<p>I remember my very spry grandfather at 72 years old. He was active and alert. But I'd never expect him or his peers to handle a job as punishing as president.</p>
<p>Should this be an issue? Do McCain's self-deprecating jokes about his age hurt him or help him? They certainly make him more likable but is that enough? Here's one take:</p>
<p>I disagree with this op-ed's suggestion that McCain should stop being who he is. While I wouldn't want him as president, his personality is good and being stoic would make him seem dead whereas his jocularity makes him seem more alive.</p>
<p>just look at the before and after photos of clinton (and bush now). They look significantly aged compared to when they first got into office. Hence, the stress might be too much for even someone like John McCain. I would definitely say that age is an issue, but not necessarily the determining factor</p>
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just look at the before and after photos of clinton (and bush now). They look significantly aged compared to when they first got into office.
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<p>While I imagine being POTUS is an extremely stressful job, before and after pictures shouldn't be cited as evidence of that fact. Eight years is a long time; readily observable natural aging can occur in that span.</p>
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Well, if McCain wins and shortly thereafter dies, it's very likely you will commonly say the folllowing:
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<p>This is going to sound disrespectful, but I don't mean it to: what if he doesn't die, but starts going batty and a) Fights efforts to have him declared unfit and this fight gets out into the view of the world or b) Just checks out in invisible ways leaving non-elected people with their hands on the steering wheel.</p>