Is Campaign '08 about the right stuff?

Veteran journalists Roger Mudd, Robert Novak and Al Neuharth agree at the 2008 Schieffer Symposium that a shaky economy, an unpredictable Iraq and the question of age versus experience will define November's presidential elections.

By Rick Waters '95

John McCain's age – not Barack Obama's race or Hillary Clinton's gender - will be a key factor in the presidential race by November, especially when the public and media compare McCain's vigor (or lack of) versus Obama's relative inexperience.

That debate will largely frame November's presidential campaign, so said three veteran journalists who joined Bob Schieffer '59 for the 2008 TCU Schieffer School of Journalism Symposium.

An unstable economy and uncertain Iraq will also be significant factors as well, panelists agreed. As for which vice presidential running mates will fill out both parties' tickets, wide speculation rules.

With an average age of 77, the four panelists had plenty of experience to draw on during a discussion of politics and the campaign.

Their prediction was summed up by syndicated columnist Robert Novak: "If you don't like mean, nasty politics, ladies and gentlemen, you ain't seen nothing yet."

Novak joined Schieffer, the longtime CBS Washington reporter and anchor who is the school's namesake, for the fourth annual symposium. Former CBS and NBC reporter Roger Mudd and USA Today founder Al Neuharth filled out the panel. NBC political correspondent Andrea Mitchell was scheduled to attend but was ill.

Schieffer applauded the presidential candidates for focusing on the war and the economy.

"Up until we got into this business in Bosnia and the talk about the minister, I really thought they were talking about the right things," he said, referring to the Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Neuharth, 84, predicted that McCain's age will be a factor by the fall.

"At night after 9, you wouldn't want me picking up the red phone," he said.

On the vice presidential pick, Mudd said, "I can't imagine Barack Obama really wanting go on the ticket with Hillary Clinton because Bill Clinton will be living in the White House."

On the Democratic side, the panelists discussed former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia and Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida as potential vice presidents. Potential Republican picks include former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman of Ohio and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

"Obviously you have to have a much younger person than McCain as his running mate, but that's not very hard," Novak said.

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