John Kerry faces hand-shaking ban

Reuters ^ | March 29, 2004

[Shermy]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, who will undergo minor shoulder surgery on Wednesday, faces a politician's worst nightmare while recovering -- no shaking hands.

"I think initially we'll have him avoid handshaking," said Dr. Bertram Zarins, who will perform the outpatient surgery at Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital.

"But as he feels the strength improving, and when he tries to shake a hand if it doesn't hurt, then I think it's alright for him to do it," he said in a conference call with reporters.

Kerry, who will challenge President George W. Bush in November, hurt the sub-scapularis tendon in his right shoulder when he braced himself for an abrupt bus stop while campaigning in Iowa in January.

After the 45-minute surgery Kerry will be in a sling for a day or two, Zarins said, and is scheduled to be back on the road early next week. But he will have to be careful when tending to the typical campaign duty of shaking hands.

"It's not going to be an absolute avoidance. I think within two or three weeks he'll be shaking hands, but there may be a limit to how many hours he can do it," Zarins said.

But he said there was little chance that a vigorous well-wisher could re-injure the shoulder with a hearty shake.

"I don't think so, I think if this happens it will be from too much handshaking, not from one hand shake," he said. "So if the shoulder starts getting sore he'll just have to back off."

[Shermy]

I'm not a doctor but...

and this injury hasn't impeded his biking, skiing, snowboarding, etc. etc.

[HarryCaul]

In photos, I've noticed Kerry has 2 hands.

Of course, I suppose shaking lefty could subliminally turn people off.

[Brett66]

Too bad the surgery wasn't on his mouth.

[Salamander]

"Of course, I suppose shaking lefty could subliminally turn people off."

Well...it hasn't so far.....:)

[bayourod]

Bob Dole was a real war hero. He used his left hand turned upside down when he shook hands during his presidential campaign.

[mvpel]

I had the experience, he had definitely gotten adept at it.

[Azzurri]

"I think initially we'll have him avoid handshaking," said Dr. Bertram Zarins, who will perform the outpatient surgery at Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital.

Translation: Hand-shaking is bad for Botox injections.

[kylaka]

Bob Dole had a bad arm from being wounded in COMBAT, and he never begged off shaking hands. Maybe Kerry thinks he's going to catch something, like commoners disease, or worse yet Aids.

[The South Texan]

Excuse my French. What an F'ing whimp!

[tbeatty]

...hurt the sub-scapularis tendon in his right shoulder when he braced himself for an abrupt bus stop while campaigning in Iowa....

Must have happened when the DNC threw Howard Dean under the Kerry bus.

[mikrofon]

But he said there was little chance that a vigorous well-wisher could re-injure the shoulder with a hearty shake.

Given Kerry's "inspirational" speaking style and inability to stir up any real passion in the Dem base, I doubt he has to worry about any vigorous supporters.

[Richard Kimball]

Couple of thoughts: First, does anyone find it interesting that Kerry has to have surgery right after his "I don't fall down" skiboarding trip? Second, I notice that a ban on shaking never stopped Janet Reno (rimshot).

BTW, Kerry is a heck of a lot more fragile than they're letting on. Aside from being a head case, he's got some kind of serious physical ailment.

[smoothsailing]

Kerry should just get a stunt double handshaker.

I vote for Ted Kennedy.

Can't wait to see him on a snowboard.

[KingNo155]

Real reason is... Kerry got sweaty palms nobody wants to shake his hand!... drum roll please

[Samwise]

Just gives Kerry an excuse not to sully his hands by touching the serfs.

[Azzurri]

BTW, Kerry is a heck of a lot more fragile than they're letting on. Aside from being a head case, he's got some kind of serious physical ailment.

I wouldn't be surprised if this guy has to step aside in the summer due to health concerns, paving the way for Ms Rodham to enter the fray.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: "I think initially we'll have him avoid handshaking," said Dr. Bertram Zarins, who will perform the outpatient surgery at Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital.

Well, we will have to stop calling him a wanker for a few days...

[Becki]

Gee.

Now he has a real authentic excuse for not touching the little people.

Becki

[cinnathepoet]

Oh, non, non! Having him open his mouth early and often is the best thing for the Bush campaign.

[Dallas59]

Must've been all the ball throwing he did.