Since he has been on disability for quite some time, I find it interesting that they are just now bringing it up! Doesn’t it seem funny that it wasn’t an issue 6 months ago? His disability hasn’t changed. Just a thought.

What a joke. McCain is a respected war hero…if he can survive 5 years in a prisoner camp, being starved, tortured and whatever…then he can survive being President.

This is just the democratic media trying to push their democratic agenda. It is such a shame that our media has become so disgustingly bias. Reminds me of Hitler’s propraganda (and Russia, China, etc). I would be ashamed if my children decided to become “reporters” or “journalist” in this country.

Go McCain~

As a retired service member and also receiving disability, McCain’s disability is not affecting his Senate stent, why would it affect his Presidency? The man receives this money becuase he served honorably and well. I have gone through the schooling that teaches us how to survive being captive by hostile forces. What we went through was nothing compared to what he went through. It was an eye-opener for me. I have the utmost respect for this man and what he has endured for us. This is not even a question that should be asked. It is painfully obvious that he is serving well as a Senator, which is a very demanding job as well. There is no doubt in my mind that he can serve just as effectively in the role of President.

I do not think he is physically or mentally fit to run this country. No disrespect to his horrible POW days, but I don’t think he is the one.

As long as McCain is of sound mind then I don’t think it is a big deal. FDR was in a wheelchair throughout his presidency. If the concept of disability income were around back then I think he would have qualified for it. Anyway, I think we all feel FDR did a pretty good job during his term in office.

Would anyone say that FDR was physically unfit to be president? …and wouldn’t that be discrimination not to allow someone to be president if they are collecting disability? The only thing that matters to me is that McCain’s brain is working and as far as I can tell, it’s working pretty well!

Why not he has served and suffered for his country, & did it proudly.

Larry

I would be proud to have a President who was and is loyal to his country and to his comrads. McCain is a man of principle and of good moral conviction. His disabilities, because of his loyalty to his country, are a reminder of what kind of man he really is. No man is perfect in this world. What better person to lead our country during this time. Remember, we have had president’s in the past with disabilities.

Claudette
San Angelo Texas

I’m disappointed that Senator McCain is accepting disability when he also earns a salary as a senator. Also it is clear that his wife would not let him go without anything he wants or needs.

For shame. If I had another Republican to consider, I would now be doing that.

McCain’s pay is not that odd of a retirement for his position in the military. He had 22 years of service and 55% of that base pay would be his retirement, whether he was disabled or not. I know there are COLA’s, and COI’s, but $58,000 is not abnormal. Then let look at his actual disability, he was tortured in Vietnam. He can no longer raise his arms above his head. Unless the button is on the ceiling, I see no reason he can not be president. We had a president in a wheelchair, one who had a stroke, and to put a little humor in here possibly one who had an IQ slightly higher than that of my dog, and they all were president. Arguments will be made by those who think he is too old, that he is too liberal, or too conservative. I just think if he is qualified, he should be able to run.

Senator McCain was badly injured by torture. That in no way has affected his ability to run for office. Many Viet Nam vets are receiving disability payments for their wounds but are working.

Remember, President Franklin Roosevelt who had polio and served until his death, multiple terms, in both peace and war time. He had leg braces and needed assistance but his mind and abilites to lead were sharp.

If he could do it, Senator McCain could certainly do so and out campaign his opposition.

Hi AJ

Senator McCain was badly tortured as a prisioner of war during the Viet Nam era. Many Viet Nam vets are receiving disability payments while sill employed.

Remember President Franklin Roosevelt who served many terms as president while badly crippled by Polio. His leadership abilities and his mind were sharp. He needed assistance in getting around but he led us through both peace and war time.

Senator McCain will do likewise.

I don’t think that his receiving a disability pension in anyway disqualifies him to be President. He deserves this pension after his many years of service to our country as a POW.

Do we not have an Americans with Disabilities Act?

First off, I can’t stand the LA Times. Secondly, as many other people have pointed out, If he was able to run successfully for Senate then why would running for President any different. The LA SLIME as I will now call them is a joke. They don’t understand what an American Hero is. As Brit Hume mentions in the FOX NEWS article about this, “[McCain] was shot down and he was tortured as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.”

LA SLIME….what a joke!

I am Republican however I am a CONSERVATIVE Republican That thinks that McCain is not mentally fit to be president

Sounds to me like the party of inclusion includes any except a Republican. If McCain were a Dem this nor age would even come up.

chas

If anyone knew what John McCain endured at the hands of the Cubans and North Viets, they would understand how strong that man must be. His age does not bother me one bit. Besides, would you want Shady Bill and his lying wife, or Osama Obama and his racist characters?

As someone who is fighting the VA for disability I have to support anyone who was able to actually get a decision out of them. And UNLESS he has a mental disability then he would be perfectly fit for duty.

This is really absurd as there are no actual health problems going on at the present. Corporations would much rather have a seasoned person grabing the helm versus a new and untested person. Age is a plus!

Give the war hero and respected senator a break. He is disabled because he can’t raise his arms from damage done to his shoulders. FDR was in a wheelchair!

Oh please, quit picking on McCain….his “disability” as nothing to do with his brain or character any more than one who is hearing disable or seeing disable. Hey you liberals, remember, your Roosevelt couldn’t walk and yet he was able to lead our country through a terrible war. From what I can see, McCain is walking pretty good.

no i dont think mccain is up to being president, he is too old and if he getting disability he shouldnt be able to.

Absolutley!! He more than earned that disability. Many vets receive disability and hold other jobs. John McCain has earned everything he has gotten.

McCain has been my candidate of choice from the beginning. I have nothing but respect for the man and for his service to our country. He is certainly due his military disability pension. It is not out of line at all to me given his length of service, his rank, and his torture at the hands of the Communists in North Viet Nam. As far as I am concerned, he is the only one running qualified for the job; and, no, his disabilities do no make him unable to do the job of President. This is a non-story drummed up by the liberal LA Times to try to discredit a genuine war hero.

I prepare income tax returns and I know many people on disability that work full-time jobs. Sometimes more than one job. I also know some people on disability that are perfectly capable of working but don’t. Guess who I respect the most? McCain has every right to run. Good for him!

I would say he far more deserving of his disabiliy benefit than all those greedy , grubby congressmen and women who are profiting on the war on terror thrugh set stock market .. ( INSIDERS)

Our veterans deserve everything they can get from the federal government after risking their lives to fight for the USA. Tortured POW’S such as John McCain deserve the highest respect and lifetime care from the VA for what they have been through. Disability pay for injuries sustained in service does not mean that you cannot serve in the highest office in the land. Naysayers like the LA Times hate the military and all who serve and much prefer draft dodgers like Bill Clinton.

If McCain were a Democrat, they would be all for his service and disability pay. If he had been a draft dodger and a Republican, they would hit him for that, too. There is no winning for someone with honor, values and integrity in the secular press.

My husband is a disabled Vietnam vet and can no longer work; however, when he returned from Nam, he felt that he should devote himself to public service just as John McCain did. He was a health planner for Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast and instituted the 911 system and the Health Care District to help those who cannot afford insurance to name only a few things he did. He did not come back and make speeches for thousands of dollars. And by the way, he’s a Republican and so am I.

Maybe those of you who have a problem with Senator McCain receiving a Disability Pension from the Military need to do a little research about military disability pay and the senator. When he was released from a North Viet Nam prison he returned to active duty. Disability means he cannot function 100. If he can not lift his arm above the shoulder that should not preclude him from being President since he can answer the phone, sign legislation and press the all important buttons with both hands. Also, I believe the Americans with Disabilities Act might come into play here.

Why should the wartime torture causing a disability keep someone from becoming President. The disability suffered by FDR didn’t keep most people from claiming him of being the best president ever?!?

HI AJ thanks for doing this for Ali today she sure deserves a day off but the show and the atss
is not the same without her she is just such a ray of sunshine

as respect to senator mccain he deserves every penny he is getting and his disabilities should not keep him from running for president being held a pow in vietnam, being tortured, starved and belittled, he has more than earned his disability and he could have been released early but he chose to stay with his men that is certainly commendable i think he has great character, he loves this country and i feel he will keep us safe just as president bush has

Being a true conservative, I have a problem with elected officials double dipping. I think his disability should be subtracted from his salary. If he makes $30,000 a year as an electected official then he should receive $20,000 in disability benefits. If he makes over $58,000 in salary, then his disability should be reduced to zero while in office. I also don’t think any elected official should accumulate any retirement benefits. We would probably have true term limits then.

I did not think you had the guts to print my previous so I’ll tone it down …a bit.

You guys are getting about as biased as the Clinton News Network (soon to be the ONN) by even broaching the subject and planting the seed. Honestly…why give these idoits a forum, unless your master plan is to expose their ignorance

How come the Dems are being anti age and anti disability? Aren’t there laws against this sort of thing?

No Disability does not always equal fit, just as a disability does not always equal unfit. Since being president requires mental abilities mostly, This would make him qualified. On the other hand, if it were a job requiring hard labor, I believe he would know he may not be qualified on his own and never would have run for the job. Also , there are many documented cases where only the disabled can perform where perfectly healthy people cannot, such as music, math, science etc. to name a few. It would take extraordinary abilities to go what John McCain has gone through in vietnam as a P.O.W. and we should wonder if any of the other candidates proved this kind of ability in there whole lifetime.. in a nutshell his abilities have been tested, have theirs? It should be known that I am not a John McCain supporter at this time.

I believe Senator McCain is more Democrat than Conservative. That’s my only concern. His “disability” has nothing to do with his ability to be President. He is an honored veteran. They all receive a pension after his number years serving our county. His age and experience seems a plus at this point. He loves our country, this is another plus at this point.

Hey Alisyn, my comments are directed to Dj above. Have you ever been in the military? Neither of the continders for the Presidential job have. it is a personal feeling of mine, and that is my right, that in order to qualify for the position of “Commander in Chief”, you must have pulled your tour of duty in a branch of our armed forces. Senator McCain has done more than his share for the military and in my opinion is the only qualified candidate. I proudly wore the United States Army uniform for 37 years and I proudly wave Senator McCain for President. I too am a disabled veteran and draw disability every month from the Veterans Administration. This was for injuries/illnesses that I incurred during active duty. It’s no different than drawing a compenstion from a large company or industry for injuries you received while working for them. Personally, I think they should do away with the political parties and have an Independent Party only. We as americans have been told too long who we can vote for and who we can’t. Wasn’t this an american right described in the constitution? We now have to vote straight ticket in the primaries and that just isn’t right. By voting a straight ticket you are not allowed to vote for Bill on the Rep side, and Tom on the Dem, is this is who you want. POLITICIANS HAVE TAKEN AWAY OUR RIGHTS. We need for Sen McCain to give them back to us. GO JOHN !!!!!!

I defy most people under 40 to keep up with the pace John McCain sets for himself. Anyone who has kept his brain alive like McCain has deserves the utmost respect for his age. Many (perhaps most) people’s brains have died by the time they are 50 (0r less). McCain’s wisdom is displayed everytime he opens his mouth. We need him, especially when we check out the two alternatives!

From the LA Times..

“It is a legitimate question to ask about the commander in chief: Is he fit to serve,” said Robert Schriebman, a senior Pentagon tax advisor and tax attorney who recently retired as a judge advocate for a unit of the California National Guard.

“If McCain can hike across the Grand Canyon, then why should he be getting disability payments from the government that are tax-exempt, Schriebman asked.”

Take the BS out and this is what you’ll get:

“It is a legitimate question to ask about the commander in chief: Is he fit to serve”

“McCain can hike across the Grand Canyon”

My question is: What kind of dolts are we hiring for the Pentagon?

Of course McCain is fit to be president! He is not too old! The 70s “get younger every day”, as the old saying goes, especially since I turned 70! Most of my friends, who are older than I am, are still going strong.
McCain looks like he is doing very well and living a full and active life, engaged and working hard. Instead of looking and acting tired and stressed out like the other candidates, he actually seems to be looking better and more fit.
I’m not so sure that he should still get that much money, however-especially considering all the other injured vets who do not get all that they need.
He probably has good health insurance through the government, already, and he has enough income to take care of his needs.
But he certainly earned every penny of that money for what he endured. I only hope that others in that situation are doing as well.
I think he is a wonderful man.
I still have my concerns about his views on immigration, although I can see his reasoning, and health care, and a bit on education. But, we have no one else who will make this country strong again and uphold our values.
I was fortunate in being able to hear him speak here last year.

Is this a serious question? He has no injury that would affect how well he performs as President. I have absolutely no problem with McCain as President of the United States. This is once again George Soros and minions at work.

Let’s get real! We have serious issues to deal with, and the dems will look for any way to get into the White House.

I have my problems with Sen. McCain. His comments about the North Carolina ad shows that he has a political death wish. His disability though is another matter. He receives it because he is no longer fit for future military service. It is form of retired pay. The only difference between his retired pay and mine is the tax benefit. If what he went through was what I’d have to do to get a tax free retired pay, I’d pay the taxes

I would say no he shouldnt be able to have it both ways.He is either able to work or he isnt and the presidentcy is a job with a salary.

What an absurd idea! I’ll be shooting a 12-gauge one hundred times in a tournament on my eightieth birthday in June. McCain is a youngster!

I don’t recall there being anything in the U.S. Constitution that says one has to be physically fit to become President of the United States of America. The 22nd amendment was ratified to limit the presidential term to two terms because of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I don’t recall a presidential candidate must be hale and hearty or be of a certain age when competing for the office.

Unless an amendment is miraculously created and ratified before Senator McCain were to run and maybe be elected, what would be the governing medical criteria for of one’s disability for the office? An extremely difficult slope would have to be addressed. The candidate needs to be allowed to compete based on his merits and ability. Are we saying that a disabled person can never hold the highest office in the land if legless or armless or both even if otherwise fully able? I don’t think we want to go there.

I believe measures are in place to allow for the demise of a person elected to the office of President of the United States. The only thing that has not been adequately addressed is if one is elected and one should die before one is inaugurated, what procedure would then apply? Would the incoming Vice President be sworn in as President should Inauguration day arrive or should the outgoing President remain in office until after a follow-up election with new candidates? This has not been addressed as we haven’t had to deal with it yet.

Well, these are my thought.

i most certainly do believe senator McCain should be and is most qualified to be “our”
president.

Correction on my earlier post 3:47

After rereading the quotes by Robert Schriebman in the LA Times article, he MAY have been questioning McCain’s honesty, rather than his health, when asking if he was “fit” enough to be the next president…

So, if that’s the case, I take back my calling him a dolt… I’ll just call him an After the Show Show instead!

Jill…his disability doesn’t have anything to do with his ability to hold office. These are benefits earned as an officer in the United States of America, during war time, and he has earned them I promise. That was a really uninformed remark.

Pat….very well said, and I certainly agree. Geezz! This is really out there for sure. Michael put it beautifully!!!!!

I see now….if you are receiving disability you are NEVER allowed to work again. You are automatically unfit for any job out there. Lets see now….hummmmmmmm…..I’m thinking……ok…ditto THAT IS ABSURD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well…I’ve scanned the posts, and it seems I need say no more on the subject…other than to add…it wouldn’t matter if he received the injury during time of war and extreme circumstances, or otherwise, they are earned absolutely. Just wanted to make myself clear, as I jotted the post in a more than astonished moment. Is this the same group that thinks Jenna has to wait to get married until her father is out of office, since they think, for reasons that are hard to comprehend, that the tax payer is paying for the wedding??? I think so. geeezzzzzz!! Hi Chas…how are ya? My puter is acting crazy today so I gave it a little nap…..:):):) Hi Alisyn..are you having fun reading these posts??? I bet you are. What a group!!!!!

Is this compensation, his pension, or is he actually receiving dissability? If you aren’t disable, and obviously he is able to perform his legislative duties, campaign around the country, and proclaim he’s physically fit. He should not be receiving dissability. I’m a Vietnam veteran as well, and I was considering holding my nose and voting for McCain, but not now. These dissability scams are reaching epidemic proportions in this country and now we find a member of Congress is on the same bandwagon. Here’s another important number 9.5 TRILLION (The National Debt).

When will we be able to get back to the really important things in life and finally make a purple M&M a reality.

If for some reason a person thinks that John McCain is unfit to be president because he is collecting disability…then never in a million years could this country imagine a polio-sticken, wheel chair bound president who lead the country out of one of its worst attacks on domestic soil.

No, he is probably drawing VA compensation for 100 percent disability.(which means you can’t and are unable to work) When you draw 100 percent disability like I am and he is you are told that you are not allowed to obtain employment because you are too physically ill to. I wonder how he’s been drawing the 100 percent all these years and then holding office in the Senate. I am constantly getting these things from the VA that say they purge the records to see if someone is drawing a pay check in addition to the VA’s 100 percent disability. Well I guess that those rules only apply for little people.

These LA Times people are totally idiotic. They waste paper on garbage!

C’mon Alisyn, this is subject matter spew coming from liberals!!!!!! The very people that support and fight so diligently for the rights of Americans with disabilities. In reality they would be supporting that a disabled American has the right to run for President.

Physically…
If he is tough enough to live through the torture and disfigurement that he edured……
YES. He can and is fully capable of being the Pres.

To Steven I and Douglas R. Light,
Maybe get your facts straight before spouting off. Steven you ‘assume’ Sen. McCain is receiving 100% VA benefits, as you state by saying “probably”. You don’t know for sure. Mr. Light, you are ‘assuming’ that Sen. McCain is scamming the system. You may want to check the facts surrounding this story as well, before calling a fellow soldier a scam artist! I would like to thank both of you for your service to our country, but just curious how long both of you were POW’s?

Sen. McCain has earned his pay, and if it really wasn’t above board, do any of you skeptics think it would be the LA Times that exposes it? Hardly a haven of journalistic excellence.

I underwrite life insurance for a living. I see many VA disability rating reports. The VA awards disability payment for any health related ailment that you have during your time of service. I’ve seen ratings for high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, hysterectomy. Are these people too disabled to perform a job…no. Let the Democrat camp start talking about this and they’ll lose a lot of the veteran votes. Sounds good to me!

I am more concerned about his Cancer.
He deserves the disability. He was Tortured.
My brother was getting disability checks from the Government for injuries from when he was in The Battle of the Bulge and He never cashed them.. decided to return them as he had a good Manufacturing business and did not need them.
It is up to John McCain as to what he does with his money and he also could give them back to the Government.
Doesn’t Cindy McCain have a Hundred Million Dollars?? He does not need the money, but he deserves it.
Why do they not file Taxes together??
He is fit to be President.

is hillary morrally fit for office?

He should not take disability.. he does not need it.
If he can hike the Grand Canyon, he does not need disability.
What about kids coming home from Iraq?? they certainly don’t get $58,000 for coming home with no arms and legs. or the ones with the Brain Injuries that they save.?? Do they get $58,000??
And he has been getting it for many years too.

The reference was made of FDR as point that if he could do it, then a disability shouldn’t matter.

1. They didn’t have 24 hours digital news back then
2. His wife ran things (not all) it’s a fact
3. Mccain is no FDR
4. Can’t raise his hands over his head?
5. Not going tomatter anyway, A democrat will be in the White House.

ENOUGH SAID

Two words: Robert Byrd

I don’t think McCains disabilities will effect how he would run the country. I don’t mind if he receives disability pay along with any other pay. He certainly earned any benefit he would receive from the Gov. I wonder if Hillary would become President, would her hormonal imbalaces due to menopause affect her decision making ?

Alisyn, this is why McCain shouldnt say anything about the adds running in North Carolina because these are the kind of adds their going to run saying he is physically unfit for President, come on.
Sal

His disability is related to his military service. That doesn’t mean he’s completely crippled and incapable of being the President. He’s been in public service for several years now since then and it wasn’t an issue, so why is it now? And as for “too old”… Are we now saying that because he’s older that he can’t do this job? Yes, he’s older than the two Democratic “combatants” but I’d say that means he’s more experienced. I haven’t seen him break out his walker yet to get around, so I’d say he’s in fine shape to sit in the Oval Office to keep this country safe…

This is a non-issue. Why does the LA Times think this is a story?

There is not enough compensation that could be bestowed on John McCain for all he went through. It is just ashame that all of our veterans are having to fight for every dime they get and then the government tries to limit their access to medical care. We are taking care of all the young girls who go out and get pregnanat again and again and ignoring our vetarans…….Maybe thats something Mr. McCain needs to address.

We expect so much and give back so little to our heros. He deserves every $ he gets and more, how can this even be questioned at all. Let us not forget those that serve our country.

This is a non issue… every $ he has recieved probably is not near enough. 5 years stuck in a prison like that!!!! We must remember our veterans!!

I do not recall the US Constitution addressing a disability as a disqualifier. Didn’t we once have a President with polio and didn’t Kennedy have a disability due to a back injury received during military service???

NO

HOW OLD WAS THE POPE WHEN HE WAS HIRED??? McCain is alot younger than the pope. Beats having dopes like Hillary & Obama. WHY is it call open blog? It is sensored, half the comments are not posted. If there is not profanity & down right moron comments, why not post instead of cutting because you don’t agree?

I’m shocked that you have to ask! I am shocked by the number of people charging ridulous charges againsto John McCain. He is one of America’s heros. He diserves a pention. Think about it. ” Imagine your self having your arms tied behind you and raised above the floor. “He is a true American Hero”. Don’t kid yourselves about what’s being challeged in this election. but be ready for what occurs should Obama loses. You will see radical blacks attacking whites. All I can say is “Be Ready”/

Posted Saturday:

John McCain returned from Vietnam, recovered from his wounds and was restored to active flight status. He was stationed in a North Florida squad and served well. Eventually he retired.

Upon retirement he applied for and recieved the disability. I wonder how he was returned to active flight status as all the information points to, so i would like to actually see his fight logs for any flight he was on after his return to active duty. Could be he just had a desk job. I think this is something that needs to be fully looked into.

I am a supporter of John McCain. The facts are the facts.

McCain should be able to receive the his disability pension regardless as he earned it when serving in the military. If it was a pension from either Obama or Clinton the LA Times wouldn’t be making an issue of it. Also the purpose of having a VP is for the reason should anything happen to the acting president the VP can take over. The important thing would be to get a good viable VP as a running mate. Age should not be a factor as even somewhat younger presidents have fallen for various reasons. Having a choice, I prefer one who is older and experienced than one who is young, naive and inexperienced. Or one who uses someone elses experience to use as their own.

I think that John McCain is better fit to run the country even if he has a disability pension. He deserves it. Hes a true war hero.

It`s amazing to me how liberals in this country demand more and more money for lazy people who play the system, yet somehow have a problem with compensating a “genuine” patriot who has “genuinely” sacrificed for his beloved country. Also, it will be interesting to see how Mr. Mccain reacts when the same people he has been making nice with all these years suddenly turn and rip him a new one. (assuming, of course, that he is elected) I suspect that it will serve to make him see the error of his ways, and actually make him an effective president. One can only hope.. John has my vote!

Three other presidents had disabilities, FDR. Teddy Roosevelt and JFK

If he was a POW in Vietnam and still supports the war in Iraq for 100 years, sings bomb bomb bomb…. bomb IRAN , doesn’t that tell you something?

Most of the comments here seem to ignore the real question. Yes, McCain makes hundreds of thousands of dollars every year being a senator, and he is married to a multi-millionaire…so does he need the 58,000 disability pension?…no. Is he entitled to it legally?…I don’t know. If he is legally entitled to it, then by all means, he should have it…if not, then he should pay it all back with penalties.

As for his competence to be president…hey, this guy married a beautiful, rich, woman who owns a beer manufacturing company…he is a heck of a lot smarter than the rest of us here…

Why not put this issue in perspective from a truly common sense approach. Let’s say a soldier was wounded in battle and let’s say he (or she) lost a limb. He (or she) would be placed on a military disability, correct? Let’s then say this young hero decided he (or she) wanted to run for public office? Should we use the disability as an excuse NOT to vote for this person OR would this disability honestly negatively impact this individuals ability to reason and to lead? I think not. Senator McCain deserves triple what the government is paying him. Let’s go to a real issue….ok?