What is the public’s right to know of the state of health of a presidential candidate?

I think the public has every right to this information as one should have on the candidate’s position on war, defense, economy, healthcare immigration or foreign policy.

The New York Times today suggested in a headline dealing with the presidential campaign trail that there have been few mentions of the “presumptive Republican presidential nominee” John McCain’s bout with melanoma.

The article was written by Lawrence K. Altman, M.D. a Times reporter that I know, respect and find his medical reporting to be accurate, fair and balanced.

He raises a very serious medical condition that McCain has had to deal with four times in his life — melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer.

And, suggests that on the campaign trail there has been little mention of this condition or the health of McCain.

Being an avid reader of the Times, recognizing it is one of the finest newspapers in the world, and realizing it is the left wing spokespaper of the Democratic Party, I am not at all surprised McCain’s melanoma issue was raised, as it was, in the headline, but treated fairly by Altman.

The issue needs to be raised as does the health of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.  I want to see the same due diligence done on these candidates, with full disclosure on all candidates of all medical conditions.

After all you wouldn’t buy a horse without looking at his teeth!

And knowing Larry Altman, I am sure the medical conditions of Clinton and Obama are on his agenda.

Nevertheless, McCain is of more concern than the other candidates.  He is 71 years old, the oldest candidate ever to run for office and he has been through several life-threatening experiences besides melanoma.

Altman notes in his report that, “McCain has yet to make his full medical records or his physicians available to reporters.  At least three times since March 2007, campaign officials have told The New York Times that they would provide the detailed information about his current state of health, but they have not done so.  The campaign now says it expects to release the information in April.”

The article notes McCain’s physical appearance and his puffy left cheek with a scar that runs down the back of his neck.

Altman notes that the operation was performed to determine whether the melanoma had spread from his left temple to a key lymph node in his neck.  A preliminary pathology test at the time showed that it had not. The final pathology showed no evidence of spread of the melanoma and he did not need chemotherapy or radiation,  his staff reported.

Full disclosure of presidential candidate’s medical history should be information that voters should have at their disposal before casting a ballot.  For after all our lives are allegedly in their hands, if we are to believe what they say in their political campaigns.

I think we would all want to know if a candidate is but a step away frm St. Peter’s pearly gate.

Now, I just hope the Times does due diligence on the medical history of Clinton and Obama.