On the homepage today, I begin a “CPAC Journal” — for Part I, go here. I mention something about age, in the context of Ben Sasse, the new Nebraska senator. He was a young college president, though not as young as Leon Botstein, who took over Bard College at age 28 (having assumed the presidency of another college at 23). I would like to add a note here in the Corner.

At CPAC, I was talking with a colleague about age and presidential races. We agreed that Joe Biden and Jerry Brown weren’t too old. And that Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio weren’t too young. What matters is their views, competence, heart, and so on.

I wanted John McCain to run in a certain way in 2008. I wanted him to say, “I’m an old coot, all banged up. My opponent is a nice kid — way too green for this complicated and dangerous world.” I wanted him to take advantage of his age. But he didn’t. (Vanity?)

In the 1980 Republican primaries, Reagan’s age was a big concern. (“He would turn 70 less than three weeks after taking the oath of office!”) His staff started to refer to him as “the O&W” — the Oldest and Wisest.

When Bob Dole lost the Republican nomination in 1988, someone said, “There’s always ’96.” Dole responded, sardonically, “Yeah, that’s how old I’ll be.” He won the nomination that year anyway.

Which brings me to Hillary Clinton: If I were she, I’d run next year wearing my age as a badge of honor. I’d say things like, “I’m a crafty old lady.” I think it would help her. I think it would improve her likability. But I don’t think she’ll do it. (Vanity?)

I could go on, but this is maybe enough. I will append an utterly unrelated footnote, for the music-minded (and there are such people!): For my “New York Chronicle” in the new New Criterion, go here.

I’ll be back with more political notes later (a warning, not a promise, as a friend of mine says).