Rep. John Murtha is three years older than Sen. John McCain. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
(CNN) – Rep. Jack Murtha, who has endorsed Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid, introduced the New York senator at a Washington appearance Wednesday with the observation that Sen. John McCain is too old to be president. “It’s no old man’s job,” said Murtha.
McCain is 71, three years younger than Murtha, a powerful Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania. Murtha said the demands of the office were too much for men of their age.
If he were elected, McCain would be the oldest first-term U.S. president in history.
"...[T]his one guy running is about as old as me," said Murtha. "And let me tell you something, it's not [an] old man's job. I mean the campaign, the stress, so forth."
McCain’s campaign immediately condemned Murtha’s remarks, saying trail activities like his late-night talk show appearances should eliminate any voter doubt about the Arizona senator’s stamina for the office, in a statement that did not mention Clinton, taking aim instead at Barack Obama.
"I think people will evaluate John McCain through the type of campaign he is running, whether it is through appearances on shows like Letterman and Leno, whether its through the fifteen hour days on the campaign trail,” McCain's senior advisor Steve Schmidt. “He’s a person who’s in great physical shape, who has outworked every other campaign on the Republican side, and you know, has a much tougher and demanding schedule than Senator Obama."
McCain himself laughed at Murtha’s remarks, telling CNN’s John King that the congressman is a friend, but should speak for himself - he feels great.
From CNN Politics
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This is funny... coming from Murtha... if it's getting tough maybe you should retire... ha ha...
Jack Murtha can's talk.........He is older than McCain and he needs to retire himself.
Not that I support McCain, but the pot cant call the kettle black.
MURTHA is too old and out of touch as well.
Has to be his "Young" wife keeping him going.....
Hah! Well isn't that the pot calling the kettle black...
McCAIN IS TOO OLD TO BE ANYTHING BUT AN EXHIBIT AT MADAME TUSSAUD'S.
There is some concern since some mental and physical ablities slow down after certain points in age in many people. They differ from person to person, but it can happen. Do we want to risk the concern over the mental stablity that we started to wonder with Reagan? I hope not.
...This is just too easy.
Duhhhh...doesn't take a Rocket scientist to figure McCain is a Dinosaur!
I'm more afraid of his policies than his age.
i think this should be taken seriously. its from one dinasour to another.
OBAMA 2008
L.O.L. L.O.L.
Give me your break! Look who's talking!
McCain is too old
Obama is too inexperienced
Hillary is too obnoxious
Can we start all over again?
Well I actually have to agree. McCains age is in question but I am more concerned with the delays of his medical records than his actual age..
Obama 08
I just watched McCain on msnbc...he always seems testy and agitated. I like a lot of what he says, but he does come across as a mean old man.
This is getting a little pathetic on the clinton campaigns side
he is.
Hey Murtha, you are too old to have an opinion about anything. Shut your pork barrel mouth and go retire. Take your daughter Hillary with you.
None of you will get a shot,not Hillary,not McCain,and not you old idiot.
It's OBAMA time baby!!!
It doesn't matter if the President is 35 or 85. What matters is, if the President is dedicated to the majority of American people. Bush is a good case in point, since he ignores the people on behalf of Israel.
Clinton supporters are as delusional as their master.
This race is getting funnier.
Now that's funny!!!!
What did Murtha's comment have to do with Barack Obama? And for some reason I doubt that he has a "much tougher and demanding" schedule than Obama, considering McCain's primary is effectively over.
Anyhow, I find it funny that a while ago, Mccain intimated that Murtha's age made him "too sentimental" for certain decisions because he's had to deal with death and funerals, but when Murtha brought up McCain's age, McCain acts like it has no bearing.
I'm of the attitude that McCain's age is much less of an issue than his poor policy positions, but McCain can't have it both ways–can't criticize a man's age when he's only 3 years older than you are, and then expect others not to criticize yours. (Ben Smith on Politico has the whole story about that, btw.)
He is too old.
Wow, so the Clinton camp is not only racist, but also ageist!
To imagine all the great things our elders bring to the table and to have it bashed really shows what type of people are supporting Hillary!
Nothing John McCain can do, short of wild plastic surgery will ever make people vote for him. Ive seen 72 year olds seem fine, and then 8 months later they are in the worst health of their lives. Once you get that old, rapid decay can hit at any time.
mccain should just retire in florida with his buddy charlie crist and just go ruin that state
Well... if we need an expert on old...
Murtha is too fat be a senator and can't find his mouth because he has so many layers of fat on his fat face he has to find the wed spot to feed his face. He needs to have surgery to lift his eye brows to see also. Who rerally cares what this commie left wing idiot says.
It doen't matter how old McCain is, the religious right will still elect him president. They don't vote for the man they vote for power and control over people's lives.
I'm 78 and I say ditto, he is too old.
Obama 08
CLINTON LOOKS 75, SO WHY PICK ON MCCAINS AGE ?
LOL! No one is even mentioning Clinton! LOL! She is not a factor is the race for the White House!
Bye Bye Clinton
Um...doesn't he have cancer or something? He's 72. No matter who you are, at 72 you're not "in great physical shape". I don't care who you are.
My guess is, the only reason his schedule is "much tougher and demanding...than Senator Obama['s]" is because of the fact that he's 72. Any person who is 72 can't do "stuff" as fast as someone who's under 50. Whatever the "stuff" is- tennis, filling out papers, making decisions, talking politics, thinking, driving...etc.
Point is, it might take him working 15 hour days in order for him to accomplish what Sen. Obama can accomplish in, say, a 12-hour day.
Wait... a 75 year old calling a 72 year old... too old?
HA!
Almost as funny as a Yale lawyer calling a Harvard lawyer an elitist.
All the more reason to be really concerned about who he picks as his running mate - and VOTE DEMOCRAT in November
Eugene, OR
Well, what would you expect from some one who lost their marbles years ago. Murtha is an embarrasment like Carter.
McCain 08
He is too old to take on Al Quaeda.
America 08
Just because Murtha is too old to think straight, that doesn't mean all seniors are too old at that age. How old was Einstein when he completed his theory - no young man for sure. Don't throw out the lifetime of statesmanlike service when the man McCain is still full of life and intellect. Take advantage of all that experience through being involved with this country's business; he is far better trained and educated through his living the government life than the upstarts.
HA! HA! HA! HEH! HEH! HEH!
Wow! McCain's campaign responded by "taking aim instead at Barack Obama". A Clinton superdelegate surrogate talks about McCain, and McCain's campaign responds by ignoring Hillary (and the fact that Murtha is a Hillary supporter).
Too funny!
What a contrast in a general election? 5-foot 7-inch 71 year old Old Man McCain standing next to 6-foot 2-inch 46 year old Barack Obama.
The past vs the future.
Obama in 08!
he's right. He's too old. I respect his ordeal in life and his contributions to America, but he is too old. We don't need the extra worries of all the aiments that old age can bring.
Maybe so but still better than Obama.
Hillary 08
The new GI bill (Post 9/11 Veterans Act) which is being co-sponsored by 53 Senators, including 9 Republicans, and the three other than McCain Vietnam Vets in the Senate, plus the chickenhawks are threatning to veto it.
Guess what McCain said:
"I haven't had time to read it, and even if I did I'm not sure I would vote for it"
Bush people have said:
"If we offer college to returning veterans, they might not re-enlist"
Are you paying attention you proud American Republicans, are you paying attention?
WHY AM I BACKING A LOSER? WHY? WHY? WHY?
GENDER IDENTIFICATION!
SHE WILL LOSE BUT I MUST BACK HER. THIS IS MADNESS
WHY? WHY? WHY?
HILLARY WE LOVE YOU
Murtha looks like he's about to run his pants in this picture! LMAO!!!
That's typical of many of Hillary's supporters. John Mccain is not too old to be president, neither was Ronald Reagan, or Pope Benedict XVI who's 81 and leading the Catholic church.
Hillary's too dishonest to be President of the United States. Lets discuss that.
Obama '08
Since his birthday is 8/29/36 that would make McCain 71, wouldn't it? Seems Murtha mis-spoke. It's not anyone's call to say he is too old, he got the votes to get where he is. If age was an issue, then why didn't Huckabee or Romney beat him? Murtha is laughable, just like the candidate he supports.
Anyone with an aging grandparent has seen how QUICKLY the elderly deteriorate...
2 years ago I played frisbee with my 75-year-old grandfather, but this year he had to have 2 operations and I barely recognize him.
we need somebody with energy and enthusiasm, this is a difficult time for our country and we can't put failing health on our list of things that could go wrong.
How old is Jack Murtha. Looks pretty old to me. Better a proven old patriot than a young whipper snaper with no experience.
Sage advice. Obama -bots are too young to listen to anyone but the yes we can, repetitively spoken speaker. Redundancy is their forte. The competitive, repetitive theory is in the school system. That is what is wrong with the eductional system. Tell someone the same thing over and over and over and over until they get it. Eliminate free thinking, just repeat and repeat, call it brainwashing.
I do not understand how McCain's age has anything to do with Obama. If anything, he should mention H. Clinton. IF am not mistaken HIllary's age is much more closer to McCain than Obama
Obama is young enough and naive enough that powers and influences he never dreamed of would play him for a sucker as president.
Hillary is the only real choice that can lead this country into prosperity.
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Does Murtha even know what day it is? This is the pot calling the kettle black!
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Easy comment for a political "has-been" who really has max'd out his own potential in life.
Folks–there's a reason there is no maximum age for President. Wisdom, energy, vision, and new ideas–don't die out at any specific age. It's in the spirit. I agree, Murtha is too old...and too stupid, and too secular, and too much of a follower than a leader, and......
Don't accept adivce about a winner from a loser!
Age does play a role... Alzheimers is more prevalent in older people... Have we forgotten what happended to Reagan?
It's a sad thing but it does exist more in the older population. No one can say whether this will be the case for McCain but he does get his Iraqi factions all mixed up!
he should know...
I agree. He is too old, hot headed and a democrat in disguise to vote for.
If you want another 4 years of BUSH, elect MCSAME!
Obama is the way to go.
I think Murtha shouldn't attack Mccain's age and Mccain shouldn't have attacked Obama....He keeps saying people are tired of old politics...both attacks are wrong.
look who its coming from
Rep. Murtha is right McCain is too old. When Mrs. Reagan walked out with Sen. McCain, when she endorsed him, it was hard to tell who was holding who up.
Rep. Murtha is wrong on his endorsement. He should have endorsed Sen. Barack Obama.
Another Republican voting for Barack Obama and proud of it.
TEXAS
Why is everyone talking about McCain as if he's old? I don't get it.
Geez, look who's talking about age...
It's not about age, it's about understanding the modern world and how technology has changed it, and how technology can be employed to reduce waste, fraud and abuse, and to use that technology to protect America. Obama gets it.
So McCain says that he appears on LATE night televsion and it shows that he can stay up late? But the late night shows are usually taped in teh afternoon and aired when McCain is already asleep.
This post made me laugh and the replies are hillarious too.
This is why his choice of a vice president is so important. His VP should be a moderate without ties to the Bust administration.
He is too old. His temper blows up pretty quick. Don't need another Bush administration. Done with that and I believe so is everyone else. Time for him to go rest. HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!
All of you seem to be misinterpreting what the man was saying. He's not being a hypocrite, he's saying the office of the President is too much for men of their age, himself included. He'd be a hypocrite if he was running, but he's not.
... even I know that those 'late' shows by Letterman and Leno are taped earlier in the day...
Mccain is too old for anything. Even to feed birds.
I hope the Democrats take this approach and run with it since it always make sense to alienate a portion of the population that is the least likely to change their views and is the most likely to vote for the same consistently.
When I look at the landscape of this, I see no way that Obama can win an election. The media does vote and CNN does not pick a president. He has divided the party and is arrogant. He has paved the way for a Republican win.
Will you post this CNN ?
Next we'll see Hillary doing aerobics on the Tonight Show.
McCain old but experienced. Obama young and inexperienced. Hillary, just right.
Hey Justin, don't send him our way, we aleady have enough screw ups down here. Obama remember, you will need our vote in the general election, you didn't want us in the primary, so NO VOTE in November.
GO HILLARY '08
Amen, Carol. I wish we could start this whole process again. I say re-vote for everybody!!!
Ummm, aren't the huge majority of late night talk shows filmed at 4 in the afternoon?
Murtha is wrong on this. Maybe his age limitation should be imposed on senators, too?
I thought Bill said the us old folks were wiser. Camp chaos continues. And they wonder why I switched to Obama.
cheap shot mcbush. hillary backer insults you and you are going after obama? you are pathetic – and btw some talk shows and a college hardball show doesnt DO JACK to prove you are not too old to be president.
YOU ARE OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE, THE AFRICAN AMERICANS, THE POOR PEOPLE and frankly the NON-ELITEs
Senator Obama you have my vote. I hope America does not allow itself to be hoodwinked again by the lying Clintons and the republican rogues
Just one old guy making fun of another old guys age for fun. Don't take it so seriously.
With all the bickering going on amongst Democrats – Hilliary supporters saying they will vote for McCain if Obama wins, and not as many Obama supports saying they will cross over and vote Republican. We all have to be concerned with McCain's age – his medical records have not been releasted, but his people say he is clear of cancer. The reality of it is that some people do suffer some memory loss as they age. No disrespect, but remember Ronald Reagan.
That's so unfair, McCane has been nothing but respectful to the both democratic candidates, even when he disagree with them. Hillary should denounce and reject the statement.
Why are racism and sexism wrong, but it's acceptable to insult someone because of their age? We are living longer and in better health and John McCain and his mother are good examples.
it's the truth. murtha should know.
A Clinton supporter attacks McBush and McBush campaign attacks Obama? That is as hilarious as McBush stealing somebody else's recipe!
But yeah, McCain is old. No wonder everybody wants to be his VP running mate! Just think Anna Nicole Smith.
We need to face reality. McCain is not in his prime or at the top of his game. This is just one of life's facts, not disrespect.
Thank you Uncle Sam. That just sounded good.
Attacking yet another veteran
The way Rep. Murtha comes across is funny. I can't take him seriously about anything he says. I respect him, but I just can't take him seriously at this point. This election has to be the funniest thing I've seen in a long time.
Vote "Obama"!
As a Hillary supporter, I'd rather vote for an old guy w/ a lot of experience than a young guy w/o any
DINOSAURS .... THE BOTH OF THEM
Tell it like it is!!!!!!!!!!
Jack Murtha should have supported Obama.
HOLD ON!
Murtha can talk?!!!
No problem, McCain probably didn't hear him anyway.
So will the call for Clinton to personally apologize for her backers opinions...?
I thought Hillary is the one who is too old to remember what happened in Bosnia.
I always knew Murtha was a self-hating old person.
Jack is an idiot. Isn't it illegal to age discriminate in this country?
You're right Uncle Sam. We have ageism, sexism and racism. In other countries, they respect their elders, here people laugh at them.
McCain is too old... time for a new generation of leadership!
Obama '08!
The Clinton's are no spring chickens either!
Obama is our answer!!!
There goes the only supporters Clinton had left, the older folks. Good luck receiving the nomination now.
Is McCain too old? I don't think so. However, I find it repulsive that these comments have turned so hateful and negative.
I love how each of these poltical stories, regardless of topic, turn into the Obama-bots spamming the comment section with anti-hillary and anti-republican talking points. Its getting so repetitive that you could pretty much copy and paste any of the posts into another and not change 95% of the message. Words like "Mcbush" that are echoed hundreds of times are nice little brain-washing tools. Honestly, wouldn't it be nice to place your own well thought out opionion in here instead of the same stuff the Obama camp says over and over? Each time I post it seems that my comments aren't pro-democrat enough to make it through, so chances are no one but the "moderator" will read this anyway. What's so great about free throught anyway?
And I as McCain backer say Murtha is too dumb!
As a former constituent of Rep. Murtha, I can tell you he can probably work circles around McCain! And if he says age is an issue, you better believe it . . . that is experience talking.
Let's face it . . . we all see how a presidency ages ALL who enter into that office. It turns them gray and their faces show the wear and tear of the pressure that comes with being the most powerful person in the world.
Is McCain up to it? I seriously doubt it
McLater
First Bill insults folks under 50, now Murtha insults folks over 60... crazy Hillary Campaign strategy!
I can't believe what an ageist comment this is. A person is capable of doing whatever they want to do and being whatever they want to be, regardless of race, age, or gender. In the future, people will probably live to be 140 years old. Should we all just curl up and do nothing but rock in an old chair from the age of 70 to 140? COME ON!!
"How old was Einstein when he completed his theory — no young man for sure."
Albert Einstein was 26 when he came up with his theories on relativity.
Just thought you'd like to know.
Pretty irresponsible headline, even for CNN. Shouldn't it say "McCain said 71 too old to be Congressmen" or "McCain says 71 too old to make policy decisions"?
He is old and has had cancer 4 times. I am worried about this as well. We have seen some of the effects in the things he has said to the media. I am worried that this will carry over into our foreign relationships as well. I also think McCain's age is what puts him out of touch with the voters. He's 71, that means he was born during the Great Depression, he can't connect with the needs of our country today. I like him and always has, but he is not suited to be president. I wish Huckabee would of won.
MC is young at hearth, whereas Hillary sounds as an old smart ex-first lady whose source of energy to fight for the American people is still to be scrutinized.
McBush, McSame, they are all so lame. Enough already. John McCain could probably whip your stupid lefty butts.
Obama is an elitist idiot, and is the anti-christ
Hillary is a stinking liar
McCain is the only descent candidate out there.
I'm sure Hillary urged him to say it. Enough of this woman!
Uncle Sam, lets talk about mental health to too, is this guy stable ??
But do find it funny that the Clinton's are the ones using the age factor... but then on the other hand BO is to young in their view to too...
6 justices of the supreme court are over 70. Justice Kennedy is 70. Colin Powell is 70. Senator Feinstein is 74. 23 senators are older than McCain. CNN McCain is 71 not 72.
Obviously Murtha is aging poorly... His decision to endorse Hillary and not Barack is proof his critical thinking skills are diminished... Wasn't
it Murtha so outspoken about Iraq? Isn't Obama the consisitent candidate against the war.?
I think Murtha needs to eat some of Cindy Mc Cains Napa cabbage salad ! McCain is not too old just too hungry for war!
Murtha was commenting on McCain's previous statements. When Murtha was coming out against Iraq, McCain said Murtha was getting old and when you get old sentimentality gets involved and you can't make policy decisions that way.
Shame on you CNN for not telling the whole story.
(Disclaimer: I do not support Murtha or Clinton.)
Being a representative or even a Senator is a heck of a lot different than being president. Heck they have even rolled some of those guys into the chamber on hospital beds. Think Strom Thurmond. Even FDR wasn't in THAT bad of shape when he died. It sure would be cute to see McSame being rolled into a press conference in a wheel chair.
What an idiot (Murtha). He's playing politics. Is the Pope too old to be Pope?
Uncle Sam, lets talk about mental health to too, is this guy stable ??
But do find it funny that the Clinton's are the ones using the age factor... but then on the other hand BO is to young in their view to too...
Seems like it would be bigger news if someone opined that McCain was NOT too old.
McBush should fire back at whoever fires at him. Why include Obama in his statement? Well, you'll get whatever is coming at you MY FRIEND.
Sorry, but 72 is too old to become president . Remember the last few years of the Reagan presidency? There were no "live" press conferences (Reagan's people wouldn't "risk it"), Nancy stage wispering "answers" to Ronnie, etc., etc. Do we want to re-visit this? The world is a much too dangerous place to be taking chances like this.
Barack Obama often boasts he is "the only candidate who isn't taking a dime from Washington lobbyists," yet his fundraising team includes 38 members of law firms that were paid $138 million last year to lobby the federal government, records show.
Those lawyers, including 10 former federal lobbyists, have pledged to raise at least $3.5 million for the Illinois senator's presidential race. Employees of their firms have given Obama's campaign $2.26 million, a USA TODAY analysis of campaign finance data shows.
.
I agree McCain is too old, he could be in mental disability, but he still is better than Obama.
McCain hiked the Grand Canyon last year with his son in the navy academy. Lets see Hillary do that.
Sure does make a person miss John Edwards.
i AGREE. lETS roCK THE voTe obama 2008!!!
OBAMA 2008!