I don't actually think age and health questions are all that big of deal with respect to the presidency. I'm somewhat surprised by the degree of attention they get. I would have no problem casting a vote for a 72+ year old person. It might make me look a bit more closely at who their Veep is, but I'm just not all that concerned with the possibility that the president might get sick or die in office. As for questions about vigor, or whatever, the presidency needs not be as grueling of a job as recent presidents have made it (yes, even the slacker in chief). There's no need to be constantly traveling around the country. It's probably better that they don't.
But lots of people don't agree with me about that.
Yes, would
vote forNo, would not
vote for%
%
Catholic
95
4
Black
94
5
Jewish
92
7
A woman
88
11
Hispanic
87
12
Mormon
72
24
Married for the third time
67
30
72 years of age
57
42
A homosexual
55
43
An atheist
45
53
So McCain definitely doesn't want "McCain the senior" or "old guy McCain" becoming something people are aware of.
Thus the "ouch."