Sick politics
Now Hillary Clinton has two problems: a treatable case of walking pneumonia and an incurable case of raging media fever over her honesty. See my blog “Hillary’s scars and secrets” last week.
By all means let’s have more transparency on her health records – and on Trump’s. He’s an overweight 70-year-old man who never exercises and gorges on junk food. See my blog “Donald Trump Illness” two weeks ago.
And, while we’re at it, more transparency on his tax returns, his actual – not promised – charitable giving and his financial ties with Russia. Does Putin have a hook in him?
For now, let’s stick with health. After all, the choice this year is between two older-than-average candidates.
Ronald Reagan was the oldest President. He was almost 70 when he took office. Trump would be older. Clinton would be a bit younger.
The average age of Presidents when they took office is just under 55. That’s how old President Obama is now.
Of course, we Baby Boomers will tell you 70 is the new 55. (Our generation may have lost a few steps and more than a few brain cells, but our sense of entitlement remains intact.)
Remember how old FDR looked in photos taken at the end of his Presidency? He was just 63 when he died.
Granted, a Depression and a world war will age a President. But it’s a tough job.
Running for President – or running for anything – is a tough job. Most every candidate I’ve worked with got sick during a campaign. Stress, lack of sleep and long hours will do you in.
Reagan’s age became an issue when he ran for reelection in 1984 and stumbled in a debate. He put the issue to rest with a good one-liner in the next debate.
Richard Nixon was sick during his first debate with John Kennedy. Nixon looked awful. JFK looked great, though we later learned he probably had more health problems than any other President. Nixon got well, but he still had a sick mind.
Clinton will have to come back strong in the first debate, less than two weeks from now. Rest and antibiotics should take care of the pneumonia. The media fever is another matter.
But, as one Clinton supporter said, “Even if she’s dead, I’ll still vote for her over Trump.”
Sick politics
Now Hillary Clinton has two problems: a treatable case of walking pneumonia and an incurable case of raging media fever over her honesty. See my blog “Hillary’s scars and secrets” last week.
By all means let’s have more transparency on her health records – and on Trump’s. He’s an overweight 70-year-old man who never exercises and gorges on junk food. See my blog “Donald Trump Illness” two weeks ago.
And, while we’re at it, more transparency on his tax returns, his actual – not promised – charitable giving and his financial ties with Russia. Does Putin have a hook in him?
For now, let’s stick with health. After all, the choice this year is between two older-than-average candidates.
Ronald Reagan was the oldest President. He was almost 70 when he took office. Trump would be older. Clinton would be a bit younger.
The average age of Presidents when they took office is just under 55. That’s how old President Obama is now.
Of course, we Baby Boomers will tell you 70 is the new 55. (Our generation may have lost a few steps and more than a few brain cells, but our sense of entitlement remains intact.)
Remember how old FDR looked in photos taken at the end of his Presidency? He was just 63 when he died.
Granted, a Depression and a world war will age a President. But it’s a tough job.
Running for President – or running for anything – is a tough job. Most every candidate I’ve worked with got sick during a campaign. Stress, lack of sleep and long hours will do you in.
Reagan’s age became an issue when he ran for reelection in 1984 and stumbled in a debate. He put the issue to rest with a good one-liner in the next debate.
Richard Nixon was sick during his first debate with John Kennedy. Nixon looked awful. JFK looked great, though we later learned he probably had more health problems than any other President. Nixon got well, but he still had a sick mind.
Clinton will have to come back strong in the first debate, less than two weeks from now. Rest and antibiotics should take care of the pneumonia. The media fever is another matter.
But, as one Clinton supporter said, “Even if she’s dead, I’ll still vote for her over Trump.”