On Presidents, Veeps and Health

In the discussion of Governor Palin's selection as veep, it's notable that when MSM inquisitors ask Republicans about the supposed "experience issue," they keep bring up the fact that John McCain is a "cancer survivor." Tom Brokaw was the latest to do so on "Meet the Press" this morning.

Given that the Senator has been given an excellent bill of health by doctors at Mayo Clinic, it strikes me as gratuitous and almost grisly. After all, Joe Biden suffered from two brain aneurysms at a fairly young age -- hardly comforting news for those who are counting on him to bring some modicum of experience to an administration headed by a man with no foreign policy background (and terrible, appeasing instincts). Unlike Senator McCain, Biden apparently hasn't released an official report about his health.

Look, that's not to say he has anything to hide. But if we're going to talk about the health of the members of the tickets, let's be complete. And to those who say, "Well, there's a world of different between a president and a veep" -- keep in mind, that's what Republicans say to those who are trying to argue that Sarah Palin's supposed inexperience (still more than Barack has had!) is a reason to vote for Obama.