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McCain fighting talk he is too old for presidency

— PHOTO: AP

Roberta McCain (95), mother of Senator John McCain, at a campaign stop at Wildwood Downs Retirement Centre on Wednesday.

COLUMBIA (South Carolina): To counter suggestions that he is too old to be U.S. president, Republican John McCain often says he should bring his mother to campaign stops to show off his good genes. On Wednesday, he did.

“I am so happy to be here. I think I’m going to cry,” 95-year-old Roberta McCain said as she introduced her son to about 200 seniors at a retirement community. Mr. McCain’s father, Admiral John S. McCain Jr., was 70 when he died in March 1981.

The 71-year-old Senator is trying to raise his profile on a two-day visit to the state. Despite his loss of momentum in the summer amid a financial meltdown, people are no longer quick to write him off — especially here, where he remains popular among older Republicans and those with military ties.

Faye Trueblood, the community’s self-proclaimed oldest resident at 103, said she hopes no more candidates join the crowded Republican field for the 2008 election.

While Ms. Trueblood has not decided on a candidate, she has decided against former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

“I’ll tell you one thing, I don’t like Romney,” Ms. Trueblood said. She is a Southern Baptist and says she does not care for Mr. Romney’s Mormon faith.

Mr. Romney’s religion was no obstacle for Bob Jones University chancellor Bob Jones III, who said this week he was backing the former governor.

Mr. Jones ran the Christian fundamentalist school in South Carolina in 2000 when Mr. McCain criticised its ban on interracial dating and its anti-Roman Catholic views. Mr. McCain also criticised his then-chief challenger, George W. Bush, for speaking there.

“Actually, I haven’t been critical of Bob Jones University in the past, except I did not agree with their racial segregation policies — which they have done away with,” Mr. McCain said.

On Wednesday, the college sent out a news release saying Mr. Jones’ endorsement of Mr. Romney did not reflect the school’s position. — AP

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