WASHINGTON — Septuagenarian John McCain is hoping to become the oldest person elected to a first term in the White House.

But the Republican presidential candidate’s age — he’s 71 — could be a liability, political experts say, even as he touts his long history of public service.

Pundits and election observers say voters have been peppering the Arizona senator’s town-hall campaign appearances with questions about his health and stamina, and his age has become fodder for late-night comedians.

Democratic candidate Barack Obama, 46, “will try to do to McCain what Bill Clinton did to Bob Dole in 1996 — define him as too old and out of touch, an American hero whose time has passed,” said Michael Baudinet, who writes for the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.

But, he said, if Sen. McCain successfully can portray himself as a more experienced statesman than Sen. Obama, a first-term senator from Illinois, his age could play to his favor.

For his part, Sen. McCain, who has had a bout with malignant melanoma, has reacted to questions about his age with humor, acknowledging that he is “older than dirt and (has) more scars than Frankenstein.” Still, he maintains his vigor on the campaign trail despite a rigorous schedule and says his health is good. His 95-year-old mother’s verve, he has said, “shows how good my genes are.”

Sen. McCain, a decorated Navy pilot and prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, has served in Congress since 1982 and previously ran for president in 2000, losing in the primary to George W. Bush.

Given the questions about his age, political experts expect Sen. McCain to pick a younger vice presidential running mate to balance the ticket against the youthful Sen. Obama. Other considerations, such as ideology and geography, also will factor in, but Mr. Baudinet said voters most likely will be seeking a vice president who is young and competent.

“More than likely, McCain will need to pick a veep who looks ready to step in and be president, should McCain have health problems while in office,” Mr. Baudinet said.

Some of the names in the rumor mill include Govs. Tim Pawlenty, of Minnesota, 47; Charlie Crist, of Florida, 51; and Mark Sanford, of South Carolina, 47.

“It’s obviously going to be a reversal of what we saw with Bush and Cheney, where Cheney was brought in to give the ticket some more experience,” said Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Ga.

Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., an ardent supporter of Sen. McCain, said modern medicine has extended life expectancies, and he does not expect Sen. McCain’s age to be a major factor, noting that Ronald Reagan stayed in the White House well into his 70s.

“I think your health and vitality is much more important than your age,” Rep. Wamp said. “We all know that Barack Obama is much, much younger, but frankly, he’s much, much less experienced, so you’re going to see a contrast.”

Sen. Obama’s choice of running mate may head in the opposite direction. To counteract Sen. McCain’s experience, he could pick a vice presidential candidate with more foreign policy and Washington experience.

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., and former Sen. Sam Nunn, of Georgia, reportedly are among the contenders, along with his primary foe, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

Bob Tuke, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Tennessee and Sen. Obama’s state political director, said Sen. Obama may have had only a short stint in the Senate but has gained much state governing experience in the Illinois legislature.

Mr. Tuke also touted Sen. Obama’s life experiences growing up in Chicago, with four years spent living abroad in Indonesia.

“He’s had life experiences that put him in a better place to understand issues, especially in international affairs,” Mr. Tuke said. “What’s important is a candidate’s intelligence and ability to make decisions and quickly grasp concepts.”

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