Howard Dean: McCain’s Age And “Old-Fashioned” Worries Swing Voters
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Thursday that swing voters participating in focus groups commissioned by the D.N.C. bring up John McCain’s age unprompted.
“We didn’t bring it up, but they volunteered it,” said Dean who explained that voters have two concerns about McCain’s age. “One was a health concern, the other was, and this is really interesting . . . that his views are old-fashioned.”
At the age of 72, McCain would be the oldest newly elected president in U.S. history if inaugurated in 2009.
Referring to what Dean characterized as the party’s most conservative focus group in Charleston, W. Va., the DNC chairman said “the women in that group were shocked that [McCain] believed health insurance shouldn’t cover birth control pills and they were shocked about his belief in abstinence only education.”
While knocking McCain’s “old-fashioned” views, Dean maintained that the Democratic Party was unlikely to invoke McCain’s age in the fall campaign.
“I doubt we will bring it up in the election,” said Dean, referring to the age issue. “There is somewhat of a higher ethical bar on what we do.”
“We don’t have any Lee Atwaters or Karl Roves on our side,” he added.
“We don’t have to,” added D.N.C. spokeswoman Karen Finney. “I know the McCain campaign is saying he’s a strong brand. He’s not a strong brand. He’s actually a pretty weak candidate.”
“I don’t think we have to bring up age,” said Cornell Belcher, an Obama pollster who collaborated on the D.N.C.’s McCain poll. “I don’t think we will.”
Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant dismissed Dean’s comments about McCain’s age, saying the election would be about “judgment, character, vision and leadership — all things voters associate with John McCain.”
Dean made his comments to reporters at the D.N.C.’s “John McCain polling briefing”.
(ABC)
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Howard Dean: “The silly old fart actually thinks we shold fight and defeat Islamo-Fascism, can you imagine, what a geezer, young, metrosexual hip guys like me think we should just bend over and enjoy Osamas attentions”.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:14 amMcCain IS older (more EXPERIENCED!), had health issues (beat skin cancer … survived torture and mis-treatment while a friggin’ POW!), “old fashioned” (follows the United States Constitution) …
Howard Dean?
Just a fucking socialist NUT!
April 11th, 2008 at 7:15 amDrill
how comes that you figure MacCain now ?
April 11th, 2008 at 7:22 amI have been reading worst things on him by you
They must be betting on the mindless youth that the hussein is attracting.
How does this help with the demographic in Florida?
April 11th, 2008 at 7:27 amHoward Deans socialist agenda worries me.
This guy is at the top of the socialist ladder, why else would he be the top dog of the DNC.
We’re taking Ohio!, then we’re gonna take florida! then on to the white house! BYAAAAAAAAAH!!!
April 11th, 2008 at 7:30 amTo say that McCain is a weak candidate because of THREE issues is fucking ridiculous.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:33 amNice to know that the head of the open minded, compassionate, tolerant liberal democrat party continues to argue using identity politics. Bravo, Howard Scream, Bravo.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:50 amNo … McCain wasn’t MY first choice, but he is THE ONLY choice now, and more importantly in the general election.
I really don’t recall voicing ANYTHING so outwardly negative about the man that you are now referring to. I have read those remarks of others here on the site, and their misgivings are well-founded. But unless you can find and link to where I have personally blasted the guy I stand by my memory.
Either way, most of us are bucking-up and throwing down for the man. And Howard Dean’s latest attempt to slam the man is lame, to say the least.
Now, you might be confusing my remarks about Ron Paul … who I still don’t recall exactly how nasty I got about that guy, but I know he asked for it … especially after the whole “Ron Paulie Girl” video.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:11 amTo be completely clear, I insist McCain carefully choose the right person for Veep to balance his [liberal] proclivities … if he hopes to win over other conservatives who weren’t/still aren’t so happy with him on the GOP ticket.
Either way, he had my vote (back when there was still a field) should he have ended up taking the nomination over MY first and second choices … and he did. So my vote is his.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:34 am“I doubt we will bring it up in the election,” said Dean, referring to the age issue. “There is somewhat of a higher ethical bar on what we do.” quote by “Screamin’ Howie Dean”
The party of the Clintons has a a higher standard when it comes to ethics? Whitewater, travelgate, cattle futures, filegate, Mark Rich pardon, Chinese campaign contributions ect ect. I need to double wrap my head to keep it from exploding.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:36 amthat must be the impression then I got from the general comments :
anyway, as far as me, I find him a bit old ; he has many memory problems notally in his last trip to Europa and Irak, he made a few disruptions that were corrected by Libermann
April 11th, 2008 at 9:03 amSimply add it to the list of ‘Stupid Howard Dean Quotes’ -
April 11th, 2008 at 9:07 amhttp://politicalhumor.about.com/od/stupidquotes/a/deanquotes.htm
Hell, I’ll trust a man with substantive experience any day of the week, age be damned. Obama is no JFK. JFK may have had some social problems, but he still had the nation’s best interest at heart (for the most part). I’d seriously doubt Obama could stare down a rival power, he’d almost certainly flinch first. Unlike either potential opponent, McCain has actually introduced legislation in the Senate (in some infamous cases many resent), and has been a proven leader.
JSM (sounds like a weapon acronym
) also has a sense of humor:
April 11th, 2008 at 9:13 am“Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?” McCain said at a GOP fund-raiser in Washington. “Because Janet Reno is her father.”
that must be the impression then I got from the general comments :
anyway, as far as me, I find him a bit old ; he has many memory problems notally in his last trip to Europa and Irak, he made a few disruptions that were corrected by Libermann
————————————————————
REALLY??!!??
Hmmm … atleast he remembers if/when he was SHOT AT, and IF/WHEN he sat in a church where the Rev. was spewing racist rhetoric.
I counter, McCain’s [many] “memory problems” involve more of a slip of a tongue and a lack of sleep resulting in “jet-lag” than missing brain volume … or calculated bloviating … or out and out LYING.
Rambo Hillary:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2VfjJi2qjR8
`splain Hussein for me:
“Obama Almost Says What He Means”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_gJpP8TNBQ
Or Slick Willie:
“Bill Clinton for the defense”
http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=fbfd0e3c-cb1b-4394-962d-8ab2b05aa43e
Or the (LYING) New York Times:
“The Times Gets It Wrong (Again)”
http://powerlineblog.com/
The more people try to throw at McCain, the more I load-up for him.
But if you’re gonna step into the American political ring, ya gotta bring more than a fly-swatter when we’re armed to the teeth …
Just sayin’, Madam.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:23 amhere is an exemple of what I ment :
McCain/Libermann
McCain/Merkel/Putin
here is the definition he inspires me that I put on another place :
well, MacCain has a sense for the opportunities as big as his ability for “good words” ; he can adapt his opinion according to the person he has in front of him : just, as does an untertainer ! no problem though, there would be the “staff” behind, same men, same policy
April 11th, 2008 at 11:01 amwell, MacCain has a sense for the opportunities as big as his ability for “good words” ; he can adapt his opinion according to the person he has in front of him : just, as does an untertainer ! no problem though, there would be the “staff” behind, same men, same policy
———————————————————–
Were it not for you using McCain’s name in there I thought you were talking about Hillary …
What you describe … is any typical “politician”.
It’s still “Not So Much” really … {shrug}
BTW
The video … exactly [how] wrong was he?
April 11th, 2008 at 11:12 amWere it not for you using McCain’s name in there I thought you were talking about Hillary
how could you suppose that ?
April 11th, 2008 at 11:26 am