McCain’s foes see hotheadedness; friends see spine

[JonLP24]

Source: Boston Herald

Is John McCain too hot-headed to be president?

That’s suggested in a political ad produced by the liberal group Brave New PAC. It features Philip Butler, a highly decorated Navy officer who had already been imprisoned 2 1/2 years before McCain was brought to Hanoi in October 1967.

In the ad, Butler says: "I think I can say with authority that the prisoner-of-war experience is not a good prerequisite for president of the United States. ... He was well known as a very volatile guy, and he would blow up and go off like a Roman candle. John McCain is not somebody that I would like to see with his finger near the red button."

One quibble with the ad is that it suggests McCain was "volatile" while in Vietnam. But in the longer interview on the group’s Web site, it sounds more as if Butler is talking about their time at the U.S. Naval Academy, when the two midshipmen lived across the hall from each other. That’s probably two very different John McCains.

Nevertheless, at points along the campaign trail, even Republicans have talked about temperament. It’s partly why Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., initially endorsed Mitt Romney over McCain.

Read more: http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1120970&srvc=2008campaign&position=15

[Triana]

1. I see an abuser who humiliates his wife in public and who broke her wrist...

...who uses women for what he can get out of them, and someone likely, in addition, who is suffering from a combination of PTSD and alzheimer's.

The ONLY places McCain belongs are in a fishing boat, on the golf course, and in a padded cell - alternately.

[EC]

3. Untreated PTSD

at that....

[gingersnaps1]

4. Seriously, why ha sno one asked this question?

I have been screaming for the media or a 527 to bring this up. McCain sees every war as his Vietnam. The fact that he won't release his medical records is important but I want to see his mental health records.

[Triana]

5. I believe anyone running for Pres or VP ought to be required to release full medical records AND..

..to undergo TWO separate, independent psychiatric examinations to determine if they are mentally capable of handling the presidency and to rule out any psychological issues (ie: psychopathy - there is an fMRI test for this, malignant narcississm, PTSD, Bi-polor disorder, schizophrenia, etc.). We need to know what meds they're on and why and complete psychological and medical condition and history.

Ad the results of ALL of it should be made public.

[cabluedem]

7. I agree. McCain's temper tantrums are legendary. No way he has all his marbals.

I guess the country wants four more years of Reagan's dementia. McStain is constantly correcting himself during interviews.

[calimary]

6. Welcome to DU! Good points you make.

I, too, want to know what's in those medical records. All the moreso because he refuses to release them. That refusal automatically starts taking on a fishy smell.

[cabluedem]

8. Do we know that he has seen a shrink, even?

I agree. I want to see his records.

[Mind_your_head]

2. Do 'friends' see the tumor and that the man doesn't look

entirely healthy and/or 'sound' in mind or body? He's older and he's been through 'a lot'.