This reader objects:

Hi Jonah,
I think it odd that you would so blithely bat away the laziness
charge. What if it is true? Did the charge spring out of nowhere?
Would anyone think to call Romney lazy? Just because someone calls a
banana yellow doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Actually, call me an
ageist if you must, but I’m suspicious of anyone’s energy supply when
it comes to performing the most demanding job in the world,
especially if that person is much over 60.

Me: Maybe I was unclear. But, I don’t dismiss the laziness charge on the merits. I think it’s probably true. I just don’t it would hurt him with voters. Also, it’s not obvious to me that “laziness” is such a bad thing in a president. It sort of depends what he’s lazy about.