Obama in 'excellent health,' doctor says

Barack Obama's campaign just released a summary of his health records that says he's in good shape.

But unlike John McCain's hundreds of pages released last week that came to the same conclusion about the presumptive Republican nominee, the Democratic front-runner just issued a one-page letter from his personal physician for the last 21 years, David L. Scheiner.

"During that period of time, Senator Obama has been in excellent health," Scheiner writes. "He has been seen regularly for medical checkups and various minor problems such as upper respiratory infections, skin rashes and minor injuries.

"His family history is pertinent for his mother’s death from ovarian cancer and grandfather who died of prostate cancer. His own history included intermittent cigarette smoking. He has quit this practice on several occasions and is currently using Nicorette gum with success," Scheiner continues.

"Senator Obama’s last medical checkup was on January 15, 2007; he had no complaints. He exercised regularly often jogging three miles. His diet was balanced with good intake of roughage and fluids. A complete review of systems was unremarkable. On physical examination, his blood pressure was 90/60 and pulse 60/minute. His build was lean and muscular with no excess body fat. His physical examination was completely normal."

"In short, his examination showed him to be in excellent health," Scheiner's summary concludes. "Senator Barack Obama is in overall good physical and mental health needed to maintain the resiliency required in the Office of President."

Asked why Obama had not had a physical since January 2007 and whether any more detail would be forthcoming, spokesman Bill Burton replied in an email: "He's been on the campaign trail. Senator Obama has a clean bill of health, as this letter shows. With no surgery or hospital stays, this is a complete summary of his doctor visits and medical records for the past two decades."

Obama turns 47 in August, while McCain turns 72 and would be the oldest person elected to a first term as president.