How the Office Ages the Man

I was thinking about the real possibility that if John McCain were elected he might not survive his first term due to his age, health and obvious stress of the office. (Of course the concern there would be that we would be stuck with Palin as President, but that is another topic completely.) As I thought about how the office ages the man, regardless of age and health, I did a little research. I am not going to claim this is very scientific, it is clearly more entertainment.

So Abraham Lincoln began his first term in 1861 at the age of 52 and he was assassinated in 1865. He only served four years in office and look at the difference those four years made just on the physical appearance in his face. Of course we can't overlook the fact that those four years did also see the Civil War.


Bill Clinton began his first term in 1993 at the age of 47 and left office in 2001. Another obvious change in appearance from beginning of the first term to the end of the second. I don't think anyone would disagree that the office of President of the United States seriously ages the men that hold the position.



So how well would John McCain survive the office if he began the term in 2009 at the age of 72?