McCain's age should not be an issue, reader says

Allow me to give you an American history lesson that you will not find in any history books. It is oral history about long-ago presidential elections.

The year was 1956 and Dwight D. Eisenhower was running for his second term as president. He had suffered significant health problems. His running mate was a relatively young man, Richard N. Nixon. Voters were concerned about what would happen if President Eisenhower should die in office. Could such a young man fulfill the duties of president? Thankfully, President Eisenhower did not die in office.

Fast-forward four years. A relatively unproven young man, John F. Kennedy, is running for president. His choice of a running mate was Lyndon Johnson, a man whom Kennedy did not like or want as vice president. But as is today, it is the party bigwigs that more often make these choices or perhaps Papa Joe.

In the words of Paul Harvey, you already know the rest of the story. The moral of the story, don't let John McCain's age concern you.

Second lesson - one I do know only from written history. I was much too young to even have heard discussions. Harry S. Truman was President Franklin Roosevelt's vice president. I do not know his educational or political background. I believe he made hats. Fate played several tricks on the American public at this time.

President Roosevelt died in office. Harry Truman became the accidental president. Most people believed this man was not ready to be president. Most people also feel he made the correct decisions in regard to dropping the bombs, which ended World War II.

In closing, it is Bill Clinton who recently opined that it could be said no one is ready to be president. So educate yourself about the values of the candidates and vote for the person/team who most closely hold your values and trust they will make the correct decisions. God bless America!

Anne K. Coll (aka Nan)

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