McCain’s Physical Decline
I came across this video on AmericaBlog this morning. They’ve spliced together two clips of John McCain. The first is from 18 months ago, during a debate at the Reagan Library during the Republican primary. The second clip is from yesterday, when he got confused on stage at an event in Pennsylvania.
The second clip isn’t particularly flattering, and in a vacuum it means nothing. But when you compare the two clips, it becomes apparent just how much he’s aged. And, as AmericaBlog points out, he’s not even president yet.
Being president ages even the most fit. It’s a high stress job. The reason this matters is precisely that. We’re not talking about being a mayor, or senator, or congressman. We’re talking about president of the United States. McCain’s marked physical decline, as well as surviving four bouts of melanoma raise real questions as to McCain’s fitness for office. Add that the candidate for president chose the most unqualified running mate he could find and a real problem is brewing. That’s why this matters. We could be looking at President Palin before the end of McCain’s presidency. And that would be a catastrophe of extreme proportions.
It is why I believe John McCain disqualified himself from the presidency when he chose Palin to be his running mate. He put the country at risk for political gain.
The question of the national reaction to McCain dying in office has been repeated ad nauseum, however, I do wonder what the reaction will be if he loses?
A day of mourning or a national collective sigh of relief?
I mean prior to the end of the first 4 obama years.
Marc, you’re right. It has. That’s because many people are frightened of the prospect of a Palin presidency.
I read the times piece on Mccain’s health the other day, and I noticed that he had a reoccurrence during his last run for president. Made me wonder about this time.
Running for pres is undoubtedly a highly stressful thing to do.
There is definitely a difference between the 2 McCain’s. What I have been watching is the twitching of his left eye that the media seems to be ignoring. I’ve also noticed the left side of his mouth seems a little droopy at times.
I wonder if he’s had a minor stroke or if these are the warning signs and they’re being ignored.
Deanna I have always been suspicious that Cindy travels everywhere with John. Cindy doesn’t miss even one day on the trail standing behind John. That is very interesting to me and unusual.
I hadn’t thought of that one, Paulette. I just figured she has nothing better to do. ;)
I’m a few days late here, but I’ll add on anyway. :)
I’m sure the campaign has taken its toll on McCain, but I don’t think the video here is evidence. The first clip from 18 months ago was a debate. He was speaking in a quiet room and rushing to finish his thought before the clock ran out. In the second clip, he was giving a speech before a loud and raucous audience. Completely different settings, which would lead to him using different pitches in his voice, etc.
I think the drooping eyelid and rapid blinking that my2bucks mentions are more interesting fodder for this discussion than the video posted on that other blog. I suspect that something similar could be cut for Obama — take something from early in the campaign where he’s lucid and smooth and then use the clip where he’s talking about visiting 57 states or forgetting the factoid he’s trying to deliver.
Bottom line, when someone spends 2 years talking non-stop they’re going to have some mis-statements now and then.