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McCain Camp Plans Public Summit Of His Doctors, In Order To Address Age Issue
In a sign that age could be a serious issue for John McCain, his campaign reportedly has plans for a public meeting of his doctors next month, at which they will take questions about the Senator's health and assure the public that he's in good shape.
McCain has, of course, used some other novel techniques to deal with the age issue — most notably bringing out his 96-year old mother on the trail. But as the campaign really progresses to the general election, and the public is faced with the idea of election a septuagenarian to a first term in the white House, expect the McCain camp to have to deal with the issue more and more often.
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Cool, a post on Mcwar.
I guess this is releasing his medical records but would like to see his brain scan for Alzheimer's and his psychological tests from being tortured.
I think he has an anger management problem like someone on this blog.
April 6, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmm...not sure this is a wise move on his part, all those doctors gathering on stage around the mike, lights flashing, faces serious...
"Doth protest too much" comes to mind.
But what do I care?
Obama '08
April 6, 2008 7:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm inclined to agree with you. I mean, how many doctors does he have, exactly? All it does is emphasize that he's old.
April 6, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it common practice for a candidate to release medical records?
I'm not sure why he isn't just releasing a statement or a press release. Having his doctor(s) give a press conference draws that much more scrutiny and attention to the thing he is trying to avoid.
April 6, 2008 8:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like McCain has something in his medical records that the doctors will need to explain. Otherwise, a simple press release should suffice.
April 6, 2008 8:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Couldn't they just play the Simpsons clip where the doctor tells Mr. Burns that he has so many diseases that they all cancel each other out? The "Three Stooges Effect", I believe it was called.
War McMonger in '08!
Hello, President Condi Rice in '09!
April 6, 2008 8:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone remember the US Supreme Court Justice W Rhenquist? No found out that he was off his rocker until he died and his foia info was released. Anyone want to take a chance on this happening in the WH? Lets get them ALL to submit to extensive Physicals.
Rehnquist FBI File Sheds New Light on Drug Dependence, Confirmation Battles
The FBI's 1986 report on Rehnquist's drug dependence was not released at the time of his confirmation, though some Democratic senators wanted it made public. But it is in Rehnquist's now-public file, and it contains new details about his behavior during his weeklong hospital stay in December 1981. One physician whose name is blocked out told the FBI that Rehnquist expressed "bizarre ideas and outrageous thoughts. He imagined, for example, that there was a CIA plot against him."
The doctor said Rehnquist "had also gone to the lobby in his pajamas in order to try to escape." The doctor said Rehnquist's delirium was consistent with him suddenly stopping his apparent daily dose of 1400 milligrams of the drug -- cont
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1167818524831
April 6, 2008 9:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is the campaign to figure out if ageism, sexism, or racism is the stronger negative force. As someone who works with some very sharp people who are well into their 80s and 90s, I don't hold McCain's age against him. His policies, yes, but his age, no.
As to health vetting, I imagine we might not have had Presidents Lincoln, Roosevelt, or Kennedy in today's day and age of knowing everything about a candidate's health.
April 6, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pablo
I said ALL candidates need to submit to extebsive physicals no distiction about age, sex, or race. I just prefer not having a closet case nut job as POTUS like the US Supreme Court Rhenquist was.
April 6, 2008 9:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes the visual comparison with Barack Obama will present McCain with a formidable hurdle, but not nearly so daunting as the fact that it will remind voters of just how experienced, how much a part of a failed political regime he truly is.
April 6, 2008 9:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Experience already gave us a 3 Trillion Dollar war in Iraq debt. We veered off course from Afghanistan war and now were getting our butts kicked like the Soviets did. Where are our so called allies? We have to go beg hat in hand for support for the afghanistan venture.
Experience!!! gimme a break.
April 6, 2008 10:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
At 72, McCain would be the oldest person ever elected president. The majority of S&P companies would force retirement by then.
In 2000, McCain released tons of medical records. So far in 2008, nada. Why? This may be his way of trying to avoid close scrutiny.
April 6, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
The doctors are confident that any visitation from the Devil be it in the form of a flue or a more serious possession may be driven from his body with the steady application of turpentine and leeches.
April 6, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I do not see age as an issue and I do like that his spry 96 year old mother is often out campaigning with him.
McCain's age does raise the importance of his VP choice but after what has occurred with Cheney, this is a critical consideration in any case. McCain at 72 and Clinton at or around 60 can make age an advantage to show their many additional years of life experience over Obama. In many ways, Obama at 48 looks like a real slacker compared to what these two have accomplished. Consider that at 48 he is a newby Senator with no experience, he has no leadership and management experience beyond his presidential campaign, no business or economic experience, he has practically no foreign travel experience or interest, and no service at the national level. McCain's is unimpeachable and Clinton's is different but equally clear.
Again, I do not see, especially for Obama, any upside to making age an issue. It only highlights his near total lack of experience and accomplishment. Clinton won't make it an issue as she is more McCain's peer and by all appearances they share sufficient mutual respect to not stoop to such inane concerns. Likewise, I also do not see McCain making an issue of Clinton's 60 or Obama's 48 years.
Matthew
http://www.TheProblemWithObama.com
April 6, 2008 11:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, he's 46. But go on about how much of an underachieving slacker he is, please.
April 7, 2008 12:36 AM | Reply | Permalink