Why does Dr. Gupta point out that John McCain’s mother is quite old and very healthy, without telling us the ages at which McCain’s father and father’s father died? I heard they were both in their early 70s.

This program is related to the extent planning for unexpected medical care for the CEO of the country.

My question has more to do with the fact that Dr. Gupta, an neurosurgeon, not an internist or psychiatrist, did have access to SOME of McCain’s records. Everyone is all bent out of shape about his prior melanoma and chronological age. I am more concerned with the effects of the torture and captivity. Having trained at a VA facility, and dealt with many victims of abuse (physical and psychological) in the civilian (or private) sector, I am more interested in how that experience has been processed. What kind of eval did McCain receive after return from Vietnam? Recall that many Vietnam vets had to literally fight the VA to get the institution to acknowledge the entity now known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. In WWII they called it “Battle Fatigue” or “Shell Shocked” in WWI. Most of the WWII veterans manage to suppress those memories and emotions. But it does affect them, some more overtly, some more subtlety. Since McCain is making this biographical point so central to his qualifications, how about examining more fully the potential effects - pro and con?

I am concerned about the appearance of McCain’s left jaw. It looks swollen and there seems to be a white mole or other growth developing. This is just from viewing him on TV (no close ups or anything). A full front view shows assymetry. Could this be indicative of a problem? It doesn’t look like something resulting from his earlier surgery.

Ask not what the health of the next president is or will be. Instead, ask when are we going to have medical freedom. When is this nation going to allow the dying to die with compassion and assistance, with the help of a physician? Please, read my book My Son, My Sorrow: The Tragic Tale of Dr. Kevorkian’s Youngest Patient. Also, please, visit my blog (CarolLoving.com) to understand what I have experienced regarding the terminal struggles of my beloved twin son, Nick and Drew Loving.

I agree. McCain is a year older than his father was when he died. Unlike his mother, he is overweight, has a history of smoking, and has a physical body that has experienced more physical abuse than hers.

Laura…

Seems we’re the only ones on this blog.

It doesn’t matter how old his mother is, or anyone else in his family for that matter. All that matters is that McCain has had several bouts with melanoma, which has not yet been confirmed to be fully gone. Melanoma can be fatal, and the more times it comes back, as with any other cancer, the greater the chance of it being your killer.

What’s more scary is, if something does happen to McCain, Sarah Palin will be our President. That’s enough to make me want to move my family to another country.

Is McCain losing it? - In his speech this past hour he stated: “…across this country this is the agenda I have set before my fellow prisioners” when discussing his economic plans - to the obvious concern to Gov. Palin and other audience members based on their concerned facial expressions!

In-reference to SEN John McCain, one thing I dont hear they talk about is , does he suffers from PTSD, its hard to beleive that he doesn’t, afterall being a POW.

Greetings Dr. Gupta:

One area of medical concern regarding Senator McCain that has not been discussed his his mental health and stability for such position of President. His references (i.e.) prisoner, slurred speech, apparent suspension in time at instances, and inability at times to focus cause me to wonder if the ravages that he suffered as a POW has left a profound undercurrent of PTSD, that might have comorbid depression and perhaps age-related dementia. I believe that both candidates should be required to undertake psychological as well as physical testing for such an important position.

Dr. Hellerman,

In your article about Sen McCain’s health you mention Ronald Reagan’s quip during the campaign from his second term. You failed to mention that in his second term (and, some would argue, in his first term) that Pres Reagan showed significant cognitive decline. It would seem relevant to the current discussions and I am disappointed you failed to include it (or include a discussion of impaired president, like President Wilson at the end of his term).

Respectfully,

DKA

A long commentary on Obama and smoking on a one page report. No comments on McCain on 1100 pages. Give us a break!

I just heard Dr. Gupta say on CNN at 1:45 today that he had been given full access to McCain’s medical records and that Obama won’t release his.
Why didn’t he say that the access he and others were given to McCain’s records was limited to a few hours to review thousands of pages of information, and that nowhere in McCain’s medical record does it state what Stage of melanoma he had, a standard that is universally recognized for making a prognosis on his health ?
I hope Dr. Gupta’s special this Saturday is more balanced and incisive than his report today.

The age & health of a candidate is important due to the fact that the job of the President of the USA is highly stressful and it takes a toll on every person who has ever held that office. If we require airline pilots to retire at age 65, then we should put an age limit on the office of President. I hope McCain does not win the election. I fear that if he is elected, he will die in office and we will be stuck with Sarah Palin who is not qualified to run the country.
McCain mom’s age is irrelevant as she was not a POW, she did not run a political campaign at age 71-72, nor did she ever hold the office of President. Had she, I doubt she’d still be around.

Dear Dr. Gupta: Am I correct in assuming that Senator McCain is riddled with serious arthritis due to his plane crash and incarceration by his captors. WHY DID YOU NOT MENTION THIS ISSUE WHEN YOU REPORTED MCCAIN’S PHYSICAL CONDTION?

Watch him when he is walking around. He doesn’t walk like a person that is physically capable. I know what arthritis feels like. I was in an automobile crash in 1968. I am seventy one years old. I am now suffering with a serious cervical condition. I have had therapy, pain medication. I keep heat wraps around my neck when I’m at home. I can hardly drive a car. I’ve had acupuncture AND I AM IN PAIN TWENTY-FOUR SEVEN.

Isabella Robson
isarmp@aol.com

Always–the health of the President is an issue. That is why our nation has two other direct alternates–just in case.

Does that affect my vote? NO.
I must vote for the candidate who best respresents my philosophy and ideals on how the country should be led…and for the candidate who is most worthy of trust with our public funds–and the utilization of those funds.

I have to say…while we are speaking of healthcare…that one of the things that differentiates between Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama–is the federal governments long-term involvement in our healthcare options–versus a healthcare program–that would wean us from employer provided healthcare plans–to personally selected healthcare plans–that would not change if you changed employers–and would continue even though your new job didn’t offer a health plan. That’s the type of continuity of healthcare and stability I’m looking for!!!

Now if we can just get the rest of the nation to see the logic…we may be able to have a very successful 2nd decade in this new century.

I believe the mans genes follow the mans genes and the womens genes follow the womens genes, so why didn’t you talk about that. Mccain might die in office maybe?

I heard nothing about psychological effects of torture and indoctrination.

Isn’t this a common sense issue to understand in detail for a candidate who endured over 5 years of such treatment?

“The psychological effects of torture can include major depression, anxiety, and the constellation of symptoms known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Survivors of torture and trauma may also experience feelings of shame, guilt, powerlessness or worthlessness, an inability to visualize the future, and difficulty connecting to other people.”

I would also like to be assured that there is absolutely no chance that McCain could be our Manchurian candidate. Did the Soviets have access to him while he was a prisoner of North Vietnam?

I am astonished that Barack Obama is a cigarette smoker! I preach to my kids tirelessly about the dangers of smoking and how addictive it is. I feel this shows really poor judgment and weakness on Obamas part. I certainly do not want my children looking up to the president, thinking, “Oh, I guess it’s great to smoke”. I think this is a major flaw in his personal character! Cigarette smoking is known to be the “gateway” drug with teens. It’s a fact that if a teenager starts smoking they will most likely move onto other drugs and alcohol.

Lets face facts- The average mortality rate for a White US male is 73.0 years of age. This would leave Palin in charge should ,God forbid, McCain does pass. Facts are facts

If you are covering the health of the Presidential candidates in this evenings show, and I have read that Senator Obama has been smoking cigarettes I hope you will be giving it some airtime as CNN has been giving airtime about Senator John MC Cains skin cancer treatment and his age and general health. It is a legitimate health concern if it is true.

I would much rather have a president that is a smoker than one that tries to divide our country’s people by character assassination and racial undertones.
I would much rather have a president that is a smoker than one who seeks the job to settle a lifetime family score of trumping the Admiral.

I echo the concerns expressed by others re: PTSD. John McCain is without a doubt a hero for serving his country and surviving his prisoner of war experience. His experience is also what leads to my concern. How could he survive such an experience without the sequelae that have been experienced by so many others serving during wartime? There are rumors of angry outbursts and knee-jerk reactions. How can we trust that his condition will not impact his ability to lead this country…especially during these difficult times. Melanoma…no that doesn’t worry me. PTSD does. Please address the issue.

Age does count for the President of the USA. Reagan would fall asleep in meetings. His staff and his wife, Nancy, would cover for him. Finally, I wonder how much time while in the white house, that Reagan had alzheimer. As for Obama, he is still young, not to much is going to be wrong with his health. He works out and usually eats health. If something were to happen, I trust Joe Biden completely. McCain has really behaved erractic. Before severe criticism, McCain allowed hate to stir up the audience. This make me question his mental health. I already have a problem with his physical health and appearance. Senator Palin step in——-OH NO—-

Found your special “Fit to Serve” very informative. While 47% question McCain’s health given his age, why the silence about Obama’s health given his race and smoking. He may have stopped smoking but by virtue of the number on nicotettes he chews do not think that he will be successful. African-Americans unfortunately do have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and smoking is certainly adding a serious risk factor. This is not racist but a medical fact. Bottom line if we are to look in depth at McCain’s longevity, more information is needed about Obama to truly assess his health.

Dr. Gupta mentioned Biden’s brain aneurysms, but did not include one fact i know from experience. I too had a brain aneurysm. The doctor assured me after the surgery, that he knew that there was not a chance of another aneurysm. Please don’t omit telling the public that Joe Biden is not in danger of another brain aneurysm any more than any other individual. It can happen to anyone and the fact that he had aneuryms does not mean it is likely to happen to him again. it is not recurring as perhaps cancer. This might be a misconception that I hope will be cleared up.

Having just watched your special on Presidential heath, I am appalled at the gingerly approach CNN, and the media are taking towards the issue of McCain’s health. Dr. Gupta knows, as do the 2,000 physicians that signed the request that McCain’s pathology reports be released, that melanoma past stage II is deadly and likely to recur up to ten years after the original cancer. And Gupta knows that the surgery performed on McCain is suspiciously agressive for the stage II that the McCain campaign claims.
Since McCain has named a stunningly unqualified understudy, voters need to know his real liklihood of survival.
CNN and the media are irresponsibly repeating the mistakes they made prior to the Iraq war by failing to ask the pertinent questions and insist on forthcoming answers.

After seeing McCain on C-span in the 2004 speech at the convention, and watching the 2 debates (where he would not look at Obama and when he just kept walking around), it appears to me that there is something wrong with him. He acting so child-like. He either has dementia or senility. It would not be so bad, but Ms Paline is not ready to Govern the USA. Cannot something be done about Sen McCain. Last debate was really weird. I w ondered what he was writing as soon as he got to his area. Must have been his new idea of buying everyone’s foreclose. No one on his team had ever heard of this idea, must have made it up while waiting to go on stage. hehe

Senator McCain’s health worries me more than his age.He has had very much surgery and plastic reconstruction to the left side of his face because of “Melanoma” , a deadly skin cancer which has returned 2-3 times. After having 2 friends dy 8 - 9 years after their initial diagnosis of melanoma I especially worry about who will step in to run this country. Sarah Palin has too many legal problems in Alaska right now and according to legal analyists on TV there are grounds to impeach her under Alaskan law . I wish he had chosen someone else.

Katie

Please keep in mind that Sen. McCain does in fact have a history of tobacco use. I’m afraid you’re also misinformed in believing that “It’s a fact that if a teenager starts smoking they will most likely move onto other drugs and alcohol.”

Obama has admitted to the use of marijuana and other illegal narcotics in his books. Personally, I’m more comfortable with the guy who admits to his past mistakes and vices… not the guy who seems to slide under the radar on issues his opponent gets called out on when they share the same “flaws”.

History has proven that age and physical (and mental) health are imperative issues when choosing a world leader. Nothing has proven, however, that smoking reflects “really poor judgment and weakness.”

After watching portions of “Fit to Serve,” I wonder at the presidential candidates’ stamina during this long campaign and what they take to keep going! Do they take the same kind of drugs as athletes? And if so, do those drubs affect judgement?

Age is very important when considering the most important job in the country. The focus should not only be on the physical health but the mental health of the candidate. There are lots of questions in my mind concerning the health and therapies that had to have been offered to someone tortured and held captive for 5 years. This is ongoing and in no way resolved in my mind. McCains obsession with wars and fighting is probably the result of PTSD. He says he is still in pain and can’t use his hands for long periods of time and that he can’t pull up his ‘e-mails’. We should be concerned about his age and mental health as well as his physical health.

Frankly, I am far more concerned about Sarah Palin BECAUSE she appears to be healthy, but clueless about all things that matter. That McCain put her a 72 year old heartbeat away from the presidency proved beyond a shadow of a doubt to me that despite his slogan, he puts “politics first.” Moreover, his statement that she “knows more about energy than anyone else in the country” is the most laughable statement I’ve heard out of a politician’s mouth since George H.W. Bush declared Clarence Thomas to be “the most qualified person in the country for the Supreme Court.”

What if anything do we know about Obama’s health if he won’t show the public or reporters anything more than a one page statement? If McCains cancer is an issue, the fact that Obama has smoked for all these years why is the possibility of lung cancer not an issue with him? And just because he’s young doesn’t mean he doesn’t have mental issues because of the loss of his mother and being raised in all parts of the world. Age is not a factor for cancer and mental instability.