All that handshaking and baby kissing takes a toll on candidates

SALT LAKE CITY — If you thought athletes are the only ones who sustain work-related pain, think again.

Consider the governor, diagnosed by his doctor.

"He said, 'You've got politician's elbow from shaking too many hands,' " said Gov. Gary Herbert.

"I don't know if that's any kind of a badge of courage to where I'd rather say I had tennis elbow," added the governor, who is an avid tennis player.

How about the wear and tear delivered by the honk and wave?

Herbert's Democratic opponent, Peter Corroon (a hockey player in his youth), had problems during a prior campaign for county mayor with his shoulder.

His doctor told him "to keep your elbow below your shoulder to stop any kind of bone spurs," Corroon said. "That's good advice."

No doubt, campaigning is not just a test mentally and emotionally, but physically as well.

"I'm tired but that's the way it should be. And we won't stop until tonight," GOP House candidate Morgan Philpot said Tuesday from his polling place. "Elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, I'm tired. I'm worn out. I've got 'politician's everything,' I guess."

His campaign opponent, incumbent Democrat Jim Matheson, won't concede an inch, displaying a "never let them see you sweat" attitude.

"I've got no ailments. I'm battle ready," Matheson said, when asked about any election-related afflictions as he prepared to vote. "I'm ready to go. Fired up and ready to go."

The rigors of campaigning can be taxing, according to candidates and their physicians. Think about the thousands of handshakes, the toll endless speeches and debates can take on the voice, the neck pain (ear, too?) from the countless phone calls for fundraising.

After voting in Utah County, GOP Senate candidate Mike Lee reported no "tennis elbow."

But he said, "Every once in a while the hand gets a little bit sore from shaking lots of hands. I've had a lot of practice, so it's had time to build up gradually."

Corroon said the shoulder issue hasn't had an impact on his fastball.

"My fastball is still hurting," Corroon said. "So, still need some work there."

Bottom line, it goes with the territory. No pain, no gain.

"It's just an occupational hazard I guess," Herbert said.

Maybe that's why they call it a campaign race.

e-mail: jdaley@desnews.com