New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie responded angrily to a former White House physician who claimed on national television earlier this week that his health could not handle the rigors of being president.
Dr. Connie Mariano, an ex-Navy physician who headed the Medical Unit in the White House during President Bill Clinton’s administration, said on CNN that Mr. Christie — who had appeared on “Late Show With David Letterman” on Monday — could die in office if he were elected president, United Press International reported.
Mr. Christie responded at a Wednesday news conference.
“This is just another hack who wants five minutes on TV,” he said, explaining that the doctor had never even examined him, according to UPI.
Dr. Mariano, however, already addressed that line of argument in her appearance on CNN, during which she hinted that in cases involving body types such as Mr. Christie’s, up-close examinations weren’t necessary.
“When I see someone who looks like him, you don’t have to be a White House doctor to be concerned about health issues,” she said during her CNN appearance, UPI reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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