Vice-President miles ahead in fitness race
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Just like our Chancellor Gordon Brown, he bites his fingernails. But otherwise, to the surprise of no one who has watched him over the years, Vice-President Al Gore's general health at 52 would be the envy of a man half his age.
Just like our Chancellor Gordon Brown, he bites his fingernails. But otherwise, to the surprise of no one who has watched him over the years, Vice-President Al Gore's general health at 52 would be the envy of a man half his age.
Yesterday saw the latest ritual milestone in the coverage of a Presidential election campaign, the first instalment in The New York Times of the State of the Candidates' Health. To Europeans, used to Mitterrand-like standards of deception where their leaders' physical condition is concerned, the details on offer may seem a near-criminal invasion of privacy.
But here and especially this year, not only is a leader's health deemed an entirely legitimate matter of public concern, it is a factor that might just tip a desperately close election.
This was evidenced by Bill Bradley's fall in the polls after small physical frailties emerged during his primary battle against Mr Gore.
Interestingly, neither George W Bush nor his running mate Dick Cheney (who has a history of heart problems) have yet submitted to scrutiny by the Times. So, unsurprisingly, the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Mr Gore is first up.
We learn his total cholesterol (231) is a touch on the high side, but his HDL, or good cholesterol, is a favourable 55. His PSA, an indicator of possible prostate cancer, was a normal 0.55. In 1997, he tested negative for HIV.
Every other day he works out, to the tune of 150 push-ups and 100 sit-ups, plus five or six jogs or stair-climbing exercises per week. Mr Gore has run a marathon and last year climbed Mount Rainier (14,410ft) in Washington State. To relieve stress, he exercises, prays or meditates.
The one semi-surprise amid this litany of virtue and perfection are the fingernails. During the interview, says the Times, they were bitten "to ragged edges". It was, said the Vice-President, something he indulged in "once in a while". He'll likely to be gnawing them even shorter between now and 7 November.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments