Not waiting until the actual Friday release of John McCain's medical records, on Thursday's World News anchor Charles Gibson (who's 65) and Dr. Tim Johnson (who at 72 is older than McCain) speculated about McCain's health. Gibson wondered about “psychological damage” from his POW captivity. Assured there's no evidence of that, Gibson jumped to wonder how much longer McCain has to live, a question which led Johnson to warn, that while McCain may live another 16 years, there's a decent chance he'll develop “dementia.”
Gibson asked: “There's also an enormous amount of medical records involving the time that he was in captivity in North Vietnam to check to see what physical damage he suffered and maybe what psychological damage.” Johnson replied that Navy psychiatrists monitored McCain “for many years after his release. They found no evidence of any serious problem. And he strongly denies any symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.” Gibson pounced with a new line of fear: “But he's 71 years old. What do the actuarial tables say about a man who's 71 years old?” Johnson explained they say he should live to 87, but:
Much more difficult, of course, to predict any change in mental acuity. At age 71, there's about a 30 percent chance of developing serious memory loss or even dementia.
Johnson did at least add: “But experts point out that with aging maybe some skills such as judgment get better.”
The MRC's Brad Wilmouth corrected the closed-captioning against the video to provide this transcript of the segment on the Thursday, May 22 World News on ABC, picking up after a report on the McCain-Obama split on the new so-called “GI Bill of Rights”:
CHARLES GIBSON: While on the subject of John McCain, his campaign will release his medical records late tomorrow, giving a few reporters a limited look at those records. But we've already learned a great deal about what his health records will show. Our medical editor, Dr. Tim Johnson, helps explain McCain's health report.
Tim, let's start with what you see when you look at McCain, a rather large scar on the left side of his face. What was done? And why?
DR. TIM JOHNSON: He had surgery in the fall of 2000 to remove a melanoma from his left temple. It was about the size of a nickel. Then they decided to dissect surgically down his face and into his neck to examine lymph nodes. They found no evidence of cancer. They made the decision not to do any further treatment. So, he had a 2-A stage invasive melanoma. The prediction for such a person is about a 30 percent mortality rate over the next ten years. But the fact that he survived eight years, say experts, is a very good sign. He obviously has careful skin examinations three or four times a year.
CHARLES GIBSON: There's also an enormous amount of medical records involving the time that he was in captivity in North Vietnam to check to see what physical damage he suffered and maybe what psychological damage.
TIM JOHNSON: Well, he clearly suffered many orthopedic injuries upon ejection from the plane. He broke both his arms and a leg, and during captivity, the guards brutalized him. He suffered fractures in both shoulders and many ribs. So he clearly has some limitations of motion, especially in raising his arms. However, there is no evidence that those injuries have affected his activity level or his energy level. Now, the emotional part is harder to assess. He was carefully assessed by Navy psychiatrists for many years after his release. They found no evidence of any serious problem. And he strongly denies any symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
GIBSON: But he's 71 years old. What do the actuarial tables say about a man who's 71 years old?
JOHNSON: The actuarial tables say that if you make it to 71 in overall good health, your life expectancy is about 16 years. That would be age 87. I think that's surprising to many people. Much more difficult, of course, to predict any change in mental acuity. At age 71, there's about a 30 percent chance of developing serious memory loss or even dementia, but experts point out that with aging maybe some skills such as judgment get better. So, Charlie, the old cliche is certainly true in this case: Time will tell.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Wow...a couple of old
May 22, 2008 - 21:23 ET by bigtimerWow...a couple of old geniuses at work...only smart thing that was said is time will tell....
As it will for all of us here on earth.
There is plenty to find to criticize McCain about but this ain't one of them.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
30% chance of memory loss at 71?
May 22, 2008 - 21:27 ET by jefflebowskiMaybe McPain will forget that he is a liberal and will try and be more conservative!
Age is, of course, a
May 22, 2008 - 21:28 ET by the curatorAge is, of course, a legitimate issue in this election.
But, I don't think anyone out there is unaware of Sen. McCain's age... nor are the unaware of what happens as we get older.
Personally, I have no problem with the story. But, there's not much there the general populace isn't already aware of.
"I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building."
-George W. Bush, October 11, 2000
McCain's health - check out his mom.
May 22, 2008 - 21:47 ET by Gary HallI borrowed this from MSNBC's First Read, Jan. 2, 2008.
Is there any doubt that if McCain was a Democrat, with the nomination sewed up, that Charlie Gibson, would not be using McCain's experiences in a POW camp, and what he has accomplished since, as evidence of his solid mental stability and his 95 year old mother as evidence of his exceptionally strong gene pool.
Gibson's decision to to play up the negatives, which the good doctor was putting down as fast as Gibson could read his talking points, is right out of the old Democrat talking points.
No surprise here. Move along.
Imagine MSNBC giving McCain's mom a fair shot. Shocking, indeed.
SUPERB analysis! RRAM
May 22, 2008 - 22:59 ET by stratmanSUPERB analysis!
RRAM Tough!
The media will attack McCain
May 22, 2008 - 22:01 ET by zhombreThe media will attack McCain every which way. That old priest played by Max Von Sydow in The Exorcist had an easier time of it dealing with the demon Pazazu than McCain will have dealing with the demon Media.
Disgusting
May 22, 2008 - 22:09 ET by bias-fighterI'm tired of this overt discrimination. It's mayhem. There's no stop racism, sexism, but not a peep about the blatant age discrimination going on. These people make me vomit.
And yet...
May 22, 2008 - 22:16 ET by digdog1Robert Byrd is third in the line of succession for the US presidency. He's almost 90 years old, undeniably feeble, and arguably on the edge of dementia. But you'll never hear HIS age being fretted over in the MSM.
robert byrd next in line for pres.
May 23, 2008 - 09:35 ET by larry on LIlarry on LI
bird is a senator, nancy "the bi**h" is third in line
That's true
May 23, 2008 - 09:58 ET by digdog1Larry:
Depends on how you define "third in line." I believe the chain of presidential succession runs:
- VP
- House Speaker
- President of the Senate
As you correctly observe, Pelosi is indeed up after the VP. But my comment was that Byrd is third in the line of "succession" -- you don't count the president in that number. (My framing of the comment may not have been as clear as I intended.)
I really hate to break it to
May 22, 2008 - 22:21 ET by msh1973I really hate to break it to these two morons...but no one knows when their time is up, that includes Hillary and Obama. All of our days are numbered. Disgraceful display of hot air.
McCain and Life Expectancy
May 23, 2008 - 08:43 ET by NKurucIt's hard to believe the "absolute garbage" that passes for news on the networks. This is not news, it's speculation, by so called experts. How about something unique. Lets spend some of this hot air time discussing what each of these candidates will "bring to the table" in terms of programs and policies. And don't tell me about Obama meeting with our enemies. Let's talk about energy programs both short term and long term, a win-win policy with Iraq, Iran and terrorism, Social Security reform, income tax reform, and on and on and on. One final thing about the Democrats....they took over the house and senate years ago. Just ask youself what has been accomplished except a long list of investigations with to no conclusion. They are indeed a sad political party. Part of me says let them have the presidency, and fall flat on their face, but I know better.
This has got to be the longest campaign for the presidency ever experienced.
Lame Stream Media
May 22, 2008 - 22:33 ET by ScrapironThe LSM is on life support and still smoking dope and making a**es of themselves. Both of them will likely die before McCain. I'll bet neither of them are in as good physical or mental health as McCain. Too many bottles of booze in their past.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
While Tim Johnson did not
May 22, 2008 - 22:52 ET by stratmanWhile Tim Johnson did not say anything technically incorrect from what this article portrays, the fact he is a partisan hack for the Democrats leaves me less than impressed with his ability to be impartial, to not colorize his commentary in a particular direction for partisan effect.
Was there an analogous examination of Obama? Salient facts, Obama as a Black male, is more likely to have:
hypertension
stroke
heart attack
asthma
gout
colorectal cancer
breast cancer
be incarcerated
(criminally) kill someone
shot while at the gas station - per Michelle Obama, but true for being murdered compared to Whites
overall lowered life expectancy - by several years compared to Whites
Point is, there are lots of "facts" that can be publicized but which are less relevant and more political in nature as presented. This one sided reporting was free political support for Obama by two "neutral" "professionals".
RRAM Tough!
"ABC: McCain
May 22, 2008 - 22:54 ET by Clear thinker"ABC: McCain Psychologically Damaged? Suffer Dementia? Die Soon?"
That's funny... Just the other day I was thinking the same thing about ABC!
"Abstain from McCain"
I am 75--- I know--
May 22, 2008 - 22:57 ET by misterbillI am 75--- I know--that a lot of things happen to our minds as we get older. Short term memory problems leap out as being the worst. At any rate, who is this guy McCain you keep talking about???
Is he related to McAbel??? If so , he is quite old.
I know their father laid the first road--McAdam.
misterb... ROFLMAO! "Nev
May 22, 2008 - 23:04 ET by bigtimermisterb...
ROFLMAO!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
bt and misterbill, that is
May 22, 2008 - 23:36 ET by motherbeltbt and misterbill, that is funny, but let's face it, we knew this was going to happen.
Those of us who predicted this take no joy in the fact that we are being proven right. But the fact is that McCain IS as old as he is, and he has gone through what he has.
Edit: One thing that does tick me off is Drudge tonight: Medicals Dumped on Holiday Weekend.
Since when is Thursday the weekend?
misterbill, ROFLMAO!
May 22, 2008 - 23:41 ET by R D HelmClassic, that was. :-)
We are being smothered by government in this country. - Neal Boortz
This is a new all-time low
May 22, 2008 - 23:36 ET by suzycreamcheeseThis is a new all-time low for lib television. I just can't believe these geezers would sit up there and talk about McCain--who fought for their wrinkly @sses--like he's some doddering, old fool. I think McCain's mind and body are capable of lasting four years during his presidency before he starts drooling and wandering the streets in his gown and slippers.
McCain unfit based on speculation?
May 23, 2008 - 00:49 ET by wdhorningIt is amazing what passes for intelligent reporting these days!
Here are a number of speculations, no proof, and OK, that means McCain is unfit for duty, according to these liberals.
But prove with hard facts the unfitness of Clinton or Obama, and "Whoa!," says the liberal press, "It's only speculation."
Stats
May 23, 2008 - 01:28 ET by jaywlThe jerks bring up the stats they like, the ones supporting their prejudices. Well, I can too. The Obama is 30% less likely to reach age 80 than is Sen. McCain. This is true and would be even worse if Obama's race was taken into consideration. It doesn't mean a damn thing though, think of what it would be if McCain was going to celebrate his 80th birthday tomorrow. The MSM have been playing with numbers every day for years. Yesterday they played with the length of time to compare jobless claims. The current numbers were to good, so they lumped the current jobless numbers into an average of several months to show an ongoing rise in the average number of new filings. Slick, huh? Jerks? Yeah!
Barack Osama is a smoker of
May 23, 2008 - 03:25 ET by mostlymoderateBarack Osama is a smoker of cigarettes. Did everyone know that? Look into it if you didn't. My point is that Obama could get cancer, heart disease, emphysema, etc. and die much sooner than McCain. Also, if you do some research, African-American's have shorter lifespans than their white counterparts. Then their is the higher incidence of depression among lawyers (Osama is a lawyer). Then their is Osama's drug history. How can we be assured his past drug use doesn't effect his memory? What if he hits the crack pipe again? OMG!!
Am I being ridiculous? Probably. But so are these two twerps that are touting-off about McCain.
Just a technicality, but
May 23, 2008 - 06:11 ET by motherbeltJust a technicality, but Obama did quit smoking (at least in public) to run for President. He knows what's really important in a candidate. And let's face it, some left-wingers think it likely that he would be assassinated, so why take the chance?
I hate to go out on a liberal mindset
May 23, 2008 - 06:20 ET by CCCPWhat of the chances that Romney would be nominated VP and McCain died in office?
“The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do.” - Comrade Josef Stalin
Age and Associations
May 23, 2008 - 06:37 ET by usinkoreaSo, McCain's age is fair game, and what percentage of (racist, hillbilly) white voters are for Hillary, but Obama's lack of experience, his associations, his campaigning wife's statements on the campaign trail, and the percentage of black voters he gets are not.....
This isn't rocket science....
Is Age the only cause for Dementia?
May 23, 2008 - 06:56 ET by TheHistorianListening and watching Obama, I think he is at least as demented as anyone could claim McCain to be. How else do you get wrapped in a pretzel that would negotiate without precondition with Iran, but not talk to Hamas? I will take dementia over stupidity any day.
"What experience and history teach is
this - that people and governments never have learned anything from history,
or acted on principles deduced from it."
G. W. F. Hegel
»→ Dementia
May 23, 2008 - 07:13 ET by Cool ArrowBut would you take dementia RINO and chicken-sh*t over stupid?
We're sitting here consoling ourselves with "at least we'll have our bases covered on the Supreme Court. Don't count on it. McCain is known, check that, FAMOUS for his reach arounds to satisfy Liberals.
I like this pitiful McCain person less with each endorsement he rejects.
Oh well, at least he'll do something about the borders, huh?
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
I like this pitiful McCain
May 23, 2008 - 08:02 ET by Roger the ShrubberI like this pitiful McCain person less with each endorsement he rejects.
I did not realize you could like McCain any less.
As for choosing McCain over Obama, I would take a RINO over a Marxist any day. If those are the options, you either hold your nose and vote, or don't.
»→ But Rog
May 23, 2008 - 08:14 ET by Cool ArrowI have dreams of my Grandson running for President someday. How wonderful would it be if he could say "My grandfather marched with Barack Obåma.
Did you see that? It's a miracle! A halo appeared over Obåma. There it is again!
People will visit this post in greater numbers than Lourdes.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
I tend to try to keep coffee
May 23, 2008 - 08:16 ET by Roger the ShrubberI tend to try to keep coffee out of my nose, CA. Stop it!!!! haha
The political world resembles
May 23, 2008 - 08:21 ET by sarcasmoThe Onion again.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Can we have a Texas-strap
May 23, 2008 - 09:48 ET by Roger the ShrubberCan we have a Texas-strap cage match to determine who the First Lady might be?
Cool
May 23, 2008 - 14:00 ET by RESTLESS 1I can't seem to find that character on my keyboard. Is yours from Mars or something?
»→ RESTLESS
May 23, 2008 - 14:04 ET by Cool ArrowHere is where I got it.
My keyboard was manufactured by illegal alien Saturnians. ø
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
May 23, 2008 - 09:32 ET by nandrelliCool Arrow,
I know of an organization that provides assistance for people with problems like yours. It is called DAM - Mothers Against Dyslexia.
»→ nandrelli
May 23, 2008 - 14:06 ET by Cool ArrowI believe you have them confused with Drunks Against Madd Mothers.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
So they have the gall to
May 23, 2008 - 07:47 ET by KillgraveSo they have the gall to twist a man's valor and sacrifice as a weapon against him ("He was beaten up in prison! That is sure to affect his mental faculties as he gets older!") And without a shred of evidence.
These jerks have pretty big cajones, I'll give them that.
I''ve posted this before...
May 23, 2008 - 09:15 ET by Prester John....and I will post it again. When will the MSM look at the age/physical capacity/mental agility of the following senators who are older than McCain, particulary the ones with the "D" after their names?
Robert Byrd (D-WV)
November 20, 1917 (1917-11-20) (age 90)
Ted Stevens (R-AK)
November 18, 1923 (1923-11-18) (age 84)
Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
January 23, 1924 (1924-01-23) (age 84)
Daniel Inouye (D-HI)
September 7, 1924 (1924-09-07) (age 83)
Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
September 11, 1924 (1924-09-11) (age 83)
John Warner (R-VA)
February 18, 1927 (1927-02-18) (age 81)
Arlen Specter (R-PA)
February 12, 1930 (1930-02-12) (age 78)
Jim Bunning (R-KY)
October 23, 1931 (1931-10-23) (age 76)
Ted Kennedy (D-MA)
February 22, 1932 (1932-02-22) (age 76)
Dick Lugar (R-IN)
April 4, 1932 (1932-04-04) (age 76)
Pete Domenici (R-NM)
May 7, 1932 (1932-05-07) (age 76)
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
June 22, 1933 (1933-06-22) (age 74)
Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
September 17, 1933 (1933-09-17) (age 74)
Robert Foster Bennett (R-UT)
September 18, 1933 (1933-09-18) (age 74)
Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
March 22, 1934 (1934-03-22) (age 74)
Richard Shelby (R-AL)
May 6, 1934 (1934-05-06) (age 74)
Carl Levin (D-MI)
June 28, 1934 (1934-06-28) (age 73)
Jim Inhofe (R-OK)
November 17, 1934 (1934-11-17) (age 73)
Herb Kohl (D-WI)
February 7, 1935 (1935-02-07) (age 73)
Pat Roberts (R-KS)
April 20, 1936 (1936-04-20) (age 72)
George Voinovich (R-OH)
July 15, 1936 (1936-07-15) (age 71)
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
July 20, 1936 (1936-07-20) (age 71)
Elizabeth Dole (R-NC)
July 29, 1936 (1936-07-29) (age 71)
any of them an ex-POW? for
May 23, 2008 - 12:26 ET by TruthMongerany of them an ex-POW? for as long as McCain? his long captivity was absolutely brutal
and are these all Senators?
a job with no executive accountability, significantly less pressure
while the enormous global responsibility upon the POTUS in general along with the daily hostility and undermining of the MSM/DNC/Hollywierd traitors ages every Republican participant (even the RINO's) by at least 10 years over just one 4-year term
I fear McCain's policies first and foremost, but also his life if he wins, and don't tell me he ain't mentally scarred - he's handled it tremendously, of course - but that dude has to have baggage I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy
and his finger will be on the nuke button
Vietnam can't be too happy about that:)
now there's a nice film idea for you, hollywierd
"Airforce One Rides Again - Payback - this time it's Personal"
starring Mikey Moore as President McCain - and Laura Dern as his Katherine Harris - his secret gay-transvestite lover...?
look for it every Memorial day - if Mc wins...
anyway if he wins I'll hope and pray for the best as i fear the worst...
Oh, Please!
May 23, 2008 - 12:50 ET by CobraMan"and don't tell me he ain't mentally scarred"
Oh, please, keep your dime store psychiatry to yourself. You sound just like the Liberals! Do you have any proof that McCain is "mentally scarred?” His psychiatrist didn’t think so and I bet he’s a lot more qualified to make that determination than YOU are! You’re just biased against McCain, that much is obvious.
i do have proof he was a
May 23, 2008 - 15:40 ET by TruthMongeri do have proof
he was a POW for several years
and I am biased against RINO's I must abmit...
"and don't tell me he ain't
May 23, 2008 - 15:48 ET by bassndude"and don't tell me he ain't mentally scarred"
Oh please TM. Like your not? Granted he is not your run of the mill type of guy, and I dont like RINO's either. But to cast stones with no proof that he would not be that way without being a POW? Give me a break! I do think we all carry some mental scars. The way we deal with them is what makes us who we are.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Cobra: The R.C. once had
May 23, 2008 - 19:54 ET by QueenMumCobra: The R.C. once had the opportunity to hear Charlie Plumb speak. In speaking of his own experiences, Plumb stated that men like John McCain were able to survive in captivity because they are mentally tough. Of course, the libs in the MsM wouldn't know much about that. They're firmly convinced that anyone in the military is likely a mental case in the first place.
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine! - "America The Beautiful"
Hey. Let's not forget about
May 23, 2008 - 13:53 ET by QueenMumHey. Let's not forget about Nancy "Stretch" Pelosi. According to my calculations, she's 68. I don't recall any sort of hue and cry about her assuming the position of Speaker at her "advanced" age.
I am the exotic Queen Mum, and I approved this message.
It's OK QueenMum
May 23, 2008 - 13:57 ET by HumblepieNancy's age will never effect her.. um... brain.
During this time with political correctness at its zenith, I reserve the right to let you know you're an idiot.
Exactly Humblepie
May 23, 2008 - 19:42 ET by RESTLESS 1You can't lose what you never had.
Humble: More likely that
May 23, 2008 - 19:43 ET by QueenMumHumble: More likely that Pelosi's brain is starved for oxygen due to having the skin on her head pulled too tight.
I am the exotic Queen Mum, and I approved this message.
ABC Morons
May 23, 2008 - 09:37 ET by nandrelliAnd I thought that Charles Gibson was considered to be one of the more even-keeled "journalists" on the MSM TV News.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but
May 23, 2008 - 10:16 ET by CJK51Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Dr. Tim Johnson a dentist? If so, shouldn't the extent of his alleged expertise on the health of John McCain end at the senator's mouth?
Will these pabulum pukers
May 23, 2008 - 10:40 ET by mattmWill these pabulum pukers ever question Obama's lack of experience and maturity, or Hillary's scandalous past?
Just asking.
At 71, there's a 30% chance
May 23, 2008 - 16:58 ET by SickofLibsAt 71, there's a 30% chance of dementia?
Obermann is only 49 and he clearly suffers from dementia.
Oops. Had to move
May 23, 2008 - 19:39 ET by QueenMumOops. Had to move this.
I am the exotic Queen Mum, and I approved this message.
calling Dr. Moe, Dr. Larry, Dr. Curley...
May 23, 2008 - 21:47 ET by seanrobins>>>Much more difficult, of course, to predict any change in mental acuity. At age 71, there's about a 30 percent chance of developing serious memory loss or even dementia
So, doesn't that mean that Dr. Tim (at age 72) has at least a 33% chance of developing dimentia any minute now???
sean robins
blog.seanrobins.com