Connolly: Generational change is "nonsense"; Dems want someone "qualified" who has "proved their mettle"

[Ocelot II]

11. Adaptability is also necessary.

While I agree that chronological age shouldn't be disqualifying just because some people think there's too much of it, and that experience is unquestionably important, it's also essential that our representatives be able to adapt to changing conditions, and flexible enough to reconsider the way they've always been doing things. It's not enough to say "We've always done it that way!" and then keep doing it that way, not noticing that the ground has shifted under their feet. They have to notice the changes, both political technological, and and adapt to them. It seems to me that some of the more senior members of the party are doing their work and managing their campaigns just as they've done since the '70s, but everything is different now. If you're 75 years old and you can get with the drastic evolution (devolution?) of political thought and strategy, great; but if you think you're still in Lyndon Johnson's Congress you'd better think again, or retire.

I'm old. I don't want to see anyone turfed out on account of the date on their driver's license, but some of these folks need to park their stick-shift cars, shitcan their Blackberries and their VCRs, and get with the program.