Is John McCain Mentally Fit To Be President?

In a breathtakingly puzzling move, John McCain showed terrible judgment by selecting first term Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate. Despite the spin that desperate Republicans immediately parroted, it wasn't a brilliant pick, or a game-changer. It was an amazingly bad choice.

Palin's shortcomings have been documented in an instant feeding frenzy among journalists and bloggers. She is the least known, least experienced VP nominee in modern political history. Those who compare her to George H. W. Bush's choice of Dan Quayle in 1988 forget that Quayle had already been in Congress for 12 years.

By contrast, Palin took office as Governor in December, 2006, less than two years ago. Before that, she served two terms on the city council and then as mayor from 1996-2002 of Wasilla, Alaska, a town with a population under 9,000. That's less than 1/20th the size of the Illinois State Senate district Barack Obama represented for eight years before he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

What a way to undercut McCain's central argument that Obama doesn't have enough experience to serve as president or commander in chief.

Of course, McCain hardly knows her. He first met Palin only in February of this year at a governors' conference, where they spoke for approximately fifteen minutes. The next time he saw her was on Thursday, two days after Hillary Clinton's rousing address to the Democratic Convention. McCain may have been worried about losing diehard Clinton supporters to Hillary's cry of "No way, no how, no McCain!" That morning, he offered her the job.

If he thinks Hillary Democrats will cheer and fall in line behind Sarah Palin, McCain is in for a rude awakening. Palin's gender is the only thing she has in common with Hillary Clinton. She is an extreme right winger who is anti-abortion to the core, doesn't think global warming is man made, and enthusiastically supports oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Sarah Palin at her office in Alaska

Billed by McCain as bearing "a message of reform and public integrity," Palin is currently under investigation herself. A few weeks ago, a bipartisan panel of Alaska state legislators appointed an independent investigator to look into charges that Palin abused her office. In mid-July she fired the Alaska public safety commissioner, allegedly after he refused to dismiss her former brother-in-law, a state trooper who divorced Palin's sister three years ago and was locked in a custody dispute over their child.

Announced on his 72nd birthday, this pick follows a string of McCain gaffes, memory lapses, and episodes of forgetfulness on the campaign trail. As reported by Talking Points Memo:

"McCain frequently forgets key elements of policies, gets countries' names wrong, forgets things he's said only hours or days before and is frequently just confused."

It all raises the uncomfortable question of whether McCain might be exhibiting signs of Alzheimer's disease.

I don't take the subject of Alzheimer's lightly. My grandfather died of complications from the disease, and I watched his mind waste away over a period of several painful years. But it's a question that must be asked in view of John McCain's age. If elected, he would be the nation's oldest president in history.

According to the national Alzheimer's Association, the leading voluntary health organization for Alzheimer care, support and research, one of the top ten warning signs of the disease is poor or decreased judgment. The number one warning sign is memory loss.

The last septuagenarian in the White House, Ronald Reagan, exhibited symptoms of forgetfulness and mental degeneration before leaving office, although his Alzheimer's diagnosis was only made public in 1994. Former White House correspondent Lesley Stahl wrote in her book Reporting Live that she and other reporters suspected Reagan was "sinking into senility" as early as 1986, but aides "covered up his condition" and editors chose not to cover it.

History seems to be repeating itself, because the press is not devoting nearly enough attention to McCain's well-documented memory problems.

There are certainly other explanations for why McCain went with Palin. Earlier this summer McCain suggested he might pick a pro-choice running mate, like former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, and anti-abortion Republicans went ballistic. So he may have caved to the right wing, and delivered up a candidate to their liking.

The National Review gushed over Palin, saying McCain had "wowed the public and enthused the right." Other more clear headed conservatives were a little subdued. Even Republican strategist Ed Rollins, Reagan's former political director, hedged his bets by calling it a "brilliant, but risky choice" for McCain. Rollins did admit the Republican Party was "in desperate need of young people and women role models."

But this VP pick is the most questionable decision yet from John McCain. He passed over numerous plausible Republican contenders and failed to pick someone remotely qualified for the job.

Going with the white-haired Arizona Senator was once a "safe choice" for voters hesitant to embrace Obama's message of change. Putting Sarah Palin a heartbeat away from the White House has made McCain's candidacy a much bigger risk. It's fair to ask whether John McCain is mentally fit to be president.

(UPDATE 9/1: My Dad, of all people, gave me an interesting scoop about John McCain earlier today that's relevant to this post. Seems he recently met someone who has flown with McCain on multiple occasions. The source says McCain looks much older in person than when made up for TV interviews, it's clear he's "got some serious mileage on him." And although McCain does his best to come across as energetic on the campaign trail, in reality, he can more accurately be described as a "tired old man." These are direct observations from someone who's seen McCain up close and personal more times than most voters ever will, and reinforce concerns about his age. In my Dad's words, this source was "very believable," and that's good enough for me.)

(UPDATE 9/2: This post has drawn a lot of response. It made the top ten list on Digg yesterday, and was Dugg 2,500 times within 24 hours, which tripled its readership on HuffPo to more than 35,000. If you haven't yet watched the video embedded above (a compilation of McCain's memory lapses and confused stumbles on the campaign trail), check it out, and when you're done, consider forwarding this post to friends.

But I'm hardly the first McCain critic to raise this question. Frank Rich and Josh Marshall have previously written about how the media is ignoring McCain's frequent "senior moments," signs of possible impairment that look awfully familiar to many who have seen a family member or loved one in the early stages of senility. Back in April, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann aired a commentary on "McCain's Memory" featuring similarly disturbing video. Last Friday, Paul Begala wrote an op-ed for CNN ("Is John McCain Out of His Mind?") that questioned his "shockingly irresponsible" judgment over the Sarah Palin pick.)

Erik Ose is a veteran of Democratic campaigns in North Carolina and blogs at The Latest Outrage.

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Comments

[shothot]

Last year a lady friend revealed to me she was taking ambien for sleep, and she'd become addicted. When McCain's medical report revealed he was taking ambien for sleep, alarms went off as I realized he must be taking it regularly and probably addicted, since it was mentioned in the report. Taking it occasionaly, iot probably wouldn't have been mentioned. Given his age and residual physical problems, one could easily surmise he's taking other medications. Along with the ambien and other medication (which wasn't devulged), we would be treading on very "thin ice" if he were elected especially since many of these pain medication effect the mind. I'm a Viet vet and take medication which definitely has side effects. THEY'RE HIDING SOMETHING!!
Many are also unaware that Ronald Reagan ( PBS documentary) during his second term signed and never read the bills put before him due to his poor mental status. McCain is near that age and surely suffers mental lapses. I also have friend, early sixties, company executive, who recently told me his job is meant for a younger man, due to the mental and physical demands(traveling, etc). What is more demanding than the President's job?
Let us not be in denial. The stakes are too high.

[Jingo]

Sorry to question your math skills but a town of, at most, 9800 people does not sound like 1/20th of a senate district that boasts more than 780,000 residents. It should be more like 1/80th the size. Obama's senate district actually has MOREresidents that ALL of Alaska. How's that for experience?

Forgive me if this sounded too harsh. We all know that math, like facts in general, has a distinct liberal bias.

[KC333]

http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/the-terror-that-would-be-president-mccain/
Please watch and pass it on.

[dcboomer]

He is so very different than he was when he last ran for President – a total turn around which I think may herald the early stages of dementia if not Alzheimer’s. His memory, confusion, searching for words, poor and snap judgments, and frustration and anger are particularly alarming. I also had a loved one, my mother, who lived with us and who had exhibited early stages of dementia just prior to her death which were identical to what I have noticed in McCain.

The media and the American people need to take this very seriously. This is not ageism – it is just prudent.

The American people are owed an Alzheimer and fit screening of John McCain.

[mbh78213]

This is a scary, scary video. It reminds me of my grandmother about two years before she was institutionalized. What's different, though, is that she was in her mid-80s (rather than early 70s) at the time and looked a whole lot better than Johnny Mac does today. The part that brought back memories the most was when he goes: "NEVADA! NEVADA! NEVADA!!!" That's how my grandma would repeat what she should have said whenever she was corrected.

[athenasword]

I deeply hope this is an issue that voters and media begins to see as valid and important. I don't know if he is suffering from Alzheimers, but he does show signs of early dementia and cognitive impairment. It may be age related. With McCane we see confusion, anger, frustration, and a fair degree of memory loss. He can't keep basic important facts straight. This is terrifying.

I do wonder how sleep or rest affects his memory and judgement. Of course, his general health and pow status would be a factor too.

IS HE FIT?

[Mark99]

McCain has just handed the election to Obama. He prolly figured it was easier than trying to stay awake during the debates.

[meshach]

Due to much arrogance and pride McCain has dug himself a big hole by his latest display of faulty judgment choice Palin. Therefore, we should respect Obama's stand to lay-off the lady Palin's family since McCain has just handed Obama the presidency gratis by this incredibly dumb move.

[rightenuff]

Sarah was a GREAT Pick!

It's funny how liberals are attacking her credentials when she has had a role more significant than Hussein.

She went from runny a small town as marry to doing an unbelievably good job as Governor of an entire state that faces major issues with oil and gas and curruption.

Barry doesnt have the same experience Sarah has which is the experience needed to be POTUS.

And you know what she's not running for Pres., McCain is. which has a trememndous amount of experience over Obama.

[booksnmore4you]

Obama has superior executive experience. His campaign, which has brought him to 18-million voters who have placed him into nomination, has a larger budget per month than Alaska does in a year. And under 1-million people voted for Palin to enter the governorship.

[parvo63]

Alaska's budget is 11 billion. How much did you say Barak spends per month?

[athenasword]

She is a poor choice. And when we consider his age and his health and medical history along with a potentially diminished ability to think, remember or make reasonable decisions then she becomes a poor and DANGEROUS choice.

[MsEngineer]

Can you tell me what her national and international experience is? I don't think being in the PTA, being on the town council and being town mayor, and then being the governor of the 47 smallest state in the union gives her much experience. Sorry.

[yvonne61]

MORE THAN LIBERALS SAYING IT SOME REP. AND INDEPENTS SAY IT.

[Tau0]

The Republican argument is that Governor Palin has more
executive experience than Senator Obama. Now think about
this ... Senator McCain has NO executive experience. Neither,
does Senator Biden. So, according to the Republican
argument Palin is the most qualified candidate of all four:
Obama, McCain, Biden and Palin, which is patently absurd.
Hence, their argument is vacuous and ought to be pointed
out to the media as such.

[MsEngineer]

But he was a POW. That makes him qualified for anything he wants to be.

[jimoase]

Years ago I was a shop forman for a VW agency. One of my engine builders had been in a mental institution at one time. On the wall of the engine shop was a certificate attesting to his sanity.

For those who questioned his sanity he would point to the certificate. For those who question someone else's sanity, do you have one of those certificates? Do you have any certificates that qualify you to sign such a certificate for someone else?

Talks cheap... cowboy up.... use your name... give your family something to be proud of.

Jim Oase

[renegade28]

It sure seems like McCain may be having memory problems. The guy is suppose to be up there on foreign affairs and yet can't seem to remember his geography, eg where Iran is situated. Maybe that's why Lieberman accompanies Mc most places, so he can help fill in the blanks, jar that memory. I think we have to expect that most of us who are lucky to reach 72 years of age, will have some memory problems. The fact also that McCain seems disinterested in technology, computers etc. Then there is the PTSD from his POW days in Vietnam which has been implicated in memory loss and possible brain damage.

[RedPencil]

Another item folks seem to be missing...Obama CLEARLY was the one who picked his running mate. McCain vetted a bunch of folks and the Bush like re-writing of history would have us believe that Palin was on the list all along and in the running from the first. Since he talked to her once and this was a suprise to most, you have to ask about the pressure from the Right wing that caused him to ditch his favorites like Lieberman, Ridge and so on. The point is, McCain cant even pick his own running mate without checking with the far right wing of his party. So, who really would be running the country if McCain was the president? Just like Bush, another puppet in the white house. We do not need this. Give me a president who is not owned by anyone, say, Obama/Biden. At least he made it his choice in his first real decison as possible president.

[leftoflennon]

We all know he's mentally unstable.

AMERICA needs to know that now.

[Caczak]

I think that it would be difficult to believe that someone who still seems to live his Viet Nam captivity is not in some serious manner mentally challenged by that experience. I am really concerned that the stresses of the Presidency may be too much for him and a disaster for us should he be elected.

I also find it quite laughable that McCain is now disingenuously claiming that we must put politics aside and pull together to help the impending victims of Gustav, when during Katrina he an Bush ate birthday cake and celebrated McCain's 69th birthday. Had Bush done the right thing then, we would now assume that FEMA could handle it now without the fanfare of token photo-op visits. What's he going to do their anyhow, man the sandbag brigade?

Gotta think he and the Republicans are more than delighted that Bush won't appear at the St. Paul party.

[bmaggiemay]

How the main stream media let it get this far with asking whether McCain was mentally fit enough to be President shows the public that MSM is as incompetent as McCain. For the last eight years the media has let themselves be used again and again. They have lost all credibility The spin everything to secure ratings. Where have all the Edward R. Murrow gone?