Sen. John McCain is not a rock star. He has nothing in common with Axl Rose, Freddie Mercury or any members of Aerosmith.

Sen. Barack Obama, however, is such a big star he may start opening for bands at the House of Blues.

Obama has caught the attention of young, college-aged Americans by being hip and savvy. He actually texted his vice-presidential choice to supporters. Plus, nothing is more appealing to young voters than someone being featured on the cover of “Rolling Stone.”

On the other hand, McCain is notoriously computer illiterate and old enough to be entering his 10th year of retirement.

However, Obama isn’t responsible for this lopsided image of coolness; the media is.

It’s unfortunate, too, because what McCain lacks in magazine covers he makes up for in political and military experience. McCain, appropriately nicknamed ‘Maverick,’ is a conservative who, despite his age, has a surprisingly open-minded view of political issues.

According to his campaign Web site (yes, McCain has a Web site), he is in favor of giving anyone who owns an emission-free car a $5,000 tax credit; a strategy which gives auto makers an incentive to distribute their hybrid cars. He also wants to “facilitate international efforts to solve the problem” of greenhouse emissions.

Still, YouTube and a frenzy of 3 a.m. text messages featuring Obama campaign messages make McCain look straight from the Stone Age, a virtual non-contender for his popular rival. But, as columnist Mike Murphy said in Time magazine this week, “There are plenty of older, white, working-class voters who are still far from sold on [Obama].”

Online, McCain isn’t invisible. He has a campaign Web site, including a link to “McCainSpace,” which includes blogs, photos and a YouTube-style video forum featuring McCain supporters.

There is no doubt that Obama has been more successful in courting the new media outlets, resulting in more coverage geared toward young voters. Let’s also not forget Obama has visited the Ellen Degeneres Show more than McCain.

But voters, especially young, impressionable college students, should look past the hype. Don’t vote for a candidate simply because their face graces a T-shirt. Vote for the candidate who will be the best president.

“I think the experience that comes with age is irreplaceable. He has knowledge of the system that no one else has,” said Student Association President Brent Keller.

McCain may be old, but it is age, not Web site hits, that brings experience.

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