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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Hillary Clinton’s illness will raise questions about 2016 run -- Age and health her two most vulnerable areas to attack

Posted on Monday, December 31, 2012 at 05:34 AM

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Hillary Clinton's age and health for the Presidential Race 2016 comes into question
(Photo:GlobalGrind)

Hillary Clinton’s illness will raise questions about the most vulnerable aspect of any 2016 presidential run for her – her age and health.

She will be 69 when, and if, she runs, and the health and age issue was bound to surface at some level as she went closer to deciding to run.

Considering that only Ronald Reagan has run at a similar age and he was suspected of suffering from early Alzheimer’s during his second term, it could become a major issue.

This latest illness, especially involving a potential blood clot, will raise such questions to a higher level. The White House is no place to be for a less than healthy occupant.

Clinton has looked exhausted in recent months, and it has been attributed to an incredibly taxing travel schedule but a campaign is also an exhausting marathon as Clinton herself can attest to after her 2008 experience.

Read more: Hillary Clinton taken to hospital with suspected blood clot

During her most recent trip Clinton spent two days in Ireland and it was obvious that not only she, but also her staff were at the limits of their endurance.

The Benghazi affair also added to the pressure and it was clear during her Dublin and Belfast leg that a new term for Obama and her replacement as Secretary of State was something she was greatly looking forward to.

She talked about reading books, relaxing, helping with the Clinton Foundation, but mostly just taking a long rest from the backbreaking schedule.

At a dinner at the Residence Restaurant in Dublin surrounded by close Irish friends, Clinton finally looked relaxed and sipped a beer as she went around the table, asking how everyone had been faring.

It was a brief glimpse of the old Hillary, the very warm private person who holds friendships dear.

But clearly something was amiss on that trip and soon after she came back she fainted and received a concussion and now comes news of the blood clot.

It is far too early to say if there will be any long-term impact on her health but with 2016 speculation already bubbling it will bound to be a matter of intense conversation over the coming days. See more: Irish Democrats

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28 comments

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seanomelb | Dec 31, 2012, 07:32 PM EST

gaelicpiper and bippy are symptomatic of the hate and vile in the GOP/teaparty.

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jetsnoone | Dec 31, 2012, 03:15 PM EST

EphraimKibbey: are you not aware of the fact that Mrs. Clinton is and always has been one of America's leading abortionists? As such, we must reject her as President. She's not even fit to run for dog catcher. My, the evil of this person!

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Searlit | Dec 31, 2012, 03:12 PM EST

Yes, Hillary Clinton did suffer from a stomach flu. I have fainted from the effects of the stomach flu, fallen & hit my head on the nightstand. My chin took the brunt & was bruised. Fortunately, I haven't had a cold in years, since then. Remember, it was the Republican controlled congress that refused to pass the bill that would have paid for increased security at the Embassy in Bengazi. I think Hillary would make a fine president. I don't know if she'll want to run, though.

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Portia_O'Neill | Dec 31, 2012, 01:51 PM EST

There are reports that Mrs.Clinton's fainting spell was preceded by a stomach virus. She may have picked up the vomiting bug during her visit to Ireland.

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JudyStinger | Dec 31, 2012, 01:08 PM EST

Hillary Clinton traveled more than any other Secretary of State. Any normal person would be tired. Should she decide to run for President in 2016 I don't think age will enter into it but I could be wrong. She was very critical of John McCain's age when he ran for President so she'll have to answer for that. Her biggest hurdle is Benghazi and the deaths of 4 Americans. Many people alleged her illness was because she didn't want to testify as to why security wasn't increased even after many requests to do so and especially after there were 2 attacks on the Embassy prior to 9/11. She will have to testify why she and the White House insisted the uprising was due to a movie when its been proven they knew it was a terrorist attack 12 hours after it happened. And too, after the main stream media "finally" reported on Benghazi and Mrs. Clinton had the concussion, why was it reported that 4 Stare Department Officials was discharged and then days later it was found out that they were simply reassigned. Why the lie? Americans demand to know the truth and these blatant lies have to end. Someone has to answer for the deaths of 4 Americans that shouldn't have happened. I truly believe that if anything stops Hillary from running in 2016 it will be the Benghazi coverup.

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EphraimKibbey | Dec 31, 2012, 12:29 PM EST

My sincere wishes for Mrs. Clinton's quick and full recovery. She has exhausted herself for American interests in the world for the last four years and for her New York constituents before that. I hope that she has time now to rest, to heal and to gather her strength for the future whatever she may wish it to entail. I hope that she chooses to serve our country as President in 2016 and I know many, myself included, who will vote for her if that is the path she takes. Her experience, intellect and wit would again be giant forces working for our nation's welfare.

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susan724 | Dec 31, 2012, 12:13 PM EST

Dippy Belllito - God don't like racists!

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BippyBellito | Dec 31, 2012, 11:59 AM EST

It is obvious that Hillary, whether it be by health, demeanor, personality or competence should not be President of the U.S. Of course, the country is now run by a Fraud, and Incompetent, A Liar, and a Murderer, so maybe if Hillary runs on those comparisons she may have a chance to win. I doubt it. The whole "Fainting" issie is more than many can take.

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PhlutiePhan | Dec 31, 2012, 11:05 AM EST

Since Hillary has had previous fainting spells, the flu story does not wash. There is something far more serious at work here.

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miltonedunn | Dec 31, 2012, 10:51 AM EST

This only proves that the world is full of fools. when you cannot take care of home try to tell others your opion.

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Eschetic | Dec 31, 2012, 09:47 AM EST

"Gaelicpiper's" delusional bitterness notwithstanding, here's one real Republican who freely acknowledges that Hillary would have made a fine president and HAS made one of our most effective Secretaries of State. At the same time, as much as her husband and legions of former followers would like her to hold the office and that place in history, I don't believe that the woman herself still has the "fire in the belly" for the battle gaining the presidency would be. That and the national memory of the irrational right wing crusade which made practical accomplishments during Bill's presidency all but impossible make the prospect of another serious Clinton run for the nation's highest office an "iffy" prospect at best - but that is still three or four LONG years away; a lifetime in practical politics.

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antoman | Dec 31, 2012, 09:13 AM EST

Her age is a concern because we have seen how quickly those who become President of the States age. I believe she would win if she ran. She certainly has more experience of worldly affairs than President Obama had when he gained the office. She would also be the first woman President something that may cause female voters in America to cast their vote for her. As black voters did for Obama. She is shoving on in years but she looks great and causes one to pause and seek a picture of her when she was younger. She was quite a beauty in her youth, you can tell that by looking at her today. Her intellect is appealing too, more so today now she has all that experience of life under her belt. Whatever she decides I wish her well for the future. Btw I think President Reagans Presidency was defined by his use of a seer called Joan Quigley.

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Gaelicpiper | Dec 31, 2012, 08:50 AM EST

The fat old cow is finished politically. In fact, her political career has been over hyped by the media from the beginning. In fact, if it were not for the far left media, Billy Clintion would have been convicted in his impeachment trail and the Nation would not have been subjected to that fraud. Ding Dong the fat old cow is finished. Bye-Bye..

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