Posted: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 12:00 am
It may not be fair, but in presidential politics, youthful energy beats aged experience every time, especially if the public's recent experience is not all that thrilling. That's why Obama leads McCain in polls, and why his lead is likely to grow.
It's useless for the McCain campaign to try to drum up interest in negative aspects of Obama, such as his association with a former leader of the Weather Underground. Most young voters don't know anything about the 1960s and '70s and could not care less.
When Obama speaks in a debate, like the one last week, he comes across as cool, confident and collected. When McCain often repeats the phrase "my friends," he sounds like an old codger.
If presidential contests were decided on paper by people reading resumes, backgrounders and position statements, McCain would have a good chance. But campaigns are decided on television where cool confidence counts, and where it's easier to project the hope of a new beginning if you speak sensibly in a good voice and have a young face. (hh)