CNN

When applying for the most important job in the country, health should always be an issue. This is not a job where it is easy to use your sick days.

Jack,
I just want to be clear, I don't support McCain. However a disability is no reason to doubt someones ability to be President. Look at FDR who had pollomyelitis causing him to lose the use of his legs and he smoked cigarettes. Yet he remains one of the greates figures in American Presidential history. If McCain were sick and incapacitated to the point where he was unable to do the job, that would be one thing, but since he's not, this really becomes a non-issue.

Being president of the United States makes young men in the old man very fast. Mccain and his health issues, plus the fact that he is in the seventies, has to make you wonder if he can withstand the strain of being president. Who ever he picks for vice president should weigh more heavily on the voters than usual.

How much of an issue is John McCain’s history of melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer?

I actually have real life experience with this subject. At my former job I was asked to write a liteny for the company newspaper about a friends death from melanoma.

She was 32 had two kids and a husband who adored her.
She went from diagnosis to death in a matter of months.

This concerns me a great deal.

It dosen't look like its slowing him down any. No one cares about that. Skin cancer is the least of his worries.

I don't see melanoma as a problem. All he has to do is use the correct sunblock (SPF 10,000,000) and he'll be fine.

As long as Newt Gingrich is NOT his vice presidential running mate; no problem.

Fairfax, VA

I think it should be of some concern. it would depend on who he selects to run as VP. On the other hand, do we really want to elect someone of this age? Yes, he has the most experience but that won't matter when the VP ends up running the country

None.

Any candidate could have a potential serious ailment when in office.

My only request would be that "any" candidate consider the type of health care he/she receives versus the rest of the country, and make a serious effort to address the inadequacies.

Harry
Carlisle, Ky.

Its no issue for me. You could get hit by a car or have a sudden heart attack. Its about integrity, experience, and love of country.
He has it all.

John McCain had this problem in 2000, he has gone 8 years without much of a problem, and it's likely he'll be able to go for another 8. McCain is not sick, he is doing his job, and at this point in time he's capable of being the President of the US.

Jack it is not an issue. John McCain has exhibited the energy at his age to conduct an exhaustive primary campaign and maintained a pace a lot of people younger than he could not keep up with. John Kennedy was the youngest president we ever elected but we had to turn to the remedies set forth in our constitution on the occasion of his untimely death and there are no guarentees that anyone we elect will see the end of their term. The experience that comes with age is an asset for the job of being president and there has been no evidence or indication that the medical condition you ask about would be detrimental to Senator McCains ability to be our president.

Both Senator McCain's age and medical history are relevant. I'm actually more concerned about his age since we now know Nancy Reagan's prompting of the late President every so often might have been necessary because of early stage Alzheimer's Disease. I'm also concerned about McCain's temperment since he's known to fly off the handle on occasion. We can't risk 4 more years of unstable leadership.

Because of his advanced age, it will be something that stays in the back of our minds. It s also another way that he reminds us of our grandparents. If his running mate is not seen as great presidential material, it might cost him a little. I don't think the Dems will make this a campaign theme, but its not nothing.

If he is in good health now it is not an issue. if he is currently sick I don't think he would be running. Any canidate can get sick, have a heart attack, slip in the shower etc. McCain could outlive Obama and Clinton we don't know. Leave this one be.

Health is an issue, and people will worry about it more with McCain than either Obama or Hillary. However, with skin cancer, it's just as much a possibility with either of the other two candidates. Doctors say he's fine, so I don't see the reason to worry about it any more with him than others.

People have had cancer and beat it thousands of times. World class athletes drop dead in their early twenties, for no apparent reason. Jack, do you know when your last breath will be drawn? I didn`t think so. Just another way to cast doubt on McCain and try to help out you buddy Obama.

Melanoma at McCain's age could be a huge problem for him as a candidate for President.

The American people have enough problems they are facing in the country without worry over losing a President to cancer during his term in office.

His VP running mate would take on a whole new meaning to the election process. This person could end up as the President.

How much of an issue is John McCain’s history of melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer?

If his doctors give him a clean bill of health, I don't see it as an issue.

One checks out a horse before buying it to make sure it is a good buy and the people who are going to vote for the old duck need the same information. I don't want a president elect who might not make it to put his hand up on the bible come Jan.

I think this is what makes John's choice in a running mate very important. Not wishing him ill health, but due simply to age and past illness he might not make the complete term (and a 2nd term is very unlikely).

It would be very interesting for John to pull in a minority or woman as his number 2. Another option would be to reach across the aisle to Joe Liberman.

It is probably unimportant anyway, if he runs against Hillary he will win, if he runs against Barack, he will lose.

Age and health are valid issues surrounding any presidential candidate. Sadly, McCain's choice of a running mate will be far more important than either Clinton's or Obama's.

Cancer is not an issue now, old age and a young wife would probably get him before cancer. McCains ego is almost as big as George Bush, he is the know all, see all and do all great decider who gets mad just like the present great decider when his judgment is questioned. Just to be frank neither ones judgment is worth a hell of beans.

If we had known about Kennedy's Addison disease, should he have been disqualified to run for the Presidency? Kennedy survived and thrived in spite of the disease, back operations and continuing back pain, until stopped by an assassin's bullet.

While McCain is not Jack Kennedy by any stretch of the imagination, he should be afforded the same consideration when it comes to his health and his opportunity to run for the Presidency.

The melanoma is not an issue, but his losing control and yelling, his anger, PDSD (perhaps), aging, etc. is an issue, a major issue. So some day does he lose his cool and push the little red button? That would take care of his as well as everyone's melanoma...wouldn't it?

McCain has exhibited such toughness through out his life that I'm sure he will be kicking for much longer than many of us would imagine. In both his military and political career, he has demonstrated the will to survive long after his opponents had written him off as dead. It is for this reason, that although I don't generally support the Republican platform, I would be willing for vote for Senator McCain. He has demonstrated a greater track record of reaching across the isle than the current media darling (Senator Obama), and I have much greater trust in his ability to be a capable commander in chief.

Plus, Senator Obama is a smoker, so perhaps even though he is youngest, we should be hesistant to vote for him ... lung cancer can show up pretty early in smokers. And, if longevity is our major concern, perhaps we should vote for Hillary, because women generally live longer. In short, perhaps you shouldn't try to plant seeds of doubt about his health, because it could backfire.

As a resident of Arizona I have become use to doing without a senator since voting in the senate has not been his top priority so when he has had to take months off for treatment I hardly noticed. Now if the country is willing to let their president take years off 70 plus McCain's health is not an issue.

jack,

i wish no ill on sen. mccain but the facts are that the presidency ages you in tremendous ways. just look at bush and clinton. the fact that mccin has a history of serious health issues and the fact that he'll be 72 in november doesn't bode well for him being able to complete a possible 8 years in the white house.

Depends on who his VP is... If it's Charlie Crist, Florida Dems may have to secede!

It isn't an issue, provided he picks the right running mate. Due to his health and his age, I think voters are going to look more closely at his running mate...whomever he chooses should be ready for more scrutiny than usual.

This will not effect McCain's candidacy in reference to his capability. In fact he is showing amazing strength and courage. However it will put more weight on his choice for vice president and whether that person is capable of taking over the presidency if needed to. McCain has to choice a running mate that can take his ideals and champion them too.

McCain's health record is just enough of an issue to make people want to know that he will have a young, healthy vice-presidential running mate.

His Melanoma doesn't bother me as much as his emotional outbursts.

A problem with anger management isn't something I want to see in a dog catcher. I sure don't want to see it in a guy who potentially could have his fist on the button.

please we can not trust their doctors remember reagan.

Jack

Did it stop people from voting for Bush / Cheney when one was clinically brain dead and the other had a bad heart? Oh wait the voting public didn't find W was brain dead until after he was appointed.

Seriously, it doesn't matter to me at all. I can think of about 100 other reasons I won't vote for McCain aside from health issues.

While using his 96 year old mother is a great political ploy to show genetic strength his physical strength is a serious concern if he becomes unable to stabalize our economy and defeat our enemies.

Jack..!!!

Here again, McCain is too old to run highly stressful president's office at his age. Also he is not eligible to serve as president as all other candidates follow the rules...because, he didn't born in USA. He is a decent human being...but not fit to be the president of America. Let's give a chance to Obama for a "CHANGE" in washington politics.

I will admire McCain for his contribution to his country, I will not support his nomination for President. I'm not as worried about the melanoma's he suffers from, but his age. I'm also 71 years old, sharp, active and healthy but know for sure I couldn't run the country, especially in the shape it's in, thanks to Bush and Cheney. He's simply to old and too hot headed to take on the job. We sure don't need a cranky, old man that has the same policy as George Bush leading us. There will be nothing to gain and even more to lose!!!!!!

it concerns me, justas much as his age....i do think he should be very, very careful on his choice ofa vice president.......n.y.

No Jack, If he has problems the vice president will take over his position as president and keep the Iraq war running smooth.

He's too old! His medical history is bad and he is a Bush Republican.....what else do you need to disqualify him? The Republicans have reaklly got themselves between a rocjka nd a hard place now that they have selected a guy that nobody wants to claim.... Maybe AARP?

This is a very important concern for the American people when deciding who to cast their vote for in November. This is a deadly cancer that kills rapidly. I personally think that McCain is too old and too much of a risk (in many ways) to be elected to the Presidency.

I have no problem with the melanoma, but I can't say the same for McSame.

I think the fact that it has been 8 years since the last outbreak has been enough time to convince me that he will have no problem with the Melanoma. McCain has been running around everyday without a problem and the fact that if he becomes president they will check on him quite often and even if there is another spread they will catch it so early that they probably won't even release it to the public. I personally think that the Melanoma helps his campaign because it makes him even more of a hero and makes him look stronger: Survived when his plane exploded on board the Forrestal, POW for five years and then to add on to it he has defeated cancer. What have Hillary and Barack done?

The fact is now more than ever we need a strong president to carry us out of the recession and redirect our primary focuses. we can not afford to have a presidents illness preventing these important events from taking place.

I am Canadian ,will never vote in the US ,but still like to follow your riveting political campaigns. My suggestion is that Mr McCain should get a healthy ,calmer and younger VP. These seem to be the main concerns relating to him as a candidate, so far anyway. Too bad Obama is not a Republican . He'd balanced Senator McCain wonderfully !

While using his 96 year old mother is a great political ploy to show genetic strength his physical strength is a serious concern if he becomes unable to stabilize our economy and defeat our enemies.

Melanoma with no lymph mestastic results? Not an issue as long as he continues his quarterly follow ups!

Jack, John McCain's skin cancer doesn't bother me 1 little bit. It's his temper that scares the bejeepers outta me!!! What if he's just crazy enough to nuke a 3rd world country?
Patricia
Palmdale, Ca.

Skin cancer in the melanoma stage is serious, but the odds are pretty good. I don't think that it should disqualify him but makes the VP canidate more important than usual.

Jack, cancer can regress, then show up again at any time, particularly if McCain runs around exposing himself to those conditions which support the cancer. Moreover, the added fatigue of being President may hamper his ability to fight it.

I'm sure his doctor said John McCain is in very good health for a 71 year old considering the history of melamona. Common sense would tell anyone that he is not mentally or physically sharp enough to be president at age 72, it just doesn't make sense. Additionally, John McCain's temperment is part of the aging process. That's why I retired at age 62 years old and in excellent physical and mental health because young sharp minds in the work place were moving too fast for me to catch up therefore causing me to become very unnerved and irritated. The younger sharp minds knew this and in what they thought was unsuspecting to me, ignored the hell out of me. Young can't fight them, you just have to recognize your time has come and gone. John McCain without a doubt is in that category.

It will become a real issue when McCain picks his V-P. I remember what a scare people got when George Bush Sr. choked on a pretzel and Dan Quayle was one heartbeat closer to the presidency. It won't matter (as much) if his V-P is someone the American public at large would support as president should McCain kick the bucket in his first four years. But then again, even if McCain would be the best president ever, why elect a man who potentially could not survive his first term?

Jack, I feel that really is a non-issue the man survived years in a vietnamese p.o.w. camp as far as im concerned no one lives forever when its your time its your time. The stress that these people go through running for president could easily kill the average person, lets not sit and wring our hands over this,I know a lot of people that are dealing with cancer right now and their dealing with it Mccains a fighter dont count him out yet.

Jack his age is an issue. And when you ad in his health issue, it just boggles the mind why my fellow Republicans nominated this man. Of all the people we had to select from, many went with the oldest. Never before in the history of the presidency has a VP candidate been more than he/she will be as a possible running mate to McCain

It won't be an issue "DEPENDING" on the qualifications of his Vice Presidential nominee . . . seriously!

the melanoma should not have an impact on his ability to be president, however the possible brain damage he has suffered may be very detrimental to his leadership. years of torture in the republican party has had an adverse affect on his decision making process.
not to mention what he went through in vietnam.

It's not as much an issue as his desire to bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.

Like any type of cancer, recurrences can happen. I do not think this should stop him from being president if elected, but if by some miiracle he does become president, one can only hope his vice president does not resemble another Dick Cheney.

Jack

As a 71 year old Melanoma survivor I can relate to McCain's
condition, but more of an issue is his popularity.

Here in Illinois, over the weekend, we had an election to replace
former speaker Dennis Hastert and John McCain campaigned
for the Republican candidate and the Democrate won big time
so I think he should worry more about that. Go John Go.

Jerry
Roselle, Illinois

Jack
I've had cancer twice, throid and colon, and I can tell you I don't want my President to have to be thinking about his cancer and devoting his entire attention on all the problems we face today left by GWB when he leaves office.
Carol Scio Oh.

Lets just hope he makes a good choice for Vice Pres.

It makes his choice of VP very important, as he or she may have to step into his job.

Only to Obama supporters who can not attack McCain on experience or patriotism. All they have to whine about is (gasp) age. It's getting tiresome.

I don't understand how anyone, in his or her right mind, would dare apply for the most important job in the world having that kind of health issue. I am sorry, but we cannot vote for someone hoping that he won't die. Cancer is a vicious and unforgiving disease. You can be good one day and it can kill you in a matter of months. I know so many people who have gone through that. It scares me and it gives me one more reason to vote for the democratic party.

Furthermore, we don't even know who the VP candidate will be. I mean, God forbid we have another Dick Chaney in the ticket.

I don't think Mccain's Melanoma is an issue. His doctors say he is in very good health. Any one of these candidates could get cancer and drop dead tomorrow, so it doesn't really matter what disease he has.

Anyone wanting to make issue of McCain's age needs to ask Walter Mondale if that's a good idea.

I guess the melanoma is really no problem, the thing that worries me is that I have known a couple of people who became prone to outbursts of temper, in time it was apparent that this was one of the first symptoms of Alzheimers, now that does worry me!

John McCain's history of skin cancer will mostly be an issue with voters if he fails to pick a vice-president who is unknown or unpopular with the voters. If he picks a running mate such as Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich, such concerns would be muted.

Bob Gould
Wellesley, MA

If McCain somehow manages to win this November, I hope he has a damn good VP–Colin Powel comes to mind. There's no way the Senator can physically or mentally hold up for long under the strains of the Presidency. He already demonsrtates an erratic temper, which is, by the way, one of the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

It should be be a very serious concern, anyone who has delt with this vicious disease knows this.

My sister was announced cancer free after five years, again at six, once again at seven years, she died six weeks later.

Senator McCain's health is of great concern. Melanoma is a very deadly form of cancer. It's great that he's getting frequent, regular check-ups (and is therefore a good example for others to follow).

His politics aside, I think his age and general health concerns make him too old for the job of President.

I don't think it will hurt him in his campaigning, but should it come back during his Presidency, it would be a really tough job being President of the country, and having to take a lot of time from the job to fight this deadly disease. Having said that it probably would be a lot better for him the keep on running than to set back, and let give up. He doesn't have my vote, but he certainly has my prayers.

His age alone should be a factor and if he is ill that makes it worse. My grandpa is 71 and I would not want him to run the country. The fact that he was a great American hero is swell. I believe that he has to suffer from some sort of issues after be held prisoner for so long. They need to require that candidates take a physical exam like they do for other positions.

I am a cancer survivor for 25 years now. It never impaired anything I did or tried to do. The only people that skin cancer impairs are those too stupid to understand it and to closed minded to accept it. Statistically skin cancer effects 11 in 100,000 people. That is a lot of folks in America. Most people go on to live healthy productive lives when properly diagnosed and treated. But then again Jack, you may drop over dead today of a heart attack on the set. Should we quit watching the show banking on that possibility? McCain is under a doctors care for having known skin cancer. That should be all we need to know. To discriminate against McCain for this is simply UnAmerican.

It's not his health, it's his mental sharpness at age 71. I've seen him stumble several times in his speeches. He is a great American, but too old to be president. It is time for the next generation to take over the helm.

Melanoma is a serious issue. However, it has been longer than the "5 years" considered cured for Cancer. McCain is going to be 72, however, so any and all medical concerns should be an open book to the electorate. I know he has a mother in her 90s, but what about his father?

John,
My mother lived 2 years after she was diagnosed with this same cancer. thats the last thing we need is for a president to pass away while in office, as close as this race is, that would be disasterous.

I believe it is very important that America's president not appear vulnerable, especially in this time of war. 100 years is quite a long time...

good health is vital and stress can push a body into a further diseased state. he needs to go sit down and just be an advisor. why in the world would he want to be president at this age anyway? we will have another disoriented reagan on our hands.

(ok, second try)

I'm not nearly as worried about John McCain’s history of melanoma as his history of temper explosions. his response to the woman reporter on his campaign airplane recently was classic McCain. he looked like he wanted to tear her head off. his reputation for being a hot head is legendary.

and I for one don't want ANYONE that volatile with their finger on the nuclear trigger.

The skin cancer is an issue because if it resurfaces it will make Senator McCain inoperable to do his job. This means John McCain's selection of Vice President is more important than usual because they will more than likely have to take the reigns of the Oval Office some time or another. It's not only his skin cancer that is an issue, but like it or not, at his age his health is a high risk that can go downhill at any time. Therefore, McCain is a high risk choice for President.

The melanoma should be of no concern, however his old age should be. I'm more concerned about the lapse of judgement that comes with being so old.

stress can cause a further diseased state. so since good health is a vital part of this job, he needs to go sit down and just be an advisor of something. we will end up having another confused reagan on our hands for president if he wins.

Jack, It would be impudent of the McCain Campaign to ignore this health issue. If Obama were to prevail on the Democratic side, then the majority of the campaign would be focused on the tremendous age gap and the differing health conditions between the two candidates. This facilitates a general election in which the voter is basing their decision on Age versus Youth. This could certainly spell doom for the McCain campaign and subsequently forces them to anoint a young, vigorous VP to the ticket in order to save face in the impending health question.

Jack,
Call a spade a spade...If we elect McCain for President with his host of health issues we had better make sure he has a formidable VP who we all approve because unfortunately he may very well become our president during McCains first term.

Dear Jack,
I am so sick of hearing you bash Hilary Clinton. I will no longer watch Wolf Blitzer throughout the week because YOU are on the show. Why don't you pull up the last episodes of the West Wing and the speeches made by Jimmy Schmidt's against Ellen Alda running for president. Obama's inspirational speeches are practically verbatim with Jimmy Schmidt's speeches. Obama's strategists consulted with the West Wing Writers. Why don't you just come out and endorse Obama. You have crossed the long and are no longer a reporter, they should fire you.
Hermitage-Pennsylvania

It's his brain and personality I have a question with. Let's force all presidents take the MMPI, so we can weed out the sociopath's, like Bush, from taking over the world's most important job. Bush has been a disaster.

Dale – Anadarko, OK.

It all depends on who his running mate will be as to how much of an issue his cancer will be.

An erruption of melanoma is not a reason for electors to reject McCain. The prospect of an 80-year-old President is.

His age and his medical history are very important. I think the public should scrutinize his VP choice. Could you imagine if anything happened to Pres. Bush? President Cheney??

Oh dear.

72 IS THE NEW 62!!! There's some treads left on those tires.

Many regular folks who seek employment are discriminated because of previous disease, especially cancer. John McCain running as the Republican nominee makes a good statement that this kind of discrimination is wrong and should not be a factor for employment. As all nominees for president I look for him to pick a strong running mate that would be ready to be president as there are no guarantees for anyone elected to president.

Pat S Warner Robins GA

So Long as the doctors reports keep coming back negative, it's not a big deal. It isn't that big of a deal for two reasons: 1), he's had them before and I don't recall him having to stop doing his job in the senate, and 2) He's doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning the Election anyway.

Mike, From Staten Island, New York

We've had presidents in the past that have had equal if not worse medical histories. That should not be the issue that should even concern us. Which is why when you vote for a president you must also vote for his vice president should something happen to our future commander in chief. Ergo, both have to be competent to be president on day one.

Right, Hillary?

It is not a big issue at all, and if anyone isn't going to vote for a candidate because they might die, that just shows us that the average voter is as drunk and stupid as ever.

i am more worried about his age which will raise other health issues than just skin cancer

It will only matter if he doesn't pick a good v.p. If he picks Gates, Rice, or Petraeus, it won't matter. If he picks anyone else, it may be an issue. But im much more concerned with Barack Obama's plans to send troops into Pakistan than I am with John McCain's skin cancer.

McCains health is a very big issue a d he is trying to hide it. Melanoma is never cured and he should reveal all the tests and their results for last 4 years.

Jack,

This is a very serious situation this melanoma could be his killer ! He is 71 and health is a serious problem for a president. If the melanoma comes back is he strong enough to fight it off? I'm more worried about his ability to fight off another bout of cancer at his age.

In a word–none. Unless of course Dick Cheney turns out to be his pick for V.P.

I'm not as concerned about his history of melanoma as I am just his sheer volume of history!

The key with cancer is always said to be "catch it early.' Given McCain's history with the cancer, he has obviously been very vigilant in getting check-ups to be sure it is not returning, and if it has, he has obviously been catching it early enough. Being that he's beat it four times, and is that much more aware of it, cancer shouldn't be a concern in the minds of the voters.

Bill, Syracuse NY

Jack, this is not an issue! I can't believe you would ask such a ridiculous question; this is called ageism! People went crazy when Obama's middle name was used and when he was shown in African garb but when McCain's age is brought up as an issue, nobody even blinks. Yet another instance of your and the rest of the media's love affair with Obama.

Skin cancer is a serious health concern; however, I don't believe it should be considered a negative factor in Senator McCain's ability to be President of the United States.

Wes
Alexandria, VA

I would be more concerned about McCain's psychiatric history considering what must have been an incredibly stressful experience as a prisoner of war. However, any President's health history issues always remind us how important the Vice Presidential position can be.

My question is why was this information not discussed before any elections? It may have changed how people voted. Now its too late.

The fact that McCain had melanoma is not a big issue for me. A persident can die any minute. Any of the nomeniees can die tomorrow, there is no promise on how long McCain's life wil be. We should worry on the McCain's views instead of his medical history.

Jack, I dont believe that McCain's melanoma should be the main issue here. I think the question that should be asked is 'what are we going to do if McCain dies in office!?'

It's the fight in the dog thats important, Jack ... not the age ....so as long as McCain is barking ... and he's been barking loud enough to get rid of Romney, Huckabee and others .. then he's good enough to turn his attention to Obama & Hillary.

Steve.
New York, NY

John McCain's health is extremely important. At his age, he is at a higher risk for typical aging deterioration just like any one of us. He already exhibits signs of cantankerousness, dementia and volatility. Do we really need a person his age trying to negotiate with foreign diplomats, especially when something is said that he may not agree with?

The American people should evaluate a Presidential candidate's health and make their own determination whether or not he/she is healthy enough for the high stress job of being the President. While this is true, if the candidate is determined to be in good health at the present time there should not be much emphasis put on the candidates health history. When voting the people need to consider the vice presidential candidate in their decision, as he/she will be ready to assume the position of President in any time of need. The Vice Presidential Position was established for this very reason.

as a dedicated democrat who hasn't voted for a republican for president since gerald ford, i must say: give the guy a break. he survived 5 years in vietnamese prison camps. can anyone really worry about an 8 (plus?) year old melanoma? if nothing else, mccain is a survivor.

20 years ago this would have been an issue, not anymore with the treatments available and the fact that American's are living longer and longer.

His doctors say he's fine – let that be the end of it.

McCain is the only one left that has the experience to be President. The democrats clearly have spelled out this fact to all of us in the last couple of weeks.

Yes it should matter. If I apply for a job, my health is in question. If the government continues to allow people to be overlooked or even fired for health reasons then why shouldn't the powers that be face the same scrutiny as the little people! I say check his financial records while you are at it. Companies are oh so quick to check the finances of the little people but somehow the future President is above the same scrutiny. I think not! Dissect him now!

Dealing with skin cancer is a long, arduous process that takes months to overcome or months to end in death. Do we really need one more issue to haunt our nation? I hope the American people are wise enough not to elect an individual who will be concentrating more on staying alive and possibly battling cancer than fixing our economy and ending this war.

Melanoma is serious stuff. Would like some medical experts to weigh in on this. McCain is tough, no doubt. But his vp running mate can't be a Dan Quayle.

If I have to choose between a sick old guy endowed with good knowledge and sound judgement – and a healthy, younger, experience-deprived delutional egotist, I'll take the old guy every time.

This is a question that I have already thought about. I would still vote for McCain and plan to do so, but it does bring into question the importance of who he picks for a vice president. I will be watching closely.

I really like the idea of John McCain being President however, by the swelling in his left cheek, I am concerned that the melanoma is still there and unfortunately it may come back at any time. This is definitely swaying my vote.

Good Luck to Senator McCain regarding his health issues

Roxanne Tilma-Montrose, Colorado

I am also 72, and have also had 4 melanomas. I detest John McCain as a politician, but admire him as a person. He should be a poster boy for early detection. Melanomas can be detected early on by a competent dermatologist. He should make that point in his campaign and perhaps save thousands of lives. There are many reasons to vote against John McCain, but that is definitely not one of them.

Hey Jack,

Should John McCain's melanoma be an issue? Certainly no more than your lack of hair on your head considering your youth!!

I have mixed feelings about the melanoma issue, although I do support McCain. My father died of melanoma at age 72, so the combination of McCain's age and history of melanoma hits home for me. I have seen first hand the kind of horrid diesase it is, and wish it did not exist. I think much of the public is unaware of how deadly it is. McCain seems to be in good health, and if he has not had any recurrences since 2000, he seems to be in the clear. However, just by the mere fact of his age, his choice for Vice President becomes particularly important. I hope McCain's history of melanoma will bring more public awareness about this terrible cancer.

I defiantly think McCain's melanoma should be taken into consideration. with 4 occurrences, he is at high risk. I wouldn't be comfortable having a president at his age, and medical history sworn in. The vice president has yet to be decided, and has a very high chance of taking over the office within 4 years. Do we really want to vote for a vice president in November?

Mu oldest brother came down with Melanoma at age 33. He had surgery, chemo, etc and was declared cancer free at 7 years. In a matter of three months he went from cancer free to dead. Melanoma is one of the most vicious forms of cancer, and losing my brother with virtually no warning when we were told all along, even as things started changing was truly traumatic. He was 41. John McCain shouldn't be discriminated against for having cancer, and I know that we have gotten better at treating Melanoma since my brother died. But this condition and his age give me great pause, and the people they mention for #2's are NOT John McCain. On the other hand, I'm voting for Obama. Kate

As long as he doesn't choose Dick Chaney as his running mate, it's okay with me.

There should be no concern. After all, Bill had Hillery and Hillery has Bill, both are far worse problems than cancer.

nobody voted for mccain anyways so why should the people worry about that he is being forced on you wether you like it or not

As frightening as it would be to see McCain become commander in chief with his spit fire temper one would have to worry more about who he taps to become his running mate. I'm sure he would have to choose someone with enough vitality to take the reins should his health fail. Lets just hope it is not Jeb Bush, I'm not sure if this nation can tolerate another 4 years of the Bush dynasty.

Pls leave the ol' man alone. He has enough to worry about.....his age.

I don't believe it is a huge issue, but the comment he made about most American's going to see their Doctor for regular check-up's should be...is this not one of the core issues of this election cycle? Health care, or the lack their of for most American's! Another clueless politician, when it comes to the daily life and strife of the American family.

Yes, McCain's diagnosis is an issue, Jack. This makes me think of Paul Tsongas, who had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1983. He died in 1997. Had he been elected in 1992, and successfully reelected in 1996, he would have died in office. Of course McCain could outlive his cancer, but I think Americans should be reminded of Tsongas. There is definitely a risk factor here.

Matt
Florida

McCain's melanoma is no issue because his nomination by the GOP is his maximum political attainment. We are done with him as we want those men and women in Iraq back immediately and not 100 years later

After watching several presidents age radically under the stress and demands of the office, I don't feel that McCain would survive a four year term, cancer or no cancer. Which means he better have a great Vice President in his sights because it's most likely that it will be the Vice running the country eventually.

Jack,
The undecided voters could possibly be scared off by this for good, but ultimately, the news will grow stale, as has his affair with the lobbyist, and we can all look forward to 8 long years of a McCain White House.

Ricardo Lee- South Dakota

As a cancer patient with uncertain prospects myself, I can say that it has only sharpened my sense of what is truly important in life. If anything, I expect McCain's similar experience will actually make him a better president and less likely to be influenced by people and issues he considers unworthy of supporting with his own life energy. I admire his commitment to what he truly believes, (But I am still voting for Barack Obama unless Senator Clinton wins the nomination. in which case I'll give Senator McCain a serious look. )

How much of an issue is McCain's melanoma? Just ask any medical insurance company that question. If he didn't have medical insurance and with several diagnosed melanomas and attempted to purchase insurance, he'd be turned down. So, go figure. Should we vote in a president that insuance companies wouldn't insure? In McCain's case, we'd better be taking a good look at his VP candidate and be considering him as comparison to the DNC candidate, because in insurance percentages if McCain is elected in, the VP will eventually end up in McCain's spot.

John from Carlsbad Ca. said it right, A brain dead Pres and a Vp. with a bad ticker.. can get any worse than that....Armando

Jack,
It's not McCain's health or age that I'm concerned about..it's his lack of solid policies, foreign and domestic that bother me. Illegal aliens, NAFTA, our huge debt to China, recession, securing our borders and ports are real issues about which he doesn't speak candidly and with utmost integrity. For that matter, neither do the democratic candidates!

Not just the Melanoma health record, His arm is half alive/shorten and can't move well.

Jack,

John McCain's skin condition is no great shakes. His selling out of his principles in order to gain votes is. I used to respect John more than any other Senator. He let us down. He has become corrupt and has destroyed my faith in him.

Why should something like this matter at all. He has been cancer free for over seven years. This undoubtedly means that the cancer is gone.

I'm very concerned about his cancer, his advanced age, and and what I see as a complete lack of energy when I see him talking on TV.
I'm so concerned that my vote for McCain will not be a vote for him but a vote for his running mate. I wonder if McCain is on oxygen when off camera.

Should his recurring melanoma play a part? As the widow of a young 53 year old man who died of metastatic melanoma a year ago Christmas – there are many treatments out there and every individual responds differently. The fact that Mr. McCain is older is in his favor, not to mention that he has been battling melanoma for a while now. (My husband was diagnosed a year before his death with the biopsy of a mole on his back. It spread to his major organs within the course of a year.) Everyone should have the right to pursue their dream and hopefully for Mr. McCain has the right stuff to fight his illness.

Yes, John McCain may have had melanoma a few times in his life, but experience, integrity, and political will is more important to me. I believe that McCain is the right man for the job, and with a little sun-block, I think he'll just be fine.

His cancer or his age doesn't bother me, his whole life is an open book, you should quit trying to find something to put him down.

Maybe he'll turn it into a discussion on the ozone layer and greenhouse gases, and the importance of emissions regulations . . . or maybe he'll just let it be a reminder to the American public that, strong and smart as he is, he's still old.

Hi Jack,
As a Canadian watching your presidential race with keen interest, I suspect John McCain's health is a non-issue, since he is clearly the Republican's sacrificial lamb in the 2008 election.

Cheers!

Senator McCain's health problems and age should not be an issue. He is the only candidate we have that will keep the Iraq war in prospective, keeping our troops there until it is appropriate to start bringing them home. We need to win that war to justify the loss of lives plus the many that have been injured. Perhaps we should not have gone there but to leave now prematurely would be devistating.

This makes his choice of VP vitally important, the pressure of office would be detrimental to his health and as such a VP who could take over the office competently and smoothly would seem to be an extreemely high priorty

It's an issue. But it could be more of an issue depending on who his running mate is. No matter how unlikely it may seem, things can happen that would put the Vice President into the position of Commander- in-Chief. If his running mate is not seen as "Presidential", it could really hurt him. I shudder to think where we'd be if anything had happened to "W" early on in the presidency.

Eric Roberts
St. Louis, MO.

Jack,
This is no country for old men. Melanoma or not, McCain is too old. I'm only 60 and can't even remember where I put my car keys.

So John McCain has a skin cancer...so what...he got thru being a pow without any medicine there...and as far as his age goes to be 72 when sworn in...what should that matter...you could have a younger 40 year old..and God forbid...hearts give out at all ages...

No issue at all. What should matter in a democratic process is one's integrity, capability and popularity and not the previous history of sickness. As long as his mind is alert, he is fit to be the president.

I won't vote for him untill his healthy and free from Melanoma. We should elect a president who will not be on hard medication and making decisions that is going to effect or determine our future.

yes Jack it 's an issue.because it's important for americans to know how big their chances are that somewhere along the road their president can't handle the pressure or become terribly ill.remember he isn't young anymore.the younger the better which bring us to Obama.erick aruba

Believe it or not Senator McCain's previous bout with Melanoma makes it less likely that he will succumb to this disease than others who have not been diagnosed with it. This is due to the increased scrutiny he now receives from regular visits to his dermatologist.

Been there, done that!

Tom in Uxbridge.

Jack- If elected, McCain would be the oldest president elected to a first term in office. Since his 2000 campaign, he has stopped releasing his medical records to the public and keeps putting it off which makes me uncomfortable. He needs to be open with the American people about his health and his medical history or else we are taking a risk in electing him.

Every presidential candidate's health is a concern. I don't think that McCain's melanomas so far, are an issue. I don't think his age is either. After all, look at his mom. A healthy candidate's age is really a minor issue, in the big picture that is this presidential campaign season.

By the way, wasn't Ronald Reagan 74 when he secured the office for his second term? He had the prostate cancer, intestinal polyps, and melanoma operations, plus he was shot. He was tough as nails. So is John McCain.

I probably won't vote for him though.

I think it is a huge issue and will be a bigger issue if and/or when he selects a right wing vice-president who will take over the presidency should something happen to him.

Research suggests that the 5-year survival rate for patients with malignant melanoma is 80%. Given that one term of the presidency lasts 4 years well, you do the math. He has a fighting chance...

His melanoma should a concern, now with this disease, he will have to not only find a younger Vice Presidential candidate, but also one that will have the support of the American people if the 25th Amendment is to be used if something were to happen to McCain if elected

Not to sound ghoulish, but it depends on who his running mate is going to be. If Bush died in office and Cheney took over, I would be so deep into Canada the Ice Road Truckers wouldn't see me. If McCain chooses a less calculating, less sociopathic VP I think it will be fine.

I don't think his age/health will persuade people not to vote for him, but I do think he'd better be AWFULLY careful about picking his running mate...

Once Barack is the Democratic nominee, McCain need worry about the effect of his health in garnering voters. For then Barack will be sweeping across the country persuading Independents and Republicans to join his campaign, promptly derailing the Straight Talk Express. His "melanoma" would be better termed "melaObama" for the cancer Obama will be towards McCain's general election campaign.

I am far less worried about his physical health than about his dementia. McCain seems to believe that wasting trillions of dollars on an illegal, immoral war is perfectly all right.

Typically in any other case I would say the health of a candidate needs to be considered. In the case of John McCain however, it is entirely useless. He is a terrible candidate in all aspects. One does not need to look at his medical record to see that clearly.

Why should it be an issue? Why should his age be an issue? He has a sound mind and the experience it is going to take to bring America back from ruin. My question is: Why would America vote for people who have no military background or knowledge? The military is what protects our freedoms. Amazingly, I am a traditional Democrat but I am not about to vote for someone who does not have a military background. Doesn't the people realize that the US President is the Commander in Chief of the our military forces? Give me a break! As a veteran of the Armed Forces, I want a leader who has already shown that he will protect and serve our country to the best of his ability.

John McCain's melanoma might be an issue. But our bigest concern is his angry temper. I will not be voting for him and I have always voted republican in the past.

Hey Jack,

I've seen enough of the experience difference between the Clinton campaign and Obama's campaign. Clearly, Hillary has benefitted from a long history of spineless and illusive tactics during Bill's administration as well as her own "LONG history in politics". I find her campaign tactics to be insulting, not only to the immediate voters of Mississippi but the American public as a whole. She is in no position to call this race, especially while riding "the party donkey" in 2nd place, with no sight of the finish line. I think this is a dream ticket that she needs to "wake up from ......and apologize" Her campaign should stay on her initial coursw....stick to her basics...earn the swing voters with another Oscar nominating kleenex moment.

His age is a bigger issue. The news media can do all they want to make it a non-issue. I am 59. The thought process at 55 begins to tunnel. By 70 the horizon must disappear.

I think he is way too old to run for office. What if the phone rings at 3:00 a.m. and he gets so stressed out that he has a heart attack.

I am 62 years old and at this age, I have moments of inability to focus and react in a expeditious way.

His facial and medical scars should be the least of his or your worries.. his attachment scars to Bush and company should be enough to kick him to the curb.
Terri C. Maine