Presidential muscle man

ELECTION '08 | Doc says Obama's medical records paint picture of a man more than fit for office

WASHINGTON -- Likely Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama is in "excellent health," according to a summary of Obama's medical records released Thursday, a move timed to contrast the basketball-playing Obama, 46, with presumptive Republican contender Sen. John McCain, 71, who must convince voters he has no health issues that could prevent him from serving as president.

A 276-word letter was written by Dr. David L. Scheiner, the Chicago physician with an office in Hyde Park who has been Obama's personal physician since March 1987, though no records were released. Scheiner last examined Obama in January 2007.

Scheiner described Obama as "lean and muscular with no excess body fat." Obama is still using Nicorette gum to stay off cigarettes -- he has quit smoking several times, his doctor notes.

Scheiner said Obama's blood pressure and lab tests were all within normal or above-normal ranges.

The McCain campaign last week allowed a select group of reporters to study McCain's medical history, which is complicated because of his skin cancer and injuries suffered while serving in the military and as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

Lynn Sweet