Too Old To Run?

At 70, McCain's Age And Health Factor In Bid For Presidency

(The Politico)  By The Politico's Roger Simon.

---

"I am older than dirt and have more scars than Frankenstein," John McCain likes to say.

It always gets a laugh, though I don't suppose his mother, who is 94, and her twin sister appreciate it very much. If he is older than dirt, what does that make them? Older than lava?

If McCain, 70, runs and wins, he would be the oldest person ever inaugurated as president. As is evident from the scar on the left side of his face, he has had malignant melanoma, the most invasive and dangerous form of skin cancer. (One in every 60 Americans is at risk for developing invasive melanoma in their lifetimes.)

I talked to McCain recently and asked him about his health. He said it was good. "I hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim last August with my son, Jack," he said.

I tried to imagine that. The last time I saw it, the Grand Canyon was seriously deep.

How on earth do you hike a thing like that rim-to-rim? I asked.

"Down and up!" he said. "It takes three days."

John Kennedy, who at 43 became the youngest person ever elected president, and who was always associated with "vig-ah," in fact had serious diseases that were kept from the public.

As was revealed in 2002, Kennedy was sick from age 13 through the rest of his life, was on chronic-pain medication throughout his presidency and had Addison's disease, an endocrine disorder that until 1940 was a terminal illness. Kennedy survived it through cortisone injections, which at the time only rich people could afford.

Dr. Jeffrey Kelman, who examined Kennedy's medical records in 2002, said, "He was never healthy. I mean, the image you get of vigor and progressive health wasn't true."

The point being: Electing a young person to the presidency is no guarantee that he or she will be healthy or stay healthy.

The media often demands the release of medical records these days, and the candidates sometimes comply. There were so many false rumors circulating about McCain's health when he ran for president in 2000, that he released 1,500 pages of medical and psychiatric records. They showed him to be in good health and not nuts. (And how many presidential candidates can say that?)

"We'll probably have to do that again," McCain told me of the record release.

Do you think all candidates should release their medical and psychiatric records? I asked.

I thought he would jump on that and say yes, just to put pressure on the other presidential campaigns, but he did not.

"I don't know," he said. "I think probably in my case it was a little more unique because of my POW status and the war injuries and the fact that people were spreading rumors that I was crazy and disabled both. So we'll probably have to do that again."

You think the rumors will start again? I asked.

"They already have!" he said.

But I don't think that is going to be McCain's problem. It isn't his health but rather his demeanor that worries some people.

The Iraq war, which he strongly supports, has disturbed and dismayed him. He told The Washington Post it was a "train wreck." He told me it was a "witch's brew." He visits wounded soldiers and Marines when they come back home for treatment and if any civilian feels the pain of the military, it is McCain.

And it is showing.

Last April, I wrote of a campaign swing McCain made through New Hampshire and Iowa, "Though McCain said he enjoyed himself, he was not the rollicking campaigner of six years ago. At a number of stops, he was largely subdued and sometimes almost somber."

Last Sunday, on "Meet the Press with Tim Russert," McCain seemed to have moved from almost somber to almost gloomy.

In my recent interview, I suggested to him that the laughing, joking John McCain of his last presidential campaign seemed to be AWOL.

"It's hard to make jokes; we are a nation at war," he said. "There are great national security challenges that we face. But I also believe, as Ronald Reagan did, that America's greatest days are ahead of us. It's going to be an upbeat campaign and an optimistic one."

And will you still come to the back of the bus and goof off with the press like before? I asked.

"If I changed that," McCain said with a smile of old, "I would probably get death threats."

[dypandya]

It is important for a voter to consider the health and age of a candidate, but it is more important to consider the ideas; it is evident that Sen. McCain can no longer be considered a "maverick" and his views on Iraq and the troop surge are not only questionable, but quite provocative, in a sense that his lapse of judgment is very much wrong.

[tuckerndfw]

Age has nothing to do with it.

He actively supported and supports the unlawful and unnecessary invasion and occupation of Iraq, even after it has been shown Iraq was not threatening anyone.

McCain is unqualified to hold elective office due to his support for war crimes and war criminals.

The unlawful invasion of Iraq was a war crime.

[mgbgt65]

As a fellow Viet Nam veterean, I feel McCain spent too long as a guest of the North Vietnamese at the Hanoi Hilton. I cannot trust him and his anger over being a POW needs to be addressed by McCain and a good therapist.

[perception5]

It's amazing how liberals think............ their DEM candidates always take a poll to figure out what's popular and then take that position.

John McCain knows that Iraq is unpopular but he's more interested in seeing that we are successul in Iraq because he knows the consequences if we are not......... he does this even though it may cost him a shot at being President........there is no up side to his positon UNLESS one appreciates honesty.

[shingles1]

Pander Bear!
Pander Bear!

I think flip-flopping on the issues matters more than age. The pundit-class LOVES McCain, even though hardcore conservatives have never trusted him and he's rapidly losing the independents and moderates due to his recent flip-flopping and pandering to the right. His still milking that maverick straight talking image even though its woefully out of date.

[bluestardad]

good!

[candojj1]

Arizona has so many nice golf courses and spas. It is rich in body rubs and it's time to relax and be pampered John. Go home to roost and let the vigor come from the vigorous.

[wadyaknow]

Maybe his age has somthing to do with his changing positions every two days. He should find a nice retirement home with his new-found buddy Jerry Fartwell.

[oxmyx-2009]

Irrelevant. Out of step. Sad. America is ready to turn the page to the future- politically, medically, scientifically. Give me young, vibrant thinkers. McCain should dedicate what years he has left to his family.

Let's not make age in an issue in this election. Let's not exploit for political purposes McCain's opponent's youth and inexperience.

Let's not make age in an issue in this election. Let's not exploit for political purposes McCain's opponent's youth and inexperience.

[rincewind3-2009]

I'm so tired of this 'older than Reagan' ***. In 1985, at his second inauguration, Reagan was a few weeks from his 74th birthday. In January of 2009, McCain will be closer to 72 than 73. McCain would be the oldest inaugurated if he won a second term, or the oldest elected to a first term, but as it stands now, he can break no age records except being the oldest President at the first inauguration.

[candojj1]

This Senator is a protector of robber baron America that's got to go! He is part of the Power Elite. Let's all stand up and cheer - Adios muchachos!

[changeit4]

Age has everything to do with it! While yes, young candidates can buy the farm, who's more likely to die early? Consider the alternative if W kicks the bucket!

I duly respect McCain's service, but I agree that it's time to dedicate his energies to his family.

Our heartfelt thanks for all you've done, Senator. At the most, stay where you are, for you can be effective there. We will try to put in a president who will listen and benefit from your experience. We need a leader who can physically bear the duties of that office.

[johnshaft4]

Sadly, age must be a factor for anyone at age 70 who supports the 'surge' must be suffering from dementia. Heck, anyone/any age who supports the surge must have dementia.

[kalatur1]

Oriental cultures not only revere their old. They value their wisdom. McCain is many years older than, say, Obama. All things being equal, those years of experience make McCain wiser and promise to benefit all Americans as he continues his public service. Of course, all things are not equal. In any event, the Oriental perspective seems much more natural to me.

[karlimhof]

Too old and he sold his soul to the Devil himself (bush) when he dropped out in 2000. His deal with the RP - "you're next John". Now he crosses the country kissing christian behinds, and is neither honest with himself or the country.

[oxmyx-2009]

Age is already an issue. America is poised for change. Harangue all you want. May as well sit back and enjoy it. Change is the inevitable process of all life.

[juliemd]

Yes, he's creepy and inconsistent. Did you catch his expressions during the State of the Union. Freaky Friday.

[karlimhof]

juliemd

that creepy expression you saw was saying "with this mess, I'm never going to get elected"

[huskerarmy]

"...those years of experience make McCain wiser and promise to benefit all Americans as he continues his public service."

Even a wise old man can be dead wrong. Americans are not going to buy his rabid pro-war position.

[angryliberal-2009]

Yes he is to old and to two faced to run. That is why we need a true conservative like Rick Santourum for president in 2008.

[bildooreilly]

McCain is another phony just like Bush and the rest of them... He's another rich kid his father was commander of all US forces in Europe at one time. His vietnam POW story is all BS, he immediately did whatever they wanted him to do in exchange for preferrential treatment and was given special treatment by the Vietcong because of who his daddy was. While other POW's went through years of abuse and torture at the hands of the vietnamese John McCain immediately broke down, sucked up, sold out, and got special treatment. He even sicked the FBI on the POW MIA people in the mid 90's, I guess this is one of the reasons John McCain wants to censor the internet so badly... the truth really hurts...

[johnshaft4]

Nut job loser Rick Sanatoriun should be in a sanitarium (along with you).

[themartyred]

"McCain is another phony just like Bush and the rest of them... He's another rich kid his father was commander of all US forces in Europe at one time. His vietnam POW story is all BS, he immediately did whatever they wanted him to do in exchange for preferrential treatment and was given special treatment by the Vietcong because of who his daddy was. While other POW's went through years of abuse and torture at the hands of the vietnamese John McCain immediately broke down, sucked up, sold out, and got special treatment. He even sicked the FBI on the POW MIA people in the mid 90's, I guess this is one of the reasons John McCain wants to censor the internet so badly... the truth really hurts..."


well, all I know is he sold out to Bush, and is an incredible phony, and goodness, he was nearly DEAD on Russert's show last week, and then FELL ASLEEP when Bush was talking about Iraq. Outside of his age - he's just a sucky "Bob Dole II" - boring, outdated, and too cozy with the Bush Regime. Shame on him.

cafepress.com/warisprofitable - this warisprofitable sight had things I never even heard bush say, it's amazing what the net can do for your education!

[processor2]

Now that Queen Hillary has been annointed by her party, it doesn't surprise me to see the left-wing media such as CBS start to tear down Republkican front-runners to clear the path for the liberal annointed-one.

............

[processor2]

Now that Queen Hillary has been annointed by her party, it doesn't surprise me to see the left-wing media, such as CBS, start to tear down Republican front-runners to clear the path for the liberal annointed-one.

............

[dallison7]

Definitely too old. All we need is another Reagan, falling asleep in meetings after the devastation Bush will leave behind.

[johnshaft4]

Anyone who believes extremists Hillary can win needs to up the dosage on the Prozac.
Look for Edwards to take the nomination along with somebody like Barack Obama...

[dallison7]

That is why we need a true conservative like Rick Santourum for president in 2008.
Posted by ANGRYliberal at 03:47 PM : Jan 25, 2007


HA LOL That fool. Bring em on!!! HA That would be the biggest landslide in history in favor of the democratic candidate.

[karlimhof]

JohnShaft4

remember when santorum came on national news announcing he had found the WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION - 15 year old rusty cannisters!
What a joke that was!

[johnshaft4]

It's sanitarium time for nut job Santourum.

[xsoldier2]

I cannot imagine Hillary Clinton as the "Commander In Chief" of our
armed forces. Can you imagine being a soldier and having to salute
that ***??? She is nothing but a power hungry %#*&^(*&$#%^. The
Clintons are a ruthless power hungry couple and people of this
country see that. Those two have been involved in a lot of dirty
***. I once heard an interview with a woman who was part of
Clinton's cabinet when he was the Governor of Arkansas. This
interview took place before Clinton took his first oath of office as
president after being elected. She talked about how ruthless both of
them were. She said that anyone who crossed either of them either
wound up dead or had their lives ruined. Take a look at the list of
people that were involved with the Clintons in one way or another
that have died or had their lives ruined.

http://www.etherzone.com/body.html

[dixiebobh]

The word, "surge" means a rapid increase that diminished quickly. Bush is doing a real "snow job" on this country and the rest of the world!

I am certain that Bush's "surge" ids nothing more than a "buildup" that will last as long as Bush, and his cronies want us to stay in Iraq which, by the way. takes the spot light off certain "close to home" issues that bear serious scrutiny.

[willyn3]

McCain sold himself out. We're next. It's almost unimaginable that the country would elect a person that would continue the "war" in Iraq. America!, that shining beacon on the hill may have burned out.

[nivramcireel]

The average death age for male in USA is 76. just looking at 70 year old McCain, he doesn't strike me as being the most healthy of candidates. With his skin cancer scares of passed , do we risk him? Or make sure he has a young vice on his ticket?
If you consider youth and vitality as important, consider a vote towards 60 year old Mitt Romney, his demographic (Mormon) has his life expectancy to age 86, healthy and vigor all the way.

[inalamotown]

What garbage this age consideration is. What we need is to find a person who we can trust, who has understanding of a lot of what is happening in this country and the world and who can explain it to us; a person who is empathetic with those of our country who are suffering, old, weak, disabled, poor; a person who can rise above the lobbyist money temptations; that is, a person who is good, has strength of character, and who can be a leader. What that person's age, ***, tint, religion or political party is is totally unimportant.

[susanhelit]

McCain was slandered by Bush in previous elections with garbage push polling suggesting he had an illegitimate black daughter, and that was just the beginning of the lousy things Bush has done to McCain. After all that, McCain still keeps falling for his garbage worse than Charlie Brown for a football.

I want a President with a bit more self-respect, no matter what his age. I was all for McCain before, but he's shown himself to be a huge disappointment the last 6 years.

[dallison7]

nivramcireel

Mitt Romney. If you are not a Mormon, read up on the cult. Romney believes, in his heart, that the ultimate truth was revealed to his prophet, Joseph Smith, by a 'talking' white salomander. (That's a lizard of type, by the way)

Just what we need, another nut-case in the whitehouse.

[fascistusa]

Too FASCIST to run.

Sold your SOUL you Captain Crunch look alike.

WE NEED A REVOLUTION.

[willard_101]

Mr Flip - Flop

Why would anyone want to elect another political animal with no conscience.

Making friends with the religious wackos of the right

For the war - now he calls it a "train wreck" a "witch's brew." In that case how are 21K more targets going to help?

His release of 1,500 pages of medical and psychiatric records. They showed him to be in good health and not nuts. HUM!@#$%^&* Nuts? maybe not but a flip flopping egotist Yes.

His star reached its nadir long ago and its now crashing back to earth.

[processor2]

Now that Queen Hillary has been annointed by her party, it doesn't surprise me to see the left-wing media, such as CBS, start to tear down Republican front-runners to clear the path for the liberal annointed-one.

............

[jhindson1]

McCain, as a neocon supporter of the Iraq war and increased troop levels has no chance anyway.

[mcc8516]

Mr. McCain will most definitely look old if he runs against Barak Obama or Hilary. I will give him credit for being willing to take a stand, but I don't like where he stands. For some reason he does not see that we are back again in a regional Vietnam-like war. This war in Iraq is an artificial war created by the Neocons. It is not really in the national interest, any more than Vietnam was really in the national interest. When we left Vietnam no dominos fell.
Mr. McCain is on the wrong side again. And all he has to do is look at the polls to see that the American people are smart enough to understand what is going on.

[farmerterry]

Calling CBS "left-wing" media!!! Where do people get these ideas? They just throw those pejoratives out like they're supposed to be accurate assessments. Does anyone know what a "left-wing" media would be?
It would be a pro-working class media for one thing; and its news, outside of editorials, would be concerned about and for working people's struggles to form unions, defend their rights, and talk about their concerns and issues. The old, and still printing, "independent socialist" Monthly Review would be an excellent example of a true left-wing media publication. I recommend their website.
CBS has a more broader and general news mission. CBS also springs from and is financially supported by capitalist culture. "Left" is about social-democracy and socialism amongst other things and only secondarily about liberalism. (ergo left doesn't equal liberal and vice versa) The Left's orgins were forged in the crucible of anti-imperialist and anti-Robber Baron struggles. Its ideological struggle was further advanced in the later 20th century during the 60s. CBS is hardly connected to that history. Folks who throw out those "it's 'left wing'" accusations should know what they are talking about before they express stupid opinions that, as usual, heap additional shame on the ignorance and perfidiousness of the conservative movement which prefers the politics of delusion, disinformation, jingoism, ignorance and childish magical thinking than sanity Signed: former ABC worker

[farmerterry]

Calling CBS "left-wing" media!!! Where do people get these ideas? They just throw those pejoratives out like they're supposed to be accurate assessments. Does anyone know what a "left-wing" media would be?
It would be a pro-working class media for one thing; and its news, outside of editorials, would be concerned about and for working people's struggles to form unions, defend their rights, and talk about their concerns and issues. The old, and still printing, "independent socialist" Monthly Review would be an excellent example of a true left-wing media publication. I recommend their website.
CBS has a more broader and general news mission. CBS also springs from and is financially supported by capitalist culture. "Left" is about social-democracy and socialism amongst other things and only secondarily about liberalism. (ergo left doesn't equal liberal and vice versa) The Left's orgins were forged in the crucible of anti-imperialist and anti-Robber Baron struggles. Its ideological struggle was further advanced in the later 20th century during the 60s. CBS is hardly connected to that history. Folks who throw out those "it's 'left wing'" accusations should know what they are talking about before they express stupid opinions that, as usual, heap additional shame on the ignorance and perfidiousness of the conservative movement which prefers the politics of delusion, disinformation, jingoism, ignorance and childish magical thinking than sanity Signed: former ABC worker

[nivramcireel]

-Posted by dallison7 at 09:04 PM : Jan 25, 2007
-.......the ultimate truth was revealed to his -prophet, Joseph Smith, by a 'talking' white -salomander. (That's a lizard of type, by the way)

Wow... you must be on some pretty good dope to make such an out landish statement as this.
Anyway, I thought the subject here was McCain's age.
Age 72 (in 2008), with 4 or 8 years expected to serve, when average age to live is 76, will cause many to pause. Romney's ability to turn around bankrupt/foundering companies/organizations is a big plus to resolve this counties huge deficits. Statistically speaking, we could have this ability around not just for two terms as POTUS, but also as potential adviser for next four presidents, is more hopeful then what McCain's life expectancy and health history is expected to deliver.
I have feeling McCain's age will play against him more then he expects, especially with equal or more capable candidates much younger then he (such as Romney).

PS. The rules of engagement preclude religious bigotry, makes me wonder how your statement past muster.

[billion2005]

WAAAAY too old to run. We don't need a man in his 70's controlling the most powerful nation in the world.

[feelfree1]

Re: "Too Old To Run?"

Nope, just too foolish/useless.

[frankly6]

The problem with McCain is that he's tied his political future to a man who has no political future.