Was Age a Factor in Castle’s Loss?
When I was an undergraduate and Ronald Reagan was winning the hearts and minds of my generation, a number of left-of-center pundits were befuddled. They had come of age in the 1960s — or had observed that era with enthusiasm. They couldn’t understand how a man so old could find such favor with a crowd so young.
A lot of it had to do with the Gipper’s energy. He just didn’t seem old. He spoke with passion and conviction. He could spin a yarn as if he were talking to his neighbors at a backyard barbecue. When he talked about one man’s difficulties or another’s accomplishments, we believed he was relating the story of a person he knew.
He never lost the common touch. Not just that. He was always looking forward, rarely reminiscing about the good ol’ days. With his face turned toward the horizon, he knew tomorrow would be a better day.
But, Mike Castle in no Ronald Reagan.
And that’s one reason, I believe, he Castle lost last night. He might be just two years older than the Gipper was when that latter won the White House, but he seems a much older man. When he speaks, he sounds not like your friend, but like an elected official, a conscientious one, to be sure, but one more versed the arcana of legislation and the legislative process than the concerns of his fellow citizens.
He just looked old. A nice old man, to be sure, but an old man. As Ann Althouse asked, “why was a 70-year-old man running for a first term in the Senate?” (Via Glenn.)
On Monday, I recall clicking on an article about the Delaware Senate race. Seeing his picture, I first thought the web-site’s editors had substituted an image of more genial Harry Reid. He had a delightful hint of a smile on a his face, like a grandfather delighting in his grandson’s first steps. A pleasant smile perhaps, but not the often puckish grin of the Gipper.
And this got me wondering. Did Mike Castle’s age (he just turned 71) contribute to his defeat last night?
If so, while his loss may compromise Republican chances in the First State, they could help Republicans in other races across the country. Reid in just five months younger than Castle and lacks the spring of the Gipper’s step — or the puckish glint in his eye. Barbara Boxer a year younger than Reid, Jerry Brown more than two years older (than Boxer).
It’s not that age should be a hindrance — it wasn’t for the Gipper. It’s that when some politicians to borrow an expression, “wear well.” Like Reagan in the 1980s, Clint Eastwood may look like he’s been around the block a few times, but he wears his eighty years well.
Ronald Reagan retained his appeal, largely because his ideas, his optimism, his love for this great country, kept him young, even into his 70s. Other leaders may also a retain a similar vigor well into their “golden years.” But, Washington does seem to age certain people. And they do look worse for the wear.
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Huh? Castle lost big. There can not be that many “moderate” Republicans in Delaware who are worried about his age.
The TEA Party has got a lot of old school Republicans confused. Politics is not supposed to be a grass roots game in their playbook.
Comment by heliotrope — September 15, 2010 @ 8:05 am - September 15, 2010
Castle lost because he looked more like Democrat Joe Biden than the Republican he said he is. What’s the point of having a Republican in the Senate when he votes with the Democrats most of the time? Castle should call Lisa Murkowski for a pep talk.
If your thesis is correct, Charlie Rangel would have lost since he’s been in the Senate since the Dark Ages.
Comment by Sebastian Shaw — September 15, 2010 @ 9:31 am - September 15, 2010
Here’s the irony, the smug progressive whining point is that the Tea Party is nothing but old white people who are threatened at the loss of white male establishment power. Yet, it was the Tea Party who rejected the old white guy and picked the anti-establishment chick.
Comment by V the K — September 15, 2010 @ 9:37 am - September 15, 2010
[...] So Much For That Progressive Meme Here’s the irony, the smug progressive whining point is that the Tea Party is nothing but old white people who are threatened at the loss of white male establishment power. Yet, in Delaware, it was the Tea Party who rejected the old white guy and picked the anti-establishm…. [...]
Pingback by So Much For That Progressive Meme « Good Morning Patriots — September 15, 2010 @ 9:46 am - September 15, 2010
Sebastian is right. Castle said he would vote for “Cap and Trade.”
Comment by Margo — September 15, 2010 @ 10:19 am - September 15, 2010
Fred Barnes has a better explanation: Mike Castle ran a lousy campaign.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/why-mike-castle-lost
Comment by V the K — September 15, 2010 @ 10:31 am - September 15, 2010
As someone who was the campaign manager for a statewide congressional campaign in Delaware (1990 Williams v Carper – got our clock cleaned) I can tell two things 1) Mike Castle was smug and superior then and certainly NOT open to suggestions and 2) the party was run by a select handful of wealthy white men and women who did NOT cotton to folks outside of their little section of the Brandywine Valley. Not a fan of ODonnell at all and she certainly won’t win after the attacks are further sharpened but this was a Mike Castle screw up. Imperious career politicians of both parties should sit up and take notice….Senator Boxer?!?! AG Brown?!?! I am sure their are others….
Comment by Mark Mead — September 15, 2010 @ 2:15 pm - September 15, 2010
I think what contributed some some concern about his age…but more importantly a large measure of “voter fatigue”. Castle been on Delaware ballots for nearly 40-years…and at some point you just get tired of the same person all-the-time, and just want some new blood. And Castle campaigned like an elder statesman…entitled, smugly-casual, and in need of a nap.
Comment by Ted B. — September 15, 2010 @ 2:24 pm - September 15, 2010
Age? Fatigue? NO! Castle’s problem was that he is a classic RINO. The people no longer have any use for a socialist wolf in Republican clothing.
Comment by John McCue — September 15, 2010 @ 5:34 pm - September 15, 2010
Mike Castle should move to Arizona; they like their RINO’s. Ask Senator John “My Friend” McCain.
Comment by Sebastian Shaw — September 15, 2010 @ 9:02 pm - September 15, 2010