Opinion: McCain not exactly cowed by Norris

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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