‘Hack’ Doctor Received Angry Phone Call From Christie

[DonViejo]

TOM KLUDT 1:57 PM EST, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2013

The former White House doctor who drew the ire of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said Thursday that he made an angry phone call to her after describing her as an attention-seeking "hack."

Dr. Connie Mariano, who publicly expressed concern about Christie's presidential prospects given his obesity and overall health, said that he reached her by phone after a Wednesday press conference at which the outspoken governor called her a "hack who wants five minutes on TV" and questioned how she could make judgments about his health before even meeting him. During an interview with CNN earlier this week, Mariano said she feared Christie could suffer a heart attack or stroke should he make it to the White House. The tenor of the subsequent phone conversation, Mariano said, was largely the same as the press conference.

“It was essentially the tone of the press conference only louder,” Mariano told 3TV in Phoenix on Thursday. "It was hard to get anything across. I don’t think he realized who he was talking to. I think I'm qualified to make a comment.” Mariano also said she found it disappointing that Christie joked extensively about his weight during an appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" on Monday.

“It was sad. It was sad. He was making fun of himself and I feel sorry for him,” Mariano said. “He's a nice man. He's a very talented, smart man and he has a lot to offer and I would feel awful if something happened to him.” A Republican, Mariano said she was previously a Christie fan. Now, however, she said he's probably lost her support down the road. “The way he acted lately I don't think so. He wasn't very nice to me,” Mariano said. “Politically if this is the way[he handles stress… is this presidential? I'll have to think about that. Is this a presidential way to behave? C'mon.”

-30-

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/christie-chews-out-hack-doc-who-called-him

[AtomicKitten]

1. It's not like she diagnosed Terry Schiavo from the Senate floor.

Last edited Fri Feb 8, 2013, 05:48 PM - Edit history (1)

Christie is easily 200 lbs overweight. That magnitude of excess weight is seriously unhealthy.

[mainer]

2. I would just like to say that Connie Mariano is a v. nice lady

And she's probably taken aback by Christie's rudeness. She was only doing what Sanjay Gupta does all the time as a doctor: make general pronouncements about health. I don't think she's an attention seeker; she's a busy professional who probably got called by the media because she was once WH doc to both GHWBush and Clinton.

[TwilightGardener]

9. Exactly. And come on...look at the guy...

I was a nurse, people who are that obese are at much greater risk for everything from cardiovascular disease and diabetes to poor outcomes from surgery. It's not opinion, it's medical fact. Doesn't mean the "big one" is around the corner for him, just means he's got increased health risks.

[whistler162]

3. Has anyone seen this "doctors" credentials?

just keep digging yourself into that hole doctor!

[mainer]

6. She was physician to Bill Clinton and George HW Bush

Mariano joined the U.S. Navy in 1977 and received a medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of Medicine in 1981, graduating as a lieutenant. Following graduation, she served as a doctor on USS Prairie, serving in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. By 1991, Mariano was a commander and the division head of internal medicine and director of the internal medicine clinic at the San Diego naval hospital. Only a year away from being eligible for release from active duty, she was nominated by her commanding officer to serve as Navy physician to the White House Medical Unit. She joined the unit in June 1992, serving as a physician to President George H.W. Bush, and was about to be issued new orders to be director of the clinic at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego when she was personally selected by the incoming President, Bill Clinton, to be White House Physician and director of the White House Medical Unit. As a result, she received an early promotion to captain on December 7, 1994. In the autumn of 1999, Mariano was nominated by the President to the rank of rear admiral (lower half); she was formally promoted on July 26, 2000 in a ceremony at the White House.
In 2001, Dr. Mariano retired from the Navy and left the White House to join the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was succeeded as White House Physician by Richard Tubb. In 2005, she went on to found the Center for Executive Medicine in Scottsdale.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connie_Mariano

[whistler162]

7. Hmmmm...... wonder what happened after that time....

to make her Frist it!

[yellowcanine]

4. This is not going to play well for Christie. Voters do not like thin skinned bullies.

And more and more that is the way he comes across. The heat of a national campaign will only make it worse.

[whistler162]

8. No this is disastrous for the "doctor"

Christie isn't hurt by this.

<SPOILER ALERT>WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!<END SPOILER>

[RudynJack]

10. Why wouldn't it play well for Christie?

He's acted this way his whole career - it's what people LIKE about him.

[Squinch]

5. A spaniel could probably diagnose that Christie is a heart attack waiting to happen.

Don't say water is wet, or Christie will call you up and yell at you.

[EastKYLiberal]

11. If I were a powerful person and someone called me fat, I'd crush them...

Pun kind of intended.

[Cha]

12. Wow, she's a "republican".. this call really hasn't helped

Christie's case.