Delaware Senator’s unique response to health questions

Delaware’s senior Senator Tom Carper hops on a table for some an impromptu push-ups following accusations that he’s not in good health from one of his opponents.

In an interview last week on WHYY’s First, Independent Party candidate for Senate Alex Pires said of his Democratic opponent Carper, “He’s in very poor health.   If you spend any time with him, you’ll notice he takes a lot of medicine.”  He continued, “He has I believe Parkinson’s [disease] and, I believe, some other form of emotional problem.”  

Carper turned down a request from WHYY to respond directly to Pires claims, but in a video posted on YouTube, Carper showed off his physical ability to do push ups.  Cheered on by fellow Democrats including Congressman John Carney and Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn, Carper hopped up on a table and did at least 30 push ups.

Pires has made Carper’s health an issue in the Senate campaign, claiming “He’s trying to hold on to the seat for the Democrats, and then he’s going to step down in March or April.”  Pires was not impressed by Carper’s exercise routine caught on video, he told WHYY it was “sad” and nothing more than a “dog trick.” He is still calling on Carper to release his medical records.

The Republican in the race Kevin Wade has steered clear of the debate over Carper’s health.  “I’m worried about the health of this country.  Senator Carper has been prone to some very odd statements, but this is not new.  I’m more concerned with his ability to provide leadership for this state and for the nation than I am any medical report.”  When asked about the push up video, Wade said, “I’d rather he pushed a budget through the U.S. Senate at some point in the last three years that’s one of his jobs.”  You can see the interview with Wade on WHYY’s First this Friday night at 5:30.