John McCain would be 72 years old at his inauguration ceremony if he is elected to the presidency. Even if he is an energetic person age does impact everyone’s mental and physical well being. Since I am 69, I can speak to some knowledge on the subject. I am energetic but I do not have the energy I had when I was younger and neither does Senator McCain.
The New York Times article http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/24/us/politics/24mccain.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&th&emc=th&adxnnlx=1211649075-xtYbz1WmGefOEP7yvozihw about Mr. McCain’s health makes me suspicious. Two items come to my attention. First the medical information was released just before Memorial Day weekend holiday when many people are focused on family events. Second were the limits placed on reporters viewing the medical documents.
“The reporters were permitted three hours to review and take notes on the 1,173 pages of Mr. McCain’s medical documents, spanning 2000 to 2008, but they were not permitted to remove the documents from the room or photocopy them.
Campaign officials said they imposed the restrictions to prevent the widespread dissemination of the actual records and to protect Mr. McCain’s privacy.
In the conference calls, Mr. McCain’s doctors reported that Mr. McCain takes a variety of medications: simvastatin to control his cholesterol levels; hydrochlorothiazide for kidney stone prevention; aspirin for blood clot prevention; Zyrtec, an antihistamine, as necessary for nasal allergies; Ambien CR, as necessary for sleep when traveling; and a multiple vitamin tablet.
According to a pool report based on the review of the records, Mr. McCain’s cholesterol level was recorded as high in 2003, with a total cholesterol of 226 and an LDL, or harmful cholesterol, of 139, and an HDL, or good cholesterol, of 35. Mr. McCain was put on Vytorin, which worked in reducing his cholesterol in subsequent checks, but he was taken off this year after reports that the drug may not work.
Mr. McCain was instead put on simvastatin, which the records said did not reduce his cholesterol by as much but was deemed “acceptable.”
Every person who has been president has been under significant pressure. As you look at the pictures of the presidents at the beginning and end of their tenures you can see the toll this job takes. John McCain will have to select a vice president like Harry Truman or Lyndon Johnson. Those were men who easily stepped into the presidency and took command.
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