CNN’s Jack Cafferty: Age a bigger factor in election than race, gender?

http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/28/age-a-bigger-factor-in-election-than-race-gender/

March 28, 2008
Age a bigger factor in election than race, gender?
Posted: 06:52 PM ET

FROM CNN’s Jack Cafferty:

While the Democrats sweat it out over how voters perceive race and gender in this election, maybe it’s time for the Republicans to take a look at how Americans feel about electing a 71-year-old man.

If John McCain wins, he will be the oldest person ever to serve a first term as president. And a new survey out suggests that the public might have more doubts about voting for someone of McCain’s age for president than they would for an African-American or a woman.

The NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows 72% of those surveyed say voters are ready to elect a qualified black candidate, 18% say they’re not. Meanwhile, 71% say Americans are ready to vote for a woman, 20% say they’re not. But only 61% say the voters are prepared to vote for a person over 70, while 29% say they’re not. Not exactly encouraging numbers for McCain and the Republicans.

Besides his age, McCain has had his share of health issues. He survived 5½ years as a POW in Vietnam, where he was badly mistreated. He’s also been treated for melanoma – a potentially deadly form of skin cancer – four times in the last 15 years. But the Arizona senator is active and keeps up as tough a work schedule as any of the candidates out on the campaign trail.

Doctors say there’s no reason McCain wouldn’t be able to serve as president, although they point out that certain health risks – like heart disease and cancer – a can become bigger factors for people in their 70s.

McCain’s campaign plans to release details of his medical history next month.

Here’s my question to you: When it comes to electability, is John McCain’s age a bigger factor than the Democratic candidates’ race or gender?

Interested to know which ones made it on air

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LeMonton comment: And my favorite from the comments featured by Jack is:
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Raghu writes:
Q. What is John McCain’s Social Security Number?
A. 3
Q. Who are 1 and 2?
A. Adam and Eve