Should candidates be required to go through a physical & mental exam prior to running or being appointed for office? Reagan's Alzheimer's?

If this Was The Case Neither Bernie Sanders Or HRC Would Have Been Qualified nor would half of the republicans candidates...

An interesting question. Lot's of ideologues complain about the Reagan Administration, but for many of us, if his accomplishments were the results of early onset Alzheimer's Disease, we might be tempted to deem that Disease a qualification for office. (I can't wait for the responses to that statement, but I'll stand by it). The problem with having mental/emotion/physical tests for candidates is that such tests can be used to disqualify good candidates. Look at how the Soviet Union used to incarcerate political dissidents in "mental institutions". Obviously, anyone who disagreed with the ideology of communism was mentally disturbed...

Slippery slope there. Half in Congress would fail the drug screen and if they voted to require POTUS they might be next. It's a valid topic though as you refer to Pres. Reagan. Strange that CIA Dir. Casey developed memory problems about that time also. The whole Iran/Contra thing likely caused them to not remember stuff as well.

Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1994, about 5 years after he left office. Below is his letter to the American people regarding the diagnosis. There have been some that have said he had early signs of it while in office. That is really not provable. He left office in January of 1989, his diagnosis was in November of 1994.

The article you used even admits it is only trying to be predictive of the disease it is not suggesting he had it at the time he was in office.

Presidents do get physicals every year and they are usually pretty fully published.

Your concern about the length of their term, at least for presidents, is addressed by the two term limit for the office. It is not a lifetime appointment nor can they serve for more than 8 years.
_______________________________________________________________________________
On November 5, 1994, former President Ronald Reagan published a letter to the American people announcing his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

My fellow Americans,

I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.

Upon learning this news, Nancy and I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way.

In the past, Nancy suffered from breast cancer and I had cancer surgeries. We found through our open disclosures we were able to raise public awareness. We were happy that as a result many more people underwent testing. They were treated in early stages and able to return to normal, healthy lives.

So now we feel it is important to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clear understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it.

At the moment, I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life's journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters.

Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes, I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage.

In closing, let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.

I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead.

Thank you, my friends.

Sincerely,

Ronald Reagan

Is this in the public interest? FDR was a wreck, JFK had Addison's, did they lead well? History says they did. The mental health issue presents to me, a valid concern. Nobody really wants a manic-depressive with your hand on the nuclear trigger. However, that raises the question of exactly what level of mental difficulties do we want to accept? Can a president have anger management issues? How about past drug dependency issues? The DSM is full of disorders that most candidates can be diagnosed as having. So how do we choose what's important, what's not, what's public or private?

Had honor of serving under 7 presidentso. I have to say he was one of,if the one I admired the most and proud of being a member of the US military. Had a little more fun under W. but was more confident under Regan

Why? Am I seeing who can benchpress the most? Or am I electing the next President? There's a reason we pick both a President and a Vice President. If something happens to the President, the Vice President takes charge.

Tell me... how would a physical and mental exam before the election stopped President Clinton from potentially contracting syphilis while he was in office. Clearly his heart was healthy enough for sexual activity.

Reagan, even IF he had Alzheimer's was far and away a better POTUS than the current POTUS.

If that was a requirement then 3/4 it not more would not be in Washington now

One thing I forgot to mention: I believe I had to have a full physical and Psych eval before doing my job in the NAVY. Then I had to have MORE follow-up exams as my tasks were more significant, as having more security evaluations/monetary disclosures while I "progressed" up the chain. As a mere enlisted man, I would expect our "LEADERS" be held to a hell of a lot more EXAMINATION AS WELL AS SCRUTINY THAT I WAS HELD AT!!! Due to one of my medicines, I was taken off on of my duties...... Shouldn't that be true for Officers, Officials and "PUBLIC SERVANTS"????