Obama: "Every senior deserves to live out their life in dignity and respect"

[2008]

Just adding this to all the other great reasons to stop ripping on McCain's age. A lot of voting seniors won't like McCain's economic plans, and that's a lot of votes to be lost or gained.

We'll also eliminate income taxes for any retiree making less than $50,000 per year, because every senior deserves to live out their life in dignity and respect. And while John McCain wants to pick up where George Bush left off by trying again to privatize Social Security, I will never waver in my commitment to protect that basic promise as President. We will not privatize Social Security, we will not raise the retirement age, and we will save Social Security for future generations by asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/06/obama_gets_economic_tour_under.html

(edited for exact quote)

[TexasObserver]

1. that doesn't mean we let gramps drive when he has cataracts

You are conflating Obama's statement with your agenda to attack what you incorrectly label "ageism."

[2008]

3. But hopefully, when he takes the bus to the voting booth...

...he doesn't feel like the Democrats don't want, need or respect him.

[TexasObserver]

5. Since OLD people have a bigger problem with his age than anyone, your concern is misplaced.

YOU don't like being reminded that people get OLD. If our life expectancy is 75 years, then anything over 50 is officially OLD. While we can fudge on the 50s, it's clear to all that 60 years is OLD. If you consult any physician, they will gladly tell you that the mind and all physical attributes degenerate, and that anyone 60 or older is facing a downhill slide, whatever they may wish or think to the contrary.

I find people who are unaccepting of the aging process are most guilty of ageism. It's OK to say someone is OLD if they are OLD. It's OK to say OLD people have declining mental acuity and can't always remember things, and have lapses of judgment they would not have had ten years earlier.

I believe that most of those who urge us to step softly around McCain's age are simply individuals who are uncomfortable with their own advancing years.

[2008]

6. There is so little to be gained by that

While it may be fun, it doesn't advance us as a party in any way.

Many will not vote for McCain because of his age, but they will do so based on their own observations. All they have to do is watch one of his speeches. Rubbing their noses in it, especially if they're old themselves, isn't even necessary.

If the Democrats take the highest road possible, we have much more to gain, politically, than we have to lose.

Also, there's a lot to be said for taking the high road just because it's a better road.

[TexasObserver]

7. that's a matter of opinion, not fact

Can you accept that your point of view, as tender hearted and well meaning as it is, does not necessarily reflect reality, but instead reflects your personal desire for such to be true?

[2008]

8. Think of it as staying "on message"

When Obama says, "Every senior deserves to live out their life in dignity and respect," that can't help but appeal to seniors.

When we deride McCain over his age alone, we go off message.

Believe me, I'm glad we're running a younger candidate with energy and charisma against the train wreck I saw last Tuesday (his "That's not change we can believe in" speech). I like that there are a lot of people who won't vote for him because they feel he's too old.

I don't care why people don't vote for McCain, just so long as they don't. The age thing helps us. I just don't think it helps us to actually point it out. It's not a secret, and it's not underreported.

We can have it both ways. We can look better by not playing the age card, and we can benefit from his advanced age at the same time. And all we sacrifice is a few cheap laughs.

[roguevalley]

12. well, all I have to do is get a bit older and then I'm good to go.

:P There is a good thing about being older finally. :)

[baldguy]

2. I had thought we learned this lesson 75 yrs ago.

A quarter century of GOP rule has made us forget it.

[DavidDvorkin]

4. By cracky, you tell 'em, young 'un!

He already had my vote, but now I'm going to practice cackling and banging my cane on the floor.

[IndyOp]

9. Nice - Thanks 2008!

:applause:

Attacking McCain's age is wrong, in part because "McCain Aims for Backlash Among Seniors"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6328744

[monmouth]

10. I wrote to AARP to have Barack drop by at their convention in DC this

fall. It would be a great demographic for him to speak to. They answered my request with a thank you, etc. Maya Angelou is going to be one of the speakers (she has now gone over to Barack). I hope it happens...

[AtomicKitten]

11. I like the no federal income tax for seniors earning less than 50K.

:thumbsup:

[kiranon]

13. Some older people do not feel old.

As you age, you still think and feel the same way you did when you were young. At least that is true for me and for many older people that I know. One doesn't say - oh, I'm 40, I'll think 40 or I'm 60, I'll think 60. You are who you are and it stays that way all your life. You learn new things, you forget things that hurt, you grow or you don't but you are the same person you always were. One sees an old person and thinks what do they know or understand about young people but we were young once too and the thoughts do not change just because we age.