Reagan, McCain, and early Alzheimer's

[pnwmom]

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E5D81339F931A15755C0A9629C8B63

Ronald Reagan demonstrated subtle but clear signs of early dementia -- short-term memory deficits, and word-finding and word-substitution difficulties -- at news conferences and other events in the last years of his presidency (''A Recollection of Early Questions'').

It is highly likely that he had Alzheimer's disease while in office. It is surprising how well a family member, or White House staff, can cover for someone with early dementia.

DR. BRUCE LEFF
Baltimore

The writer is an associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins.


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McCain didn't even notice when he said "prisoners" instead of "Americans." Has he been making more of these "gaffes"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYFm5kK4f1k

[Raven]

1. Alzheimer's has become the latest smear. John McCain isn't

doing anything different from a lot of 72 year olds I know and he is under tremendous physical and emotional stress. I think this is hitting a bit below the belt. We have plenty of things to criticize him for and I would rather assume he's competent because it's that much more damning.

[The Blue Flower]

2. Why do you need to assume he's competent?

He's competent but he doesn't know what he's saying? How is that better?

[pnwmom]

3. If he had released his medical records, and if the Republican party didn't

already have a history of covering up for a President with Alzheimers, then I agree it might be "hitting below the belt."

But given the fact that he is withholding his records, along with his general deterioration lately, I think it's a reasonable question to ask. Especially since we all know what the Rethugs are capable of.

[tired_old_fireman]

4. McCain asks for it by not releasing his medical records

Almost every time a politician keeps records secret, it is for a reason. If McCain released his records, there wouldn't be this speculation. Even Cheney released his medical records with all his heart problems. The combination of McCain's bizarre behavior and secrecy, make the Alzheimer's question relevant in my opinion.

[XemaSab]

9. It doesn't matter whether he has Altzheimer's or not

If he does, then Sarah Palin will be president sooner rather than later.

If he doesn't, he's still in terrible shape, and Palin will again be president sooner rather than later.

My 80-year-old grandma is more lucid than McCain, and even she says he's WAAAAAY too old to be president.

[msallied]

12. You're right. It's more about Sarah Palin than John McCain.

If he had picked someone has his VP that was infinitely more qualified, I wouldn't be "quite" as worried. I see Sarah Palin as the inroad for the religious zealots to finally take control of this country, and nothing scares me more.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

16. A couple of weeks ago, I talked to two men,

one age 92 and the other age 84, who swim at the same gym that I do, and they both thought McCain acted OLD.

That's saying something. Of course, given the fact that both these guys are still swimming regularly at 84 and 92 says something about them, too... :-)

[Terran]

14. He may not be physically fit to hold the office.

That doesn't concern you in the least? It's not a "smear", it's a very real concern. If Obama acted like he had some sort of terminal illness I'd be equally concerned about him.

[msallied]

5. If John McCain has Alzheimer's..

I'm sorry, but that really sucks. It's a shitty way for anyone to go. I worked with Alzheimer's patients once and nothing filled me with more sorrow than to see these people wandering around lost in their own heads. I'd hate that even a craven asshole like John McCain ended up with that disease.

By the same token, it's even more imperative that he not be in charge of this country.

[pnwmom]

7. I agree on both counts. n/t

[Booster]

11. Well said and I agree.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. Yes, my stepfather died of Alzheimer's recently

With him, it started not by mixing up words (I've done that with jet lag) but with blanking out and mumbling nonsense in the midst of a sentence before getting back on track.

[Feron]

19. I agree.

My grandmother has dementia and it is heartbreaking. It's one of the worst ways to die. I agree that's it's not something I would wish on my worst enemy.

When the dementia started, my grandmother hid it very well. And from what I've read, that is common.

What I understand is that change or stress can hasten the progression of the disease. My grandmother seemed fine until Katrina hit and literally overnight her symptoms became severe enough that she really couldn't hide it anymore.

I have wondered if McCain might have it. Not necessarily because he is old, but he really doesn't seem all there.

[hedgehog]

6. Last night Obama said "computers' when I think he meant to say "internet"

That's a normal error, pulling up a close word while engaging in spontaneous speech. McCain substituted an odd word ("prisoners" for "Americans") in the midst of a rehearsed speech.

[msallied]

8. Exactly. It was a related word at least. He also said "green behind the ears." lol

People do that a lot. It's understandable. But prisoners is just waaaay out of left field, I agree.

[hedgehog]

13. Yeah, I heard that too and thought it was a weird reference to Obama's ears.

I think he somehow conflated "wet behind the ears" with "green horn". Apparently he's not the first to say green behind the ears, but it is an odd phrase.

[pnwmom]

10. Right. Those are two very different types of errors.

And most of us catch our errors, too. McCain didn't appear to.

[crankychatter]

15. I don't think it's early... no offense, but Magoo is O-L-D - nt

[trogwing]

18. Bad vibes

Was annoying to see the complete lack of respect McCain clearly demonstrated throughout the debate. Instead of staying near his seat while Obama spoke, McCain seemed to be wandering aimlessly around the stage and frequently invading his rival's space. McCain also made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. The man displayed SO many "off" signals, including his repetitious whispery "my friends," wrong words, and the peculiarly tottery little steps he frequently took. Could not help but wonder if he's under the influence of some medication or perhaps should be medicated for something. He was downright creepy!

[crankychatter]

21. Welcome to DU Trogwig and thanks for posting - nt (no text)

[pnwmom]

22. Bad vibes is right. Welcome to DU, trogwing! n/t

[JSK]

20. Brain tumor

Metastasized melanoma.

That is all.