Still beating the old gray mare
by digby
This from the party that worshipped that sprightly young fellow Ronald Reagan (and a media that remains as ageist as ever):
Does age matter when it comes to who occupies the White House? That’s a question that could be asked with more frequency should Hillary Clinton decide to seek the Democratic nomination for U.S. president, as she is widely expected to do, and as the Republican field of potential candidates fills up with 40-year-olds.
The former first lady and secretary of state will turn 67 in October, meaning she would be moving back into the White House at 69 if she won the 2016 election. Most U.S. presidents have been in their 40s or 50s when they took office, including the current president Barack Obama who was 47 when he won, so Clinton would be one of the oldest.
What role, if any, Clinton’s age might play — in her decision and in the race if she does go for it — has already been the subject of some debate. It may be rude to talk about a woman’s age, but politics plays by different rules.
Fox News host Mike Huckabee, who hasn’t ruled out another run at the Republican nomination (he tried in 2008), said last month that he’s not sure Clinton will run.
“I think everybody assumes she will but look, she’s going to be at an age where it’s going to be a challenge for her,” he said before going on to criticize her record as the U.S.’s top diplomat.
[...]
Howard Kurtz noted in a Media Buzz column on Foxnews.com on the questions being raised about Clinton’s age that women politicians are scrutinized more than men when it comes to their birthdays.
“Hillary — she of the ever-changing hairstyles — has to worry about wrinkles in a way that male candidates do not.” ...
“Don’t tell me that Democrats are the party of the future when their presidential ticket for 2016 is shaping up to look like a re-run of The Golden Girls,” Sen. Mitch McConnell told last year’s Conservative Political Action Conference.
“We’ve got Rand Paul, we’ve got Marco Rubio, we’ve got Paul Ryan and a slew of smart, young and energetic governors. And the other guys? They’ve got Hillary and Joe Biden,” he said.
Democrats have 'old, tired candidates'
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, a 42-year-old Republican who is said to be interested in running for president, has said the Democrats have “old, tired candidates.”
Oh let's not forget the real wingnut argument shall we?
Noting that “the presidency ages the occupants of that office rapidly," Limbaugh asked, "Will Americans want to watch a woman get older before their eyes on a daily basis?
Of course, if the last go around is any guide, it will be much, much worse than that. So get ready for some sexist, ageist insults that will make your gray hair fall out completely.
Still, I have to laugh at the idea that Rand Paul or Mike Huckabee are the Republicans' offerings to the hipster bro crowd. But hey, maybe if they grow beards and start playing the banjo ...
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