John McCain Ends Age Question with a Bang

Authored by Scott Goldberg on September 5, 2007 - 9:08am.

In a Q&A with Republican presidential candidate John McCain, the Senator offered a thorough response to a student who asked, “Do you ever worry that, like, you might die in office? Or get Alzheimer’s or some other disease that might affect your judgement?” McCain, known for his occasional temper, took the question in stride, beginning his answer, “My children, for many, many years, have questioned my awareness.” He then offers a thoughtful explanation for the reason his age has never and should never play a part in his election. He ends with a classic line, “Thanks for the question, you little jerk.” Click here to see the video.

McCain, once considered the Republican frontrunner, has seen his campaign lag in recent months. Political analysts point to his support of the Iraq War as the cause, as opponents Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney have taken center stage. Now that Fred Thompson, former US Senator from Tennessee and popular actor, has joined the race, McCain’s prospects are looking even dimmer.

But in the YouTube age it’s never too late to make a splash, and McCain’s “You Little Jerk” clip is getting around the internet at a rapid pace, having already accumulated over 100 thousand views in its first day. It’s just the kind of clip McCain needs to add some life to his campaign. The video shows a non-confrontational, jovial McCain, one who adheres to his customary “no nonsense” approach, yet isn’t afraid to engage playfully with the audience.

Scott Goldberg