Murtha: McCain’s too old

posted at 1:47 pm on April 16, 2008 by Allahpundit

You know how it is with senior citizens. They’re cranky, they get confused, they say things they haven’t fully thought through. Can we risk having people like that in positions of power?

On the other hand, they’re usually very generous towards the people they care about.

Murtha is 75, four years older than McCain. He says they are nearly the same age, and the rigors and stress of running the country is too much for guys their age.

“I’ve served with seven presidents,” Murtha told a union audience. “When they come in, they all make mistakes. They all get older.”

“This one guy running is about as old as me,” he said, drawing laughter and applause. “Let me tell you something, it’s no old man’s job.”…

“Watch me campaign. We keep a heavier schedule. We campaign harder,” [McCain] said Monday during The Associated Press annual meeting. “People will judge me by my performance. I am confident that my energy, my intellect, my experience, and my judgment is what American people will — hopefully that they will view me as qualified to be president of the United States.”

His campaign said Wednesday Murtha’s comments were “nonsense attacks.”

Are they? They’re absurd coming from Abscam Jack, who’ll be pushing 80 at the end of Maverick’s term, but notwithstanding Dean-o’s genuflection to political correctness in ruling the subject out of bounds, age is — potentially — relevant to competence. McCain’s got nothing to worry about, though; like he says, he’s as energetic a campaigner as either Democrat. The more time the left devotes to this issue, the more St. John gets to play on a field that favors of him. More, please.

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The late night shows have all been pushing this prunes and creme corn strategy for over a month. It isn’t going to go away. If it works or not will depend on Johnny Mac himself.
Should be lots of sound bytes (good and bad) headed our way soon.

Limerick on April 16, 2008 at 1:51 PM

“…and I had tied an onion to my belt, because that was the fashion at the time, but I couldn’t afford any of those white onions, just a plain old yellow one. Then I started walking off toward Shelbyville, which at the time was called….”

Spanky Murtha, channeling Grampa Simpson

James on April 16, 2008 at 1:53 PM

Blue hair alert we have blue hair alert!

m0nkeyb0y on April 16, 2008 at 1:55 PM

It is a concern for me… and one reason why I’ll be VERY interested in his VP pick.

I watched my Father go from running 3 miles 4 times a week at 70, to barely being able to care for his house at 72… sometimes age does not creep up… it hits hard.

Does not rule him out… but I am sure interested in who is replacement would be.

Romeo13 on April 16, 2008 at 1:57 PM

If Murtha is so worried about competence decreasing with age, why hasn’t he resigned? No one can speak out of both sides of their mouth better than Jack Murtha.

GarandFan on April 16, 2008 at 1:57 PM

Hey John! Time to change the Depends!

Dread Pirate Roberts VI on April 16, 2008 at 1:57 PM

McCain will definitely outlive Murtha, if only for the fact that the latter has a diet rich in pork.

yo on April 16, 2008 at 1:59 PM

Hey John! Time to change the Depends!

Dread Pirate Roberts VI on April 16, 2008 at 1:57 PM

Which John are you talking to?

For once, I agree with Murtha. Even Murtha’s too old.

Poster Children for T-E-R-M L-I-M-I-T-S

stenwin77 on April 16, 2008 at 2:01 PM

The Pope has no trouble.

RobCon on April 16, 2008 at 2:01 PM

Murtha just doesn’t want to lose his “earmarks”.

E L Frederick (Sniper One) on April 16, 2008 at 2:02 PM

Robert Byrd was not awake to make a comment on politicians being too old

William Amos on April 16, 2008 at 2:03 PM

Murtha…two words: Get OUT!

Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 16, 2008 at 2:04 PM

Please no more Strom Thurmonds!

Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 16, 2008 at 2:04 PM

Do you think the ol drunk Ted Kennedy will keep his yap shut regarding McCains age?

dmann on April 16, 2008 at 2:05 PM

RobCon on April 16, 2008 at 2:01 PM

The Pope does not control the most effective military force on the face of the Earth, or have his finger on the button…

Romeo13 on April 16, 2008 at 2:15 PM

US to Murtha: You’re a corrupt politician; why don’t you get out of Congress and stop embarrassing America.

Think_b4_speaking on April 16, 2008 at 2:16 PM

McCain looks fit to me. Murtha, on the other hand, is a fat slob who should have retired long ago.

argos on April 16, 2008 at 2:17 PM

McCain/Romney ’08. There’s your dream ticket.

argos on April 16, 2008 at 2:19 PM

I’m still going ot vote for a senior citizen over younger man who hates his country and works against what makes civilization thrive.

If I could chose, I would rather have my president make a bad decision on accident rather than intentionally.

Grafted on April 16, 2008 at 2:21 PM

Do you think the ol drunk Ted Kennedy will keep his yap shut regarding McCains age?
dmann on April 16, 2008 at 2:05 PM

I’m not sure.

KENNEDY: These techniques included waterboarding, whereby the detainee is strapped to a board, forcibly pushed under water, wrapped in a wet towel and made to believe he might drown. The article states that you raised no objection…

Hmmm…

KENNEDY: I mean, it certainly appears to me that water boarding, with all its descriptions about drowning someone to that kind of a point, would come awfully close to getting over the border, and that you’d be able to at least say today, There were some that were recommended or suggested on that, but I certainly wouldn’t have had a part of that, as a human being.

Yeah, I don’t see Ted worrying too much about making hypocritical comments at all.

wise_man on April 16, 2008 at 2:25 PM

Who gives a rat’s backside what this disgusting old piece of political crap thinks. McCain is more than up to the task and Murtha needs to shut up and stay out of our faces.

rplat on April 16, 2008 at 2:26 PM

Should Jack really be getting into all that pork at his age? Sodium man. Think of the sodium.

TheUnrepentantGeek on April 16, 2008 at 2:31 PM

Perhaps McCain should quote Ronald Reagan on the subject.

irongrampa on April 16, 2008 at 2:33 PM

Let’s have a push-up contest between McCain and the cranky old lady Murtha’s backing for the job.

flip on April 16, 2008 at 2:34 PM

I saw a clip of McCain taking questions from the college students and I thought he was funny, smart and on top of his game.

ArmyAunt on April 16, 2008 at 2:38 PM

Murtha is a doddering old fool. If McCain is too old to be President, then Murtha and all the other Senators and Representatives 65 and older ought to resign on principle as well.

Apparently age discrimination is okay for the President but not for Congress.

eanax on April 16, 2008 at 2:46 PM

Jack Murtha once again proves that when it comes to making idiotic, moronic, unbelievably stupid comments, no one does it better, or worse, than little OLD him!

But then again, he has oh so much on his shrunken mind these days………like the impending lawsuit the Marines he falsely accused are gearing up to launch up his wrinkly rear end!

pilamaye on April 16, 2008 at 2:47 PM

And why should I be concerned with anything the only ex-Marine in living history has to say?

SeniorD on April 16, 2008 at 2:50 PM

Don’t old folks vote in numbers far superior to that of young voters?

Then why do the Democrats continue to make fun of McCain for his age?

Deep down, I’m not sure the Democrats really want to win this election.

Democrats enjoy being victims and losers, it saves them from having to make any sort of real effort.

Let’s give Democrats their wish.

NoDonkey on April 16, 2008 at 2:54 PM

RobCon on April 16, 2008 at 2:01 PM
“The Pope does not control the most effective military force on the face of the Earth, or have his finger on the button…”
Maybe it takes an old man to remember history. Maybe you can tell me which socialist type asked the similar huberistic question, “How many divisions does the Pope have?” I believe he found out the Pope had ten times more followers and a fifth column in every country, including the questioners’.

Old Country Boy on April 16, 2008 at 2:56 PM

I think Murtha’s the real reason Pennsylvania voters are so bitter. He’s probably also the reason they’re clinging to their guns . . . . That’s what I’d be doing too if this tool was my congressman.

AZCoyote on April 16, 2008 at 3:11 PM

Maybe it takes an old man to remember history. Maybe you can tell me which socialist type asked the similar huberistic question, “How many divisions does the Pope have?” I believe he found out the Pope had ten times more followers and a fifth column in every country, including the questioners’.

Old Country Boy on April 16, 2008 at 2:56 PM

Hmmm… don’t remember that one, but I do remember a sitting President asking how many divisions a Supreme Court Justice had…

But from your statement, you think the Popes moral authority is equal to the abosolute destructive power of the US armed forces and Nuclear Force?

Wow! He gonna do the Sodom and Gomorah thing?

Romeo13 on April 16, 2008 at 3:12 PM

Robert Byrd was not awake to make a comment on politicians being too old

William Amos on April 16, 2008 at 2:03 PM

And don’t forget Senator Dan Inouye of Hawaii, who is almost 84 years old. He’s currently engaged to a woman 25 years younger than he is.

Isn’t that “robbing the cradle”? She’s young enough to be his daughter.

Del Dolemonte on April 16, 2008 at 3:29 PM

Congressman Murtha suffers from what is technically know as the semperideliriumnarcissistmaximus syndrome. It is a long word, as German words often are, but basically means he is a crazy selfish old fart with delusions of grander.

He is also suffering from early to moderate Alzheimers, but unlike another who suffered from that disease, he does not have the class to suffer with grace.

My initial treatment plan would include:

1) Triturating up to very high doses of Donepezil, Galantamine and Rivastigmine.

2) Possible electroshock treatment. The judicial placement of several leaches on his head may also be beneficial. Even though this is considered to be outdated, I am of the professional opinion that it be done anyway as even though this is not likely to result in any improvement in his condition it would make a lot of other people feel a lot better, so let’s do it anyway.

3) Being placed in a small private room with a couple of Marines may also be needed.

Even with this complete treatment plan, his chances of making any significant recovery are unfortunately quite small, but we in my profession do have the responsibility to at least try.

Sigy on April 16, 2008 at 3:43 PM

This might have worked against Dole, but I doubt it will work on McCain.

Seixon on April 16, 2008 at 3:46 PM

Murtha proves that wisdom does not necessarily come with age. Murtha is way too old to be in the job he is in. He is part of what is wrong in this country,

kaye on April 16, 2008 at 4:03 PM

The King Boar is frightened that McCain will take the pork away. Then ol’ Jack will lose his power base and have to retire. The Traitor is fearful for his job.

Mallard T. Drake on April 16, 2008 at 4:07 PM

Pot->Kettle all right.

I have finally come up with one way that McCain can get me to vote for him:

If he will punch out Murtha; literally knock the crap out of him, on camera, Preferably on the House floor, I’ll even write him a check.

Or better yet: Let them do a repeat of Jonathan Cilley Vs. William Graves.

LegendHasIt on April 16, 2008 at 4:16 PM

No coincidence that Murtha comes out with these comments the day after McCain delivers his economic broadside against earmarks and excessive government spending!!! Being attacked by the likes of Murtha is the best thing that could happen to McCain. These dumb Democrats continue to play into Johnny Mac’s hands.

rockmom on April 16, 2008 at 4:18 PM

This pig should be a pro-wrassler. He’s proven he can spout the biggest lies and keep a straight face.

oakpack on April 16, 2008 at 4:18 PM

But he served two tours of duty… blah blah blah.

Murtha is an evil egomaniac that needs to be ousted. He is unethical and out of touch. Has he EVER apologized for dragging our now cleared Haditha Marines through the mud?

Bastard.

cannonball on April 16, 2008 at 4:33 PM

Bastard.

cannonball on April 16, 2008 at 4:33 PM

Nuf Ced

Wade on April 16, 2008 at 4:41 PM

And why should I be concerned with anything the only ex-Marine in living history has to say?

SeniorD on April 16, 2008 at 2:50 PM

Excellent!

Et tu Brute on April 16, 2008 at 5:41 PM

John Murtha?

Isn’t he the bribe-takin’ pus-bucket that was elevated to CHAIRMAN of a Defense Sub-Committee, for no other reason than Republican voters sat on their dead asses in the last election?

how’s it workin’ for ya’?

franksalterego on April 16, 2008 at 5:45 PM

In fairness, Murtha is too old and too dumb and too corrupt and too fill in blank…to be President.

McCain, seems a lot younger (smarter, more honest…fill in blank

Wise Golden on April 16, 2008 at 6:13 PM

GMA this morning had a graphic up asking people about whether certain facets of the candidates caused them “concern”.

From memory, the fact that Obama was african-american concerned about 9% of the people, the fact that Hillary was a woman concerned 18% of the people and the fact that McCain was “old” concerned about 30% of the people.

Not good numbers for McCain!

Hopefully “concern” doesn’t translate into “won’t vote for because . . .”.

Fatal on April 16, 2008 at 6:23 PM

Ah Sigy, your suggestion -

3) Being placed in a small private room with a couple of Marines may also be needed.

would lead to a VERY long line of current and (truly) former Marines volunteering to remove the stain on the Corps honor brought on by Murtha’s traitorous pronouncements. Don’t know if Murtha would live long enough for each Marine to have a go at him.

SeniorD on April 16, 2008 at 6:28 PM

SeniorD on April 16, 2008 at 6:28 PM

I think the Navy and Army would like to get a hold of what is left…

Squid Shark on April 16, 2008 at 6:35 PM

How is this going to play with Murtha’s district when he (Murtha) runs for reelection, and this gets played back?

How is this going to play with the older people in Florida in November?

How does this circle square with the liberals who are so ‘progressive’, and ‘liberal’?

How does this play with people living longer, and healthier lives?

How does this play with old farts in the House and the Senate hardly ever retiring, until they’re almost 100% dead?

How? How? How?

What a spokesman the party has chosen on the wrong topic. I’m beginning to believe that the ship party is in a storm, with no captain at the helm. May the year continue like this, oh may it.

Entelechy on April 16, 2008 at 6:45 PM

Lordy, pointing at McCain is the best Murtha can do? Both parties have had senators that have died in their chairs and were not known to be dead for years. The obvious exception is the meandering demi-god “sheets Byrd” who goes to exceptional lengths to make sure he is not mistaken for dead.

moxie_neanderthal on April 16, 2008 at 7:49 PM

Did Murtha get an honorable discharge?

Johan Klaus on April 16, 2008 at 8:33 PM

M oron
U ninformed
R eviled
T wit
H othead
A $$

Hog Wild on April 16, 2008 at 9:05 PM

It’s sad to see Jealousy rear it’s ugly head…. oh, never mind… that was Murtha not Jealousy… speaking of rears and heads… it sounds like Murtha’s got his head up his rear…

CynicalOptimist on April 17, 2008 at 7:30 AM

Shutup, Congressman Porkrind…Just shutup…Compare McCain’s earmarks to Fat Bastard’s. You’re not even an American. You should be sent to accompany Carter and revoke both passports. Two idiots without a country sounds about right to me…..

adamsmith on April 17, 2008 at 9:47 AM