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Political Medicine

By Kate Pickert | @kpickert | April 20, 2010 | +

One more advantage to being a doctor AND a political candidate? If someone in the audience at a debate needs medical attention, you’re close at hand. (h/t Ben Smith)

From the AP:

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Former Governor John Kitzhaber wants his old job back, but he returned to his days as an emergency room doctor during his debate with Bill Bradbury in Eugene.

The Register-Guard newspaper reports that Wednesday night’s forum was suspended for about 20 minutes after an audience member suffered an apparent seizure.

When someone asked if there was a doctor in the house, Kitzhaber rushed up the aisle to provide first aid.

He checked the man’s vital signs and ensured he had an open airway until paramedics arrived.

“I heard someone say is there a doctor in the house,” Kitzhaber said. “I thought they were kidding and then I looked up and there was someone obviously in distress. And so the old ER reflex kicked in.”

“Some things you don’t forget,” he said.

UPDATE: The same apparently holds true for Senate committee hearings.

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  • nflfoghorn

    How’d it work out for Bill Frist?

  • nflfoghorn

    Guess the GOP’s MO will be: Trust us, we’re doctors.

  • apr2563

    Remember, he was able to diagnose Terri Schiavo’s brain condition by video. What a doc.

  • nflfoghorn

    And Jeb B[l]ush supports life, even if it means government butting in a family’s business.

  • bobell

    And that, children, is why Howard Dean is president.

    Next, Jill Biden.

  • grape_crush

    One wonders that, if Kitzhaber was a Republican, he would have waited for the person having the seizure to negotiate payment before providing treatment.

    Just sayin’.

  • Ivy_B

    I think instead of negotiating payment the patient needs to comparison shop.

  • earljr1

    What sad commentary from obviously sad people. Dr.Kitzhaber is a fine physician and an asset to his community and state. Your malicious observations spill off your tongue and for the most part, you simply DO NOT know what you are talking about. Dr. Kitzhaber is one of your own, a democrat and will probably be elected Governor of Oregon. As stated previously, he will be an asset. Lawyers have, for too long, dominated the political spectrum. This is suppose to be a government OF the people and having a few more physicians involved in this process, will prove beneficial to us all.

  • nflfoghorn

    Dial it back, EJ1. We’re havin’ a little fun here.

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    So, we have Bill Frist, Howard Dean, Ron Paul and John Kitzhaber when are your speeches going to be televised?
    .
    (I know, you love your job and would hate having a hundred of me lobbying you.)
    .
    It’s a lighthearted post. Nobody was being serious.

  • 3xfire3

    Earljr1,
    .
    Your excellent comments shamed the Leftist into backing down on their stupid comments.
    Notice how they now claim they were only joking and having a little fun. Nobody was being serious.
    .
    Notice also that their comments were all directed at those who do not share their liberal views.
    Just a bunch of Left Wing Hypocrites.

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    3X,
    .
    It’s actually a little bit late in the evening and people are going on to do other things rather than some lighthearted remarks you took the wrong way.
    .
    Notice Howard Dean is brought up. Is he somebody we are supposed to hate?
    .
    I mentioned to Earl before that many – not all, I have a conservative uncle who is an exception – many conservatives are humorless.
    .
    Once we were talking about the TV show Breaking Bad, which we both like. I told him how the series ends: Obama passes Health Care Reform.
    .
    (If you don’t know the show, you wouldn’t get it).
    .
    He liked the joke and, of course, I, also, poked fun at expecting perfection from any innovation government, corporate, non-profit.. from anywhere.
    .
    You’re a little humorless 3X.
    .
    I even had a nasty problem here in the Swamp and, still, can find things to laugh about.

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