McCain Visits a Hospital in Allentown

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is shown a Life Book by Dr. Faunda Campbell as cancer patient Mary Joyce Robinson of Carbondale, Pa., looks on at the Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pa., on April 30, 2008. (Getty Images)
By Michael D. Shear
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Sen. John McCain heaped praise on a hospital here for its innovative use of technology as he continued a week-long health-care tour aimed at highlighting his free-market plans for revamping the way medical insurance is delivered.
But McCain came under immediate criticism from Democrats who pointed out that the hospital -- Lehigh Valley -- had been the recipient of budget earmarks like those that McCain opposed in his ongoing battle against pork barrel spending on Capitol Hill.
The afternoon event was designed by McCain's campaign as an interactive demonstration of medical technology at a hospital that is described as one of the most "paper-free" in the country.
Doctors at the facility used several large flat-screen televisions to connect to remote locations, displayed real-time patient data on computer screens and showed how medical records, including X-rays, could be instantly retrieved on its network.
"Innovation ... is the wellspring that will bring us new treatments, better information and put families in charge of their health care," said Elliot Sussman, the president and CEO of the hospital.
A woman suffering from ovarian cancer described how the hospital's technology helped her treatment and recovery. Another woman told how her high-risk pregnancy was treated from a remote facility 100 miles away because of technology. A third told how she was treated for a
severe case of the flu.
McCain asked questions of the doctors ("What has been the effect on costs on this way of technology as opposed to the old way?") and made comments ("Wonderful story!") as several patients related their high-tech experiences at the hospital.
But Democrats immediately pounced. The clinical program that treated the woman for ovarian cancer was the result of a $10 million earmark that was renewed for eight years, they noted. And the hospital received at least two other earmarks for construction and equipment.
"As usual, the double-talk on earmarks was on full display in Allentown today," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "The one thing that remains clear is that John McCain is the wrong choice for America's future."
Later, as he rode with reporters on the Straight Talk Express, McCain defended himself, saying that he opposes the system of earmarks, in which programs avoid the regular scrutiny of Congress, but said the process does award some worthy programs.
He compared his desire to end earmarks to the mafia, saying the infamous mob might have done some "good projects" but "I can't give you a justification for the mafia."
Posted at 6:56 PM ET on Apr 30, 2008
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Posted by: dlbucs | May 1, 2008 2:43 PM
JakeD-I would Retract said Statement for fear of a Class Action Suit by all the members of the American Bar Association,
But, I have already been DESTROYED in this BUSH-Whacked Economy(Believe me-Bush has had A LOT of Help!).
I am what is known as "Judgment-Proof"! :-)
Or then again! :-(
You will all just have to get in line! ;~)
Posted by: RAT-The | May 1, 2008 1:23 PM
Including, no less, MITT Romney -- in 1975, Romney graduated from a joint Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration program coordinated between Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School -- he graduated cum laude from the law school, so you are going to have to pick a new VP candidate for McCain now ...
Posted by: JakeD | May 1, 2008 12:12 PM
RAT-The:
Thanks a lot for throwing all of us lawyers under the bus ; )
Posted by: JakeD | May 1, 2008 12:10 PM
Hillary-08:
Try; She's a Lawyer! Yes child, once a Sleazy Manipulative Lawyer, always a Lawyer. They are also considered Sharks! They even Eat their own, and their young! Worst part, we have not even developed a Vaccination against them yet! PLEASE do not Grow up to become one!
You CAN become a Senator without being one! BUT, if you are one, the Congress or the Judiciary is where you REALLY ought to STAY! Lawyers do not Belong where Hillary or "Barry" are trying to go!
But, Thank God, They will not get there!
Does that help? ;~)
Then you can tell her all about the great prospects Military Wise MCCain and (Hopefully) Economy Smart Mitt Romney will bring to the Executive Branch-Where they DO Belong! :-)
Posted by: RAT-The | May 1, 2008 11:48 AM
First of all, I don't believe you support Hillary Clinton for President. Second, assuming you have daughter(s), try "honesty is the best policy".
Posted by: JakeD | May 1, 2008 11:46 AM
Hello fellow bloggers;
I am working class mother of two beautiful and intelligent children ranging from nine to twelve years old. Moral integrity along with strong family and Christian values are very important to me and is why I chose to support Hillary Clinton for President. Admittedly, I've been concerned with the tone of the campaign as of late and am beginning to have doubts about my choice in candidate.
Senator Clinton said if Rev Wright was her pastor she would've left the church an
d alluded that she placed a high premium on integrity of the company she keeps. Yet she chose to remain with her husband after he committed a number of adulterous affairs, including Jennifer Flowers and Monica Lewinski. Bill Clinton was later impeached for telling lies to a grand jury, disbarred and ultimately created a moral embarrassment to prestige of the American presidency. Senator Clinton's comments about the Wright issue just do not seem to reconcile with her actions to remain loyal to a husband who lied and cheated to her and the American people. I am also troubled that she never offered an apology to the nation and Monica Lewinski after it was confirmed that her husband lied about the sexual involvement. This especially since Mrs. Clinton had accused Ken Star of being on a right wing witch-hunt and called Monica a liar. I can understand the Senator defending her husband when she didn't have knowledge that he lied. However, she should have demonstrated character by apologizing to the American people after evidence confirmed that he did.
On another topic but in keeping with the theme of character and credibility- My 9 year old daughter watched the Bosnia "misstatement" incident reported in the media and asked me to explain the difference between a misstatement and a Lie. It was an interesting topic and I was aware of the potential mine-field. Therefore I carefully responded to my daughter by saying:
"It is Senator Clinton's belief that she made a human mistake when she re-told the events of the Bosnia trip to be slightly different that the actual occurrence, therefore she feels it is was misstatement since her version was not changed deliberately"
My daughter followed up by asking why Mrs. Clinton repeated the incorrect version on 3 separate occasions with such specific, vivid clarity- she was also curious to know why Chelsea Clinton confirmed her mother's version to be factual when asked by the media. Why would Mrs. Clinton encourage Chelsea to lie on her behalf if it was a mistake, she queried? My daughter then asked if I was satisfied with the explanation given by the Senator. At that point I was unable to defend Mrs. Clinton any further as I too was unable to reconcile the given explanation. I immediately closed the discussion by telling my daughter that we should not be so quick to judge people. I later had an uncomfortable feeling that I did not handle the discussion very well and attributed the reason to my belief that Senator Clinton did not demonstrate integrity with the Bosnia incident. I believe that her questionable credibility is why her negative rating is becoming a problem. I know in my heart she lied but left with the optics of the alternate choice I feel that I must continue to support her. What advice can my fellow Hillary supporters offer so I can go back to my daughter and continue this important conversation?
Posted by: Hillary 08 | May 1, 2008 11:17 AM
Thanks for the Credits. :-)
FYI-I have actually promoted an Idea I feel has merit towards the two camps I support-I affectionately call McRomney.
The Goal is the creation of market(S) South, that makes Opportunity available where there are NOT 300 Million already Maxing out resources(US).
Believe it or Not, the Invasorios could be beneficial-THERE! Se Habla Espanol! :-)
However, Neocons, or RepubliCANS, are NOT the ones who appointed the Libbie Judges Infesting the Ninth Circuit that effectively Blocked ID Fraud Investigation. THEY have Nada to do with La Raza, Menza, or the ACLU(Barack). THEY tried to get House Resolution 1940 into action(Birthright Citizenship Act), that is gathering Dust on Ninny Peloser's(Worst House Speaker EVER-BY FAR) Desk!
No, the one's who will facilitate La Invasora, and Reconquista are the DIMocrats.
And may God have mercy on their souls for the possible confrontation they are helping to occur!
See, I live in areas where the Invasion is in full swing. US Citizens do not realize what being a Gringo in a predominantly Hispanic environment is actually like.
Hint-Read La Raza's Charter! "ALL for Hispanics"!
It's a WAR! The Dimocrats are letting the Enemy that vastly outnumbers US, march right in, and take up Positions.
Immigration is one thing, INVASION is something all together different. When Texas was "Invaded" by Yanqis, WE had to fight Hostile Indians(American Apache and Commanche), and Create the wealth! The Children of the Mexican Revolutionaries Invading now, are just trying to once again STEAL the Wealth!
They did it before! :-(
Oh, and who else is aware Mexico's Congress is trying to Legalize Illegal Immigration across Mexico? :-(
Posted by: RAT-The | May 1, 2008 10:35 AM
"as he rode with reporters on the Straight Talk Express"
This doesn't strike WaPo editors as absurd? If it was called the "Die Pinko Lib Commies Express", would you use that? Why is it ever referred to as anything other than "his campaign bus"?
Posted by: Anonymous | May 1, 2008 9:46 AM
Comparing an oncologist to Paulie Walnuts is out of touch and elitist, setting aside how offensive it is to Italian-Americans like myself.
Posted by: crt12 | May 1, 2008 8:52 AM
McCain to patient: Your case is a Wonderful Story, that I guarantee won't be repeated when I'm president.
McCain to doctors: This hospital is a medical marvel, that I promise to stop funding.
Luckily John McCain is rich enough to buy his own personal fully-equipped, state-of-the-art hospital.
Posted by: OD | May 1, 2008 8:38 AM
Nobody wants earmarks unless they personally benefit from them. They would be okay if congress actually did their job and sat in Washington and discussed them instead of attaching them to bills that are important. And in reference to RAT-The, you actually have a good point this time. Even neocon Bushies can show an ounce of intelligence sometimes. It's too bad they lie so much that they have no credibility anymore. Perhaps some day they'll contribute positively to our society.
Posted by: MikeMcNally | May 1, 2008 8:01 AM
RAT-The: You are absolutely right! No more illegals and get rid of the ones we have. Jail those who hire illegals though; we're through with labor colonialism and fascist labor market flooding!
Posted by: bong_jamesbong2001 | May 1, 2008 6:23 AM
=================================================
.
...................MCCLINTON VOTED FOR THE WAR
Posted by: Anonymous | May 1, 2008 12:33 AM
McCain's going to run into real trouble on the earmarks thing. Voters like hearing rants against government waste - until they realize that most services and programs that give them a pretty good life are considered "waste" by McCain.
Posted by: matt | April 30, 2008 10:28 PM
As I say I want to reduce, if not eliminate the Overburden on our System by People Illegally in this Country, I want it PLAINLY Understood that I also want them to be able to get Treatment in THEIR Countries! I want them to have Opportunity in Their Countries.
What I want HERE, is FEDERAL Officials FINING the Heck out of any Sleazebag Employer avoiding W-4 Requirements of Employment Verification of Eligibility for Work!
Over Half of the Immigrants in this Country are here ILLEGALLY!
THAT is absolutely UN-ACCEPTABLE! Christian Nation or Whatever! :-(
Posted by: RAT-The | April 30, 2008 9:40 PM
Hillary has requested nearly $2.3 billion in federal earmarks for the next fiscal year. That's almost three times the largest amount received by a single senator during this current fiscal year.
Posted by: JakeD | April 30, 2008 7:20 PM
Remember that scene in "American Gangster" where Denzel Washington is handing out Thanksgiving turkeys to all the poor people from the back of a truck?
Posted by: JakeD | April 30, 2008 7:14 PM
LOL!!!
He compared his desire to end earmarks to the mafia, saying the infamous mob might have done some "good projects" but "I can't give you a justification for the mafia."
Posted by: JakeD | April 30, 2008 7:10 PM
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Happy "Mission Accomplished Day". Remember the 45 million Americans without health care insurance. Remember disgraceful conditions at Walter Reed. Remember this stinking war. Remember the lives and billions being wasted. Remember how McCain puts party first over the nation. He (McBush) hasn't showed an inch of independence during the last four years. I don't trust him.