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McCain's Age Plays A Factor For Seniors

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Nov 2, 2008 12:27 pm US/Eastern

McCain's Age Plays A Factor For Seniors

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Republican presidential candidate John McCain may closer in age to senior citizens than middle aged voters, but just because he shares their aches and wrinkles he doesn't automatically garner their vote.

In an AP-Yahoo News poll conducted August 27 to September 5, 40 percent of those aged 65 and up described McCain as "past his prime," more than any other age group.

At 72, McCain would be the oldest candidate to become president if elected on Tuesday.

Among those aged 65 and up who participated in another AP-Yahoo News poll taken September 5 to 15, some 21 percent thought "too old" described McCain very well.

"They understand where McCain is coming from, and the appeals that he makes to patriotism and to honor and to sacrifice is a theme that resonates with that era," said Linda Fowler, a professor of government at Dartmouth College. "But on the other hand, older people are skeptical that someone who is 72 is up to the job."

Some seniors say they've been through so many elections they know promises will go unfulfilled and they're simply forced to choose, regardless of a candidate's age.

"What's the difference? The other guy will screw me too," said 83-year-old Helen Stewart of Boca Raton. But Stewart will vote Republican as she long has. "Youth and stupidity go together," she warned.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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