Editorial

Does health become issue in campaign?

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Despite the emotions of a presidential campaign, no one should rejoice in the health issues facing Hillary Clinton.

By now I assume virtually everyone has seen the video of Mrs. Clinton's wobbly episode as she exited the 9/11 memorial in New York on Sunday.

The highly-visible fainting episode brought the issue of her health squarely into this campaign despite vocal grumblings from her supporters.

Hillary Clinton and I are the same age and, as such, I can relate to the occasional reminder that the calendar is not always our friend.

Yet any questions on her health - unless there is some shocking announcement - will not likely have any major impact on the race during the next two months.

It was expected and yet humorous to hear ample Hillary supporters turn into doctors in the blink of an eye. The "excuses" ranged from pneumonia to sexism to climate change, I kid you not.

I'm reminded in a way of the substantial health problems of Franklin D. Roosevelt during his four terms in office. Roosevelt had contracted polio early in his life and suffered from major health issues throughout his tenure in the White House.

But the press at the time declared it off limits to dwell on those health issues especially as America entered World War II.

The image of a president is important. We want our national leader to be up to the task which is understandable.

By shielding Roosevelt, the press at that time continued to portray a vigorous leader engaged on a daily basis with the important events unfolding and not hampered by health issues.

The left will continue to downplay any health issues facing Mrs. Clinton while the right will continue to question if her health allows her to be up to the task.

I'm about as partisan as they come on many issues but I hope and pray that Mrs. Clinton's recent health issues are minor and that she continues to enjoy good health regardless of the outcome of this election. To wish otherwise is just downright wrong.

But Sunday's stumble will be remembered and could well be a deciding factor in the decisions that Americans will soon be making.

There are some members of the conservative media who are now vindicated following the latest health question. Those media folk have raised questions about Mrs. Clinton's health since her fall in 2012.

The Clinton camp has consistently and vocally denied these sticky questions for months on end. Those denials now look highly questionable to say the least.

I do not believe Hillary Clinton's health will or should disqualify her from moving forward unless there are additional revelations.

I can't say the same for her left-leaning policy positions however. Those, to me, are ample grounds for disqualification.

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