Many left-leaning and liberal political pundits and commentators are writing off the candidacy of Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Many of them say that Mr. McCain is too old to become President. This writer, however, says that many Americans will vote for an “Old McCain” and many-more voters will support the “McCain of Old.” Why? Read on . . .

Political history has so-many recorded instances of a people opting for more-experienced and older leadership in times of a national crisis – whether caused by political reasons, economic upheavals, military threats or a combination of all the factors.

The Lesson of Konrad Adenauer

The Germans chose Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967) as their leader and elected him—at age 73—as the first post-war Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949. The German voters were right. Mr. Adenauer’s experienced leadership ensured West Germany's transition to a sovereign, democratic state. He oversaw the ending of the military occupation of West Germany in 1952 and in 1955 West Germany was recognized internationally as an independent nation. It joined NATO also in 1955 and the European Economic Community in 1957.  Mr. Adenauer was not only West Germany's first post-war Chancellor but he became a key, if not the dominant, figure in rebuilding the country after the ashes left by World War Two – both economically and emotionally. He restored Germany’s national pride and self-confidence.

Mr. Adenauer continued to be re-elected well into his 80’s and retired as Chancellor in 1963 at the age of 87. He continued to be politically active and remained the head of his political party, the Christian Democratic Union, until 1966 – at age 90. He passed away a year later.

The Example of Ronald Reagan

Americans were in deep trouble in 1980. America’ economic problems were primarily caused by inflation. The American pride, esteem and self-confidence were that low due to the inability of their government to rescue the American diplomats held captive for more-than a year in Iran. In 1980, they turned to an old leader. They voted for Ronald Reagan, who was almost 70-years old at the time of his inauguration as the 40th President. Mr. Reagan won overwhelmingly in both popular and electoral votes (489 electoral votes to 49) over a much-younger and re-electionist President Jimmy Carter.

The voters re-elected President Reagan in 1984 at age 73 when the United States and the Free World were at the height of fighting the “Cold War” against the Soviet Union and the communist countries under the “Evil Empire,” as Mr. Reagan called the Soviet Bloc. The American voters were right in choosing an “Old Reagan” -- and his exemplary public service as the "Regan of Old" -- and he led the nation in restoring economic prosperity. President Reagan also assured world peace by maintaining the right military strength. Under Mr. Reagan’s inspirational leadership, the world witnessed people-powered peaceful revolutions that toppled authoritarian regimes from the Philippines to East Europe. Now, history books have dubbed the Reagan years as the “Reagan Revolution.”

Old age does not mean an inability to work for constructive changes. In fact, old-and-experienced hands hold the key to what could be had as viable changes. Changes cannot be had by oratory alone; even the more-eloquent Ronald Reagan could not do it by political speeches only. It actually takes a much-respected leadership to obtain bipartisan support. A leadership that takes years, if not decades, to acquire. Even John F. Kennedy had to prove his mettle in Congress for 12 years -- and he had a distinguished military record during World War II to back him up -- before he could earn the support of his fellow American national leaders, as well as the leaders of the 50 states of the Union.

The present American infrastructures are like those of post-war Germany. The United States needs to rebuild its crumbling bridges, roads, railways, ports, airports and highways as it prepares to lead the world in fighting Global Warming. The United States is looking for an American version of Konrad Adenauer, if not a 21st-century version of Mr. Reagan -- all rolled into one John McCain. The American economy is worse that it was in 1980 – before an “Old” Mr. Reagan became President.

When the world's stability is threatened by international terrorism, there are doubts that Americans will go for a presidential candidate who has never put on a military uniform and perhaps not even a Boy-Scout outfit.

History will repeat itself in November 2008. Americans voters will trust more an “Old” John McCain over his youthful opponent, Sen. Barack H. Obama, who is called by many as an “entry-level” aspirant to the world’s most-powerful position. American voters will elect this year not only a President of the United States but also choose a leader who will serve simultaneously as the CEO of the Free World and the Chief of Police of a troubled World.

There is a fundamental reason why an “old” experienced leader does well. Older leaders like Chancellor Adenauer and President Reagan worked hard to leave a long-lasting positive legacy. Because it was literally and figuratively their last shot at greatness, if not immortality – from the viewpoint of history.

American voters and the World are facing the threats of international terrorism. Many people will trust a John McCain of Old – a decorated veteran who risked his life in many battles to protect the vital interests of the United States and the Free World. There are doubts that Americans will go for a presidential candidate who has never put on a military uniform, and perhaps not even a Boy-Scout outfit. Voters realize that today America is at war with dangerous enemies. # # #

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