McCain's Age is No Joke

[BridgeTheGap]

While Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama were rocking the Democratic convention in Denver, John McCain made his 13th appearance with Jay Leno to joke about his age.

But McCain's age is no joke. He will turn 72 on Friday and would be halfway to 73 if elected and sworn in on January 20. That would make him the oldest first-term President ever, two years older than Ronald Reagan. He has survived four skin cancers (melanomas), including one in 2000 that was classified as Stage IIa.

McCain is two years older than his father was when he died suddenly of a heart attack at 70. He is 11 years older than his grandfather was when he died suddenly of a heart attack at age 61.

The United States cannot afford the risk that McCain would die suddenly in the middle of an international crisis.

Nor can we afford the risk of dementia. 22% of Americans over 70 are affected by mild cognitive impairment, while 13% of Americans over 65 have Alzheimer's. Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 83, but early signs were evident during his first term. Britain's "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher developed dementia at age 75.

McCain has never had an Alzheimer's test, even though he has 6 of the 10 warning signs , including his inability to remember recent facts like the number of homes he owns, the $1M lawsuit he filed in 1990, or the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

John McCain owes America a thorough neurological examination for cognitive impairment and possible Alzheimer's long before Election Day.

Sign our petition to the Corporate Media:
http://www.democrats.com/mccain-owes-america-an-alzheimers-test

[elocs]

1. I have also read an ex-pow say that group is dying at a younger age than the general population.

It would be incredible to believe that McCain could come out after being a POW for years and be mentally unscathed and not suffering from PTSD. I would love to see him reveal his medical records regarding regarding PTSD.

[liberal N proud]

2. Allegedly he does suffer from PTSD

That is why we can't rattle keys to represent the houses he doesn't know he owns.

[elocs]

3. I would like to see that move from "allegedly" to in black and white print for all to see,

recognize, and acknowledge. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. If Eagleton went through shock treatments, then McCain's PTSD status is relevant also and casts a negative spin and shadow on his constant rah-rah about being an ex POW.

[billyoc]

4. Campaign spokesman downplays McCain's age:

[rocktivity]

5. It's not his age. It's his warning signs.

Old does not automatically equate to senile. I had no problem with voting for 80-year old NJ Senator Frank Lauternberg. But he has something that McCain, Reagan, and Bush II don't--evidence that he is still of sound mind.

Just what America needs--another Rethug prez with Regan's dementia, Bush's arrested development, and Nixon's paranoia.

:headbang:
rocknation

[loyalsister]

6. Maybe you just agree with him

We should check our own biases sometimes. My dad thinks that Walter Croncite is totally senile.
Bush II was has kept a strong following and many defenders based on the fact that they are attacked the same way he is attacked. There were some stupid mistakes, but he never lost a bit of ground during the first campaign. There was a backlash because people symptathized with him.
If MCaine is attacked the same way, people who are sick of being questioned by their kids "are you sure you didn't lose it?" "are you sure you took your meds?" will sympathize and the baby booing and AARP vote which is one we are still trying to maintain as we bring in new voters might take a second look at a guy they identify with.
We have a candidate who is smart enough to help bridge gaps we didn't think we'd see bridged this soon IF we don't put more bigotted unsubstantiated non-evidence based crap out there to suggest that we should be divided in other ways.

[BridgeTheGap]

7. "IF we don't put more bigotted unsubstantiated non-evidence based crap out there"

McCain's "state of mind" is an issue. The question is how do you present this issue (or can you) without running the risk of triggering the "sympathy" vote?
It seems to me that the easiest way is to simply replay his gaffs and let people make up their own minds.
In a poll, 60% of the respondents said they trusted McCain over Obama in dealing with a terrorist attack. How do you crack into that (or do we even need to go there)?

[loyalsister]

10. I am no fan of negative campaigning

But there is definitely a distinguishible difference between drawing attention to something and allowing the voter to make up his\her mind and making a diagnosis without real evidence. I mean serious factual medical evidence not armchair specualtion.
It is the latter that I find bigotted. There are degrees of comprimised cognitive function that may or may not interfere with a capacity to do a given job. The rhetoric here has been pigeon holing and using language that suggests all people with memory problems or all people who experience symptoms as a result of a trigger are incompetent. They will go ballistic, the word "insanity" is used. It is all stigmatizing, and there are a lot of votes to alienate with that crap.

34 million + family and friends, as a matter of fact. There is a nationwide disability vote project. A presidential forum was held and McCaine was the first presidential candidate in history to show up. Obama did not attend. He sent Tom Harkin. McCaine also hit many of the right notes.

There's a lot of people in this demographic and it's growing.
There is no reason why members of our party should talk trash against them. It only helps McCaine.

[BridgeTheGap]

13. Joe Biden did a much better job last night of pointing out why not to vote

for McCain and he did it without personal attacks. I think the route that Joe paved is the one to follow, because you're right - there are many people who don't like the personal attacks. You are also right about the "psycho babble" aspect of people leveling a diagnosis who have no business doing so. We should be able to beat this guy on the issues alone.

[loyalsister]

19. He absolutely did!

As did John Kerry. This can be won without stooping to a level the would have history frown on us.

[rocktivity]

20. It's not bias--his "stupid mistakes" are the stuff of fact

and are a perfectly legitimate issue given his age. And judging from what I've heard from the AARP crowd, they're as worried about McCain's "senior moments" as everybody else--and they should know.

:headbang:
rocknation

[tigereye]

8. my husband was saying last night that McCain looks terrible...

maybe it's just his pastiness... probably all they need are ads subtly implying that he's too old, could get ill, and seen too much stress in his life. It certainly wouldn't be much worse than the ads that the Reps have run. His ability to deal with the stress IS an issue. No one should hide from that.

it's hilarious to me when people talk about Obama "not being ready to lead" - since when was Bush ready to lead? Didn't seem to stop folks from voting for him. Sigh.

[BridgeTheGap]

9. Reminds me of the cartoon in response to the New Yorker cover of Obama - check it out:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?id=1792

[tigereye]

11. no, I hadn't seen that one!

Thanks!


my 76 year old mom just said about McCain - "he's too old." She thinks Obama is reasonable and intelligent. (she's a Dem of course)

[Robeson]

12. Send this video to people, and let them make up their own minds....

... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWX5u69hmzY

I would think most - sane - people would be scared to death to have this man in the oval office after viewing it.

[groovedaddy]

14. How right you are! People need to see this. n.t

[redqueen]

15. "On the Iraq / Pakistan border...." followed by " WHAT?"

That was great. :D

[No Elephants]

16. No, it isn't a joke And the statistics in the article are wrong. 1 in 3 over 70

suffer from memcory problems without dementia. 1 in 7 has dementia (with or without Alzheimer's. And 100% of all those aging are deteriorating, mentally and physically. These are medically verifiable facts.

A vote for McCain is a vote for Bush's third term plus Reagan's second term, when God only knows who was running the country as Reagan was losing it. Only we are in much more dangerous circumstances now. Exposing us to these risks--AGAIN-- at this time in our history is inexcusable.

[MadHound]

17. McCain's giving off the same vibe that I got from Reagan in the '84 election

What with his forgetfulness and his offer to pass around his wife like at party favor at Sturgis, the man is exhibiting certain signs of dementia coming on. Reagan was an easy one for me, he had Alzheimer's, as did my grandmother, and I immediately recognized the signs. McCain isn't getting Alzheimer's, I don't think, but he is losing the grip his mental faculties, and it's only going to get worse. Of course a demented president makes a perfect puppet, and McCain has already said he wouldn't mind having Cheney in his administration.

[BridgeTheGap]

18. Biden and Bill Clinton nailed it last night - Where it counts, McCain is more of the same failed

policies. Saying he would have Cheney in his administration proves it.
His mental capacity is an issue also.
I used to really get on the people who said they were leaving the country after 2004 election. If by some fluke (or theft) McCain is elected, I may be following them!

[rocktivity]

21. Hopefully, McCain's VP pick has settled this dicussion

After months of blasting Obama for being too young and inexperienced, he picks someone--WAIT FOR IT!!!---too young and inexperienced!

And I thought Hillary's campaign would be too hard an act to follow.

:rofl:
rocknation