None Dare Call It Reason

Conservative spokesmen have been throwing hissy fits since Sunday, when Gen. Wesley Clark suggested on Face the Nation, “I don’t think getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to become president.” For stating the obvious, Clark has been accused of Swift-Boating McCain and demeaning his military service (which Clark did not).

Sgt. Alvin York received the Congressional Medal of Honor in WWI, but that didn’t qualify him to be president of the United States, either. For one, because York wasn’t yet 35 years-old, the constitution’s age prerequisite for serving as president. It may be a prerequisite, but I don't think being 35 years-old is a qualification to become president.

I now apologize to every American over 35 for demeaning their longevity.

Views expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future