Does McCain Have Alzheimer's? (Sign The Petition To Find Out)

I've written previously about McCain's age and how while it isn't something that should be made of, there are worrying signs that it should be a cause for concern in this election. McCain has shown many signs of Alzheimer's--not being able to remember basic facts about his personal life, his legislative record, his positions, foreign policy or geography. His inability to keep up with the rigorous campaign schedule, even though his is far more relaxed than Obama's, is also cause for concern, as is his reliance on Ambien to sleep.

Today Democrats.com sent out this email, on this very subject:

McCain's Age is No Joke

While Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama were rocking the Democratic convention in Denver, John McCain made his 13th appearance with Jay Leno to joke about his age.

But McCain's age is no joke. He will turn 72 on Friday and would be halfway to 73 if elected and sworn in on January 20. That would make him the oldest first-term President ever, two years older than Ronald Reagan. He has survived four skin cancers (melanomas), including one in 2000 that was classified as Stage IIa.

McCain is two years older than his father was when he died suddenly of a heart attack at 70. He is 11 years older than his grandfather was when he died suddenly of a heart attack at age 61.

The United States cannot afford the risk that McCain would die suddenly in the middle of an international crisis.

Nor can we afford the risk of dementia. 22% of Americans over 70 are affected by mild cognitive impairment, while 13% of Americans over 65 have Alzheimer's. Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 83, but early signs were evident during his first term. Britain's "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher developed dementia at age 75.

McCain has never had an Alzheimer's test, even though he has 6 of the 10 warning signs, including his inability to remember recent facts like the number of homes he owns, the $1M lawsuit he filed in 1990, or the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

John McCain owes America a thorough neurological examination for cognitive impairment and possible Alzheimer's long before Election Day.

Sign our petition to the Corporate Media: http://www.democrats.com/mccain-owes-america-an-alzheimers-test

[TPIP: Again, this isn't a joke, this isn't a cheap political attack at the expense of McCain's age, I have never agreed that is an acceptable campaign strategy. These are serious questions, and no matter your opinion of the candidates, or which party you belong to, this is something you need to consider. Our country cannot be run by someone who is suffering from dementia, or other age-related potentially debilitating or impairing ailments. Be sure to read my past blog post on this topic, "Is McCain (Physically/Mentally) Fit To Lead?"]

Update: Sen. Patrick Leahy apparently recognizes this is a real issue as well.