Statistics have a way of smashing punditry:
In hypothetical general election head-to-heads, Obama leads McCain by slim 51 to 44 percent margin, with the public split 49 percent for Clinton to McCain’s 46 percent. Against McCain, Obama does better than Clinton with African Americans, those with college degrees or greater education and among younger voters. Clinton, however, draws more support than does Obama against McCain among older white voters, white women and whites with family incomes under $50,000 a year.
Against either Democrat, age could be a significant obstacle for McCain. Only three in 10 said they were “entirely comfortable” with the prospect of a 72-year-old newly-elected president, about half as many as said they would be similarly comfortable with an African American or female president.
I think people need to stop the hand wringing.