Happy B'day John McCain

He turned 70 today. This article from last week puts that into perspective:

WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain of Arizona will do something next week that'll set him apart from everyone else who's weighing a run for president in 2008.

He'll celebrate his 70th birthday Tuesday.

That would put him in uncharted political territory should he win the presidency: No one older than 70 has ever moved into the White House.

Not only will the Republican senator be the oldest of the large field of possible candidates in both major parties, he'll be three years older on Election Day 2008 than Ronald Reagan was when he won his first term in 1980. At 69, Reagan was the oldest man ever to enter the White House. He was 73 when he won his second term.

Boy, does that bring back memories. Ronald Reagan addressed the "age issue" perfectly back in 1984 during a presidential debate with Democrat Walter Mondale.

This was the question posed to the President:

Mr. President, I want to raise an issue that I think has been lurking out there for two or three weeks, and cast it specifically in national security terms. You already are the oldest President in history, and some of your staff say you were tired after your most recent encounter with Mr. Mondale. I recall, yes, that President Kennedy, who had to go for days on end with very little sleep during the Cuba missile crisis. Is there any doubt in your mind that you would be able to function in such circumstances?

Here's the video clip (via YouTube) of Reagan's response.

Gosh, I miss Ronnie.