Scott Howell (D) on Orrin Hatch (R) Utah

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/component/k2/item/91810-sen-hatch-opponent-%E2%80%98hatch-is-not-a-bad-guy-but-he-is-an-old-guy-%E2%80%99


Howell, who's challenging longtime Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch this November, sent a fundraising email to supporters this week that warned voters of "the risk of an 80-year-old man taking office, only to retire or die before his term is through." (Hatch is 78.) "Look, Orrin Hatch is not a bad guy. But he is an old guy, and he's a lifer politician," Howell wrote in the email, which Daily Caller reporter Matt Lewis posted on Twitter .


Senator Hatch's office has expressed outrage over Mr. Howell's comments.

Assertions:
A risk of an 80 year assuming a Senate term.  He would age from 78 to 84 during the term.

The reader can quickly verify the facts here.  Mr. Hatch has increasing risk as he ages.  However, in fairness, the Senator has continued his service with excellent health and has a youthful vigor.  So, the risk would appear real, but not particularly relevant in the short term.  The assertion centers around the word risk.  

Give away:
He is not a bad guy.
This assertion tends to build a good guy ethics into the opponent's bid for office.  He's a good guy, but he's old.

He's a lifer politician.
This is a weak assertion.  It suggests a negativity to long-term public service.  It gives no evidence, only innuendo.

My synthesis:

If a voter considers Mr Hatch as a viable candidate, then this whole line of reasoning collapses.  No alternative is given.  It almost says, "Vote for me.  I'm younger.  I'm a good guy.  I'm new."  The underlying fallacy is an argument against the person.  I'm reading no reasons of any political importance why I should vote against Hatch other an argument against his age.

(In other parts of this article, Howell does take issue with Mr. Hatch on education issues.  He criticizes Hatch for wanting to eliminate or reduce Pell grants, and for his inadequate support of educational goals that involve money.)

Will this convince me to vote to send Hatch home?  Not for these reasons.  I felt that I needed to examine this after listening to an analysis on KSL's Nightside program.  The commentators were examining the ethics of calling someone old.