Is John McCain's cancer back?

[Ian_walker]

Looking at McCain's speech today. Is his cancer back? Left side of his face looks far worse than even a week or two ago and his eye on that side looks dragged down almost shut. I fear this election is taking its toll on him.

[libertee]

1. I really hope the cancer isn't back..he does look tired!

[RummyTheDummy]

3. And that will be one reason he will lose

Whomever is the nominee from our party. He is at times frail, and I can't imagine how that does not become apparent to voters during the GE.

[Ian_walker]

59. Look at this video on CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

Sorry about the advert at the start. It seems obvious to me that the growth on the left side of his face is worse.

[Ian_walker]

71. Check his wifes change of expression at about 36 seconds

Huckabee turns to his wife she smiles but when he continues on you can see in her face she almost breaks down. Check her expression change at about 36 seconds.

[musicblind]

82. That is weird

I wonder what she was thinking about?

[Ian_walker]

90. She broke down the minute he was not looking

To me I think she saw it and kept the smile while he was looking at her but then broke down.

[SOS]

118. Edema is not melanoma - it is not a "growth"

McCain had a dissection of the lymph nodes on the left side of his face in 2000.
This is done to see if the melanoma has moved into the lymph system.
The results of that procedure were never released.

Once the lymph nodes have been removed, the patient will always have a slightly lopsided face, due to the removed tissue and consequent edema in the area.
The affected area often swells with water, due to the absence of the lymph nodes. The swelling comes and goes and is perfectly normal after a lymph operation.

There is no way that the swelling is a new tumor. No way.
Don't you think his team of doctors would have noticed this before you did?

[depakid]

61. Reagan was obviously senile!

That was the perception at the time (turns out he was in the first stages of Alzheimers).

Didn't stop people from voting for the doddering old fool....

[Ian_walker]

73. Malignant cancers tend to be more obvious than senility

Malignant skin cancers tend to be more obvious than Alzheimer's. In this case it is as plane as the nose on his face. Also the way it is affecting his eye which is pulled down or drooping due to it. id it affecting the nerves in his face. Then there is his overall frailty. Every time I see the video I am more sure it is the case.

[Eurobabe]

8. Why are you so concerned about McCain?

Not voting for the Dem nominee? :shrug:

[Alexander]

9. You can vote against someone without wishing ill upon them.

It's called grace. Got any?

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[libertee]

11. ummm...because he's a fellow human and he has cancer...

[Ian_walker]

16. I would not wish it on anyone

I would not wish it on anyone. Like others, I think it is sad that he has risked his health, the job is not that important.

[JoFerret]

57. It's called being human

.

[hendo]

111. How can you not?

Do you really hate him so much that you want him to die a slow death via cancer? Are you really that bitter?

[stellanoir]

2. yeah it looks as though he is ailing for sure and I've noticed that facial anomaly as well.

[New Dawn]

10. They'll put a lot of makeup on him

And the corporate media will talk endlessly about how "strong, healthy and full of life he appears"...

[stellanoir]

15. I can't stand the way they continually refer to him as "a maverick" when he only

suggests more of the same.

All the makeup in the world can't hide a cancerous inflammation though.

He's an old disingenuous lech as far as I can see.

[Ian_walker]

112. The Maverick mask has already slipped

The maverick mask has already slipped his whole campaign is run by lobbyists

[ecstatic]

4. If so, it's sad that he wants the presidency sooo bad that he'd mislead

voters into thinking he's healthy enough to be the nominee. I wonder if that's why Huckabee is staying in? :shrug:

[Ian_walker]

48. If Huckabee gets the nomination by default is that legal?

Romney was beating Huckabee; is it legal for Huckabee to get the GOP nomination by default? Can Romeny and the other candidates go back in?

[IsItJustMe]

80. No, I think it would come down to the Republican Super Delegates during their convention. I think

[Ian_walker]

106. Republican Super Delegates can decide the GOP Primary election?

I am sure many Republicans will feel disenfranchised. Surely Romney and all the rest should be able to put their hats back in the ring? Would not the best thing for Republican primary voters be to re run the whole primary process again? After all if McCain has to drop out their votes would change would they not? If Guiliani could have won without McCain running as a candidate and if Huckabee knew McCain would have to drop out due to illness, his winning by default would be illegal would it not?

[Coexist]

5. yeah, she was standing right next to him during his speech.

[undeterred]

6. I wasn't joking when I said he looked too fragile to be on the

receiving end of the DU fundraising punch.

[Ian_walker]

46. Presidential elections are not a place for someone who is ill

Sadly the streses and strains make a Presidential election the worst place to be ill. To be looking at what seems to be worsening cancer and trying to win votes is just not sensible.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. That's too bad

Any campaign is bound to be stressful.

[Ian_walker]

100. The stress is clearly telling on John McCain

I sorry to see him so badly affected by illness.

That said, he his putting himself forward for th Republican nomination as a Presidential candidate. When you do that any serious health issue must be under scrutiny. If he were to pull out now and let Huckabee in by default that clearly disenfranchise many Republican primary voters. Would the Republican primary still be legal?

[PretzelWarrior]

12. It is a serious concern for all voters to consider

we can deal with a vice president that has chronic health problems...but the country needs someone who is fit and ready to go on day 1.

[libertee]

13. which will make the "watch" for his VP ever so important!

[Ishoutandscream2]

14. Really makes me fear his choice for running mate

God forbid.

[TheWraith]

19. 75% chance it's Huckabee. NT

[Ishoutandscream2]

24. Frightening

Could you imagine?

[Ian_walker]

34. Huckabee may win by default?!

If Huckabee wins by default because McCain cannot continue does his nomination count? Will there be demands for Romney and the others to be brough back in? Will Giuliani be affected by the fuss caused by John McCain's cancer reoccuring?

[TheWraith]

53. If McCain dropped dead before the convention, or dropped out of the race...

Then the delegates would basically be free to nominate whoever they chose. It would, in effect, be a tiny primary among the 2000 odd Republican delegates, where it kept going until somebody got 50% plus one. Chances are that in that case, Huckabee would be the winner, but theoretically anybody could throw their hat into the ring.

[Ian_walker]

63. Is that legal?

Can Huckabee win by default? Can the the deligates vote without refering back to the electorate? Can nominees throw their hat back in at all?

[Mika]

67. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

You are under the false impression that this is a democracy.

[Ian_walker]

70. How will it play with Republican voters who feel disenfranchised?

How will it play with Republican voters who feel disenfranchised? Will there be a backlash against Huckabee? If Huckabee was staying in because he got a tip off about McCain's cancer will he be seen as a ghoul?

[TheWraith]

88. Hard to say how the voters would feel about it.

I know that Dems would probably revolt in the streets, but Republicans do love their authority figures. Either way, it really is legitimate for the convention to nominate whoever.

If Huckleberry were staying in for that reason, yes, I think it would be seen as ghoulish.

[Ian_walker]

117. Then it needs to be talked about

[Mira]

17. He looks like the Pillsboro Doughboy in real physical decline. N/T

edited to fix it to Pillsbury, but I'm still not sure that's right. I did not grow up here.
Nation of Immigrants that we are......

[anigbrowl]

20. He did look frail this evening ...

I noticed he had to be helped mount a step or something by one of his colleagues just after his speech. Perhaps he just lost his footing momentarily, but I was startled at how weak he looked for a moment and have been thinking about it for the last hour. I hope it's nothing, since he's a good man and I'd like him to have his moment as nominee, although I'll be rooting for the Democrat.

[Ian_walker]

21. Odd that the media has not talked about it yet

I have got say that the growth on the left of his face looked far worse than any previous pictures. I checked various videos on the web as well as still photographs. I realise that the media may not want to be seen to be attacking him and I can understand why but I find it odd that the media has not talked about it yet. It was very obvious check the video. At 26 seconds

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

[anigbrowl]

26. Yikes, well spotted.

I hope he is not ill and driving himself into a sick bed.

[Ian_walker]

35. It was a bit hard to miss

When I saw it I thought; why is no one discussing it? How could they miss it?

[peaches2003]

22. Many signs of ill health

What is the swelling on the left side of his face? Is this from his cancer operation? Why does no one ask; it's so obvious it can't not be asked.

His eye is obviously now a problem. I watched his speech tonight and his eye is mostly closed and fluttering. How can this not be addressed? If it was a young healthy man everyone would be asking and it's more important to ask with someone his age and with a previous melanoma in that area.

Why is Cindy (and God she is creepy looking) standing so close to him all the time, even when she is so out of place being there. If there was a crowd around him tonight I can see her being by the podium, but no one else was anywhere near him on the stage and she was right at his arm. It was very strange.

The Repugs sure should be asking before they actually nominate him!

[Ian_walker]

75. I also think it is odd that media are not talking about the growth

Any one who watched the speech on TV or the news or who watches this video (sorry about the avert at the start) has got to have seen it an indeed his own wife's reaction to looking at him face on.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

I guess it will not make the papers until tomorrow despite the fact that it is all over the blogosphere, internet forums and comments pages of the media.

It really is the job of journalists to discuss such things.

[Beausoir]

23. My 44 year old cousin is terminal with the very same type of cancer.

It's no joking matter.

Started out on his back and then mets to his liver and his brain.

McInsane has been VERy lucky with this.

[Hoof Hearted]

28. Sorry about your cousin - McInsane has had acess to the best healthcare on the planet

I'm guessing that has a lot to do with why he's still walking around.

[Stephanie]

114. My dad's friend the dermatologist says this is a very virulent type of cancer

And he's surprised McCain has done as well as he has so far. I feel bad for the guy, I really do.

[Snarkoleptic]

25. No, but "the crazy" is no longer in remission.

[Ian_walker]

108. Ignoring the crazy remark, why do think he not longer in remission?

Ignoring the crazy remark, why do think he not longer in remission? My own thoughts are that the growth is enlarged but what are yours? Do think, like I, that the growth on McCain's face has at least doubled in size?

[Hoof Hearted]

27. Probably just inflamation due to fatigue.

I think the campaign has been really hard on him.

I hope he's well because Huckabee would frankly be harder to run against if he had the backing of his party, and if McCain fell sick, he would.

[Ian_walker]

36. I think it is worse than just swelling

Check the video link lower down. The growth projects out quite far like triangle. I feel sorry for him even the speech sounds a little like he is giving up.

[Hoof Hearted]

42. Yeah, inflamation does that. Especially with elderly men on a shitload of meds

Who are running stressful marathons under a microscope.

[Ian_walker]

58. It looks worse

It seems to be affecting his eye which is droopy like the nerve is affected. he keeps having to blink due to it. See the video and judge for your self
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

I am suprised his wife let him make the speech.

[NEDem]

29. Anyone got a spray can of "Troll-Be-Gone?"

[Hoof Hearted]

31. I ran out weeks ago, and since I live in the sticks I have to mail order it.

[NEDem]

32. I feel sorry for the mods

Whack a troll has gotta be a tough job on mights like this.

[Ian_walker]

33. If you can not be serious about serious issue please leave the thread

This is a serious issue. All you joking does no good to debate. Frankly I am surprised you joke about something as serous as this.

[NEDem]

38. Nah, I think I'll stay

[Hoof Hearted]

39. Ha! I know you'll find this frustrating but YOU don't have any say in the matter.

At all.

[NEDem]

41. Did you hear the one about

the troll walks into a bar....

[Hoof Hearted]

43. .

:rofl:

[Ian_walker]

44. I feel sorry for you

I feel sorry for you that you lack the morality or any sense of ethics that you would joke about a mans health in this way.

[Hoof Hearted]

37. Yes. We are a rather savage bunch.

[Ian_walker]

30. Check the video

Hi all

Judge for your selves (sorry about the advert at the start)

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

At 26 seconds

Sadly I think it is back

[CreekDog]

64. this is last year

[Ian_walker]

66. WOW that makes it obvious

Here is the video it is MUCH more than double the size and it now has an angular content like it was bone growing out of control

[CreekDog]

69. I know but I really cannot say yet

I have not completed my residence at Dr. Frist's medical college for tv diagnoses. :shrug:

[Ian_walker]

105. Here is a recent picture to compare it with

?

[caligirl]

40. good observation skills, I'm a nurse and his eye caught my attention right away.

[Ian_walker]

45. Nice to have medical profesional confirm it.

Nice to have medical profesional confirm it but as I said in another post in this thread; to me it seems glaringly obvious. I find it hard to understand than no one in the media is talking about it. All though I can understand the reluctance; reluctance should not be in a journalists job description. When something like this is apparent they must if they are to serve the electorate discuss it.

[caligirl]

47. months still to go, if he can't get it resolved I would think people will ask. Maybe.

[Ian_walker]

50. It is going to be there on every video or photograph

I think it is going to be discussed. People cannot surely ignore it. His wife looked worried throughout the speech and I also caught definite note of "The Last Hurrah" in parts of the speech like he knows he will have to give up. Have any of this team started to leave?

[spinbaby]

55. They're good at ignoring things

They've managed to ignore that Chimpy seems drunk half the time, they can ignore a growth, too.

[Ian_walker]

56. I could not ignore it.

It is pulling down his eye on the left of his face he keeps bliking because of it. it looks droopy like nerve is affected; which is very worying. And in profile in this video (sorry about the advert at the start) it is realy obvious; infact at points it looks triangular. No way was it this bad few weks ago.

Judge for your self
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

[Lisa0825]

49. Sounds like a push poll question for the GE. nt

[Ian_walker]

51. It is certain to be discussed by people

It is certain to be discussed by people. So why use a Push poll. With it so obvous in the video I am suprised someone has not Youtubed it.

[Lisa0825]

52. No offense intended....

it just sounds like a prime question intended to put doubt in people's minds, which makes it perfect for a push poll. Not an unfair topic of discussion, but it could be used unfairly, and that kind of stuff can backfire too.

[Ian_walker]

54. Needs to be discussed

Here we are people discussing something we saw on TV as did many US citizens. That is not dirty politics it is debate. People saw it on the TV last night and this morning. We cannot ignore it. If the man has had his cancer return, can he really be considered for election? Who would people really be voting for? Should a man who in all honesty looks seriously ill be doing this? Should he risking his health? If he McCain continues on and has to drop out of the Republican party nomination and 3rd place Huckabee gets the nomination, is that legal? Is it fare? Is it what the voters really want? Should not the rest of the Republican nominations be able to come back into the race?

[Franks Wild Years]

60. Romney would surely have to re-enter to salvage any credibility

It's clear he'll run again in the future, and in order to remain even remotely credible he'd have to insist that he's back in against Huckabee.

[Ian_walker]

62. Would Huckabee winning by default be legal?

If Huckabee were to win by default, would that be legal? If all the nominees throw their hats back in, and the nominee gets decided by the delegates when voters have not been re-asked is that legal?

[Franks Wild Years]

65. I think that...

...it would alienate a lot of Republicans who overwhelmingly chose McCain as their nominee. I said recently that a Huckabee who could slightly tone down the wacko rhetoric would be a frightening opponent, charming and folksy as he undeniably is. However, I do not think that could be achieved in this situation and I do not think a Huckabee nomination at present would sit well with a lot of moderate conservatives. I believe we'd likely see a sizeable Obama triumph.

If McCain were to withdraw, it would actually be in Huckabee's best interest to have Romney thrown into the fire as a lame duck candidate while he goes and refines himself into a formidable 2012 opponent.

[Ian_walker]

74. Romney might win in that case or even Thompson

If the delegates were freed from having to vote for McCain why would they vote for Huckabee. they could just as easy vote for Romney or Thompson or any other candidate. There then remains the question would it be a legal vote?

[IsItJustMe]

81. Someone may make anything they want to out of your motives for posting this, but I take you at

face value and I as an American am concerned about it also.

This is a touchy subject and people can read a lot of things into it, based upon there own feeling on the matter. But as you stated, it is what it is and I also wonder what the hell is wrong with our media.

Yes, a candidate's health is a very legitimate concern and issue.

A couple of weeks ago I posted on what I noticed when McCain gave his victory speech when he won Virginia. At that time, watching CNN footage, I saw Sen. John Warner of Virginia helping McCain up the stairs to the podium. McCain did not look good. I never really thought about his health one way or another until that moment. Maybe it's in the eye of the beholder, but to me, it didn't look good.

Because of the touchy nature of this, I am not sure it will get the attention that is warranted, but it damn well should.

On Edit: I think this is the big fat pink elephant that is sitting in the middle of the living room that everybody is to fearfully to address.

[Ian_walker]

95. I am convinced there is something wrong that may damage the legality of the Republican nomination

I have looked at some new videos and in all of them the growth is very visible and looking at earlier film it is not noticeable. From comparing those videos I can not but conclude that his cancer has returned. His camp have given no other explanation for the visibly apparent increase in the size of the growth.

Since he may well be forced to drop out of the Republican nomination and this may result in an invalidated Republican candidacy, the issue needs to be addressed by journalists if it is not to cause a crisis in the republican nomination process. The fairness of another candidate winning by default will certainly be questioned by voters and there are probably questions of legality as well.

[Politicub]

68. Good catch - I think you are right

Poor old guy. He always seems so fatigued when he's speaking.

[Ian_walker]

72. Someone already mentioned he had to be helped on stage

Someone had already mentioned he had to be helped on stage. His wife's expression at 36 seconds changes drastically. Huckabee had turned to her just before that moment and she sees the growth in profile. Her face is frozen in to a practiced smile but the second he looks away you can see her expression change radically. Her eyes well up, several expressions pass her face and you can see her trying to hold her self together.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

76. Cindy?

[Ian_walker]

77. NOT Funny the man is a human being

Glad to see there are only a few people making a joke of this. Though 1 is too many

This is serious issue; about a someone who wants/wanted to be a US presidential candidate who has had cancer in the past and has a growth on his face that looks to be getting much worse. At about 26 seconds in the video is where it becomes obvious.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

It looks as though it is affecting his eye and his wife clearly looks upset in the video 36 seconds.

Joking about it is not beneficial to anyone and just makes you look sad.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

86. I ask an honest question and I get shit on like this?!

I'm leaving!

[Ian_walker]

101. Thank do not let the door hit you as you leave

Bye Now, you all dont come back.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

78. I think this campaign has had a very bad effect on him...I thought he looked really sick last night

[Alhena]

79. Anyone got a still photo? Can't watch video at work

[Ian_walker]

91. Guessing we will have to wait until tommorow for the Journalists

So far the news videos from last night are the only sources McCain seems to be dodging the cameras today.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

83. No, that's not a tumor.

It's his wife.

[Ian_walker]

84. This is serous issue not for making sad jokes about

This is serious issue; about a someone who wants/wanted to be a US presidential candidate who has had cancer in the past and has a growth on his face that looks to be getting much worse. At about 26 seconds in the video is where it becomes obvious.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

It looks as though it is affecting his eye and his wife clearly looks upset in the video 36 seconds.

Joking about it is not beneficial to anyone and just makes you look sad.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

85. Oh get over it.

[mathewsleep]

87. ohh god, i hope so.

[Redstone]

89. Jeez, I hope not.

Redstone

[babsbunny]

92. It could be cancer..............

Or it could be his ugly, hateful soul coming through!

[geiger]

93. wow, i saw a pix of him today, too, and wondered if it was just a bad shot

it's incredibly stressful the schedule(s) these candidates are under.

[Ian_walker]

94. Where did you see the photograph?

Where did you see the photograph? Some people cannot watch the video and therefore want a photograph to do a comparison with.

Cancer and stress do not mix.

[geiger]

103. Just on the internet, probably MSNBC or yahoo home page

[Ian_walker]

104. Thanks

Thanks this show it, there are others

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Sen-John-McCain/ss/events/pl/082801mccain/s:/ap/20080221/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_lobbyist;_ylt=Ah4tnuRISsytUmAyi6DZgLxh24cA#/080220/ids_photos_ts/r3496952206.jpg

[elleng]

96. All stories about his cancer are OLD,

around time of surgery, 2000; didn't see anything recent. Guess they'd rather torment him and her with monica-like innuendos.

[Ian_walker]

97. Please try to keep current then, Check the recent video link included

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

Sorry about the advert at the start. It seems obvious to me that the growth on the left side of his face is worse. If you cannot see it you need an eye test.

[elleng]

98. I think I am current. I've seen the video,

and my point is that I've found nothing written recently about his cancer or new developments about his health.

[Ian_walker]

99. The right wing media of the GOP seem to have noticed

I thought it would take a while but see for your self they are responding. So it is clearly a topic that can be discussed:

http://www.mediabistro.com/bbs/cache/t37722_1.asp

I personally think the original article they are responding to is not in any form of good taste; never the less as the CNN videos and others since show; the growth is clearly larger. And in some newer videos from the side you can see it is red and inflamed around the area below the back of his jaw and between his jaw and ear. You also have his wife's reaction at 36 seconds in the CNN video.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/19/feb19.contests/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

These all add up to the obvious need for the media to stop pussyfooting around and ask the questions required. If McCain is just going to drop out and let an unelectable, second place candidate or VP in as the potential President, VOTERS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW!

[backscatter712]

102. Maybe Cindy found out about his fooling around...

and gave him a right hook!

[Ian_walker]

107. Growth was enlarged before the issue with the Lobbyist came out

The growth was enlarged before the issue with the Lobbyist came out.

The news article did not emerge until after Wisconsin.

[Bucky]

109. Stress can aggravate scar tissue & make it more noticeable

It may not be cancer--it may just be the rigors of being the unlucky Republican who has to follow Bush

[Ian_walker]

110. McCain's health is clearly an issue

If McCain is ill and it will affect his decision making abilities. This is clearly and issue for voters.

[Ian_walker]

113. LATEST VIDEO Shows Growth much enlarged

LATEST VIDEO Shows Growth on McCain's face is much enlarged

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYlzDx44NiM

Yet the media still have not asked him about it

[Stephanie]

115. I'm not sure it's a growth. I've heard it is an issue with his glands backing up.

Due to the surgery, he has scar tissue or something that is interfering with the glands.

[Ian_walker]

116. So that is the Repug explanation "His glands are up"

Glands are on both sides of the neck and do not go all the way up past the jaw to the cheek.

The swelling is on his jaw and cheek not his neck.

Why does he not come clean?

[Zachstar]

119. If anything he needs to try to rest some.

The last thing this election needs is to be known to be a direct cause of a serious illness returning to a person who felt he/she was fit to lead the country.

As for all the scumbags making jokes. Go screw yourselves! I normally am not that forward on a forum but its utterly sickening what some of you are joking about.

This is not about issues. If the man is at huge risk then we have a serious issue as a country to deal with. It could cause a HUGE uproar in both parties and delay the fixing of the current issues.

As humans we have an ethical obligation to show him basic human respect. Which has nothing to do with the election so don't think praying for his health or wishing the best for his health and family will mean anything about the election later.

Nobody has the right to feel suffering is good. If he is suffering through this campaign then stick with the god damn issues and show some human respect here. No more damn jokes please!

[SOS]

120. Completely wrong

You state: "Glands are on both sides of the neck and do not go all the way up past the jaw to the cheek."

Here is a diagram of the lymph nodes of the head:




The jaw and cheek have plenty of lymph nodes.
Are you standing by your assertion that lymph nodes (glands) do not exist in the jaw and cheek?

[Mike03]

121. I was wondering about the possibility he has lymphoma--

could this be the case?

[SOS]

122. Don't think so

Lymphoma is a blood cancer, in the lymphocyte blood cells. McCain has no history of this.