by C. Elliot

Created on: June 30, 2008

Whether right or wrong, when individuals decide to run for elected office, they sacrifice part of their private lives. But is there a line? Should candidates be required to release their health records to prove that they are healthy enough to serve as President?

The question raises many issues. For instance, imagine in a job interview, a potential employer asking, "So tell me about your health. Are you fit? What's your blood pressure? Any family history of cancer?" Most Americans would think such questions were out of line... except, perhaps, if those questions were being directed toward a presidential candidate.

Perhaps such questions of presidential candidates are justified. After all, the recollections of former Presidents suggest that the American presidency requires an exceptional level of energy. But then, a second problem emerges: Are health records a proper evaluation of someone's abilities? Health history and health conditions are one form of measurement; but, they are not the only tool. Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example, suffered from polio. And yet, this ailment did not detract from his ability to govern. Roosevelt passed an enormous amount of legislation and is frequently cited as one of the country's greatest Presidents. If a measurement of good or bad health was all that mattered, then we might miss out on great leaders.

That being said, a candidate's health is still top-of-mind for many voters. If someone's health is particularly concerning, then it could be extremely beneficial to release his or her health records. Indeed, one can imagine that if Franklin Roosevelt were running for office today, he would probably release his health documents in an effort to say, "Polio is a factor in my personal life, but it has no impact on my ability to lead the nation effectively." If a candidate has a known health condition or difficult health history, releasing health records can be a good method of deflating the issue.

Current GOP presidential hopeful John McCain is a perfect example of a candidate who had obvious motivation to release his health records. The senator has a history of cancer and would be 72 at the time he would take office. In the past year, voters and pundits have questioned the senator's health and what effects it might have on a McCain presidency. So undoubtedly, when the McCain campaign decided to release his health documents, they saw it as an opportunity to reaffirm the senator's physical capacity to govern. In their case, a positive

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