Rocky, Rambo, Indiana...McCain

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100590840078852872.post-24559501089913445332008-06-30T16:03:00.008-05:002008-06-30T23:51:51.276-05:002008-06-30T23:51:51.276-05:00Rocky, Rambo, Indiana...McCain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Indiana_Jones_Crystal_Skull/indiana_jones_and_the_kingdom_of_the_crystal_skull_movie_image_harrison_ford__1_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 297px;" src="http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Indiana_Jones_Crystal_Skull/indiana_jones_and_the_kingdom_of_the_crystal_skull_movie_image_harrison_ford__1_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/img/8/7/3/i/3/8/6/o/JohnMccain.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 296px;" src="http://www.digitaljournal.com/img/8/7/3/i/3/8/6/o/JohnMccain.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/01/Rambo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 289px;" src="http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/01/Rambo.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>An interesting phenomena has hit the box office in the last year or so - the 'thirty something' to 'forty something' virile, kick butt, male action star returns as a 'sixty something' still virile, kick butt, male action star. Sylvester Stallone headed back to the boxing ring in Rocky Balboa to go the distance with a young whippersnapper in his prime. Sly also graced the screen as Rambo and was still able to outmaneuver, outwit and outfire the bad guys just like the Rambo of twenty years ago. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones tops my list of favorite action heroes and he also returned this last month as our favorite archaeologist/adventurer in Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. Our beloved Indy managed to jump from one moving vehicle to the next and use his whip to swing Tarzan style through the air. One aspect of the films that I noted is that these characters were still believable. It didn't seem like a particular stretch that these characters would still be doing what they always did best. Sure they were a little rough for wear and had more lines on their face but they were still essentially the same characters with the same drives and passions. Though remarks or even jokes were made by the heroes themselves about their age, it was clear that age in and of itself would not slow them down or keep them from pursuing what they perceived as their prize, treasure, or appointed mission. This trend of older heroes should not be surprising given the aging baby boomers as well as the upper end of Gen X. Once you've hit forty, fifty doesn't seem nearly as ancient as it once did. The same is true once you've hit fifty and sixty. In fact, we even have a slogan descriptive of this new perception. "Forty is the new thirty!" or "Fifty is the new forty!" is the triumphant mantra. In many ways, the mantra is a true reflection of reality. People are waiting till later to get married, to have children. It is not uncommon to see kids in their mid or even late twenties move back in with mom and dad while they go back to graduate school. Everything seems to be pushed further into the future. As for 'getting older' many are pushing the concept off their radar entirely. Commercials for financial investment firms targeted toward baby boomers entering retirement depict people in action - hang gliding, scuba diving, traveling, starting a new business based on a hobby or passion they love. In light of this current era of perpetual youth despite the calendar years, I find the reaction to John McCain's presidential candidacy curious. Suddenly his detractors are deeming him as old, old, OLD! Unfit for the oval office, McCain might just as well go play checkers on a porch somewhere with other senior citizens. So let's get this straight. Sylvester Stallone turns 62 this month and Harrison Ford is 66. It's okay and even reasonable that they continue along the hero path but McCain (who isn't much older at 71) should just be put out to pasture? And remember it's not as if McCain is looking to wield a machine gun or go trampling through the jungle. He's not looking to be Tarzan. He is looking to lead this country as Commander-In-Chief and given his experience and background as a real life hero and patriot, he is the candidate most suited for the role. I suspect that McCain's opponents feel threatened by the whole John McCain story and so supporters of the opposition are trying to change the narrative. Forget that McCain has the character to withstand five years of torture in service to his country. Let us just repeat, "He's too old to be President" enough times and maybe it will stick. I don't think it will stick. The strategy goes too much against the grain of the 'anything is possible at any age' philosophy our current culture has adopted. If fifty is the new forty, then seventy is the new sixty. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.motionupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rocky_balboa_05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.motionupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rocky_balboa_05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>If McCain loses the general election, it will be due to a variety of factors but it won't be because of age. McCain still has too much of the tough guy persona. He is a survivor like Rambo, he is disciplined like Rocky and has the maverick spirit of Indiana Jones. Sure he is a little rough for wear (funny how life as a POW takes it's toll) and has more lines on his face but he is still essentially the same character with the same drives and passions. The smart democrats know this and though they won't admit it, they fear this.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13534723776973829284noreply@blogger.com