Tim Reid in Washington
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John McCain faced further questions about his age yesterday after John Kerry, the Democrats’ 2004 presidential nominee, described the 71-year-old Republican as “confused” over Iraq.
“I’m obviously disappointed in a comment like that,” Mr McCain said after a clash between his presidential campaign and that of Barack Obama over remarks that the Republican made about US troop levels in Iraq.
Mr McCain - who, if elected, would be the oldest first-term president - has confronted the issue of his advanced years head on, joking about it frequently at campaign events and on television.
At the same time, he and his surrogates have reacted fiercely to any suggestion or perceived innuendo from the Obama campaign that his mental faculties are impaired.
The flare-up came as the first poll numbers since Mr Obama clinched the Democratic nomination emerged. In a Wall Street Journal/NBC survey, he leads Mr McCain nationally 47 to 41 per cent. It suggests a competitive race and demonstrates that so far Mr McCain has managed largely to inoculate himself from the unpopularity of the Republican brand.
On Wednesday he was asked by an interviewer whether he had a more accurate estimate of when US troops could return from Iraq if the “surge” he advocated was now working.
“No, but that’s not too important,” he replied. He went on to say that the most important goal was reducing troop casualties in Iraq, and that US forces were still in South Korea, Japan and Germany without suffering harm.
The Obama campaign pounced on the remarks, accusing Mr McCain of being insensitive to the sacrifices of US troops. In a conference call with reporters Mr Kerry repeatedly called the Arizona senator “confused” on Iraq, noting that on two occasions he had mixed up Sunnis and Shias and had also wrongly stated which armed groups Iran was backing.
Mr Kerry strongly denied that he was alluding to Mr McCain’s age when he called him confused.
As first reported in The Times last week, Mr Obama’s campaign unveiled a “web-based rumour clearing-house” to rebut online smears over his religion, his family and personal ties. It will use fightthesmears.com, and ask millions of online supporters to participate, to get false claims about him and his family - particularly a persistently false claim that he is a Muslim - tracked down in cyberspace and sent there.
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Or is Kerry just willing to say anything?
That would be yes.
Mike, Olathe, USA
john mccain represent a clear vision to curbing the security treat to the u.s and the world.
He's got the experience a notable and credible veteran.at this junture,only mccain can initiate policies to rekindle the nuclear iran,the u.s needs more than just a mere eloquent rather dramatic president,
koko Dan Ettete, kuala lumpur, malaysia
Why is the Democratic party running a dirty smear campaign on McCain's age. Are they afraid to discuss the issues. This dirty, low down, slimy smear campaign will not work. Obama is simply unfit to be President of USA.
Jane, Singapore, Singapore
If McCain had been Kerry's VP like Kerry wanted, and Kerry had won, McCain would be just coming up to the end of his first term.
Did Kerry not consider McCain's age when he asked him to be his running mate? Or is Kerry just willing to say anything in hopes that Obama will redeem his failures?
Joan Tintor, Toronto, Canada
"Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand...
The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of 40,000 years
And grizzly McCains from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom"
McNugget is so old, he's grown cobwebs on his head instead of hair ;)
Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK
I am truly frightened. McCain does not look healthy, nor sound particularly sharp. I would examine his VP choice to envision what the future might hold.
Tracy Wynn, Aspen, Colorado, USA
Every time someone addresses McCain, he claims it is an age-ist attack.
<br/>It is a way of sliding away from the actual content. Stop supporting his sly trickery.
<br/>
<br/>Nonsense. He did that when Obama said McCain has lost his moral compass.
bruce becker, Lincoln, USA/California
As to the premise that Mr. Obama is not a Muslim: Mr. Obama is an adult convert to Christianity. In the US we consider him a Christian. What is the standard in Britain among British Muslims? Is the son of a Muslim born a Muslim? Isn't that the standard within Islam around the world?
KL, Seattle, US
I just can't believe these under qualified people are our best choices for President. Where's Schwartzkopf, Quayle, Bob Dole or Jack Kemp!!!....Hell give 4 more years of Carter or Gore!
Robert Kemp, Sacramento, USA
I think McCain is a little sensitive about his age.
Ted W
Ted Williams, Bishop, California
Neither candidate deserves my time. Cynthia McKinney for president!!!! runcynthiarun.org
Lee Duplanti, Mexico,MO., USA
Why is Senator McCain upset about Senator Kerry stating McCain is confused about Iraq. It appears to me Kerry is stating a fact, based on the things McCain has publicly stated. His comment about when to bring our troops home is not too important is totally out of line and downright disgusting.
NinaK, Lakewood, USA
Why is Senator McCain upset about Senator Kerry stating McCain is confused about Iraq. It appears to me Kerry is stating a fact, based on the things McCain has publicly stated. His comment about when to bring our troops home is not too important is totally out of line and downright disgusting.
NinaK, Lakewood, USA