On the Campaign Trail, Few Mentions of McCain’s Bout With Melanoma

[RamboLiberal]

Source: NY Times

Along with his signature bright white hair, the most striking aspects of Senator John McCain’s physical appearance are his puffy left cheek and the scar that runs down the back of his neck.

The marks are cosmetic reminders of the melanoma surgery he underwent in August 2000. Mr. McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, sometimes tells audiences that he has “more scars than Frankenstein.”

The operation was performed mainly to determine whether the melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer, had spread from his left temple to a key lymph node in his neck; a preliminary pathology test at the time showed that it had not.

But because such a test cannot be definitive, the surgeons, with Mr. McCain’s advance permission, removed the surrounding lymph nodes and part of the parotid gland, which produces saliva, in the same operation, which lasted five and a half hours.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/us/politics/09mccain....

[thereismore]

1. Just you wait - it is a legit issue and will appear in GE. nt

[gratuitous]

17. No, it's not a legitimate issue

Neither is McCain's age, his voting record, his flirtation with the Kerry campaign in 2004, his temper, or anything else that might cast him in a bad light. The only legitimate issue for McCain is whether he should license a "Straight-Talkin' Johnny Maverick" cartoon series and doll. Oh, and his dreaminess. You can talk about that, too. Even if you don't quite see it.

[pleah]

2. Is he Irish or Scot heretage? Either one is prone to Melanoma cancer.

Very pale skin, very susceptible to skin cancer. My grandfather was the same way, he was of Irish descent. It is a bad sign for the RW, if he has health problems. At his age, it is not going to go over well.

[Virginia Dare]

3. His mental and physical health is of GREAT concern...n/t

[damndude]

5. it should have been a relevent issue in the primary ........

as well for the republican electorate. it is as relevant if cheney had been the candidate.
mccain at 71, having been physically and mentally tortured and having suffered melanoma will only show an increase in health issues over the next 4-8 years rather than a decrease. his running mate will be of great concern to me.

[mac2]

6. Or people living in sun soaked Arizona.

[ldf]

4. this is all part of the plan

(dons tinfoil hat)

they don't expect him to last. they will have a hardcore pnac vp ready to step into the office.

i'm just sayin'..

shrug:

[FreeStateDemocrat]

7. On the trail, few mentions of McCain’s health

Source: MSNBC/NYT

Despite bout with melanoma, he hasn’t made records, physicians available

By Lawrence K. Altman, M.D.
updated 2:47 a.m. ET, Sun., March. 9, 2008

Along with his signature bright white hair, the most striking aspects of Senator John McCain’s physical appearance are his puffy left cheek and the scar that runs down the back of his neck.

The marks are cosmetic reminders of the melanoma surgery he underwent in August 2000. Mr. McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, sometimes tells audiences that he has “more scars than Frankenstein.”

The operation was performed mainly to determine whether the melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer, had spread from his left temple to a key lymph node in his neck; a preliminary pathology test at the time showed that it had not.

But because such a test cannot be definitive, the surgeons, with Mr. McCain’s advance permission, removed the surrounding lymph nodes and part of the parotid gland, which produces saliva, in the same operation, which lasted five and a half hours


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23542188 /

---

I wasn't aware that he had this serious a case of skin cancer that required major surgery, coupled with his advanced age this should become a major campaign issue in his suitability to become president. I always thought that the body’s ability to ward off cancer at the cellular level diminished markedly for the aging elderly. He appears to be almost frail in some photos but it is difficult to get a reading, anyone seen him in person?

[stillrockin]

8. Dude doesn't look too good.

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. It will become a concern later, as the GE gets closer

and his VP pick will become even more important.

[PATRICK]

10. We MUST make the point

about succession and the Bush legacy not only continuing in McCain but coming back with his successors.
The succession must be an issue. Too bad we can't spin thimgs even more our way by rubbing into their faces that Pelosi comes that much closer to triangulating the office toward the Dems no matter what.

ALL the GOP candidates have been weeded out and permitted according to their usefulness in continuing the Bush power grip and the neocon ascendancy. A lot of harsh focus needs to be cast on the eventual ugly product.

[Honeycombe8]

11. Yes, it makes the VP pick critical. But the old fatcats LIKE the idea of McCain being old...

"seasoned," as they say, for the same reason they like movies about old men with young wives, acting as if that is oh-so-normal and to be expected. The old fatcats like their own situations glorified. These old fatcats will be in denial about McCain's age and health, as they are about their own.

For the rest of the country, though, they will look closely at the VP, and will ask questions about McCain's health occasionally.

It doesn't really matter, though, because the Repubs are party animals and will vote for their nominee because, well, because he's the nominee. Though they will expect the VP to be someone who can take over in a split second - Cheneyesque, in their view.

But partly because of his age and health, the Repubs will probably lose. He doesn't inspire the base to get out and vote for him. Many will stay home. Unless.......unless......unless they have some other reason to go to the polls. Like maybe to vote AGAINST someone they hate.

[AndyTiedye]

13. Will FUCKABEE be a Heartbeat Away from the Presidency?

[fasttense]

12. McCain only chance of winning the White House is in hell.

So the quicker he gets there the better his chance.

[Zorra]

14. Let's be completely truthful here - John McCain is dying from old age.

No?

[better tomorrow]

15. he took time off recently while campaigning

bet the stamina caught up with him. Also,did you see him wobbling when he posed with Bush at the White House that day? He couldn't stand still.

I think he isn't up to it.....

And, be aware of Jeb getting in as VP. No one is talking about that but you can bet he wants in for 2012. Would be the best way for him to make sure he can.....Remember, Barbara called him #45 and the nephew #47......

[Windex]

16. He also has war wounds

Because of injuries from his time as a POW, Mr. McCain cannot raise either arm above his head. I read something about that strange picture where he is hugging Bush. It turned out that way because Bush had tried to lift his arm.