action won't be needed or maybe it's just because the ordeal won't drag on and on, but the world is breathing easier now. A lot of folks are happy. The problem, as I see it, is that Ahmadinejad seems to be the happiest.

We still don’t know what will become of the Thompson-for-president movement, but his recent blogging activity is a tantalizing new clue.


Taking It To ‘Em: Last week, we noted the aggressive talk coming from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee about some of his fellow Republicans. Then, it was a warning about the importance of personal responsibility, a thinly-veiled jab at Rudy Giuliani. Yesterday, it was a direct poke at Mitt Romney.

Appearing on "Face the Nation," Huckabee spoke about the recent flap over Romney’s hunting habits. The former Massachusetts governor has spent several days explaining when, where and what he has hunted, often to somewhat embarrassing results. By calling himself a lifelong hunter despite never having received a hunting license, Huckabee said Romney had made a "major mistake."

"It would be like me saying I've been a lifelong golfer because I played putt-putt when I was 9 years old and I rode in a golf cart a couple of times," Huckabee said. That's one way for a lower-tier candidate to get himself in the headlines.


New York Is In: It’s official — next Feb. 5 will be a Super-Duper day for presidential politics. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer on Monday signed legislation moving his state's primary to that date, joining what could be as many as two dozen other states.

Yes, we've pounded this issue into the ground — but, make no mistake, it's one of utmost importance for the campaign. The primary calendar will dictate strategy, spending decisions and candidate travel to uncertain results. Will aggressive effort in places like California and New York by heavily-funded campaigns hurt their image in New Hampshire and Iowa? Will a win in one of those early states afford a springboard — or will there be enough time to marshal resources needed to compete on the 5th?

Momentum versus money — it’s a theme we're going to hear a lot more about over the next several months.


Editor’s Note: Pure Horserace is a daily update of political news as interpreted by the political observers at CBSNews.com. Click here to sign up for the e-mail version.

[toldyouso21]

When McCain was on 60 minutes and admitted he misspoke* about Iraq safety in Bagdhad and then stated he felt he could disregard what the majority of Americans wanted and felt--that was a death knell, as far as I am concerned. If a person fails to care about or give in to the majority (and in a Democracy --the majority rules)and says so BEFORE we face the task of gettig rid of him--than he/she saves us the trouble. Don't care about what we think? Think this is a government of one? Well.. in the end McCain, you may care very much about what we think.

* Misspeak is political parlance for LYING. Stop the euphemisms, Bush LIED, Gonzales LIED, Rice LIED, Powell LIED, Cheney keeps LYING, Jefferson LIED, McCain LIED, Foley LIED. call it like it is, we are not children and all the perfume in the world can't mask the stench of all the LIES.

[sandy994]

I am not inspired by any of the candidates so far. I want someone that has experience, who will work on global warming, fund stem cell research, get our terrible deficits under control and worry about this countries problems for a change. I am still waiting for Al Gore to enter the race. No more incompetence, no more warmongers ever again.

[Syndicate]

I hope Gore runs too. This would be the third time I voted against him. Sorry but if the guy is not smart enough to practice what he preaches then he is incompetant and does not deserve my vote.

[forthepeopl1]

A declassified Pentagon report released Thursday concludes that there was no
direct cooperation between Saddam Hussein's regime and al Qeada. But *** Cheney,
apparently, remains convinced there was. ONLY IN HIS AND BUSHES HEAD!!!! ALSO
RUMSFELDS HEAD..THEY SHOULD BE HANGED FOR TREASON AGAIST OUR COUNTRY...FOR THE
MURDERS OF OUR KIDS.

The Washington Post on Friday said the report, which had been issued in summary
form in February, drew on "captured Iraqi documents" and "interrogations of
Saddam Hussein and two former aides" which "all confirmed" that Saddam and al
Qaeda were not working together prior to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. THERE
HAVE BEEN ALOT OF US SAYING THIS EXECT THING FOR A LONG TIME NOW, SO WERE ARE
THE ONES THAT LOVE THERE BUSH CRIME FAMILY.THIS SHOULD KILL THEM..SEEING CHENEY
WINEING LIKE A BABY.

WHY NOT LET ALL AMERICA KNOW ALL THIS, THIS SHOULD BE IN ALL PAPERS AND NEWS FOR
DAY ON DAYS UNTIL OUR ELECTED DO THE RIGHT THING. IMPEACH AND CHARGE THEM ALL
WITH WAR CRIMES...

WAKE UP AMERICANS AND FIGHT FOR YOUR COUNTRY. DONT LET OUR CONGRESS GET AWAY WITH MURDER

[johnpeters2]

McCain clearly demonstrates what is wrong with todays polititians. He knows he is wrong but would never admit it. I dont think he is wrong I just think he is CRAZY. I would never vote for him.

[forthepeopl1]

Well, again, I disagree with what the majority of the American people want.

.sounds just like a true hero for bushis and his crime family. he should just go now and turn himself in at a vet-mental hospital.. that will be the only place anyone will listen to this lier and trader of americans..

[forthepeopl1]

Administration officials led by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez have been meeting privately for weeks with Republican senators. That expanded to a meeting in late March with key senators from both parties.

privately means how much money will i get if i go along with you boys. so how much for me.me.me.me.me.me.me.me.

that what it all about..how much money is in it for me..

time to get rid of our government......
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 08:38 AM : Apr 10, 2007

[inventagod]

Pure horsepoop...
America's political offerings have been poor at best.
Our little stinker Bu$h is the worst president I have seen in my lifetime. Somehow America has been saddled with the biggest crew of conmen in our history. If it means profit in the wallet, they are all for it, society in general does not matter to these greedy few.
Somehow the voters have to be able to figure out the true measure of a potential leader, and it's difficult with all the Madison Avenue hype and plush sound bites.

[sanfelz]

Moving the New York primary to Feb 5 would seem to offer a huge boost to Clinton and Giuliani. New Jersey has also moved the primary date to Feb 5. The same advertising that is intended for NY reaches NJ and parts of Connecticut. It would seem to present a clear advantage to Hillary and Rudy.