a 96 year old mother? Wow!

I think health records are really personal (just like I think taxes are, but that's another story) so the fact that he released them shows that people are clearly ageist. I mean, clearly.

All kidding aside, I'm glad to hear he's in good health.

Darn tootin' they should. Agism and Fatism are legal and promoted forms of discrimination.

Am I mistaken or is he on the campaign trail, that takes stamina - I just don't understand why people wanted to see his medical records. The man has stamina. He's out there.

I wouldn't think this would be of interest to most people, because it isn't to me (of course, I am happy to know that he's healthy).

well good for McCain for being healthy. Are Obama and Hilary going to open their health records as well? I mean there are diseases that attack other age brackets.

especially those linked to smoking

He's being ageist towards Obama so he can't complain too much.

Anyway, I understand that his medical records aren't our business and while I do agree to a certain extent they aren't, I also understand the feeling of uneasiness electing someone as president who is quite old and has had to battle cancer three times in his life. We already know how fast one ages in the white house, and battling cancer again or having to deal with some other ailment couldn't be good for him or his job in any sense. However at this point, he's the Repub. nominee so this is something that Americans should have considered BEFOREHAND. (I would be concerned with who he chooses as VP though.) At this point we need to judge him by his policies, not be his age.

He's being ageist towards Obama?

NYF, is it Obama's age, or experience. I don't think McCain said too much about Obama's age, but I could be wrong.

And good point Sy. I forgot Obama smokes.

Well, there's this--for what it's worth. Though "young man" is a term of endearment, no?

well at least he didn't call him sweetie...

Do you think Obama still smokes? That story Liberty wrote the other day about not hiring smokers. . . hmm. Would America hire a smoker for president? Maybe he instead.

It's Friday--serious questions, fun emoticons.

does he still smoke? I just saw something once about it. Hadn't heard anything otherwise.

I must say his mom does look good.

I think this reinforces just how relevant the V.P. position really is. Too many dismiss the position and in doing so they unwittingly create more worry over the projected life expectancy of the President.

Huffpo makes me do this

me too cine...

Even if he says he does not smoke, I do not know if I buy it. Nothing against Obama, or his character. I am an ex-smoker, and honestly trying to quit during such a stressful time would be impossible. He is probably a closet smoker now.

I'm soooo glad I never ever picked up a cigarette!

That is one of the only things in my life I regret, was being such a heavy smoker at such a young age. Just proud I don't do it anymore, except before I get on a plane. But I am working on that one.

Obama says he quit. If he didn't, he might not get to be the President of Sarasota, Florida.

You can not blame his release of medical records on other people. .

How is McCain voluntarily releasing his records after no pressure from Clinton or Obama suddenly their fault? I don't think he should have released them. That is soooo private, and it is no ones business. Candidates are human, and they deserve their privacy.

I can understand as a strategic move McCain would want to put this out there, but PLEASE don't blame Obama and Clinton for this, because that is no where near accurate.

I think the "young man" thing isn't that big of a deal. Yes, if someone were to call McCain "old man" people would freak out. I think McCain was trying to bait people, and I think that it best we stick to the issues.

Screw him being healthy or if Obama smokes! I wanna know if McCain's wife still doing drugs?

who is blaming clinton or obama?

I kind of got that feeling from this:
"Are Obama and Hilary going to open their health records as well?"

But I could have misinterpreted!

jill you sure seem to think McCain is like McEvil or something.

Oh, yeah I doubt that's what cine meant.

His mother looks uncannily like jessica tandy.

Syako, he is running against (presumably) Obama and Jill, I don't know why I would get this idea, seems to be a fan.

I think his mom looks younger than him, I agree with you Great Sommelier, she does look like JT.

I think she looks so much like her is is uncanny. When I opened the article I was like, oh look , Mc and Tandy. Wait, she is dead.

Oh this is just silly every ones records will be open by the general election health, tax and other wise. Who cares who opens them first now?

That's not true. Most presidents health isn't called out unless there is some inclination of a past trouble.

Is it wrong I find MC somewhat attractive.

Not at all!! He is in that Sean connery type of "mature" sex appeal. As a young man he was a knock out

You're right if you’re saying its not mandatory GS but in this day and age it has reached such a level of expectation that if one candidate does not release these records then they are hounded until they do. Because if they don't the collective presumption is that they are hiding something.

Yes, I meant mandatory. Sorry, I thought that is what you meant!

Jill, that is not what I meant. I just meant if Obama and Hilary's health is not a consideration, then why focus on McCain. I don't think Obama or Hilary are behind this at all.

I never said McCain was evil and I never implied he even did anything wrong here. GS, I have been completely upfront in my preference. You are just a little late to the game.

"I just meant if Obama and Hilary's health is not a consideration, then why focus on McCain."

From my perspective, he put the focus on himself because he voluntarily did this. I fell a bit bad, actually, that he felt had to expose something that should be completely private. I feel that there are few thing in life more private than medical records. No public figure should have to share that information.

Thanks for the clarification, Cine!

After FDR and JFK health problems were revealed post-presidency, people have become more interested in the president's health, especially if as with McCain's cancer history, there is any reason to wonder. Weren't there stories that Woodrow Wilson's wife pretty much ran the country after he had a stroke or something that was kept secret?

You're behind it cine it's all you. Haha!

I think so Stephley. At least one president had a story like that, but I can't remember who specifically.

Of course I am Hypno. You know me well :devil:

Kris I love that picture of you dog

I don't think this should affect his electability so much, as it should who he picks for veep. he seems like a pretty tough guy, so I'd expect him to keep on truckin for a while.

thanks! that was her congratulations on getting married portrait for her aunt and uncle. I put a rose on her, and then she went and posed romantically...she is so beautiful AND smart!