Statistics have a way of smashing punditry:

In hypothetical general election head-to-heads, Obama
leads McCain by slim 51 to 44 percent margin, with the public split 49
percent for Clinton to McCain's 46 percent. Against McCain, Obama does
better than Clinton with African Americans, those with college degrees
or greater education and among younger voters. Clinton, however, draws
more support than does Obama against McCain among older white voters,
white women and whites with family incomes under $50,000 a year.

Against either Democrat, age could be a significant obstacle for
McCain. Only three in 10 said they were "entirely comfortable" with the
prospect of a 72-year-old newly-elected president, about half as many
as said they would be similarly comfortable with an African American or
female president.

I think people need to stop the hand wringing.