Largest age gap?

[Saxwsylvania]

I'm absolutely convinced that Barack Obama will emerge as the Democratic nominee for President.  Hillary just can't catch up to him.  She would have to win the remaining states by margins of 65-35 just to tie him in the pledged delegate count.  I'm not entirely convinced she'll win in either Texas, Ohio, or Pennsylvania either - not against the biggest political phenomenon of our century. 
  Seriously, I was watching an Obama speech the other day and I felt this thrill going up my leg, then a tear rolled down my cheek as I heard him talk about uniting as one people.  He's really inspiring and is going to change the entire political landscape of this country.
 I also think he's going to get elected in November.  America is sick and tired of Washington and they know they won't get different results if they keep reelecting the same people.  Having only served less than a term in the Senate, Obama is anything but Washington and I am convinced that he will succeed to restore trust in our democracy again, and respect for America in the world.
  That said, that leaves a McCain vs. Obama race.  McCain was born in August 1936, Obama in August of 1961.  That's a 25 year-gap.  Is this the biggest gap in ages we've seen among presidential candidates, ever?  I think the Clinton-Dole race is the runner-up.
  So.  Something else historic about this election.  Little bit of trivia.

[© tweed]

I heard on TV a few nights ago that it would in fact be the greatest ever.  More than 25 years IIRC.

[Erc]

The largest one I can think of is William Jennings Bryan (36) vs. John B. Palmer (79).  Of course, that's including 3rd party candidates [McKinley was only 53].

[Verily]

The largest one I can think of is William Jennings Bryan (36) vs. John B. Palmer (79).  Of course, that's including 3rd party candidates [McKinley was only 53].

Cheater. Third parties aren't people

[falling apart like the ashes of American flags]

If you're going to include third parties you could easily compare a very young third party candidate who got around 200 votes to a very old one who got about the same.

On a side note, the Socialist Workers Party were apparently so aware of their chances in 2004 that they nominated a ticket where both candidates were ineligible. The presidential candidate was foreign-born and the VP candidate was too young. I'm surprised they got ballot access with that ticket though, you'd think most states would have laws against ineligible people appearing on the ballot.

[Mr. Morden]

Another interesting factoid regarding age:

If Clinton manages to pull this off and snag the Democratic nomination, and she faces McCain in the fall, it would be the first general election since 1848 in which both of the two major party candidates were over 60 years old on election day.