Reid references McCain’s age

DENVER — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Wednesday made a thinly veiled reference to GOP presidential candidate John McCain’s age while decrying the Arizona senator’s energy policy.

{mosads}Speaking at the Democratic National Convention, the Nevada Democrat likened McCain to a bogus doctor, calling him “kindly old Doc McCain” and comparing his plan for expanded offshore drilling to “snake oil.”

“Kindly old Doc McCain would like to sell it to you anyway,” Reid said.

He discussed the prominent role of oil in numerous world conflicts in recent years, saying the history of the last century “has been a toxic mix of oil and war.”

Reid continued to carry the Democrats’ anti-drilling banner, saying Republicans were not offering any other solutions.

“The simple fact is that the promise of more oil isn’t part of the solution, it’s part of the problem,” he continued. “At best, this is an 18th Century answer to a 21st Century problem. At worst, it’s pure baloney.”

Discussing McCain’s age has been taboo throughout the presidential campaign. He will turn 72 on Friday.

Reid also praised former President Jimmy Carter’s (D) efforts during his administration and derided the three Republican presidencies in the intervening 28 years for being too close to oil interests.