PRESCRIPTION FROM THE SPIN DOCTORS

When watching the Republicant's ad campaign for John McCain, you might get the idea that the Democrats are trying to nominate some still wet-behind-the-ears infant to be the leader of the free world. Senator Barack Obama is 47 years old and the first term junior senator from Illinois. To wit, here's a list of all the American presidents who were the same age as Obama or younger when they took office, along with a brief note about the most important or notable job each had previously had before ascending to the White House (compiled with the help of The World Almanac and Wikipedia):

President Age When Elected Previous Top Job
Bill Clinton 46 Four-term Governor of Arkansas (Arkansas governors serve 2-year terms)
John F. Kennedy 43 One-term junior senator from Massachusetts
Theodore Roosevelt 42 Vice-president of the U.S. (became president on death of William McKinley)

The oldest presidents when elected? Ronald Reagan (69), George Bush (64) and Harry Truman (also 64 when elected, but he assumed the presidency at age 61 with the death of FDR).

So what matters more - age and experience or vision and vigor? Who knows? But when you've got John McCain as your nominee, you've got to play the inexperience card against Obama because what else have you got?

This weekend, my impressions of the past wonderful week of the Democratic National Convention in Denver. And coming soon: my annual, frequently laughable, NFL season preview.

Peace...