I‘m all for teasing politicians and pointing out their foibles, but there’s been two things that Republicans have been needlessly harping on for years that have always bugged me.
I write this because one of those topics was just in the news yesterday. Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton had another coughing attack the other day, and as usual, the Right was there to make fun of her and suggesting it is indicative of serious health issues.
The reason this “obsession” — as the Washington Post put it — among right-leaning publications has always gotten to me is because I, too, suffer from bouts of coughing. Whether it’s after drinking wine, or trying to be heard in a loud place or just randomly throughout the day (as my coworkers or anyone who has spent a few minutes with me can attest), I cough.
I’m coughing as I write this (and I have to stop typing ever few seconds to cover my mouth). It’s probably just the power of suggestion, but you get the idea.
So she coughs. Some people just have that problem after talking loudly or for long periods of time. The Post noted that Clinton drinks tea and uses a humidifier to try and stop the coughing spells, and a doctor told the Post’s Philip Bump last October that Clinton’s coughing “should not under the circumstances be presumed as unhealthy.”
The other consistent right-leaning attack that’s always irked me was pointing out when President Obama was chewing gum during high-level meetings. We know he’s struggled to stop smoking, and the gum is an aid in that fight. I’d much rather see him chewing gum — but be focused on the meeting — than looking like he’s jonesing for a cigarette and unable to concentrate.
These are just my dumb little thoughts for the day. I know it doesn’t really matter, but there are far better things to criticize or pick on than coughing and chewing gum.
Ashe Schow is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
