GOP Accuses Dems Of Playing “Age” Card, But Dems Slap Back

[babylonsister]

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/campaigns/gop-accuses-dems-of-playing-age-card-but-dems-slap-back/

GOP Accuses Dems Of Playing “Age” Card, But Dems Slap Back


Make of this what you will, but the national GOP is insisting that Dems played the age card by pointing out that Rep. Mike Castle, the GOP’s new Senate candidate in Delaware, ran his first campaign 42 years ago, as part of a bid to paint him as a longtime politician.

The big news about Castle, 70, a major recruiting coup for Republicans that gives them a shot at grabbing the open Delaware Senate seat formerly held by Veep Joe Biden, drew this response from DSCC spokesman Eric Schultz:

“Mike Castle ran his first campaign in 1967. After four decades in politics, it is clear which direction Mike Castle wants to move Delaware and the country. He built-up a record of supporting George Bush’s economic policies, including tax cuts for the super-wealthy, that drove Delaware’s economy into a ditch -– and now won’t support any of the Obama-Biden plans to fix it. This will be a race about who is positioned to lead Delaware into the future, and Democrats fully intend to hold onto the Vice-President’s seat.”

While Schultz’s response could be read as a reference to how long Castle has been in politics, Republicans insist it’s a gratuitous slap at his age. “It strikes us as a very questionable line of attack to make age an issue when you consider that in that very same media market, the Democrats have a candidate in Arlen Specter who is almost 10 years older and first ran for office in 1965,” NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh emailed. Delaware and Pennsylvania share some media markets.

Republicans are already using this to paint Dems as disrespectful of the elderly. “I can’t imagine this will sit well with Delaware voters when you consider the high regard Congressman Castle is held in and his distinguished record of public service,” Walsh said, confirming the NRSC would keep up this line of attack.

But Schultz scoffed at the criticism. “No matter how much Republicans want to avoid it, Mike Castle’s time in Washington supporting George Bush’s economic policies like tax cuts for the super-wealthy, and blocking Obama-Biden economic solutions, will be a part of this campaign. Mike Castle is a Republican who voted against equal pay for women just a couple of months ago. All the press releases in the world can’t mask that fact.”

Dems also point out that they took down former Senator Liddy Dole by painting her as a longtime Washington politician, too. A hint of things to come…

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Update: The larger context here is that in a previous Delaware campaign, Dem Senator Tom Carper unseated GOP incumbent William Roth in a campaign that seemed to turn on Roth’s age.

[imdjh]

1. I don't get why the DNC doesn't see the weakness in the GOP and just bulldoze them

It's really like the Democrats run the race, come from behind, lap the GOP and then lie down and go to sleep before the finish line.

[abelenkpe2]

4. so true! nt

[MNDemNY]

2. I'll play that card: Castle is an old wrinkled cadaver of a repuke.

[abelenkpe2]

3. lol!

No that is not really an example of ageism.

We have true ageism in my industry. there are major studios that have come right out and said they will not hire animators over 40. That is ageism.

Republicans need to get a grip.

Losers.

[gratuitous]

5. Dear whiny ass titty baby Republicans

If this was truly a genuine gratuitous-brand slap at someone's age, you, Mr. Castle, and everyone in your respective families would be puking Geritol for a week. Be very thankful that that's all that was said about Mr. Castle.