Do You Think Medical Records Should Be Released By Each Candidate?
By xandercordy1
@xandercordy1 (296)
United States
October 30, 2008 6:47pm CST
I just got through watching Campbell Brown of CNN debating this issue. She stated that although she wouldn't want her medical records made public, she feels if they are going to run for President and VP, they should do this. I agree that while it is intrusive, we need to know this stuff. Sure, any of the candidates could drop dead at any moment. However, we're hoping they'll be around for a while. And the one who is elected President for at least the next four years if not longer.
Brown stated that Biden had turned over all his medical records over on the 20th of this month. It showed that he was treated for two brain aneurysms in 1988. That's serious stuff. She also said that McCain invited a handful of reporters to look at over 1,100 pages of medical reports but were only given 3 hours to go through them. He's had four bouts of melanoma and my mother has stated that McCain's had heart problems as well although I don't know that's true. Obama only released a one page statement from his doctor stating that he was in excellent health and showed some tests and Palin hasn't released any of her medical reports.
Do you think they should have to release these reports and does that have any influence on who you vote for?
3 responses
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
31 Oct 08
I think that all presidential candidates should have to undergo a full physical by a government appointed physician with no stake in the race. I feel that person should be responsible for certifying them as physically fit to hold the office and disclose any significant risk factors. Beyond that I don't think their private records should be made 100% public. I think that as things are now, there is a clear and obvious disparity in the way candidates release their records as you noted in your post. Some think that 1300 pages wasn't enough from McCain since it wasn't made available to the entire public, while others think that Obama's single sheet of paper wasn't enough because it only gave information that a blind physician could uncover in 10 minutes.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
2 Nov 08
My wife is actually confused by people talking about his anger since he's been extremely mellow throughout his campaign. There hasn't been so much as a hint of the "rage" people talk about. Even during the debates he never really showed much anger outside of being a bit snippy such as the "that one" comment and we know the media spent weeks discussing whether that was racist somehow.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
31 Oct 08
I agree with you Taskr but maybe not for the reasons you gave. I believe that John McCain should be given a clean bill of mental health considering the rumors of PTSD and the symptoms of the disorder that he has exhibited over the years. He did not come home from those years as a POW unscathed and the public should know if he's being treated for that or any other stress related conditions since being the President is such a stressful job.
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
31 Oct 08
I do not believe they should be released to the public. I understand that it is information that "the powers that be" might need, but I do not think the general public should be privy to that kind of information.
@xandercordy1 (296)
• United States
2 Nov 08
It is a very private thing but I think knowing the general health of the candidates is important since they will be running our country.
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
2 Nov 08
One of our most successful past Presidents did his job from a wheelchair!
@mrsfred96 (85)
• United States
2 Nov 08
Although people in the public eye are opened up to all types of scrutiny I don't think we have a right to know their medical records. Those things are very personal and private and should be left alone. What difference does it make what someone's medical record says? Would that really influence your vote? On the other hand, other records should be made public- such as your real legitimate birth certificate.
