What's the likely age cutoff for VPs in 2008?

[Mr. Morden]

Verily mentioned Jay Rockefeller as a possible Clinton running mate in another thread recently, though Rockefeller will be 71 on election day 2008, so I hadn't really considered him as an option, since 71 seems kind of old to be running for VP.....if he served two terms, he'd be 79 when he left office.  (OTOH, McCain is running for prez, and he'll be 72 next year, while Dole was 73 when he ran in 1996.)

What's the oldest age you can realistically imagine for a VP candidate next year?  Clearly, if McCain or Thompson were to be nominated, they'd make sure to pick someone younger to balance things out, but assuming the presidential nominee is under 65, how old could they go with the VP before age became a serious issue?  And are there any older VP possibilities that might be considered despite their age, because they'd make such strong candidates for reasons other than age?

Some older VP possibilities, and their ages on Election Day 2008:

Connie Mack, 68
Lamar Alexander, 68
Kit Bond, 69
Sam Nunn, 70
Jay Rockefeller, 71
Bob Graham, 71
George Mitchell, 75
Chuck Grassley, 75

Are these people too old to be considered for VP?  (This is more a question about what you think the actual criteria for, say, Clinton, Obama, Giuliani, or Romney would be, rather than what your own criteria would be if you were in charge.)

[gorkay]

I don't know that there would be a definite age cutoff, but the people you mention are, to put it unkindly, has-beens. Their best political days are behind them. Traditionally (though not always) the VP nominee is kind of an up-and-comer.

[Mr. Morden]

Like Lloyd Bentsen, Jack Kemp, and Dick Cheney? 

[Ogre Mage]

It entirely depends on whether the candidate is looking for an elder statesman consigliere VP (Dick Cheney) or if they are looking to actually groom a successor (which most are).  For the elder statesman there is no age cutoff since an elder statesman is chosen solely for his experience and expertise, not for long-term potential.  For an actual successor I would estimate the age cutoff is 60. 
   

[HappyWarrior]

If it's Obama, he might need someone older.  Sort of guiding hand figure.  The others on the other hand need someone younger, someone that can one day succeed them.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

For "guiding hand" VP... probably 65 max

For a possible successor - around 50-55

[gorkay]

Like Lloyd Bentsen, Jack Kemp, and Dick Cheney? 

I said "not always." And those three didn't work out too well, did they?

[Mr. Morden]

Well, Bush still ended up in the White House with Cheney on the ticket, so it wasn't that bad from his perspective.  Anyway, that's 3 out of the last 7 major party VP nominees right there (including both of the last 2 Republican VP choices), so it's hard to say that has-beens really face *that* much of a disadvantage in being selected.

[gorkay]

Well, Bush still ended up in the White House with Cheney on the ticket, so it wasn't that bad from his perspective.  Anyway, that's 3 out of the last 7 major party VP nominees right there (including both of the last 2 Republican VP choices), so it's hard to say that has-beens really face *that* much of a disadvantage in being selected.

I'll give you that... although we all know the circumstances under which Bush and Cheney wound up in the White House.

[Хahar 🤔]

About 55 or 60, since there will be no "elder statesmen" types, in my opinion.