McCain's Age and Past Health Problems Could Be An Issue in the Presidential Race
A hard life has taken its toll, but is it an issue that matters?
Just days before his expected nomination at the Republican National Convention, John McCain will celebrate his birthday. But don't bet on seeing a prime-time bash during the GOP's September get-together in Minneapolis: a presidential nominee blowing out 72 candles is not an image party bosses want to see on YouTube going into the fall battle.
Especially when that nominee visibly wears the toll of a long and, at times, extraordinarily difficult life. One that has included surviving a bone-crushing ejection from his Navy jet, torture during 5½ years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, major surgery to remove a dangerous skin cancer from his face, and the stiff and sometimes pained bearing shared by many of his contemporaries. If elected, McCain would steal Ronald Reagan's record as the oldest first-term president in the nation's history.
While questions of age and health have shadowed McCain, they have largely remained under the radar. His staffers respond to queries about his condition by pointing to the demanding campaign schedule he has maintained for many months. But with his doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., poised to release his current medical records before Memorial Day, and polls showing that a significant number of voters (32 percent in one survey) say that McCain is too old to be president, those back-burner issues are about to move front and center.
Top McCain aide Charlie Black says that the candidate's records will prove that he is in "good health." But their release is bound to reignite the debate over how much a candidate's age and health history should or could factor into the November contest, including how they may influence McCain's choice for vice president. And it will very likely renew discussion about the public's desire to know versus its right to know the full scope of nominees' medical conditions. The genie of disclosure will never be put back in the bottle, says Brian Balogh of the University of Virginia's Miller Center. When Thomas Eagleton's history of depression and electroshock therapy forced him to step down as Democrat George McGovern's running mate in 1972, "everyone became pretty self-conscious about candidates' past medical history," Balogh says. And post-Watergate, disclosure became de rigueur. "This was what the press demanded and what the American public expected and wanted to know about their presidential candidates," he says.
Presidential health. It wasn't always so. In the pantheon of presidents beset by maladies, deadly conditions, and some truly off-the-wall medical histories (Grover Cleveland had a cancerous lesion secretly removed from his jaw while in a chair lashed to the mast of a yacht plying the East River in New York),McCain's health trials don't look all that exceptional. Take Andrew Jackson, who suffered a head wound at age 13 during the Revolutionary War, was shot at least twice in gun battles, and carried in him at least three bullet fragments—one near his heart. It's most likely that Jackson suffered from malaria, lead poisoning, parasites, chronic diarrhea, depression, and was "swimming in heavy metals," notes H. W. Brands, a University of Texas historian, from the "cures" of mercury and a brew called "sugar of lead." (Family members, rather indiscreetly, also reported that as a youngster he "slobbered.") "In the early 19th to the early 20th century, people had a lot of things wrong with them, doctors didn't know how to fix them, and so they lived with them," Brands says. But Jackson lived to 78—at the time, a "good long life."
John Kennedy hid his diagnosis of debilitating Addison's disease—while in Congress, he had once been given last rites—and Chester Arthur kept secret his struggle with an incurable kidney disease. Dwight Eisenhower suffered a heart attack and stroke while in office—"the public was told about all of this," presidential historian Henry Graff says—and Lyndon Johnson survived a massive heart attack before he became president and another while in the Oval Office. He died of a third after leaving office.
But the history of presidential health is marked by bigger lies, subterfuge, and what historians characterize as flat-out medical malpractice. The two most notorious, says Graff, involve the conspiracy between Woodrow Wilson's wife and his doctor to keep the president's strokes and in-office incapacitation a secret from Congress and the nation and a similar connivance to keep Franklin Roosevelt's life-threatening high blood pressure under wraps while he ran for his fourth term during what would be the final months of World War II. In both cases, Graff says, "the public was ill-served."
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Reader Comments
Let's be honest here. As a person older than McCain - a person who only has to look around me to see the downward spiral, seemingly overnight, of my contemporaies who were full of health only "yesterday" tells me that having a man that age in the top office of our country is not a wise move.
Yes, anything can happen to any of us at any age. True. But to court problems that have a good chance of coming up as memory tends to fade - as we have already seen several times in his public addresses - is frightening. But AGE is a touchy issue - and he has become the nominee. What can be done? He and his handlers must see that his choice for vice-president already has all the needed
and tested abilities to be able to instantly take over. That alone is a scary thought -- as just who do we see out there who would truly be our first choice?
I can almost guarantee that the second-in -command will be leading our country, from the sidelines or up front. We can only hope those close to him are as concerned as the rest of us are and are looking over the field carefully.
McCain's Health
This and his age should be big factors for the electorate this year. He will be 72, and one really has to question the man's stamina and even his mental acuity. To me he does not seem nearly as sharp as before, and you have to believe he will slip faster and further as time goes on. As people consider McCain's age and health and look at the energy and vitality of his 25-year younger opponent, to me there seems to be a real possibility of a rout this fall. Perhaps just wishful thinking on my part, however.
John McCains health
Reading this stuff by'oldmen' who doubt McCains ability, or health to do the job of President is absurb.
Seems to me this is just another "put up"job to get Obama elected to the job. Balony!
These people writing about McCains health and age should be thinking more about Obamas youth and his training throughout his childhood by his step father and the Muslims. I have been reading this morning about Obama and he is a little shy about speacking of his stepfather, why? Any way, McCain can do the job and do it well just as Reagen did. Stop trying to swing the election to Obama and cover the news for yout readers. 77 years and still learning!!
Shame on you
Shame on you all for attacking McCain because of his age. Apparently, the political correctness of today does not extend to the elderly. Why is it okay to attack a candidate because of his age but not because of their skin color? If we are examining whether McCain will die or become senile in office, shouldn't we also -- to be fair -- be looking at whether Obama will have a highly likelihood of single-cell anemia, diabetes, herpes, AIDS, etc. Afterall, over two-thirds of all people in the District of Columbia that have AIDS are black males. If we discredit McCain for his age, why not Obama for potentially having AIDS. Ludicrous. Indeed. True conscience lies within ourselves.
McCain as Presedent
McCain is my present choice for president from those we, so far, are being offered. There were other potential contenders in the Republican party who I would have preferred., but withdrew prematurely, I believe. Now, of course, I will vote for him as the democratice party has proven to be completely unreliable, moraly bankrupt and corruptive.
Now I will probably vote for McCain if no one more preferable comes into view. I have some problem with his age factor as discussed above, although I don't think he is 'over the hill', so to speak. Certainly, a bit of 'Gray' is desirable as opposed to a younger and less experienced person, say Barack Obama. The ilk of a Clinton is far from my consideration.
I do also belive, his desirability would be greatly heightened by choosing a younger running mate. Huckeberry and Romney come to mind. With either of those two, I would be on McCain's band wagon and a strong supporter.
John McCains Age
I don't think it should be a factor in considering his run for the presidency. He probably has more strength and stamina then people younger then himself. I'm interested in the issues and who I can trust to lead this country through dangerous times. I don't trust Obama who has been in the Senate long enough for a cup of coffee and not much else. Even his supporters can never say what his greatest achievements in the Senate are, since there really haven't been any. He needs a bit more seasoning in that legislative body and prove what he can really do. Better yet I think he would make a great teacher at one of leading universities, as that is the impression I get of him when he speaks to his supporters after a primary victory or loss. He appears to be lecturing the crowd as if in a classroom. John Kennedy was younger then Obama when he ran in 1960, but had 14 years in the Congress, 6 in the house and 8 in the Senate, plus he matured rather quickly with what he experienced in World War II, having your boat rammed by a Japaneese destroyer will do that. I'm sure McCain will pick a good running mate to complement his assets and abilities.
John McCain's age
How shameful to start playing the age card!
If John McCain is in good health there is no reason for him not to be president of the United States.
In today's world 72 is very young.
I'd like to see a list of leaders in this world that have gone in to office or are still in office at John McCain's age.
One who comes to mind is Nelson Mandela and he was 75 when he was elected.
oh bullpucky
I will take John any day over a young empty suit that was unheard of 2 years ago.
What you worrying about McCain's Health
You had a president in a wheelchair and he did one H++l of a good job
McCain Health Records
Doctors do not recommend difficult tasks for elderly persons,McCain's should be no exception nor do I think presidency of thr US is an easy task. I wish Sen. McCain did make public his health records.Republicans would be itchy.
Compare his vigour when he was running for nomination agains Bush and his diminishing energy this year.Be realistic and predict next year......Vote a democrat this time.
Mother Day Reflection on Election Campaign 2008 :
Mother Day Reflection on Election Campaign 2008 :
Obama and Black supportors reminisced wrestlers whose matches are pre-arranged and play by hitting under the belt theatric causing economic downturn just to win. So, stop watching American games. Obama's white supportors are insulting their own race as incompetent and incapable of managing their own country . Whether Obama will be elected his "super delegates", who endorsed at other's expense, must be sentenced to live in Black neighborhoods for more than four years to find out what they are really like. The democratic governor of Oklahoma who had just endorsed Obama must be executed for causing their supernatural tornadoes. The communication media of the U. S. are circus clowns not worth commenting on because they have never given any honest election comments. Hillary Clinton, best American candidate in history, can be identified with a unspoiling mother who has wasted her own $10 mllion just to warn her stubborn and ignorance daughter not to date strangers in the street. American voters in general are "blind" to good judgement. Happy Mother Day!
Pilots live well into their late 80s
You're all forgetting the incredible medical screening that all military aviators get in their early 20s. I went thru this process myself. It is no accident that most military pilots live well into their 90s. As a group they are, by far, incredibly healthy. Look at Chuck Yeager and others who still fly. Why do you see so many WW-II pilots of all countries still around? Better genes. Not only that, just surviving the profession, itself, clearly one of the most dangerous in the world, is another accomplishment in and of itself. I've talked to such men and they are 1/5 younger to all appearances than most.
That said, signs of age are unmistakable in McCain's physical mannerisms, speech and deportment. I looked for these symptoms also in the FOX O'Reiley interviews and he still comes on strong.
In the fall, the presidential debates will be the deciding factor. We'll see two men pitted against each other. Sad that the so many of the significant experiences that McCain has are the very ones lacking in Obama. Obama's lack of any experience or connection to the military concern me. This is not some rant of a militarist, either. When some the name of an individual was first brought to the attention of President Kennedy whom he was unfamiliar with. Do you know what his first question always was? "What was his 'War Record?' Kennedy, too, well knew that WW-II was the definining event of his generation. While we have continued to have wars right up until today, far too many politicians skirted that whole experience with dozens of draft deferments (Cheney) or watered down National Guard assignments (Bush II). This is why I'm looking to that new crop of Afganistan and Iraqi veterans now entering public life. Of course, you need look no father than another Illinois career politician named Lincoln to see that lack of military experience didn't seem to ruin oner person's chances during the his time in the White House.
McCain is the man
I'd vote for a 70-yr old man of strong character rather than a wishy-washy young poser any day.
Obama vs McCain Family Longevity
Let's not forget that the average lifespan of McCain's parents is much higher than Obama's. Both of Obama's parents died at rather young ages, so the risk of dying in office may not be that much different for the two men.
Age is a factor more because of McCain's Past.
What if he becomes senile while in the white house and has flashbacks of his time in the internment camps in Viet Nam. Do we want someone reverting back to those days with paranormal reactions and the finger on the button that could be the end of civilization just like that. The fact that Ronald Reagan was becoming senile was apparent at the Republican National Convention when he kept repeating that he knew Thomas Jefferson and that Jefferson was a friend of his and that Bill Clinton was no Jefferson. It gave me goose pimples to think that someone this age was in control of our safety and for McCain it gives me greater fears because of his past as a prisoner of war and tortured for 5 years and what senility would bring back. Are we willing to pay the price to find out. I think not...
John McCain
Age shouldn't even be considered and, unless someone has a good crystal ball that can tell the future, no one can guess how his health will turn out in the next few years. Even a young person with the cleanest bill of health can be stricken down when they least expect it. I think that experience and past performance should be the deciding factor which leaves McCain well ahead of anyone else running for the office.
McCain's age
Age is a factor, whether it is too young or too old. The founders of this nation set the limit for too young. We, the voters, set the limit for too old.
I saw McCain a year and a half ago in the hallway of the Senate office building. He was very angry, with a face bright red and a look that said "I'll kill you if you get in my way." It was quite unnerving. I felt that I was in the presence of a person ready to explode, and definitely not someone who I could talk with on a calm and rational basis. Would I trust such a person to have the the power to use nuclear weapons? Never! He showed me that he is not stable. That may be because of his age, but more likely it is because of his character.
Presidential Race
I agree age is nothing but a number, but I think everyone should quit putting Barack Obama down. Because being a senator for who doesn't have past performance than the other candidates shouldn't be put down. Because majority of the time a person who has less experience than another person, usually does better than that person. So, I believe in this campaign that when it all boils down the best candidate will be picked. Also, all those racist words you said about Obama shouldn't be expressed out loud. Because before you can talk or say anything harsh about someone or black people in general you should first look in the mirror at your self. Because white people fail to realize now black people are coming up in the world stronger with boxing gloves on. Meaning they are pursuing their degrees and getting jobs that most white people or any other minority can get. So, don't hate us, beautiful black people are getting their grind on to becoming people who is determined to achieve in whatever they endeavor.
Sincerely,
Ms. Hill
McCain
You people are so predictable. First you help McCain in his quest
to be the GOP nominee. You help him come from oblivion and now that
you have got him where you want him you attack his age and
supposed health problems. How obvious.
Mean Spirited
In response to comments made...
In today's world 72 is very young...lie. avg lifespan for white male is 82. He will have 1 foot in the grave at the end of his presidency.
What if he becomes senile while in the white house and has flashbacks of his time in the internment camps in Viet Nam...not likely
Seems to me this is just another "put up"job to get Obama elected to the job. Balony!...paranoid
His mother looks great at age 96 !....true
Both of Obama's parents died at rather young ages, so the risk of dying in office may not be that much different for the two men...his WHITe mom died of cancer, father died in car crash
Whether Obama will be elected his "super delegates", who endorsed at other's expense, must be sentenced to live in Black neighborhoods for more than four years to find out what they are really like..I agree except I think the politicians who cut school funding and dont give teachers raises and think its okay to put guns on the streets should live in these neighborhoods in black face and get repeatedly stopped by cops for no reason and then get shot 100 times for pulling out a stick of gum.
If we discredit McCain for his age, why not Obama for potentially having AIDS. Ludicrous. Indeed. True conscience lies within ourselves...IDIOTIC
ou John McCain guys are mean black people carry AIDS and Obama Sr trained Barack in Muslim jihad. Thats just dumb. I love how all you patriotic white guys have become experts in culture you have no PERSONAL knowledge of or interaction with. Where do you get your info from the KKK's "A dummy's guide to Jihad" pamphlets? If you wanna crucify a guy do it with the facts he is not perfect and if you are creative can actually use a real fault of his to highlight the fact that he has faults. In the meantime, stop reaching!
John McCain's age as it relates to his experience is relevant as opposed to Obama's lack therof, but the AIDS talk and race? He lives in Chicago not DC, and anemia or sickle cell are genetic deficiencies that you are born with so if it doesnt come out in his medical records then it is not relevant. And in fairness, if he has a medical issue like a heart defect, for example its fair game. But him being black has nothing to do with his ability to govern. Lots of white folks...Jimmy Carter, for example, were bad executives. Lets not get into inferiority talk with race. America is country of immigrants and all of us can trace our roots outside of the country.
Reagan was old but he was the man and no one cared he was old because he was spry, had a head full of hair and was frankly a lot more charismatic and passionate orator than John McCain. McCain looks stiff, has a combover and frankly when he talks its like watching a leaky faucet drip, and its a shame that this guy has to have a schmuck like Lieberman whispering in his ear telling him whats what. He HAS been forgetful on the trail and misspeaks almost everyday. Its kinda sad. To his credit, he is an active guy and everyone says so, but his missteps and history of bad health put these issues on the table. McCain was the man in 2000 and all you "McCain guys" didnt support him when he was worth a damn. Which tells me that you all dont even know what you believe. Im a democrat and I would have voted for McCain for sure back then! Too much ideology and not enough ideas! Put down the David Duke pamphlets and wait for the face-off at the debates!!!!!! Im a NYer and we vote issues, Spitzer was an F*ck up and he was the first Dem Gov in a long time. We like our Republican Governors...Lets not talk about stuff that isnt relevant like flagpins, Google John McCain and there is not one pic of him wearing one. Unless all u paranoids think that Google purposely left all John McCain's flagpin pics off because they want Obama to be president...I wouldnt be surprised!
The Rat Race
The sad reality is that money chooses our President---The one who can out spend and get more media coverage. What if we have missed the very best opportunity because he or she couldn't be heard? What if we required each candidate to apply for the position based on skills, education, background, a basic job interview along with a medical & psychiatric evaluation? Why not require a crash course in Economics, foreign affairs, military studies, and history to learn from previous mistakes----
From there, let the race begin just as it does in the job market. We will know our candidates are pre-qualified before they enter the race. Then it won't be based on personality, race or money to get them where they are-- just the best possible qualifications along with experience to allow them the honor of being the leader of the free world!
Mean Spirited
In response to comments made...
In today's world 72 is very young...lie. avg lifespan for white male is 82. He will have 1 foot in the grave at the end of his presidency.
What if he becomes senile while in the white house and has flashbacks of his time in the internment camps in Viet Nam...not likely
Seems to me this is just another "put up"job to get Obama elected to the job. Balony!...paranoid
His mother looks great at age 96 !....true
Both of Obama's parents died at rather young ages, so the risk of dying in office may not be that much different for the two men...his WHITe mom died of cancer, father died in car crash
Whether Obama will be elected his "super delegates", who endorsed at other's expense, must be sentenced to live in Black neighborhoods for more than four years to find out what they are really like..I agree except I think the politicians who cut school funding and dont give teachers raises and think its okay to put guns on the streets should live in these neighborhoods in black face and get repeatedly stopped by cops for no reason and then get shot 100 times for pulling out a stick of gum.
If we discredit McCain for his age, why not Obama for potentially having AIDS. Ludicrous. Indeed. True conscience lies within ourselves...IDIOTIC
ou John McCain guys are mean black people carry AIDS and Obama Sr trained Barack in Muslim jihad. Thats just dumb. I love how all you patriotic white guys have become experts in culture you have no PERSONAL knowledge of or interaction with. Where do you get your info from the KKK's "A dummy's guide to Jihad" pamphlets? If you wanna crucify a guy do it with the facts he is not perfect and if you are creative can actually use a real fault of his to highlight the fact that he has faults. In the meantime, stop reaching!
John McCain's age as it relates to his experience is relevant as opposed to Obama's lack therof, but the AIDS talk and race? He lives in Chicago not DC, and anemia or sickle cell are genetic deficiencies that you are born with so if it doesnt come out in his medical records then it is not relevant. And in fairness, if he has a medical issue like a heart defect, for example its fair game. But him being black has nothing to do with his ability to govern. Lots of white folks...Jimmy Carter, for example, were bad executives. Lets not get into inferiority talk with race. America is country of immigrants and all of us can trace our roots outside of the country.
Reagan was old but he was the man and no one cared he was old because he was spry, had a head full of hair and was frankly a lot more charismatic and passionate orator than John McCain. McCain looks stiff, has a combover and frankly when he talks its like watching a leaky faucet drip, and its a shame that this guy has to have a schmuck like Lieberman whispering in his ear telling him whats what. He HAS been forgetful on the trail and misspeaks almost everyday. Its kinda sad. To his credit, he is an active guy and everyone says so, but his missteps and history of bad health put these issues on the table. McCain was the man in 2000 and all you "McCain guys" didnt support him when he was worth a darn. Which tells me that you all dont even know what you believe. Im a democrat and I would have voted for McCain for sure back then! Too much ideology and not enough ideas! Put down the David Duke pamphlets and wait for the face-off at the debates!!!!!! Im a NYer and we vote issues, Spitzer was an screw up and he was the first Dem Gov in a long time. We like our Republican Governors...Lets not talk about stuff that isnt relevant like flagpins, Google John McCain and there is not one pic of him wearing one. Unless all u paranoids think that Google purposely left all John McCain's flagpin pics off because they want Obama to be president...I wouldnt be surprised!
He's old.
He's old, due to the fact that he is old, along with the situtation of his oldness and cosidering his oldness, he would be leading the country in his oldness while being old. Its not enough that he is old but the circumstances of his being old leads one to believe that his oldness will not be able to counter his being old. And since he is old, the fact of his oldness, will cause him to think as a person who is old, while his being old can only assist his state oldness.
He is old.
This message sponsered by "the obvious truth".
Craig for veep
McCain can overcome the age issue by choosing a veep of proven vigor. There is such a candidate, and it would only be fitting for him to make a triumphant return to Minnesota aboard the Straight Talk Express. Of course, I mean Idaho's Senator Larry Craig. Think of the slogan potential! PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD WITH McCAIN & CRAIG or STAND UP WITH McCAIN & CRAIG or THE DIFFERENCE YOU DESERVE or GET AHEAD WITH McCAIN & CRAIG or even BEND OVER BACKWARDS FOR McCAIN & CRAIG.
McCain
We will play the "age-card" as quickly as the "race-card".
The fact of the matter is that the Republicans had no one who was ghe "best and brightest" to put forward. Now they are looking for ways to backtrack and pick someone to put forward as the McCain running mate who can outlive him.
What if he outlives us all and does more damage than we can; possibly imagine not due to age but to rage. Perhps that's our biggest fear - dementia.
McCain
How old was Moses when he physically led the people of Ireal from Egypt and how old was he when he stopped? It is in the genes. And just in case I'm sure any military leader when he has a choice picks the best available to be his deputy. So can he pick the best of the lot for his running mate.
McCain
It's McCain's mental health that we should be concerned with. The man's barking mad.
melanoma
What most concerns me about McCain is not his age but the fact that he has suffered three bouts of skin cancer, including melanomia, which is the most virulent form. As I understand it, if a person once has melanoma, there is a 40% chance that it will return again. Do we want to take such a risk with the future of our country? I am extremely uneasy about this situation.
McCain's age doesn't matter to me.
His war record does. As evidenced in the interview posted on this very site, and from McCain's autobiography FAITH OF MY FATHERS, he makes it very clear that he not only offered to give, but actually gave, valid, valuable, pertinent and current military intelligence data to the Vietnamese so that he could get his leg treated just days after he was captured. He wasn't forced or coerced to do that -- he did it all at his own volition, for his own personal gain. In doing that he didn't just violate the Military Code of Conduct . . .he totally fractured it. If he did that once, he'll do it again. We really don't need that.
McCain - Fit To Serve?
While I respect Mr. McCain's service and what he went through as a POW, I have grave concerns about his actions upon his return. He, with the advantage of having an admiral for a father, was not prosecuted as other returning POW for collaborating with the enemy. Later, Mr. McCain headed the effort the shut down all investigation into remaining POW/MIA in order to open up trade with Vietnam. His father-in-law immediately opened up a multi-billion dollar beer industry there.
http://www.aiipowmia.com/sea/schanberg_mccain.html
I also have concerns about his mental fitness as well, specially since he will not release his old medical records even though the term PSTD was not in use as an official diagnosis when he first returned. The one time he did release these records to a journalist, much was blacked out. He later released them in 1999 to a physician who wrote him a clean bill of health without the benefit of a personal examination but rather on whatever records he was provided.
“Among U.S. servicemen taken captive during the Korean War, as many as nine out of 10 survivors may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental disorders more than 35 years after their release, psychologist Patricia B. Sutker of the New Orleans Veterans Administration Medical Center and her colleagues report in the January AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY.”
'Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can result from wartime trauma such as suffering wounds or witnessing others being hurt. Symptoms include irritability or outbursts of anger, sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, extreme vigilance and an exaggerated startle response.'
http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSN17282413
I do not say any of this lightly as I have worked with vets for over thirty years to help them get their benefits for PTSD. My father served in the Army for 33 yrs as as CWO4. All three of my brothers also served, two in Vietnam.
But I have even more concerns about his current voting record towards our young veterans of today. His lack of support for their medical care is appalling.
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/9559
On a final note, it is worth reading what Col. Hackworth, the most respected officer to ever serve in Vietnam had to say about John McCain:
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/cin_hacker_2.htm
"David H. Hackworth died in June 2005, he was a much-decorated and highly unconventional former career Army officer who became a combat legend in Vietnam. Col. Hackworth received 78 combat awards — including a Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and eight Purple Hearts — during his 25-year military career which spanned the Korean and Vietnam wars.."
McCain - Fit To Serve?
While I respect Mr. McCain's service and what he went through as a POW, I have grave concerns about his actions upon his return. He, with the advantage of having an admiral for a father, was not prosecuted as other returning POW for collaborating with the enemy. Later, Mr. McCain headed the effort the shut down all investigation into remaining POW/MIA in order to open up trade with Vietnam. His father-in-law immediately opened up a multi-billion dollar beer industry there.
http://www.aiipowmia.com/sea/schanberg_mccain.html
I also have concerns about his mental fitness as well, specially since he will not release his old medical records even though the term PSTD was not in use as an official diagnosis when he first returned. The one time he did release these records to a journalist, much was blacked out. He later released them in 1999 to a physician who wrote him a clean bill of health without the benefit of a personal examination but rather on whatever records he was provided.
“Among U.S. servicemen taken captive during the Korean War, as many as nine out of 10 survivors may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental disorders more than 35 years after their release, psychologist Patricia B. Sutker of the New Orleans Veterans Administration Medical Center and her colleagues report in the January AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY.”
'Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can result from wartime trauma such as suffering wounds or witnessing others being hurt. Symptoms include irritability or outbursts of anger, sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, extreme vigilance and an exaggerated startle response.'
http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSN17282413
I do not say any of this lightly as I have worked with vets for over thirty years to help them get their benefits for PTSD. My father served in the Army for 33 yrs as as CWO4. All three of my brothers also served, two in Vietnam.
But I have even more concerns about his current voting record towards our young veterans of today. His lack of support for their medical care is appalling.
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/9559
On a final note, it is worth reading what Col. Hackworth, the most respected officer to ever serve in Vietnam had to say about John McCain:
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/cin_hacker_2.htm
"David H. Hackworth died in June 2005, he was a much-decorated and highly unconventional former career Army officer who became a combat legend in Vietnam. Col. Hackworth received 78 combat awards — including a Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and eight Purple Hearts — during his 25-year military career which spanned the Korean and Vietnam wars.."
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John McCain's Health
I believe John McCain's health will be a big issue though not necessarily in the election. I do not believe john McCain is physically strong enough to handle being President of the United States. I also believe he has health issues that will not be divulged to the public before or after the Presidential campaign.
May 10, 2008 15:58:02 PM [permalink] [report comment]