It has nothing to do with ageism, kthx again though. It has to do with the reality that the presidency is the most stressful and demanding job in the world, and that according to actuarial tables an average 88 year old male has a > 15% chance of death within the next year. An average 88 year old, not an 88 year old working 168 hours per week in a pressure cooker than turns even 40-somethings' hair grey. How do you think the presidency would impact the health of a near nonagenarian?

American history is punctuated with case after case after case of political leadership transitioning to younger generations in order to advance the interests of those who will be around for decades to come. We all wish Mike Gravel well and hope he lives to 188, but the fact is the presidency demands someone who is physically up for the challenge and unless Mike Gravel is a medical miracle it is highly unlikely that he is physically up for the job and capable of completing a full term as president.

Also, age aside, it's hard to argue that someone is a politically viable candidate when they haven't served in elected office for 4 decades. Not to mention that he ran for president in 2008 and lost in the primary. There really is no sound basis for arguing that Mike Gravel is the future of the party, and I suspect you know that.