Is Christie’s weight a problem? Unfortunately, it probably is
It’s an uncomfortable question, which means that it’s right in Barbara Walters’ wheelhouse. As she put it to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie:
For those who can’t watch video, here’s how the exchange goes:
WALTERS: “There are people who say that you couldn’t be president because you are so heavy. What do you say to that?”
CHRISTIE: “It’s ridiculous. I mean, that’s ridiculous. I think people have watched me for a number of weeks in Hurricane Sandy doing 18-hour days, so I don’t really think that would be a problem.”
I’m not so sure that’s true. As Christie acknowledged to Walters, he isn’t merely overweight, he’s seriously overweight. That struck home during last night’s broadcast of the Hurricane Sandy charity concert in New York, which Christie attended. When the camera panned to Christie, standing in a crowd surrounded by other people, the size differential between the governor and those around him was startling.
Some have raised the question of whether Christie’s weight reflects a character flaw or lack of personal discipline, but I’m with the governor on that one: “It’s ridiculous.” That alleged “lack of discipline” doesn’t show up in other aspects of his life, and as Christie aptly noted, it doesn’t affect his work ethic.
It does, however, raise significant health issues. If you look at how George W. Bush visibly aged over his eight-year presidency, and how Barack Obama has aged, the toll taken by the job and the campaigning becomes pretty clear. And unlike Christie, both Bush and Obama are pretty serious about staying in good physical shape. It’s perfectly legitimate, even necessary, to consider health when electing a president, and although Christie has never revealed his actual weight, it’s pretty clear that he would fall in the far right category in the chart below:
There’s also the image issue. Rationally speaking, you cannot judge a person’s character or intelligence by his or her weight or physical attractiveness, but the truth is that we do it all the time, without even thinking about it.
As researchers Lucy Watson and Lucy Johnston write in summarizing scientific studies into the question:
“Attractive people are perceived to be happier, more sociable and more successful than unattractive individuals. Attractive, as compared to unattractive, individuals are judged more highly on academic tasks, are treated more generously when grades are assigned and receive more support. Furthermore, physical attractiveness has been found to affect juror decisions, helping behavior, parents’ attitudes toward their own infants, psychological well-being of adults, status cues, social and professional competence evaluations, level of prestige of a given occupation and employment and job evaluations.”
Given that psychological reality, it’s no surprise that voters tend to gravitate to candidates who look presidential. And in his present physical condition, that is not a test that Christie passes.
– Jay Bookman
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612 comments Add your comment
Nunna Yobinnes
December 13th, 2012
1:24 pm
Signing off, Baba Wawa at Warge. Weawy Warge.
Granny Godzilla
December 13th, 2012
1:25 pm
MIke
Nothing says bashing like showing concern for ones long term health.
Right?
godless heathen - fiscal cliff dweller
December 13th, 2012
1:26 pm
Real Housewives of Gold miners who buy storage units on the Jersey Shore.
LOL! I’d watch that.
Nunna Yobinnes
December 13th, 2012
1:27 pm
Or should she have said, “Vewy Warge”?
Mike
December 13th, 2012
1:28 pm
Aetna announced it’s health insurance premiums to it’s customers may be doubling due to AHCA.
Morality?
December 13th, 2012
1:29 pm
Got to go feed Muchu my Bearded Dragon – loves crickets. Eats greens too – got to have a healthy diet – natural spring water -runs on the tread mill every day. Muchu is fit and trim – and a USA citizen – meets all the requirements to run for President and will be of age in 2016 ( lizard years).
Morality?
December 13th, 2012
1:32 pm
Babwa Wa Wa belongs in a Wax Museum.. brain has long been removed.
Nunna Yobinnes
December 13th, 2012
1:33 pm
Morality? – you mean bwain.
Nunna Yobinnes
December 13th, 2012
1:34 pm
You wascawy wabbit.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 13th, 2012
1:35 pm
“Morality” — “Got to go feed Muchu my Bearded Dragon”
My best regards to your wife, sir!
Granny Godzilla
December 13th, 2012
1:36 pm
Mike
Newsmax? ( article says “some” just in case you missed that)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/11/rachel-maddow-conservative-media_n_2276499.html
http://themoderatevoice.com/170117/quote-of-the-day-bill-kristol-on-conservatism-becoming-a-racket/
guy
December 13th, 2012
1:39 pm
getalife, I am not an angry man. In fact,I love everyone,even you! Merry Christmas!
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
December 13th, 2012
1:40 pm
xxx@12:50 – You mentioned Rice as too gay, I got blasted a couple weeks ago for asking that question. What makes you think that? He is heavy, just like Hilliary is (to be nice about it) rather plain. But she is smart and a Democrat!
Donovan
December 13th, 2012
1:41 pm
Real nice hit piece, Bookman. Ladies and gentlemen…this is the face of liberalism. Nothing too low class. Nothing too shameful.
Barbara Walters didn’t ask Hillary Clinton why she is 30-40 pounds heavier since she was annointed as the Sec. of State or why she looks like she never washes her pulled back hair. But this View Master finds it ok to interview Christie on his weight. And the media is not biased?
News flash:
How about liberal/Marxist Harry Belafonte saying Obama should imprison opposition like a third world dictator?
How about Homeland Security instructing federal agents not to arrest an illegal immigrant/sex offender working for Democrat Sen. Robert Menendez until after his re-election?
How about the quick panning of the violence perpetrated by those union goons in Michigan?
Yes, you liberals are reprehensible.
Regnad Kcin
December 13th, 2012
1:42 pm
I don’t think it’s a real issue.
I’m not sure if it’s a fair issue. It smacks of “I won’t vote for him – he doesn’t look like me.” That being said, I think I’d want him to release his medical records before I’d vote for him.
As you can see, I’m conflicted on this issue…
Joe Hussein Mama
December 13th, 2012
1:42 pm
Donovan — “Real nice hit piece, Bookman.”
ST*U, Donny
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118715/quotes
Regnad Kcin
December 13th, 2012
1:45 pm
“How about liberal/Marxist Harry Belafonte saying Obama should imprison opposition like a third world dictator?”
Why do you imagine we give a **** about what Harry Belafonte says?
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
December 13th, 2012
1:47 pm
Well, I take this real personal ’cause if you’re saying he can’t be President ’cause he’s real big then you’re saying the missus couldn’t either. See, I think she outweighs Christie.
Anyhow, like she says, she’s not fat, she’s just big-boned. And she’s big-boned because she’s got a Gland problem that makes her eat about everything she sees.
It’s probly the same with Christie.Y’all ought to be ashamed of yourself, making fun of a guy that can’t help the size he is.
I’m not into threats or anything like that, but keep this stuff up and I’ll read aloud to her what ya’ll are saying and you’ll learn what it’s like to be in front of a 375 lb. woman with a 5 lb. skillet.
Counting Votes and Taking Names
December 13th, 2012
1:49 pm
The morality police insisted in 1998 that the President’s character mattered, that the Office was exalted enough to prescribe criteria of choice that went beyond the job itself.
McCain was too old and sickly to be our President in 2008. Christie is a heart attack waiting to strike.
Granny Godzilla
December 13th, 2012
1:52 pm
Donovan
How about when Luke raped Laura at the disco and still they married?
moonbat betty
December 13th, 2012
1:55 pm
Christy should have asked Walters how many more face lifts her mug can take before ABC refuses to renew her contract.
Obviously, looks are the most important factor to liberals.
Funny thing is, most of them are ugly themselves!
At least Christy can lose weight. You can’t change ugly.
vinny
December 13th, 2012
1:57 pm
Obama’s low i.q. and outright sheer stupidity hasn’t come into question.
Nero
December 13th, 2012
2:00 pm
getalife is fat from the entitlement trough. He’s projecting.
Doggone/GA
December 13th, 2012
2:02 pm
“It had been said that if there were TVs in every household during the 1930’s, FDR never would have been elected President. Men in wheelchairs do not get elected”
TV has nothing to do with it. FDR resisted being seen or photographed sitting in a wheel chair because he knew that would diminish his image and make it nearly impossible for him to be elected. No TV’s when he ran either.
JamVet
December 13th, 2012
2:03 pm
Fainting couch for Donovan! Stat!
Mike
December 13th, 2012
2:04 pm
Yes Granny it does read “some” and “may”, you are right. But IIRC we were told this plan would lower health insurance costs by approx. $2500 to each individual per year. I think I remember some number like that. But heck I’m gettin older to, so I could be wrong.
The insurance rep who comes to see us every six months, laughed when asked if our premiums were going down. We all got duped on this deal, I’m afraid.
Mike
December 13th, 2012
2:05 pm
Maybe it was $2500 per family?
emo
December 13th, 2012
2:08 pm
Vinny, you are a great comedian!
Interested
December 13th, 2012
2:08 pm
I am a left-wing pinko liberal who has NEVER voted for a Republican. That said, there are a lot of things that concern me about Chris Christie, but his weight is not one of them. Governor Christie is an intelligent, educated man who is knowledgeable and well versed on domestic matters. To minimize a discussion about Gov Christie to his weight issues is a sad commentary on all of us. If you listened to his speech during the Republican National Convention, you know he is a passionate, eloquent speaker, who will be able to galvanize his party. We, the liberal Democrats, need to be afraid of Chris Christie in 2016
Granny Godzilla
December 13th, 2012
2:09 pm
Mike
When you figure out where you might or might not have gotten that info please let us know.
The insurance rep who came in to see us tried something similar, but I pointed out the
much larger outlay they had to make this last year because some of our employees had some
very serious and expensive health issues…..he hushed up pretty quick.
Anyway, when you find that 2500 info…please post.
Nero
December 13th, 2012
2:09 pm
We all know what Bookman and his strap hangers are getting at. Fat people are the last bastion of socially acceptable discrimination targets. If you’re fat you must have some character defect. If you’re fat you must have some mental defect. If you’re fat you’re greedy. If you’re fat you’re lazy. If you’re fat you take more than your fair share. The only time it’s acceptable to be fat in their eyes is when you’re a union member stuffing cash in their political pockets, or if you’re a hog gorging themselves at the entitlement trough.
Hillary 2016! Why Clinton needs—but won’t get—a break from public life
December 13th, 2012
2:09 pm
The envelope, please. The 2012 award for the most candid comment by a prominent public official goes to Hillary Clinton. Her uncharacteristic burst of honesty adds a layer of complexity to the premature speculation about her political future.
In an interview with the New York Times columnist Gail Collins, Clinton revealed her fantasy for 2013 after she takes her final globe-girdling flight as secretary of state: “I just want to sleep and exercise and travel for fun. And relax. It sounds so ordinary, but I haven’t done it for 20 years. I would like to see whether I can get untired.”
The dream seems so modest: to see whether her 65-year-old body can recover from years of too much stress and too little sleep. But Hillary Clinton, Private Citizen will soon have to confront the world clamoring at her door with its own set of expectations, requests and demands for clarity about running for president in 2016.
http://news.yahoo.com/hillary-2016–why-clinton-needs%e2%80%94but-won%e2%80%99t-get%e2%80%94a-break-from-public-life-161945194.html
stands for decibels
December 13th, 2012
2:09 pm
WALTERS (to Hillary Clinton): “There are people who say that you couldn’t be president because you are so ugly. What do you say to that?”
I actually expected better of you, Godless.
(and for the record, she’s *hardly* ugly, by any rational standard.)
stands for decibels
December 13th, 2012
2:10 pm
I do agree with Jay–it is unfortunate that this is an issue for Christie. I know it sounds concern-trollish of me (and probably of Jay, as well) to say that, but I do feel that way.
stands for decibels
December 13th, 2012
2:12 pm
Fat people are the last bastion of socially acceptable discrimination targets.
Meh, I’d say it’s about equal with the kind of casual misogyny that’s still largely tolerated.
(I assume you are aware of the “fat acceptance” movement out there, yes?)
Joe Hussein Mama
December 13th, 2012
2:12 pm
Interested — “We, the liberal Democrats, need to be afraid of Chris Christie in 2016″
That’s a good first attempt for concern trolling, but you need to be less open and formal about it. The key to successful concern trolling is to not let on that you’re not really on the side you pretend to be on.
C minus. I expect you to do better next time.
DownInAlbany
December 13th, 2012
2:13 pm
Hey, Jay. No comments on the Cigarette-in-Chief? aka, member of the Choom gang?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 13th, 2012
2:13 pm
Ohhhh another drama queen hissy fit, this time from Donovan, who apparently did not read the article. You might want to post your email, Donovan, so the drama queen from yesterday can email you and you can coordinate the next presentation of DramaGirls.
Corbin Sharpe. Baby Boomer...and got the scars to priove it!
December 13th, 2012
2:14 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
December 13th, 2012
2:12 pm
Kujohn
December 13th, 2012
2:16 pm
His weight is not the problem it’s his party that’s the problem He is a liberal rep in a liberal state.
But he belongs to a party who thinks that if a woman is raped she has the control to stop herself from getting pregnant
Or better yet its gods will
Gov please leave that dying party
Independent or Dem. you could win the White House
Doggone/GA
December 13th, 2012
2:16 pm
“We, the liberal Democrats, need to be afraid of Chris Christie in 2016″
I don’t know about 2016…but at some point, yes, I agree
Brosephus™
December 13th, 2012
2:17 pm
Is Christie’s weight a problem? Unfortunately, it probably is
It shouldn’t be, but thanks to our instant gratification society who can’t seem to stick to their own business for the incessant need to intrude on the business of others, it probably is. People go too often on looks, and for all intents and purposes, Christie could be completely healthy even with his size. Compare that to someone who has the appearance of being fit and weight proportional on the outside but has a 80% blockage of his aorta on the inside. You can’t see that kind of stuff looking at people.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 13th, 2012
2:17 pm
Nero fails on actual facts and posts. Pure buffoonery.
Ronald Reagan
December 13th, 2012
2:19 pm
It’s better to be fat than ugly! You can do something about being fat but you can’t get over being ugly!
Nero
December 13th, 2012
2:20 pm
stands,
Don’t make excuses. So it’s ok because misogyny is still alive and well? Go ahead call him what you want to call him. At least you’ll be honest with yourself. It’s cathartic. Concern indeed!
Regnad Kcin
December 13th, 2012
2:20 pm
“Is Christie’s weight a problem? Unfortunately, it probably is”
After some consideration, I don’t see why this should be an issue. The Presidency is not a particularly athletic occupation. If Gov. Christie is relatively healthy, I don’t see how it’s the business of any of us.
Thomas Heyward Jr
December 13th, 2012
2:20 pm
it’s not the actual square meter of skin………..it’s the density.
.
I would hazard that one Obama head could possibly weigh as much as one half of an entire Christie.
Or equal to one Hillary shankle.
.
No matter what……………American working men will pay for all medical expenses.
Regnad Kcin
December 13th, 2012
2:23 pm
“I would hazard that one Obama head could possibly weigh as much as one half of an entire Christie.”
THJ – you saying Christie has no substance? All fluff?
Mike
December 13th, 2012
2:23 pm
Granny, this is what I found. It was $2500 per family.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/promise/521/cut-cost-typical-familys-health-insurance-premium-/
or this from ABC
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/rising-health-costs-undermine-obama-pledge-to-curb-trend/
In any event, it ain’t happening. It never was going to happen, but it sounded good.
Who cares!
December 13th, 2012
2:24 pm
Christy can control what goes in between those lips! In my biz of Medical Sales, perception is reality! Overweight “typically” means lazy, undisciplined! I almost said he was like one of the 47% ers. Thank goodness I didn’t say it, the Libs like “getalife” would have gone off!
Nero
December 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
Keep Up The Good Fight is keeping up with the good discrimination. Typical liberal double standard. She got butt hurt about being made to examine her own prejudices.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
December 13th, 2012
2:26 pm
here comes the liberals
already planning for 2016
christie is too FAT
rubio is CUBAN and not HISPANIC
make sure to attack any republican that comes from the middle class
convince the republican establishment to nominate an old white rich man
its a great strategy and works
Peadawg
December 13th, 2012
2:27 pm
I missed the weight requirement in the Constitution.
bullwinkle
December 13th, 2012
2:31 pm
One word: Taft
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
December 13th, 2012
2:32 pm
Joe: The key to successful concern trolling is to not let on that you’re not really on the side you pretend to be on. C minus. I expect you to do better next time.
Check out the big brains on Joe!
Doggone/GA
December 13th, 2012
2:32 pm
“One word: Taft”
Who was big, yes…but he gained weight during his Presidency…and lost it afterwards
Regnad Kcin
December 13th, 2012
2:34 pm
“rubio is CUBAN and not HISPANIC”
Haven’t heard that one, Uncle S. Got a link?
godless heathen - fiscal cliff dweller
December 13th, 2012
2:36 pm
stands: I actually expected better of you, Godless.
(and for the record, she’s *hardly* ugly, by any rational standard.)
I didn’t say she was ugly just like Barbara Waters didn’t say Christie was fat. We used the same “some say” qualifier.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
December 13th, 2012
2:37 pm
Uncle S: convince the republican establishment to nominate an old white rich man —
its a great strategy and works
LIBS convinced the Conned to do something? Ha! That’ll be the day.
=======================
You cant fix ugly? Two words — Plastic Surgery.
That’ll do it every time…………
Granny Godzilla
December 13th, 2012
2:37 pm
Mike
Great info, thanks.
I note this sentence in particular
“even when the law get fully implemented, health care researchers will have trouble teasing out the effects of the health care law vs. external factors such as the economy.”
As our costs have already increased by double digits every year since 2008 without the implementation of the ACA I think that’s the big take away.
Again, thanks for the data.
Doggone/GA
December 13th, 2012
2:37 pm
“rubio is CUBAN and not HISPANIC”
Wrong. Rubio is Cuban, and is THEREFOR also Hispanic – which just means he comes of a primarily Spanish speaking culture.
Granny Godzilla
December 13th, 2012
2:40 pm
Bullwinkle
From Wikipedia….
Evidence from eyewitnesses, and from Taft himself, strongly suggests that during his presidency he had severe obstructive sleep apnea because of his morbid obesity.
Taft is remembered by some historians as being the most obese president.[101] He was known to have an insatiable appetite that included high caloric meals. His weight problem led to many incidents including loud belches and chronic flatulence.[102] One embarrassing episode involved Taft becoming stuck in a bath tub in the White House. Taft ordered his aides to use butter to dislodge him. He had a very large tub installed.[103]
Taft often requested and ate large portions of unhealthy foods from the White House kitchen staff, such as red meat and gravy at dinners, and often felt dismayed at his large profile and reputation as a glutton.[104]
Within a year of leaving the presidency, Taft lost approximately 80 pounds (36 kg). His somnolence problem resolved and, less obviously, his systolic blood pressure dropped 40–50 mmHg (from 210 mmHg). Undoubtedly, this weight loss extended his life.[105] Soon after his weight loss, he had a revival of interest in the outdoors; this led him to explore Alaska.[106] Beginning in 1920, Taft used a cane; this was a gift from Professor of Geology W. S. Foster, and was made of 250,000-year-old petrified wood.[107]
Jay
December 13th, 2012
2:41 pm
“I missed the weight requirement in the Constitution.”
I missed where someone suggested that one existed.
Granny Godzilla
December 13th, 2012
2:41 pm
Hot Buttered Taft….
godless heathen - fiscal cliff dweller
December 13th, 2012
2:44 pm
a gift from Professor of Geology W. S. Foster, and was made of 250,000-year-old petrified wood.[107]
Petrified wood would make a very poor cane, being made of silica it would easily break.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 13th, 2012
2:46 pm
Granny Godzilla
Hot Buttered Taft
———————————————
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Brain Bleach
Joe Hussein Mama
December 13th, 2012
2:47 pm
Doggone — “Wrong. Rubio is Cuban, and is THEREFOR also Hispanic – which just means he comes of a primarily Spanish speaking culture.”
Correct.
I think the point Samantha was trying to make is that Cubans and other Hispanics don’t get along very well, which may have contributed to Rubio not being chosen as Romney’s running mate.
There are a number of reasons for Cubans and other Hispanics not getting along, but probably the most glaring one (and easiest for us Yanquis to understand) is the Wet Foot, Dry Foot immigration policy towards Cubans. Simply put, if a Cuban can manage to set foot on American soil, he or she is allowed to stay.
I’m sure I don’t need to explain why Mexicans, Guatemalans, Puertoriquenos and other Hispanics might resent that sort of thing.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 13th, 2012
2:48 pm
It’s not is weight that’s the problem with Chris Christie for god’s sake. It’s his fanatical adherence to neoliberal economic policy that’s the problem.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 13th, 2012
2:49 pm
Really Nero.. did you bother to read my first post on page 1. You lie you lose.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 13th, 2012
2:52 pm
Boehner is leaving DC tomorrow to go to Ohio. working on his tan or golf game? Aren’t our conned friends always the ones telling us how Obama should be in the WH for this crisis or that. I am sure they will be outraged that Steele, Boehner’s spokeperson, said that Ohio has cell phone service. OMG…he’s leaving DC. What an incompetent leader, right?
Brosephus™
December 13th, 2012
2:53 pm
Hot Buttered Taft….
Not to be confused with Hot Buttered Shaft aka
http://devonrecordclub.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/isaac-hayes-hot-buttered-soul-474891.jpg
stands for decibels
December 13th, 2012
2:55 pm
So it’s ok because misogyny is still alive and well?
Nero, I’m not sure why you’re trying to pick a fight with me on this, but I don’t think you’re going to succeed. I have stated about as plainly as I can that it is indeed unfortunate that something as superficial as a person’s gravitational relationship with Earth could destroy their professional opportunities.
What more do you want me to say on the subject? I wish Christie well on his effort to get into better physical condition (at least he’s stated in the past that he is actively working to do this).
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 13th, 2012
2:56 pm
That said, Christie’s not projecting the *image* of being up to the job, *regardless* of whether he really is healthy enough for it or not. I’m not questioning his health — I’m merely pointing out that, at his weight, he doesn’t LOOK healthy, and that alone will turn off a lot of voters.
I think this pretty much sums it up.
PewtieNewtie
December 13th, 2012
2:57 pm
Maybe a Gypsie will curse Christie w/ becoming “Thinner.”
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 13th, 2012
2:58 pm
Stands, seems two of us “libs” and others have posted the same response about Christie’s weight and yet the poor child cannot comprehend.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
December 13th, 2012
3:00 pm
a Chinese woman, who had plastic surgery before her wedding, and was allegedly sued by her husband.
The website reported that Jian Feng divorced and sued his “beautiful” wife for around £75,000 and won, because she had deceived him into believing her good looks were all natural, when they had been fashioned from a surgeon’s scalpel.
According to reports, Feng told a court in China he had been deeply in love with his beautiful wife until they had a baby girl.
Gazing into his baby daughter’s eyes, Feng was repulsed.
He apparently then went on to describe his child as horrifically ugly, with no resemblance to him or his wife.
According to the report, his wife was forced to confess that before her marriage, she had spent £60,000 on plastic surgery in South Korea, and looked completely different to how she was born. The judge in the case is said to have awarded Feng compensation for the deception.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
December 13th, 2012
3:00 pm
thank god they kept that cripple FDR out of the white house
and that midget Truman
imagine how bad this country would have been if those freaks had been elected
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
December 13th, 2012
3:03 pm
SoCoBro — Isaac Hayes – Hot Buttered Soul!
One of the greatest albums of all time!! My dad STILL has that one on vinyl! He won’t let any of his children, who are now grown and most have children of their own, to touch that album.
Steve-USA "Right to Work = Freedom"
December 13th, 2012
3:03 pm
A couple of years ago Christie was interviewed by Diane Sawyer and he admitted his weight was a concern and that it effected (affected?) his energy level. He appears to be heavier now.
I have struggled with my weight in my life before I got serious and lost 100 pounds through a healthy diet and exercise. It certainly changed my energy level.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 13th, 2012
3:03 pm
D. DoRight — “Check out the big brains on Joe!”
Comedy Central was showing reruns of Chappelle’s Show last night, and I *just* caught my favorite parody commercial from his show as I was channel-surfing.
DRINK SAM JACKSON BEER! IT’LL GET YA DRUNK!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 13th, 2012
3:03 pm
imagine how bad this country would have been if those freaks had been elected
Imagine how their campaigns would have been managed if they had run for office in the age of television.
GT
December 13th, 2012
3:05 pm
I think the nomination would be his if he could lose 70 lbs. I might even vote for him myself the way he handled Sandy. I would love the opportunity to vote for a Republican just to show the compromise I wish the rest of the country would show. I think one way to check your temperature on flexibility to compromise is to look at your voting record the last few elections.
RB from Gwinnett
December 13th, 2012
3:05 pm
Already starting the bashing, Jay? Geez…
Tell us how healthy cigarette smoking is and the mortality rate for male African American smokers along with your blog post questioning Obama’s “fitness” to be POTUS because of it or just admit you’re a partisan hack, Jay.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
RB — “Tell us how healthy cigarette smoking is and the mortality rate for male African American smokers along with your blog post questioning Obama’s “fitness” to be POTUS because of it or just admit you’re a partisan hack, Jay.”
I’ll take “False Binaries” for a thousand, Alex.
DannyX
December 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
Christie’s weight is not the big problem for Republicans right now.
Republicans are being weighed down by horrible approval numbers.
A new Wall St Journal poll has the Republican approval rating at just 30%, those are George W Bush numbers! 45% disapprove. Wow.
Granny Godzilla
December 13th, 2012
3:08 pm
RB
Is the President sneaking over to your house and smokin’ in your basement?
Wow.
bookman parrot
December 13th, 2012
3:08 pm
Jay, you are already starting the propaganda for 2016. good grief.
the Repubs might have a viable candidate, we better start trashing them asap…
the starting of half-truths and inuendos and just all out assault on anyone that
would run again the party of spending/big gov’t/ and no personal responsibility
Welcome to the Occupation
December 13th, 2012
3:09 pm
By the way, Jay, there is a gaping logical hole in your closing statement. You seem to equate unattractiveness with physically size per se, which is entirely unfounded to say the least. We don’t even have to go back in history – where larger builds were certainly more preferred and a sign of greater virility — to see that there are plenty of cases in recent history where a person can be very corpulent and still be considered charismatic, having physical appeal, etc.
I would guess that in the case of Chris Christie there is something like this going on, a sense that his oversized build conveys a certain authority and strength, toughness that a smaller man like Bobby Jindal or even an average sized man like Marco Rubio would lack.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 13th, 2012
3:09 pm
B. Parrot — “the Repubs might have a viable candidate”
REALLY? WHERE?!?!?!
stands for decibels
December 13th, 2012
3:09 pm
Already starting the bashing, Jay?
Another guy who clearly didn’t read Jay’s piece.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 13th, 2012
3:10 pm
Is the President sneaking over to your house and smokin’ in your basement?
Smokin’ in the boys room.
GT
December 13th, 2012
3:10 pm
RB from Gwinnett a lot of voters don’t know O smokes ,or did smoke, they claim he has stopped. You take one look at Christie and heart attack comes to mind.
Nero
December 13th, 2012
3:11 pm
Keep,
Your attempt at injecting concern over Christie’s VP choice reveals your true feelings. Everybody knows what you meant. He’s fat and unhealthy. We get it. Any potential VP choice will have nothing to do with his weight. It will have to do with being qualified to assume the presidency if so needed. Keep on keeping on toots.
Cheryl Anne
December 13th, 2012
3:12 pm
Ah,, hold on. “Let’s not discriminate against fat people who those who smoke”?
If I’m going to be paying for their diabetes and various cancer treatments, you bet I’m going to be concerned. Diabetes care alone is $174 billion a year, and will double over the next 15 years.
It’s a public health epidemic, and it deserves a public response.
Skip
December 13th, 2012
3:12 pm
If you needed a picture to post this page would be empty.
stands for decibels
December 13th, 2012
3:13 pm
I consider myself sympathetic to folks with a weight problem–I have family members who have struggled horrifically with it. I’m sure it’s shortened the lives of some that I cared about deeply.
I also feel incredibly fortunate not to have any serious issues, myself. I never even bothered to check, until just now, what my own BMI is (here’s a handy calculator you can use if you wish.) Turns out at my “fattest,” ever, I was only 24.3, well within the healthy limit. (I’m around 22.3 these days.)
getalife
December 13th, 2012
3:13 pm
cnn is running this story too.
He will probably lose weight after his first heart attack.
Anyhoo, President Obama owns the gop so they should give him what he wants.
If you can’t beat him join him.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
December 13th, 2012
3:14 pm
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=obama+smoking&hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=832&tbm=isch&tbnid=KGXYOKsQiKbS6M:&imgrefurl=http://www.calwatchdog.com/2012/01/13/uc-imposes-pc-smoking-ban/obama-smoking/&docid=jxMg9z2wdY3m2M&imgurl=http://www.calwatchdog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/obama-smoking.jpg&w=480&h=338&ei=2jbKUP_6JIf68QTmqICIBQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=234&sig=114704232259613002100&page=1&tbnh=134&tbnw=189&start=0&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:167&tx=153&ty=98
Christian Conservative
December 13th, 2012
3:15 pm
I don’t think anyone would hold Christie’s weight against him. Folks didn’t hold the lack of intellect and understanding of how the economy works against Obama…..
Erwin's cat
December 13th, 2012
3:15 pm
There’s also the image issue. Rationally speaking, you cannot judge a person’s character or intelligence by his or her weight or physical attractiveness, but the truth is that we do it all the time,
More so here in the US are we that shallow…the rest of the world doesn’t pick it’s leaders on appearance