McCain not exactly cowed by Norris

A politician less secure in his own skin than John McCain -- wrinkled though that skin may be -- might have taken greater umbrage at Chuck Norris suggesting the Arizona Republican simply was too old to be seeking the White House.

But the 71-year-old McCain, who will be the oldest man to start a presidential term if he wins the big prize this November, took Norris' comment in stride today. As he usually does when the matter of his age is broached, he referenced his genes.

“I’m afraid I may have to send my 95-year-old mother over and wash Chuck’s mouth out with soap,” he said at a campaign stop in Miami.

When Norris signed up to help Mike Huckabee (who's 52) in the GOP presidential race, he helped his pick garner some much-needed publicity. But some in the Huckabee camp can be excused if they're beginning to think Norris should return to spending most of his time pitching exercise equipment. 

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Chris George]

There are plenty of reasons not to vote for McCain but age is not one of them. McCain is not a conservative by any measure other than foreign policy. McCain may be principled, but he is also stubborn, combative with others, thin skinned, and worst of all often wrong about important issues. McCain seems to be very weak at putting principles into practice. Campaign finance reform? Good idea but....McCain Feingold... BAD result. Controlling illegal immigration? Good idea but McCain Kennedy....BAD proposal.
As a nation we are yearning for competence from our government. If you want someone who will take on tough problems with good intension, but make them worse...then McCain is your man. If you want someone who will take on tough problems and insist on bottom line results, then Romney is your man.

--
Christopher George

[Tannim]

Sorry, Don, but Dr. Paul is older (and healthier!) than McCain.

[David, Oregon City]

McCain will split the GOP party vote in the final election, whereby the democrats will win? GOP voters had better get off McCain’s snake oil show and come back to true GOP conservatives candidates or hello President “Billery”!

[Kevin]

One plays a hero, one is a hero, enough said.....

[drboom]

It's pathethic how Huckabee and McCain who entered this race almost completely out of step with the rest of republican party, and how Huckabee especially, took the mantle of the populist, have now both evovled into proper republicans in 3 short weeks. The memory of the mainstream media and some voters for that matter, only seems to go back as far as the latest barrage of crap those two spoon feed them. McCain is now portraying himself as a good solution to republican voters concern's about illegal immigration. Forget my past record, these latest indie fueled victories prove I was right about everything I ever proposed, or voted for or against. They prove that i'm not really just slightly to the right of the democratic party's platform in many important issues. As for Huckabee, we are now supposed to swallow the fact that if he loses, it is because someone pandered to his already (pre-pandered ) slice of the evangelical pie. They are his base, and don't you go near them, or i'll call you a spolier. This man's gall seems endless. Now he's begging for money so he can build himslef a little leverage for 2nd spot on the ticket. He should tell his religeous base that is what they were voting for all along.A fast ride on the McCain coatail. On top of that, I also want you to forget my record and believe I am very conservative, and my party loves me, just look how many times I was re-elected in Arkansas, a democratic state. Could it be because you governed like a democrat Mike?? THe point is , both these candidates are evolving almost daily, and we gotta listen to the endless claims of phoniness against Romney for adjusting his talking points to the current voting trends. OMG will that man never stop flippin and floppin, give me a break MSM, the average moron is starting to catch on, so why not make Mitt your flavor of the week before you promote your "anyone but Mitt candidate" right past your favorite left candidate, and into the white house.

[jason]

McCain certainly looks "old", at least judging from his body language. Unlike Reagan, who despite his age, looks young and come across as "vibrant". McCain looks like a senior citizen from a retirement home, his back is scooping, when he climbed the steps to a podium, he lacks the stride of a Reagan. It is all imagery but he looks old. Also, when McCain speaks, he came across as weak in health. I respect McCain but I am not sure our country needs a senior citizen in the WH. Think about this, most Fortune 100 corporations has corporate governance that CEO must retire at age 64 or earlier. I would think running USA requires a whole lot more energy than running a Fortune 100 corporation. I think candidates like Obama, Clinton (border line as she is getting to be 60 now), Edwards, Huckabee or Romney makes a much better candidate. I think the ideal age is 55-60. any age above 60 you must have a compelling candidate ala Reagan. for this 2008 election, we have strong candidates below the age of 60, we don't need McCain, Clinton. we need Obama, Huckabee, Edwards, Romney.

[david]

One could say John McCain has been looking " like a senior citizen from a retirement home" dating from the time he punched out of his aircraft over North Viet Nam. For those too young to remember, he was still on crutches when he got off the plane at Clark AB when the POWs returned in 1973. Chronology is only one measure of age.

[NK]

I think age should be preference, but, then, again you cannot make incompetent people like Clinton or Guiliani the President of this country..I think Huckabee is good as a pastor but not as a President. I would love to have Obama/Edwards as President of USA...McCain is not bad at all, as he will run for next 4 years and he is a man of integrity and honesty..So, people you are right that he might be too old, but, you cannot give job to anyone based on age...Why not give this job to a 25-30 year old rookie?

[Thomas Shea]

CHUCK NORRIS IS A WASHED UP HOLLYWOOD "B" LIST ACTOR MAKING HIS WAY DOWN TO THE "C" LIST.

[Patrick, Takoma Park MD]

I don't think that Sen. McCain should send his 95-year-old mother to try washing Chuck Norris's mouth with soap, unless she is pretty good at karate. Of course, I suppose she could sneak up on Chuck and choke him with her Life Alert pendant.

[sd]

whenever celebrities endorse democrats, there is always criticism of those candidates being too 'hollywood' and elitist.

where is that criticism now that the GOP has gone 'hollywood'?

moreover, why should chuck norris (or any actor) have such an elevated role in choosing our president?

(See the item just before this one.)

[Christopher]

Age isn't the promblem. Wisdom is. Integrity is. Knowledge of Forign Affairs and Economy are more important this election than ever.

Which is why the only real choice for the GOP is : Ron Paul

How a true conservative like Ron Paul could be deemed unelectable by Faux News and a liberal like McCain and Guillani can is beyond my comprehension.

Wait! No it isn't. Because the same ppl that control our media control these puppets running for office.

And the media's obvious bias against Ron Paul should make one thing clear to you. His politics could DESTROY the establishment that run this country and the world.

[Larry Barnett]

I hope the focus from the public is on the issues at hand. Mr. Norris' comments were totally uncalled for. May I remind everyone the Ronald Regan, one of our most beloved Presidents was 69 at his inaguration. John McCain has nothing more to prove about his age. I took Mr. Norris' comments totally uncalled for and owes John McCain an apology. McCain is the only candidate with the ability to reach both sides of isles. By the way I am a registered Democrat.