Josh Marshall - Speculation on Cheney's Health from shoe size

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/004149.php

This is a delicate topic. But I think it's worth asking.

If you look in today's Reliable Source column in the Washington Post, the final item is identified as a verbatim press release ...

On Nov. 21, Vice President Dick Cheney (along with approximately six Secret Service agents) visited the Johnston & Murphy retail store at Tyson's Corner Shopping Center in McLean. Cheney has been a longtime Johnston & Murphy customer, but recently found it necessary to make a personal visit to the store because his shoe size changed to a size 10EEE. Cheney selected the Lasalle wingtip loafer in brushed mahogany. He also bought a pair of shoe trees to keep his 10EEEs in top shape. Bob Ciuffoletti, store manager, has helped Cheney with his footwear needs in the past. . . . 'It was such a pleasure to see him again and help him select a pair of shoes that fit,' said Ciuffoletti.

The item does not identify who the press release is from. But it turns out that it came from the shoe store chain, not the White House.

But why is the Vice President's shoe size getting bigger? Of course, it doesn't explicitly say they've gotten bigger only that his feet have changed sizes. And 10EEE is a rather large size.

Here's why I say this. Swollen feet is a symptom of congestive heart failure, particularly when the enlargement is in both feet (thus signalling a systemic cause.) It is by no means the only thing it can mean. Ankle and foot swelling can also be caused by fluid build-up due to renal insufficiency, among other causes. And, of course, even later in life one's shoe size can simply change for entirely benign reasons.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. I hope he doesn't explode.

All that bile that is inside him would get on other people. I would think that may be fatal.

[Trajan]

4. Ew ....

Alien all over again ....

[htuttle]

7. Now that you mention it, he is starting to remind me of someone...

[sendero]

14. I dunno....

... I'd settle for that :)

[htuttle]

2. Wouldn't a 10EEE practically be square?

That's an very wide shoe -- in fact I didn't realize they came that large off the rack.

[lancdem]

3. Hmmm...

Josh could be on to something.

[TexasSissy]

5. What was his former shoe size?

[HereSince1628]

6. Don't overlook increases in weight

significant changes in weight which depending upon pressures acting on supporting connective tissue could result in the collapse of the arch resulting in both lengthening and widening of the foot.

Cheney is SO full of BS that I imagine the weight supported by his feet might be suitable for the Guiness Book of Records.

[aquart]

8. He doesn't look that much heavier.

Congestive heart failure sucks. It's the way my family goes.

Interesting about Cheney's feet. If you buy shoes, you're assuming the condition isn't temporary.

[grasswire]

9. some of us predicted this weeks ago...

....that Cheney is suffering from CHF.

[stevedeshazer]

10. His feet are growing, too?!

[Gothmog]

11. Cheney will be gone after midterm elections.

Cheney will be replaced after the mid term elections by whoever Karl Rove decides to push in 2008.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

12. dick morris has been sucking too hard

[DemOperative]

13. EEEWWWWWWW

My minds eye has gone blind

[elehhhhna]

15. pregnant? that makes your feet bigger...