Liberal groups make issue of McCain's skin cancer

[JonLP24]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two liberal political action committees are making an issue of John McCain's past bouts with skin cancer in a television commercial that features his facial scar and demands that the Republican presidential nominee release his medical records to the public.

The 30-second ad, so far airing for $50,000 only on MSNBC, is paid for by Brave New PAC and Democracy for America, a political group headed by James Dean, the brother of Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean.

"John McCain is 72 years old and had cancer 4 times," the ad's text says over a black-and-white image of McCain with the left side of his face bandaged after surgery in 2000. "Why won't McCain release his medical records?"

The ad is the most public and unflinching effort to turn McCain's health into a political issue. It is part of a broader effort by the two groups for McCain to make his health records public. About 2,500 doctors have signed a Brave New PAC petition calling for the documents to be released, according to group spokesman Leighton Woodhouse.

Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5imvTVA-Hl4kb1-9NRkXv-LWU5h3AD93E0M4G0

[Bluebear]

1. In light of who he chose as his understudy, it's more than a fair question.

[Fire1]

22. You got THAT right!

[cosmodem]

24. The ad is an afront to all cancer survivors and Democrats should NOT

have done this.

[dmr]

26. I disagree. A candidate has an obligation to all Americans to disclose

health issues that may interfere with them being able to fully carrying out their duties.

This is not an affront to cancer survivors. This has absolutely nothing to do with cancer. It has to do with whether the man is healthy enough to fully function as a president.

Considering McCain's absolutely poor choice in choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate, McCain's health is even more of an issue.

I saw the ad earlier this evening. It is not vicious. It is kind. It poses a question that all of us must take in consideration. Well, not all of us, because certainly those of us here aren't voting for him, but it is a huge consideration for those who may vote Republican.

[Bluebear]

27. Yes, welcome to DU, "dem"

[cosmodem]

30. Thank you.

[Willo]

34. edit: wrong spot

[Cha]

31. It's about mccain hiding his medical records..it's

not an affront..it's the facts of life.

Especially with that twitterbird choice of a vp who wants her church to take over my country.

[cosmodem]

35. There is no need to USE cancer survivors to make a political

statement.

[DesertFlower]

2. i saw the ad a little while ago.

i've signed a few petitions for him to release his health records.

[tekisui]

3. Good, and let's have one about his untreated PTSD too!

He is a walking corpse warmed-over, with a fundie shit for brains next in line.

[SmokingJacket]

4. It makes me just a bit uneasy.

I don't want the sympathy vote going to him. And it feels just a tad tacky. Though I know it's a legitimate issue.

[KayLaw]

7. I agree.

I haven't seen it but the very idea makes me uneasy. Most people can figure out that he might die and leave her in charge.

[TheDoorbellRang]

28. Ah, but most people who would vote for him are very good at ignoring pesky details

Those who would not worry about Palin ascending because she's "only the VP, after all." Those are the folks who need a graphic in-your-face this-guy-could-die-any-time message. McCain needs to release his medical records and give Americans some of his "legendary" (and I mean that as in "mythical") straight talk.

[yardwork]

8. I disagree. He chose to run for president, and he chose Palin as VP.

He's asking us to vote for him and Palin, to put them in charge of the country at a time of crisis. We have the right to know their health status. McCain has had four bouts of malignant melanoma, a cancer that kills very quickly in a high percentage of cases. He would also be the oldest person to be elected president. Remember Reagan and the Alzheimer's? McCain acts like he has dementia or some other major health issue. If he dies in office, Palin takes over.

We need McCain and Palin to release their medical records, just as Obama and Biden have done. They are no longer private citizens. If they want to keep their health status private, they can't run for president of the United States.

[SmokingJacket]

14. True enough. They should release their records.

It's just a bit yucky to make an issue of it.

[TexasBushwhacker]

19. It's pointless and it makes us look bad

Any record he releases will give him a clean bill of health, just like GWB had a clean record of service for the Texas Air National Guard.

[cstanleytech]

16. Agree with all your points nt.

[mrJJ]

5. heres the ad

McCain is 72. He's had cancer 4 times.

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

[Old and In the Way]

6. If he had picked a competent VP, I'd be less concerned about his health.

Choosing a VP who was exorcised by an African christianist...that should give everyone pause.

[KansDem]

9. "Liberal groups?"

:wtf: How about just "Concerned Americans?"

[yorkie]

10. Mac's appearance of poor health

Many of us who have been watching him are concerned-he is not looking well.
We have every right to ask for his medical records,and we would be crazy not to.

[DeepBlueC]

11. and that after spending five grand on makeup...?

That IS scary. The fact that he is reluctant to release his medical records makes me uneasy.

[LonelyLRLiberal]

13. I saw a comment elsewhere that people are noticing a drooping left eyelid,

leading to speculation he may have recently had a TIA (mini-stroke).

[Nevernose]

23. Even Chris Matthews mentioned it earlier

Mentioned the drooping left eyelid and said in no uncertain terms that McCain "looked old," going on to suggest that this was the real reason he wanted to delay/run away from the debates.

I believe the drooping eyelid is one of the classic TIA symptoms (though it's a symptom of many other things, too).

[David__77]

12. There is a certain value in disclosure.

More than anything though, this is political tactics in demanding this. If it works, I'm all for it.

[BlueDonkey08]

15. I have to disagree a little

If we attack the Repukes like this then we are no better than they are. Sure this is an important issue but we should let the media do their job and attack McCancer for us.

[DeepBlueC]

17. when they cover ads as "news" we ARE helping them do their job

...someone has to.

[Lautremont]

18. This reminds me of the truly tasteless ads the Conservatives in Canada ran against Chretien

I hope it doesn't have the same results (though I was glad for the results then, which were to ensure Conservative defeat, for a time). And I know this is different, with his health truly being a question. So I'm not decrying these new ads, just expressing, uh, "concern."

Anyway, I haven't seen them, so shouldn't talk.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

20. I wish it wasn't an issue, but it is.

Not only is the cancer an issue, I'm deeply concerned about the possibility of Alzheimer's or age-related dementia. If he was elected, (or selected, as the case may be), and he suddenly had to turn the reins over to Palin, this country would be in serious trouble.

[YDogg]

21. If Obama was 72 and had had cancer four times, the republicans would make a very loud issue of it.

sorry, but voters do have a right to know,and I'm glad someone has the balls to ask. and I'd want to know about Obama if it was him.

[nc4bo]

25. All of this would cease if Mccain released his complete medical record. So easy and simple. nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

29. " it's a fungible commodity and they don't flag, you know, the molecules,"

Sarah Palin............... his health damn right is an issue.

[theothersnippywshrub]

32. Palin could be one sunburn away from the presidency.

And Shadow Governor Dude might become Shadow President Dude.

The 527s should run tens of millions of these ads. Or more.

[salonghorn70]

33. Yes, He Should Release His Medical Records, But......

the ad was disgusting.Obama will probably have to repudiate it.