http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/18/mccain.ap/index.html
As the race for presidential candidacy continues, new issues are being challenged. Seventy year old Republican candidate, John McCain, a man with much experience in politics and war is now being questioned about his age. McCain has served four terms as an Arizona senator topping his experience in politics. In addition, he served in Vietnam where he was severely injured and tortured by captors for 5 and a half years in prison.
McCain now walks with a slight limp, arthritis has set in whereas he cannot raise either arm above his head, and he also has fought three boughts of melanoma. Physicians note that people in their 70s face the "increased risk of mental impairment, ranging from mild memory loss that does not affect judgment to full-blown dementia that inhibits a person's ability to function in daily life. They also have a higher chance of chronic physical ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer".
McCain fights back stating that he acknowledges his age, but is in great condition. He recently hiked the Grand Canyon, his mother who is 95 is still driving, and during his two-day Iowa bus tour, he talked non-stop with reporters, legislators, and Iowans.
Although McCain has proved his mental status is stable, do you think that his impairments and possible impairments should decline him from being selected to run for the campaign trail? Do you think that it is fair that Americans are so concerned about this issue now when FDR, who ended up being an outstanding president, was handicapped? It is also stated in the article that a release of health records as well as his appearance while campaigning will be the keys to deflecting suggestions that he may not be fit to serve. Do you think that this is right? Shouldn't Americans be more concerned about his intelligence, issues that he backs, and experience? Finally, if you were McCain what would you do in reaction to the media's concern about your age?
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8 comments:
As long as he seems capable of performing the duties of President, and I see no evidence that he can't, I don't think people should discriminate against McCain for his age. In fact, technically it's illegal...
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age. The ADEA's protections apply to both employees and job applicants. Under the ADEA, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his/her age with respect to any term, condition, or privilege of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments, and training.
The ADEA applies to employers with 20 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and labor organizations, as well as to the federal government.
http://www.eeoc.gov/types/age.html
Now, I mean that as kind of a joke-it would be pretty hard for McCain to make a case against the American people (who are theoretically his hirers) for not electing him because of his age.
But it just goes to show, that the same protections we want for ourselves (i.e. equal opportunity in the workplace) we're less likely to afford to political officials.
On the other hand, I think it would be pretty easy for McCain to turn his experiences and cancer battle into advantages with some smart campaigning. But should we really need his personal health records to prove this? I'm not going to offer mine to any prospective employers.
I think due to the age and course of media coverage we find ourselves faced with today, it is inevitable that McCain's health will be scrutinized, objected to, and questioned both generally and specifically. This is partly due to the idea that his opposing candidates will find anything and everything to attack him with- yet that said, health is a serious and unavoidable issue.
McCain has proven he can be put through the ringer, so to say, and come out a winner. In high school, I had a teacher whose father was a POW with McCain in Vietnam. She told us personal acnecdotes about her father and his still close friend McCain. To me, he just seems like a very strong individual and his experience is extensive, making him mentally fit for the job. McCain is qualified, experienced, takes a stand on issues, and has proven himself a solid leader in many different situations. Age discrimination should not have to come into play here. I think releasing his medical records is his way of trying to prove the media wrong about current or impending health issues. Yet, something to consider is also the advancements in medicine in general- who's to say a better cure for arthirtis or certain cancers won't happen by 2008 and beyond? Sure, it's a hypothetical, but so is the idea that McCain will get sick. If he looks healthy, has proven himself to be in good health, and CAN prove it with medical records, then he deserves an unbiased, equal chance. Not to sound cliche, but you never know what could happen to any of the candidates...not just the oldest. Illness and health problems are an equal opportunity offender...
Kate Ryan
In this day and age, its all about appearance as far as politics goes. Today you not only have to the looks and be healthy. No one wants a President in office thats liable. It seems as though people might be more willing to put someone in office with less experience because the experienced such as George Bush has the economy struggling to make ends meet. Just look at the outrageous gas prices and the so called War we continue to fight over in Iraq where so many American lives are being taken on a daily basis.
As far as discrimination goes people are judged in this manor on a regular basis not that I think its right but if the other candidate is healthier and the meassage he is selling is approved by Americans then McCain has no chance in my opinion. If McCain was running for office back when George Washington ran then he would have a fighting chance. JFK changed the the expectations of a President's appearnce and there is no looking back now.
I don't think that McCain should be under scrutiny because of his age. I agree with the comments of the original post that American's should be more concerned with his intelligence, point of view and political experience than his ability to run a marathon and how charming he looks on television. He's clearly very healthy, can prove with evidence that he's in good condition, and he's very competent, I dont think people should be biased because of his age.
I agree with Kim that he could really make this issue a positive spin on his campaigning. He should be given every equal chance to run, and if people personally feel he's too old, then simply don't vote for him--but acknowledge that he has a fair chance to run.
This is a perfect example of how the media is beginning to be used more predominantly in politics today. No one knew about FDR and his handicaps and yet he was one of the most loved and successful presidents to date. He was able to hide from the media and was perfectly able to run the country. Now, during the 2008 election the media is making such a spectacle out of the candidates that they have to point out these issues to cause controversy. Experience is of course necessary when running for president. I think that McCain would be a suitable candidate to run even though he is in his 70's. If you are of sound mind and body at the start of your campaign, I see no reason why you can't continue on. If McCain would have hidden his health problems from the media it would have been a scandal if they came out later in the election or later if he becomes president. If the country knows up from that he is sick then they can decide if he is unable to be president. However, I highly doubt that with someone with credentials like McCain will be judged over his health rather than his experience. The media just needs to find a Republican to scrutinize to give the Democrats a break. It is understandable that the public would not want a candidate with failing health to be in office. However, their are no big signs that this is happening to Senator McCain. If the public feels that his health will fail within the next four years, then that is something to keep in mind. However, I don't think McCain should have to publicly disclose every detail of his medical records. It is his personal life and he has to make a judgment call whether he is in good condition to be president. What it comes down to is, that McCain has made his decision that is is healthly enough to run the country and now the public will make thier decision.
I think that as much as experience does play a factor in the race it is simply overlooked and not held as high as it should be. Granted McCain has served in government for a number of years. However, I think that the media has a huge effect on the way which we as the American people precieve these people.
Although they may be some of the most qualified people to serve, they are seen in the media as old, uncapable and even some times poked fun at.
In today's election I do not think that someone over the age of 60 has as great of a chance as someone who maybe around the age of 40. I think that the American public view of "old" drastically changes from year to year, and their view of older in age, only becomes younger.
I don't think we should rule out anyone who is older with more experience because it is those people who know best, however I do not think that those elders have a fighting chance in future elections, which is a little ironic considering that most of the voters in the recent past elections aren't that young themselves.
Mike Kytoski
Everytime I hear comments of age when it comes to a candidate, I don't even acknowledge or care to listen to what is being said because it is of no great significance. The majority of our countries Presidents, with the exception of two or three, have all been a bit older and with their fair share of physical ailments, something that everyone eventually faces with age. To assume that just because someone is elected President of the Unites States means that they automatically are blessed with superhuman powers and an impecable bill of health is absurd and naive, to say the least. As Sarah mentioned in her blog, someone like FDR, who was confined to a wheelchair and suffered a stroke while in office, made outstanding decisions during some of our countries hardest times with ease.
Experience and policy ideas should be our number one priority when it comes to electing a candidate, not how they look or what ailments may plague them, especially when a great percentage of Americans are plagued by the same health problems themselves. Of course, like the lovely Kate Ryan says, it is inevitable in this day and age as far as media goes to avoid McCain's age being brought up but she makes an equally sound point when mentioning that anything could happen to ANY of the candidates. Who is to say that Obama, qho recently quit smoking, is not going to have a postive screen for lung cancer two years from now?
I personally don't care if my president has no legs, high cholesterol, and a third eye ball just as long as he can make sound decisions and be in the right state of mind to lead our nation. Realistically, you have not seen too many Presidents out in the action, on the battle fields actually physically doing anything. So as long as he isn't one fry short of a Happy Meal, bring on the AARP card and arthritis.
Experience is an under estimated valuable tool that a president has to help him build relationships and deal with certain issues. You cannot learn experience in a book, you must gain in through valuable hard work and over time. People like Hillary and Obama say they are experienced because they have been in the Senate, but only Hillary knows of the pressures the president must endure. Obama on the other hand is left out of the loop. McCain is a knowledgable man, who has served in wars, played roles in the senate, and also seen the internal working of the white house.
In the opinion of this writer i would rather take an older, knowledgable president who has experience over a young, smart president with no experience any day. We feel safe and secure if you have someone who knows what to do in certain situations.
Kellan
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