What about Obama’s medical records?
posted at 9:05 am on October 30, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
ABC goes after Sarah Palin for not releasing her medical records this week after less than two months on the campaign trail. Palin promised last week that she would release them “early” this week, and Kate Snow impatiently noted yesterday that Wednesday is the outer limit of “early”:
Governor Palin’s campaign still has not released any information regarding her medical records despite frequent requests from the news media and the campaign’s own assertion that they would release this information soon.
On Sunday morning, Palin spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt told ABC News that the campaign had planned to release information on her medical history early this week.
Today is Wednesday. …
Aides suggested privately that there was nothing to hide in the records, but that it was simply taking a while to call doctors and round up the appropriate information to release. But an entire week?
Kate, I have a suggestion. Call all of the physicians you’ve seen over the last 20 years (or even 5) and tell them you want copies of your medical records. Tell them you need them ASAP. See if you can get them in a week, in a releasable format for the press. Do that, report on it, and then see whether waiting one whole week is so difficult.
And while that investigation continues, check ABC’s reporting for the story on the release of Barack Obama’s comprehensive medical records. That will take Snow a little longer, because it never happened. In May, the campaign released a 276-word summary of Obama’s medical status, but that’s all. While the media hounded John McCain for detailed records last spring because of his skin cancer, they have shown no such curiosity over Obama, a lifelong smoker with at least a significantly elevated risk for cancer and heart disease. Obama also hasn’t had a checkup in over a year, which made the summary a little dated when it was released.
While ABC frets over the medical records of a non-smoking 44-year-old mother of five, where’s the concern over the smoker who’s running at the top of the Democratic ticket? Why hasn’t the national media shown the slightest interest in Obama’s health records?
Blowback
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You mean a 3×5 signed “Epstien’s Doctor” isn’t sufficient?
Ronnie on October 30, 2008 at 9:07 AM
Ed, are you looking for trouble?
BigD on October 30, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Sean Hannity should mention this on his shows. He really seems to get under Obama’s skin!
ctmom on October 30, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Do we really need to ask these questions over and over again? We already know the answer.
ballz2wallz on October 30, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Wow! Exactly the same as his accomplishments.
Tommy_G on October 30, 2008 at 9:11 AM
John F. Kennedy. A guy who ran on the basis of his youth and yigor while hiding huge medical problems, which definitely impacted his ability to be President. (Particularly the drugs he was secretly taking in an attempt to deal with the medical problems.)
Realist on October 30, 2008 at 9:12 AM
The fawning press has shielded his smoking habit from the voters. Some may not care but some do.
I wonder how much a photo of him taking a long hit off a cancer stick would be worth on the open market.
FireBlogger on October 30, 2008 at 9:15 AM
To quote Chris Matthews: HA!
Quality.
Abby Adams on October 30, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Imagine how he’d dominate at hoops if he didn’t have to stop and use the lungbrush ™ during every timeout.
innominatus on October 30, 2008 at 9:17 AM
What accomplishments? I still have never read or heard of even one, beyond talking and writing, as pointed out by Newt.
MikeA on October 30, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Obama has no time for such triviality. The media is being perfectly fair and non-biased in this respect.
You see, Palin used her uterus on five separate occasions. That means there must obviously be something horribly wrong with her health. Thus, we must see all of her medical records IMMEDIATELY.
And before you say this is a sexist double-standard, well, there is a double standard, but it isn’t a sexist one. See, Obama is the Lightbringer. He is the Messiah. He will deliver us from evil. Thus, because he has a divine origin, his health is assured. The issue of Obama’s health therefore is not “central to his efforts to win” (borrowing the phrase from ABC’s political director in 2004, in which he ordered ABC reporters to emphasize Bush’s “distortions” and not Kerry’s).
P.S. RACIST!!!!
Outlander on October 30, 2008 at 9:18 AM
I say this:
If Hussein kicks the bucket because of his drug use or smoking, he brought it on himself.
As for not releasing his records, he’s hiding the fact he has no heart. Literally, no heart.
Demons thrive on hate, so no heart needed.
madmonkphotog on October 30, 2008 at 9:19 AM
After an 8-year term as President, were Bill Clinton’s full medical records ever released? I can tell you, this invasion of privacy for a female candidate and mother and the press demanding her PAP smear and mammogram results WILL NOT PLAY WELL with female voters.
Marcus on October 30, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Maybe the records will reveal that he’s a compulsive liar. It would explain a lot.
EnglishMike on October 30, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Ed: you are a RACIST for even bringing up “The One’s” medical records!
Shame on you!
Dale in Atlanta on October 30, 2008 at 9:22 AM
They don’t make Republican operatives like they used to…
ninjapirate on October 30, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Sarah ought to release a 277 word summary and see what the media says. Then when they disparage the release as insufficient, etc, she can rip them a new one.
Dusty on October 30, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Realist on October 30, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Does this mean a review of Mr. Clinton’s non-release of medical records?
oldleprechaun on October 30, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Governor Palin knew that her medical records would be requested on the day she was announced as Veep.
sanjeevn on October 30, 2008 at 9:23 AM
I suspect there’s something in there Obama doesn’t want the public to see. Maybe not, but prove me wrong.
BadgerHawk on October 30, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Look at Ed’s photo under the story headline. It’s probably one of those menthol things too.
JiangxiDad on October 30, 2008 at 9:23 AM
didn’t Obama’s mom die in her early 50′s?, not much older than Obama is now?
jp on October 30, 2008 at 9:23 AM
That picture makes me feel dirty.
Mommypundit on October 30, 2008 at 9:24 AM
Perhaps they owe back taxes or have unpaid parking tickets they don’t want discovered. Maybe they don’t want to find their family pets hanging from their trees in the morning.
Or maybe they just want to be allowed to ask Obama another question some time in the future.
aero on October 30, 2008 at 9:24 AM
That’s how he always keeps his cool…he’s just plain cold! I sincerely don’t get genuine passion from his performances.
Moxie on October 30, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Deep, dark medical secret: Sarah Palin had unprotected sex at least five times with her husband. Scandal!!!
Steve Z on October 30, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Isn’t it more like two years since his last checkup? According to that silly note that is serving as his only public medical record, that doctor last saw him in Jan. ’07.
Jim Treacher on October 30, 2008 at 9:28 AM
and Obama has known for his whole career of running for the President of United States.
BTW, gentle people are now talking very “racist” around here (suburbs of Philly). I mean, for real and they tell me they feel bad because they’ve never felt like this in their life, even “older” people.
Moxie on October 30, 2008 at 9:29 AM
So why didn’t Obama know that his would be?
Jim Treacher on October 30, 2008 at 9:29 AM
I really don’t understand the boner people have for medical records…
Lehosh on October 30, 2008 at 9:30 AM
He has quit this practice on several occasions and is currently using Nicorette gum with success.
Really? I guess it depends on what the meaning of the word “success” is according to The Barack Obama Dictionary®
The Surge in Iraq: Not successful.
Not quitting smoking: Successful.
Buy Danish on October 30, 2008 at 9:31 AM
The media need to be very careful here, because we all know that what they will be looking for is reproductive-type information. You know, birth control, OB/GYN visits, post-partum issues — trying to work up some kinks and raise speculation about God knows what.
This will not fly with the female population.
BigD on October 30, 2008 at 9:31 AM
We know he smokes. We know he is prime for hypertension and sickle cell. We wanna know!
Also, download this picture and spread it around like wildfire.
Credit: GILDA
carbon_footprint on October 30, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Meh….
I guess I’m one of the few who don’t give a damn about Barry’s medical records. I consider it none of my business. The we-have-a-right-to-know crowd has no such thing in my playbook. How old fashioned of me, huh?
Limerick on October 30, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Todd Palin is a snowmobiling champion, and we all know how much pu-tang those guys get.
barry norris on October 30, 2008 at 9:32 AM
Just off the wire. Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has been hired to access the candidates’ health records. Records should be available by 1:00PM today.
WashJeff on October 30, 2008 at 9:32 AM
Ed… Remember Obama has admitted to abusing narcotics as well. Surely, that has had some adverse impact on his health.
But yeah, let’s peer into Palin’s uterus. What nonsense.
CliffHanger on October 30, 2008 at 9:33 AM
And I have to call bs on that. I’d bet money he has seen a doctor and just didn’t have anything written down.
MamaAJ on October 30, 2008 at 9:34 AM
It’s really quite simple.
Sarah:
Dear Ms. Snow,
“I’ll release my medical records when Mr. Obama releases his.”
diogenes on October 30, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Apparently the 3AM call has already happened, and obama dialed Bubba because he wasn’t sure what to do
ConservativePartyNow on October 30, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Present!
johnnyU on October 30, 2008 at 9:36 AM
‘zat a Kool he’s puffin’ on?
CC – BHO: “my Muslim faith”
CapedConservative on October 30, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Looks like a Newport.
Akzed on October 30, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Salems.
carbon_footprint on October 30, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Let’s be honest — Sarah Palin looks as if she’s never been sick a day in her life. If ever any one has looked of sound mind and body, she does.
BigD on October 30, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Ah, a fellow traveller. :)
OldEnglish on October 30, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Palin should have told them that she would release her records the day after Obama released his .
jellybelly on October 30, 2008 at 9:40 AM
If he isn’t still smoking, you shouldn’t call him a smoker.
He should release the full medical report from his “formerly nicotene-stained fingers”.
jgapinoy on October 30, 2008 at 9:42 AM
I wonder if having a cigarette smoker in the WH would lead to an increase in smoking. I can see it having a negative impact, at least among younger Obamunists.
Akzed on October 30, 2008 at 9:42 AM
I don’t have a boner for his medical records, but the MSM sure did for McCain’s records, and now they’re getting one for Palin’s. But they seem to be very disinterested in BO’s records. This is more an issue of media bias than it is of Obama’s health.
Although, his reluctance to release anything over the last two years is starting to make me wonder. High blood pressure is a probable, but I don’t see how that would cause people to not vote for him.
forest on October 30, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Palin should send out a 300 summary and say she has exposed more then Obama. When Obama, the presidential candidate explains more, so will she.
right2bright on October 30, 2008 at 9:42 AM
If he’s still bumming cigs on the campaign trail, then he’s still hooked, ok?
Let’s assume Barry had smoked regularly for 20 years at a pace of 7 cigs per day. That’s almost almost 51,000 cancer sticks (and counting) during his lifetime.
So, let’s take a look at those lungs…
CliffHanger on October 30, 2008 at 9:42 AM
They don’t need his medical records as he is The Messiah.
No one asked Neo for his medical records in The Matrix because he was The One. The One we all were waiting for.
skatz51 on October 30, 2008 at 9:43 AM
I’m just going by what he’s telling us.
Jim Treacher on October 30, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Does he still smoke? Ohhhhh, I hope so!
Unfortunately, I think he quit.
lionheart on October 30, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Fixed that for you.
Jim Treacher on October 30, 2008 at 9:46 AM
why worry about the new bi-racial messiah’s health, when all he has to do is wave his holy hands and heal himself?
right4life on October 30, 2008 at 9:47 AM
I think all president, senators, congressmen, cabinet, should fully expose their health records. We aren’t just electing them, we are hiring them. We should be able to select the most fit.
We are hiring them to do a job, I want to know if they are capable of the rigors of that job.
Do they take drugs? Do they have a serious heart disease?
If you were going to hire a truck driver would you want to know if he has narcolopsy? Most every job has some kind of health check up/evaluation.
right2bright on October 30, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Jim, I know. I just don’t believe him. And could see him debating the meaning of “records”.
MamaAJ on October 30, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Cool. I can post an off-topic link about David Axelrod’s uber-Lefist background here because it includes this line, and isn’t so off-topic after all:
Buy Danish on October 30, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Hey, sanjeev, you seem to miss the small fact that Obama’s surrogates at ABC aren’t asking for his – cough – cigarettes, pot, cocaine, medical records. Not now, and not for the past four years, since he crawled out of the primitive swamp that is Chicago politics.
Why the rat?
Jaibones on October 30, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Perhaps I am mistaken, but aren’t the relative parts about Biden’s aneurism’s missing from his medical records?
Pulchritudinous Patriot on October 30, 2008 at 9:51 AM
But he is still smoking.
I don’t personally care all that much about this issue. If I had to choose I’d pick his Columbia and Harvard transcripts, info as to how he paid his tuition, as well as getting a peek at the Khalidi Dinner Tape.
Buy Danish on October 30, 2008 at 9:53 AM
As anyone who has ever smoked will tell you, you don’t quit in the middle of a presidential race.
JiangxiDad on October 30, 2008 at 9:53 AM
According to federal privacy laws, a persons medical records can only be released to that person in person, phone calls will not work, or another medical facility.
1sttofight on October 30, 2008 at 9:54 AM
I think it stems from JFK. At the time, he was supposedly the most vivacious President we’ve ever had. After his death, we now know that he had Addison’s Disease, and flat out lied about it during the campaign against Nixon.
Techie on October 30, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Hey, what about Kerry’s military records?
Just sayin’.
digitalintrigue on October 30, 2008 at 9:56 AM
I wish Obama were a public figure, so Ohio and other states and media could investigate him like Joe the Plumber.
JiangxiDad on October 30, 2008 at 9:58 AM
I didn’t see that anyone mentioned it, so I will. Keep in mind that both of Obama’s parents died at relatively young ages.
FWIW: My mother’s a retired RN. Granted, no cardiac physician, but she suspects that Obama’s dark-purple lips suggest that he may have a heart problem.
BuckeyeSam on October 30, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Doesn’t he know that, if he’s elected, he won’t be allowed to smoke in Federal buildings?
manwithblackhat on October 30, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I get jokes! Well, more to the point, I am old enough to get that joke. “Up your nose with a rubber hose!“
juanito on October 30, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Here are Gov. Palin’s full medical records that the public has been clamoring for.
“FIT TO SERVE.”
Nuf said.
MSGTAS on October 30, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Only the little people.
sheesh on October 30, 2008 at 10:13 AM
THE GUY IS A SMOKER?
Having lost my mother to the cigarette companies (started smoking at age 12, tried to quit many times but couldn’t, died at 55 from smoking-induced emphysema), I feel that anyone who smokes is a total tool of those people, and a total fool as well.
Interestingly, the smoking may be the result of Obama’s experimentation with drugs — my son took up smoking partly as a screen to hide his MJ usage. He had asthma, he kept winding up in the hospital with attacks, and we kept smelling cigarette smoke. It took him longer to quit the cigarettes than the MJ. After he finally quit smoking things, his asthma attacks ceased. His incentive for quitting smoking was primarily economic, not medical — he was willing to risk the hospital, but in the end he could either eat or smoke but not both. Obama, of course, doesn’t have that incentive — his vast wealth lets him avoid that kind of decision.
I dislike Barack, but I hope he sees the light and quits smoking — that decision will add years to his life.
unclesmrgol on October 30, 2008 at 10:18 AM
They just figure if he dies, he’ll come back three days later.
Farmer_Joe on October 30, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I fail to see why anyone should have access to a candidates medical records.
Ares on October 30, 2008 at 10:23 AM
After extensive research, I’ve found an exact match… Virginia Slim.
CC – BHO: “my Muslim faith”
CapedConservative on October 30, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Nah, we know you can smoke in the Whitehouse… after all, Bill Clinton was known to… enjoy… an occasional Cigar!
Romeo13 on October 30, 2008 at 10:25 AM
well evidently it is a big deal in Republican cases….donks not so much.
sven10077 on October 30, 2008 at 10:26 AM
They could care less about Palin’s health. They are still on the hunt for signs of incest.
Mr_Magoo on October 30, 2008 at 10:27 AM
We have no right to know anything about Barack Obama yet Joe the plumber gets a national colonoscopy because Obama stoppd by his house.
Be very afraid America.
Elizabetty on October 30, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Heh. Can you picture Obama sneaking out the back door of the White House to get a fag out on the lawn, the proscribed 40 feet away from any Federal Building?
He could go sign autographs by the wrought iron fence while he gets a fix.
Jaibones on October 30, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Limerick – not like you to miss the point. The point isn’t Obama’s health records; I don’t care if he lives or how he lives. I wish him well, but he’s way down my list of people to care for.
The point has to do with media activist hypocrisy for a chosen candidate, of course. If I recall, the story is linked to an ABC blog about Sarah Palin’s health records.
Jaibones on October 30, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I believe his pet name for Monica was “My Little Humidor.”
ManlyRash on October 30, 2008 at 10:34 AM
BO hasn’t released a lot of records. Except his taxes. When he went to Hawaii, had his birth certificate sealed. Why doesn’t the ones in Congress and all of them get random drug testing? He brags about his drug use. Having worked with a famous man, I served at the parties they had. Was astounded with the drugs there. The person didn’t do them. But, the guests was comfortable. Why wouldn’t the ones that are suppose to keep us safe not do any?
sheebe on October 30, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Then, make sure that the guards don’t fall asleep, as they did in the original. :)
OldEnglish on October 30, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I don’t care about med records for Obama. He’s younger than I am. I imagine he probably feels sick every time Michelle is angry, yelling at him. As First Lady, she’d be more like Hillary and no Laura Bush. Can you imagine Michelle being given Health Care to revamp?
Doug on October 30, 2008 at 10:38 AM
The double standard
McCain releases 1100 pages of actual medical records.
Obama releases a scripted statement
Kevin in Washington State on October 30, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I wish Obama were a public figure, so Ohio and other states and media could investigate him like Joe the Plumber.
JiangxiDad on October 30, 2008 at 9:58 AM
>>>>
Ouch. Good one.
I think her medical records will make a laughingstock of all those who say Trig is Bristol’s.
And I agree with others that having the media snoop through her breast exams and epesiotomy stitches will anger every woman out there, except those who are still in the denial stage of abortion recovery (which probably includes most females in the media).
justincase on October 30, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Palin should tell the media she will release her records after BO releases his medical,school records and the LA Times releases there video of Khalidi’s party . Not one second before then.
la.rt.wngr on October 30, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Because the Messiah is not bound by the limitations of a mere mortal body. Just ask the female reporters the day he wore jeans on the airplane. (ewwwww…I think I just threw up a little…)
JustTruth101 on October 30, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Oh, I get the point. The media double standard, etc, etc. I guess what irks me is that we conservatives scream and holler about government intruding into our lives yet don’t attack this as a none-of-my-business problem. Instead we go after it as whats-good-for-the-goose.
I dunno. I guess I’m just one of those personal privacy trumps my need to know kinda people.
Limerick on October 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Smoking and heart disease? Are you saying that kenyan/caucasion-americans are more prone to heart disease?
Racist pigs. Well, half racist anyway.
JeffinOrlando on October 30, 2008 at 11:01 AM
I’m glad that so many people wonder about McCain’s possibility of dying while in office. One of the best guides of judging lifespan is heredity. McCain’s mom is 96. Obama’s mother died in her 50′s…his father too passed away early. I find it interesting that BO’s mother died alone – fighting insurance companies as her son was a bigshot Harvard educated lawyer. His brother is living in a shack in Kenya, his aunt in a rundown public housing apartment in Boston. Maybe he needs OUR money to spread around his neglected family. (I get it…visit grandma, who is at death’s door in Hawaii) The MSM is MIA on his close and extended family.
ArmchairEnergist on October 30, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Maybe heart desease caused by cocaine use. Had a friend die of that at 49 a few years ago. But maybe worse……an overdose? An embarrasing STD?
If GW had hid his records they’d would have speculated he had monkey genes.
crashman on October 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Who has bail money for Edd?
Count me in for 5
EricPWJohnson on October 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Obama’s medical records could reveal that his biological father is Frank Marshall Davis, and also reveal Obama’s drug use history.
Obama’s Indonesian medical records might reveal he was once an Indonesian citizen, and had an Indonesian passport.
There is also a rumor that Obama was expelled from Columbia University for cheating, and then was reinstated after threatening to sue for racial discrimination. Perhaps Obama had a psychological exam during that time, which would have explored his extensive hard drug use as a way of providing an excuse as to why he should remain in school.
In my opinion, the reasons above are the most reasonable explanation of why Obama refuses to let reporters see his complete medical records, as McCain willingly did.
indythinker on October 30, 2008 at 11:35 AM
I don’t want to overstate this, but John McCain will never die!
CliffHanger on October 30, 2008 at 11:36 AM
“…where’s the concern over the smoker who’s running at the top of the Democratic ticket? Why hasn’t the national media shown the slightest interest in Obama’s health records?”
Ummm, they don’t care.
It’s all good anyway. Even if Obama dies in office, he will rise again so there’s no worries…
catmman on October 30, 2008 at 11:42 AM
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