Hillary’s age is off limits

– Her campaign barely three weeks old, Hillary Clinton has already been attacked by Republicans on everything from donations to her family’s charitable foundation, her tenure as secretary of state and her ties to Wall Street.

But her rivals and the political action committees that support them tread more carefully on one incendiary subject: her age.

If elected in November 2016, Clinton would be, at 69, the second-oldest person to take the presidential oath for the fi rst time, behind only Ronald Reagan, who turned 70 weeks after being sworn into office in 1981.

“I do think age is an issue in a presidential campaign,” said Steve Schmidt, McCain’s former campaign manager. “There is a thin line between seasoned and decrepit.”

A few months ago, Republican presidential hopefuls senator Rand Paul, 52, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, 47, referenced Clinton’s age as a possible disqualifier. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell likened her to a cast member of the TV show The Golden Girls .

Now, however, Paul’s presidential campaign doesn’t want to talk about the issue. It declined further comment. As did Walker’s political action committee.

Campaign aides to Paul, Walker and senator Marco Rubio, 43, as well as Republican strategists, said there was little appetite in the party at the moment for a direct assault on Clinton on the issues of her age and fitness for office

“It’s unwise to attack a political opponent based on her immutable characteristics, such as race, gender and age,” said Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway.

Republican strategists fear highlighting Clinton’s age could alienate women voters. – Reuters

Washington

It’s unwise to attack a political opponent based on her immutable characteristics Kellyanne Conway Republican pollster