Ageism is the New Sexism

Regardless of your politics - this should be read


Ageism is the New Sexism
By Craig Crawford | CQ Politics|June 9, 2008 6:00 AM |

At a town hall in Iowa last year John McCain got The Question. A silver-haired woman appearing to be close in age to the Republican presidential hopeful's 71 years asked if he was really up to the job.

"You're getting pretty old!" the Iowa woman said. "And it's such a hard job!"

McCain deadpanned, "I'm sorry I called on you."

While McCain deftly turned the moment to his advantage, getting a big laugh, the joke might be on him if the presumed GOP nominee's age subjects him to the sort of ridicule that underscored sexist gags aimed at Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Expect open season in the coming campaign for implicitly bashing the elderly as McCain's political foes and some media personalities stereotype him in ways that are justifiably considered off limits regarding Barack Obama's race.

Still, there is a silver lining for McCain if Clinton's experience is any guide. Women voters rallied to Clinton in response to the rampant sexism. If not for such a backlash in New Hampshire, for instance, she might not have won that state's primary and kept her candidacy alive at a crucial juncture in the Democratic nomination race.

Although some older voters, like the woman in Iowa, might question McCain's fitness, Democrats and media commentators who relentlessly mock his age could end up rallying elder votes to his side.

Ron

The Boomer Blogger