alternatehistory.com

Jan. 27, 1969
January 27, 1969

Gartner quashes rumors about Humphrey’s illness

Rumors have swirled around Washington ever since President Humphrey’s cancer diagnosis was announced publicly. Speaking with reporters, David Gartner, Humphrey’s Chief of Staff [1], strenuously denied that the President was incapacitated. While Gartner acknowledged that the President’s condition has deteriorated rapidly over the last week, he said Humphrey was still of sound mind and capable of making important decisions. He said that rumors that Vice President Muskie was already performing Presidential duties were greatly exaggerated.

Humphrey’s doctor confirmed that the President struggles to get out of bed, and has been unable to walk without collapsing. Most alarmingly, the normally loquacious Humphrey gave up talking on the telephone. [2][3] It seems that the end is now quite near. Despite this grim prognosis, Humphrey retains his characteristic optimism. He continues to be visited by friends and colleagues. Economist Walter Heller, who visited the President, was reportedly “shocked” to see him up close. "He was so emaciated. But that wonderful Hubert Humphrey spirit was still there." [2]

[1] In OTL, Gartner was Humphrey’s personal assistant. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2009-10-13-0910130069-story.html
[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/arch...b51a08d/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.8129ad9c9457
[3] Humphrey was notoriously long-winded. As a New York Times article put it, “One favorite Washington joke says that a definition of an optimist is a woman who puts her shoes on when Hubert Humphrey says, ‘In conclusion...’” From: https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/15/...tate-in-capitol-carter-leads-tributes-as.html
Top