McCain and others like him were a problem long before his advanced age became a feature.
In the Reagan era we had a mature politician that was able to articulate a conservative sision. The left stays united focused on their socialist agenda, the Republican have no such unified vision. We have some youngsters and newcomers with good rhetorical skills, but no one out there with the gravitas to lead.
Palin, Cruz, Rand, Rubio are all short timers in leadership and fresh faces but they have no track record sufficient to inspire their peers.
A good spearhead for our conservatism doesn’t have to be perfect, just credible as a leader.
I take it that you know little or nothing about Governor Palin’s administration in Alaska.