Opinion | Editorials
'Old' McCain leaps to the front
The 71-year-old Arizona senator is the undisputed leader of the Republican pack.
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:15 February 7, 2008
Tuesday really was super for one presidential hopeful. While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama slugged it out on the Democrat side, the Republicans have a confirmed front-runner in John McCain.
"Mac is back," his supporters cheered and with good reason. Just months ago his campaign was floundering, written off by most pundits as a quixotic venture tilting at presidential windmills.
But after Tuesday, the 71-year-old senator from Arizona is the undisputed leader of the Republican pack. This has been one of the most incredible comebacks in American political history.
McCain admits he is too old to be called a "Comeback Kid" but there is no doubting his campaign's resurrection. This is all the more surprising given that McCain is, on social issues at least, to the left of his party's core support. If he does win the nomination and the election he will be the oldest first-time US president to be sworn in.
And while many Republicans are far from comfortable with his possible candidacy there is a growing feeling within the party that this may just be the right man to take on the Democrats. McCain has been written off before; dismissing his chances in November would be a grave mistake for either Clinton or Obama.
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