I vote for McCain's being too old based on how he confuses those groups in the Middle East that Joe Lieberman corrected him on and still doesn't get them right. His anger and impulsivity bother me, but this discussion isn't about that.

I want to see how he performs during the debates when he has to think on his feet and actually debate.

One of the most important parts of my job while working, was contracts. They always involved a great deal of someone else's money and quite a few contingencies.

Until I was 60 I whipped through those contracts in no time and both sides were generally happy with the result. THEN, beginning with age 61 and on, they became more difficult to concentrate on and much harder to accomplish if it was after 4 P.M.

I struggled with that until I retired at 62. I used any excuse to wait until the next morning to do a contract and ,if that was impossible, I shared my commission with one of my younger associates in order to have them meet with the people involved and do the contract under my supervision,but they did all the running around and copying of the 10 page documents that were generated.

I know John McCain will have dozens of people surrounding him and they will be the ones doing the scut work but, it will be HE who will be making the big decisions leading to the final disposition of the crisis or treaty, and I think it will be too much of a burden on him because of his age, just as it was too much for me due to my growing older.As an aside, I also had a better disposition than he is reputed to have, which made the work a bit easier to do.

Not only for the reasons above, but for many others too numerous to mention, I will be voting the Obama-Biden ticket in November and hoping they win.

Aside from his many policy positions that I don't agree with -- what concerns me most about McCain is his impetuousness, his recklessness. He seems to operate from a belief that he can cut through obstacles with inspired gambles (see for example the choice of Palin or his excitement about supporting the rash Georgian president.)

I do not assume this behavior is age related. It would not be in me. I've become less likely to jump into things without thinking them through as I get older.

But though this in McCain does not off the top strike me as age-related, it also strikes me as not quite within the normal range of behavior, even for someone among the rarefied set of people who would ever dare to want to be President. I'd be curious to read any thoughts on this.

I appreciate, Ronni, your descriptions of exactly how your energy has changed. I have a lot of energy and wonder what is going to happen to me. That aside, I agree that people age differently. I think a vigorous 72-year-old could certainly be president. (Keep in mind I am a progressive and won't be voting for McCain for any reason.)

When Reagan, who was in his 70's was president, during his 2nd term, he was photographed sleeping during meetings and shortly after he left office, he admitted to being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers. Those things can happen at younger ages but 70 and older, one is at higher risk for these. But to me, the GREATER concern, is that McCain takes AmbienCR.

Ambien has been in the news over the last year or so because it causes amnesia. In the elderly in particulary it is the worst sleep drup to use because of this. My mom was on it when it first came out and I got called cause she was wandering the halls of her apt building, naked. Nice huh? She had no clue where she was and what she was doing. And, she is not alone.

Remember Patrick Kennedy who was picked up when he crashed his car and he didn't know where he was or what he was doing? They said he was on drugs...he was, he was taking ambien for sleep.

So to quote Hillary's commercial, who will answer that 3 Am phone call? I hope its not McCain

How did his five years in a Viet Cong prison camp affect McCain's personality and his behavioral constitution? Would the damage caused by five years incarceration and torture have impacted on his attitudes and reactions? If he were ten years younger, would he be better suited to meet the needs of the office of Commander-in-chief?
Why does McCain what to be President at this point in his life?
I am occasionally annoyed by the patronizing attitude some 30-somethings show towards me and my 74 years. How will they feel about McCain?

I certainly admire McCain's ability to keep up a grueling campaign schedule that would fatigue many a person half his age. It indicates a stamina and desire, and yes, a state of health that is above average.

That being said, everybody is looking at McCain at 72 as he might start his Presidency. What about 2010, or 2011, or 2012? As much as he and his advisors would like to deny nature, he will decline in his physical and mental capabilities over that time. If he is having memory and health problems now, how will he be in 4 years?

What will his decision-making abilities be in 2011? When will his melanoma and wartime injuries finally catch up with him? Given his temper and his tendency for quick -- and sometimes rash -- decisions, how will he perform when a crucial situation arises when he is outside his physical and mental "prime time?" How many decisions will have to be made by advisors and underlings due to his age-related incapacity?

I don't think these are ageist questions; they are just the hard questions. And I think that people considering voting for McCain need to separate themselves from the excitements of the moment and the euphoria of the campaign to ask these and similar hard questions.

Nothing to do with his age. Nothing to do with the number. It's just a dumb number.

Everything to do with his policies. We Canadians are worried that he will promote war. And whatever the USA does, we are the brother, so it affects us equally.

Nobody I know critiques McCain's age, just his policies. The whole world is waiting for some kind of messiah, and many think Obama is that man.

I just hope he does what he says he will do, and motivates the USA to where it belongs, in terms of health care, returning soldiers, education, senior care and sharing expertise with poverty stricken countries.

Age is a very important issue. Reflect for a moment on how all of the former presidents have prematurely aged in office. Look at the Frat Boy looks of George W when he took office. Look at him now.It takes a big toll. McCain is starting out old.

At 74 yrs I have experienced much of the same decline in energy as commented on above, not to mention "senior moments". This is true of most older folk I know.

Now, here's the thing on the health issue. I have observed low these many years, that as long as an older person remains status quo even with existing health issues, all is well. But, it doesn't take much to alter that balance and cause a domino effect in decline. Heck at John's age a severe case of hemorrhoids could lay him pretty low. He does not have to actually keel over to become incapacitated. Ready or not Sarah would step in.

He has definately shown signs of mental stress if not decline. Look how he has milked the war hero Hanoi Hilton thing over and over relating it to almost any question put to him. My Dad and brothers served heroically with decorations and commendations..one having been a German POW and guess what, they hardly ever spoke of it.

How do I view John McCain? Well he seems to me a peevish old fuffer and I'll add, it takes one to know one.

A friend just referred me to your website.

The post by Ronni was excellent. I am 62, and all these points mentioned are happening to me.

John McCain seems hell bent to reach his goal of being our next President.

The concept of goal setting is admirable, but the facts still remain, the man will be almost 77 when his first term is over!

It is quite amazing to me that more voters are not that concerned about his "memory lapses" and physical impairments.

Since I am a senior citizen, conservative, go to a Christian Bible Church, white,people assume I am voting for McCain.

This election, thanks to his age, policies, anger issues, selecting the unknown Palin to get the "female vote" I have had it with McCain.

A person has to realize age limitations and McCains ego will not allow him.

I really feel here should be an age cap for Senators and Presidents.

I'm not a supporter of McCain, but during the primaries I figured he was up for the job by watching him campaign. I'm only 56, and it would kill me to campaign like Obama and McCain. I would require a week of rest after just one full day of visiting several cities and meetings with hundreds of people. Anyone who can survive months of campaigning probably has the stamina for the job. Hell, getting the job for McCain might even be bad for him because it will be cutting way back on activity. Whether or not he'll have the same stamina for four years is another question. But I expect him to be a man in exceptional health.