Government

Playing The ‘Weight Card’ – Chris Christie’s Heft…Is It a Legitimate Campaign Issue?

Editor’s note: this opinion piece would usually appear on the blog, but we are featuring it on our front page.

Washington Post Opinion Writer Eugene Robinson seems to have disqualified Chris Christie from the 2012 Presidential Race based on his weight.

The NJ Gov and possible 2012 Presidential Candidate Chris Christie is under attack by the Left. Not for his stance on union givebacks or budget cuts – but for his weight.

Robinson’s piece, titled “Chris Christie’s Big Problem,” attempts to legitimize an obvious agenda of undercutting the governor‘s potential candidacy by quoting the statistics we’ve all heard about regarding the obesity epidemic in America and the costs of that epidemic today and in the future. A curious quote from the article seems to try and connect Christie‘s inability to fit into Robinson’s ideal of what a President should physically look like, with leadership:

He prides himself on bullheaded determination and speaks often about the need for officials to display leadership. Well, Gov. Christie, lead thyself.

Really? Mr. Robinson? Did weight prevent our 27th President, William Howard Taft from governing?

Chris Christie, Too Fat To Run For The Presidency?

The selective concern from Mr. Robinson is apparent. For example, he claims to be worried about Christie’s health, but says nothing about the weight of other powerful elected/appointed public officials. The Surgeon General Regina Benjamin (below) isn’t pencil-thin. And one could make a pitch that the Surgeon General should lead by example:

Chris Christie, Too Fat To Run For The Presidency?

The article also fails to mention Barney Frank’s extra pounds:

Chris Christie, Too Fat To Run For The Presidency?

Of course we could go on and on, pointing out the less-than-perfect physiques that populate the halls of government all across the country, but why?

Don’t we all believe that a candidate should be judged on what is in their heart and brain, or does BMI matter? Apparently to Robinson it does. It would be difficult to not see the small-minded, meanness in the closing line from the WaPo piece:

Politically, I disagree with Christie on almost everything. I’ll have plenty of opportunities to tell him why. Today, I’d just like to offer him a bit of unsolicited, nonpartisan, sincere advice: Eat a salad and take a walk.

Does the weight of a politician matter?  Take the poll. “Weigh in” with your opinion.


Chris Christie’s Weight

Comments (140)

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  • Amy
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:20am

    It would be a refreshing change actually. His wife probably wouldn’t lecture us about what we eat! And his administration probably wouldn’t view healthy eating habits as a priority for the federal government!

    Report Post »  
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:56am

      One thing we know is controlling your appetite/caloric intake is a character issue.
      Mr. Frank has no character. He is a disgusting lying sodomite.
      Regina is also a hypocrite.

      Mr. Christie’s weight is an issue with those who value character, values and principles.
      It is not trivial. The Bible talks about being in control of yourself. Gluttony is a deadly sin.
      In that context alone, would we accept all other deadly sins in a candidate to represent us?

      Report Post » Libertyluvnmomma  
    • ACLUHater
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:19am

      Does this mention that Dumbo-in-chief had a better chance to get sickle cell anemia than John McCain?

      Report Post »  
    • Wondering
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 11:18am

      Libertyluvnmomma, you really don’t understand what gluttony is. Not only that, but you may want to think about the scripture regarding motes and beams. I’m not a member of the following church, but it gives a great description about what gluttony is: http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/Gluttony.html

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 12:25pm

      Libertyluvnmomma,
      I’m with you… I basically look at obese people the same way i look at junkies and alcoholics… they lack self control, and are headed for early death. I know many disagree with this, but they are usually fat people. They always blame it on genetics or a thyroid problem, because its a lot easier than admitting that the problem is their own, and stems from their bad habits, intake of garbage, and sedentary lifestyle. they are lazy and lack discipline.

      Report Post »  
    • CottonMPG
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 2:36pm

      I have heard so much made of this man I looked into him. It looks to me that he has been weak on immigration and in favor of gun control. Here is a link I read that gave me those impressions.
      http://conservativenewjersey.com/chris-christie-a-conservative-myth-part-7

      Report Post » CottonMPG  
    • jzs
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 4:02pm

      I agree. Just look at Rush Limbaugh. And Glenn is a little on the large size too.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 5:45pm

      Wondering- I checked out your site. I still stand with my Biblical interpretation.
      I would also point out, that some say , “well this { } president was this way or that…”
      I will no longer hold my nose for a candidate again. Like voting for McCain.
      Mr. Christie is great for a blue state but not great for me for a plethora of reasons. This issue is small in light of those others.
      But for goodness sake this mans neck is the about same size as my thigh..maybe bigger.
      At least 3 of me could fit in his pants…and I’m about to have a baby!

      Report Post » Libertyluvnmomma  
    • Xkiller
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:30pm

      for libertylovnmomma….what the hell has this got to do with ANYTHING??? The left will attack someone conservative this way when they can’t do it with facts. Beck is a good example. To say someone can’t be a good president or they are a sodemite because they are fat is just STUPID!!!!
      Liberals can’t deal with facts so they attack personally. This crap is like saying a person can’t be a good person because they are black, or a jew, or a cathalic. What drevel….pullyour head out and see what this really is.

      Report Post »  
    • kneedeepinit
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:54pm

      Actually his weight is an argument for him to run sooner. If his life expectancy is shortened by his heft, then he should run while he’s still in relatively good health, before his size catches up to him.

      Report Post »  
    • Lucy Larue
      Posted on October 1, 2011 at 3:46pm

      LIBERTYLUVNMOMMA,
      Your name is a contradiction of terms!
      Support the food police? Abet the ruinization of the liberty you purport to love.
      It is the ESSENCE, the SPIRIT of the entity…,not the package that houses him(universal he),that matters.
      There are MANY forms of gluttony. You are a glutton of unimportant matters.How joyless of you!

      Report Post »  
  • Constructionist
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:19am

    Sticking another man’s business up your backside is a viable life choice with no effect on your ability to hold public office, but being overweight is an inexcusable lack of moral fiber…. Got It.

    Another pearl of unbiased wisdom drops from the Washington Post.

    Report Post » Constructionist  
    • godhead
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:30am

      Now, now, I know you‘re conflicted about where you’d like your little Christian solider to go. And for now you can manage to shamble on satisfied with the vicarious thrill of thinking about the deep, dark, damp destinations of other men’s manhoods. But please, for your own sake, seek professional hep in dealing with these, what, deep-seated issues. You‘ll be happier once you’re truly you.

       
  • joedog73
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:14am

    Who cares what Eugene Robinson thinks. He is a far left loon that only sees what he wants to see. It doesn’t matter if someone is thin or heavy, if they have good ideas and stand behind their convictions they can run for any office they want.
    And if Robinson is so concerned about weight of canidates why doesn’t he talk about Jerry Nadler of New York.

    Report Post »  
    • obama-mecca-me-sick
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:38am

      CommieCast had Robinson on Morning RINO and the segment was even more see through and sickening than most. The right is racist, crazy and mean but these lefty loons are perfect and in their opinion he is just too fat! The more they continue this, the more credibility the left lacks and hopefully the sheeple will wake up. They want the government to control what everyone eats and having an obese President will make it more difficult to “move forward.” Whats worse? Christie being prez with a big belly or Obama being prez with no brain. I’ll take Christie.

      Report Post »  
    • SREGN
      Posted on October 1, 2011 at 12:07pm

      I wonder if Eugene expressed the same weight reservations during the Sheila Jackson-Lee, Al Sharpton, Al Gore, or Hillary Clinton campaigns?

      Report Post »  
  • kangaroo
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:14am

    If you are so worried about weight, why don’t you put a limit on what you can buy with dole card, and at supermarkets only, payin twice as much for a hot dog and chips at a 7 11 is bullcrap

    Report Post » kangaroo  
    • Clive
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 12:27pm

      im pretty sure chris ain’t on the dole card… he’s on his black amex card, and he’s eating for 3 people. you are onto something with the costs though. a good apple costs as much as a Whopper now. people are broke and need calories, so they take what they can get.

      Report Post »  
  • ezeewhiz
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:14am

    Those words are to be expected from a racist, bigoted writer.

    Report Post »  
  • numbers
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:12am

    People are overweight for any of a number of reasons, even a possible obesity virus. I would assume nearly every person who has run for office has had some health issue, even if just the decline of getting older. That being said, libs are always looking for an angle for looking down on others, especially Republicans.

    Report Post »  
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:59am

      Only a fat person could dream up an obesity virus.

      The difference between a reason and an excuse is non existent.

      Report Post » Libertyluvnmomma  
    • Clive
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 1:06pm

      ^ good one

      Report Post »  
  • rcrosby66
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:11am

    This is an attack on someone’s life and character, not there policies. This is off limits. Where is the mention of Obama and smoking……..That will kill you faster that weight. All big people don’t have health issues either. I’m beginning to wonder where these reporters got their journalism degrees from, when they can’t write legitimate stories anymore.

    Report Post » rcrosby66  
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:01am

      Really? I know smokers in their 80s. Fat people die early too.
      I didn’t vote for a smoker.
      I won’t vote for anyone with a gluttony problem either.

      Report Post » Libertyluvnmomma  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:10am

    And Eugene is too bald. Get it fixed dude if you think you deserve to be an opinion writer.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • countryfirst
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:09am

    The current PUTUS is always doing things that show’s how fit he is, maybe he should stop with the one that has his feet on our deck in the oval office. But I may be wrong is that a exorcise that is just being
    Completely disrespectful to we the people.

    Report Post » countryfirst  
    • godhead
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:12am

      Congratulations, you are a terrific example of Tea party ignorance.

      http://maruthecrankpot.blogspot.com/2009/02/fu-gop-esad-news.html

      Bush, Nixon, Ford all were photographed with their feet on the desk. But you don’t know or care about that. Idiocy knows no limits, that‘s why you’re still convinced he was born in Kenya (and born the aniti-Christ), that he went to a madrassa, that he spent $200 million per day to visit India- all demonstrably false yet reported by your sham sources at Fox News nonetheless.

      Do all of America a favor and go down to the Piggly Wiggly, use that SSI check buy a trunk load of Pabst and Funyons, go back to your trailer, lock the door, inject some Medicare insulin, turn on your TEEvee and enjoy a quiet evening watching Fox and stroking your gub.

       
    • cosette
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 2:27pm

      @ Head- Those pix are photoshopped. It’s so obvious. Nice try.

      Report Post »  
  • Popp40
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:05am

    So what about Obama’s smoking…..isn’t that just as being overweight? Where is the article on that?

    Report Post »  
  • GulfPeg
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:03am

    What would happen if Chris Christie wins the Republican primary and in September of 2012 he dies of a heart attack? Does the Republican party have another vote on who will be the nominee?

    Report Post »  
  • OH, I Get It!
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:02am

    Christie always has the option of losing weight; Liberals are STUCK-ON-STUPID.

    Report Post » OH, I Get It!  
    • godhead
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:23am

      And conservatives are stuck on racist. It’s TRUE!

       
  • netmail
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:56am

    It shouldn’t matter but probably does. Too much information is known about the obesity problem today. By demonstrating more personal responsibility he will be a more effective leader. For numerous important reasons, his scale should be going down, not up.

    Report Post »  
    • HKS
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:03am

      I would be just as concerned of to thin, indicating possible illness. As most Americans are overweight that doesn‘t concern me much unless it’s ridiculous. I’m sure the liberals will have a field day with it though. They are dying and will grab at anything. There scared of the church lady and the tea party.

      Report Post » HKS  
  • christos
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:52am

    ……Oh and a smoker with emphysema isn’t an “ISSUE” oh as for your poll you should include chronic bronchitis and beginning stages of emphysema and IDIOT…DAH or is it DUH

    Report Post » christos  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:50am

    What campaign are we talking about? Didn‘t he just tell everyone he’s not running?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • godhead
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:31am

      He lies!

       
  • cntrlfrk
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:43am

    ‘
    Since he isn’t running, what does it matter???

    .

    Report Post » cntrlfrk  
  • slr4528
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:42am

    My only concern about his weight is that he is just not heavy…he is seriously obese. He was rushed to the hospital 2 weeks ago because he couldn’t catch his breath.Men his age and his weight have fallen over with massive coronaries and strokes. I personally do not think he is physically fit for the job of president even though he may be mentally fit.

    Report Post »  
    • rabblechat
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:00am

      I agree, its not a matter or his size,or appearance, its a matter of his fitness. Being POTUS is a stressful job, even for inattentive presidents like Obummer… This doesn’t mean he needs to get down to 165LBS and start training for marathons, but he could easily come up with a plan to shed a couple of pounds per week. Over the course of a year he shouldn’t have any problem dropping 100lbs or so.
      America does have a problem with obesity; if publicized right, Christie could motivate, encourage and gain the support of millions of other Americans who want and need to loose weight…

      Our presidents in recent history have all been reasonably fit and active, which is a good thing, I just don’t see Christie in his current state jogging down Pennsylvania Ave.

      Report Post » rabblechat  
  • capecodsully
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:42am

    It has nothing to do with image. It is about health. I would not hire a four hundred pound man to mow my lawn for fear he would keel over dead before he finished the job. The office of President of the United States is the toughest job in the world (unless you’re hanging out with commies when not playing golf), it is also the most stressful (when you actually care about America’s survival). I want to know that the person I hire is qualified for the job (a Republican thing, call me crazy), and he will not keel over dead from the task.

    Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 1:05pm

      its about both… i think people view a fat person, as someone whose life is out of control, and unmanageable. i don’t really think people would say “i’m never voting for a fat person”, but i think it makes a difference.

      Report Post »  
  • CougarNick78
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:41am

    Fat schmat, none of the libs had a problem when Bill Clinton was in office, sucking down cheeseburgers and pizzas at record speed….. But not a Repub……

    Anyone remember Jerold Nadler, before he got his stomach stapled?

    Report Post » CougarNick78  
    • godhead
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:26am

      Clinton wasn’t morbidly obese. But don’t worry, it’s just a fact. Nothing to worry your little Tea Party head about. Just keep stocking up on pepper spray and pee shooters. We’ll take care of things the way adults do. Hey, how about Fresca?

       
    • AmericanStrega
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 12:26pm

      The only thing we had to worry about with Clinton’s health was what type of STD he might have and how many women he was passing it to.

      Report Post »  
  • brntout
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:41am

    Again the left-wing media continues the way of a meltdown, “lackey”dasical as always.

    Report Post »  
  • Beansrock
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:41am

    I personally don’t care for Christy. However, if he was the candidate I was backing, his weight wouldn’t have any sway over me at all. Okay, it is obvious that this man makes incorrect food choices. But very thin people can make the same lousy food choices and overeat. Their bodies are just better at buring off the excess. Look at what Obama eats. Too many Americans vote on appearance. I have actually heard women say, “I voted for so-and-so because he looks hot.” Are you serious? People need to get off their celebrity looks bandwagon and educate themselves on the issues.

    Report Post »  
    • rabblechat
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:05am

      If a thin person made the same bad choices for an extend period of time, they would no longer be thin..
      Weight management is very simple; if you burn more calories than you take in you loose weight. If you take in more than you burn you put on weight. Regardless of what the multi-billion dollar diet industry tells you, it all comes down to that.

      Report Post » rabblechat  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 9:23am

      Appearance is not necessarily the question here.. A lot of voters may actually feel more comfortable with Christie because he’s overweight, just like them! Women may find him an adorable teddy bear, who knows?

      Health is another matter. If Christie gets anywhere near the GOP nomination, expect a frenzied media quest for his medical records.

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
    • obama-mecca-me-sick
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:44am

      @LLORD DRAINO
      Maybe he can use the Hussien Obama rule and hide all his records too!

      Report Post »  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:54am

      Obama_Mecca, etc.:
      He’ll just invoke the Chris Christie “It’s none of your damn business” rule.

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
  • pwatkins
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:38am

    We have discovered the past three years that skinny can’t do the job, that is for sure. No weight has nothing to do with leadership.

    Report Post »  
    • lillymckim
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:45am

      It‘s not Christie’s weight I have the problem with … but I do have issues with his views on abortion, immigration, gun control and his energy policies because they reflect his relatively liberal side.

      I wish people would stop the begging and do some digging before we put another “liberal” in the race.

      Report Post » lillymckim  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:57am

      Lilly – I have the same problem with many of his views, especially the ones you mentioned. People should stop asking him to run without checking what his record. They just wish and hope they were different because he has been hard on unions and working to balance the budget. That is not enough!

      Report Post » NHwinter  
    • lillymckim
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 2:41pm

      @ NHWINTER
      So agree nobody loves his hard stance with Big Union more than I … but I see more with Christie I “don’t like”… than like .. I’m not a one issue voter.

      Report Post » lillymckim  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:37am

    So is a smoker better or worse then an overweight person? I don’t remember allot of liberals saying that Obama should be disqualified for public office because he smoked. How about being a sex addict? What about Ted Kennedy? An overweight, alcoholic, philanderer. Did any on the left propose that he be prevented from running for public office for that? The “open minded” left is going to attack Christie on his weight because that is ever so much easier then trying to attack him on the issues. Frankly it is pretty juvenile. I can hear a debate now: “And that is my position on taxes”…….”Oh yeah, well you’re a big fatty”.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • MARCH4HIM
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:36am

    At least I know he wont outlaw deep fried twinkies….

    Report Post » MARCH4HIM  
    • godhead
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:22am

      Are deep fried Twinkies illegal? I know you Tea Party types love to whine, love playing the victim and are always looking for something or somebody to blame for your boring, unremarkable lives, But really, try to whine about something that is part of “reality.”

      (Pssst! I hear Obama wasn’t actually born in the U.S. Now THAT is something worthy whining about. I suggest you form a patriot consortium to investigate. I’m absolutely certain that you could have Obama facing impeachment in a couple of days. So get busy organizing your conservative coven. I also suggest a password to protect your ranks from liberal plants. Here it is: “Orly Taitz”

      Have fun, schmucks.

       
    • MARCH4HIM
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 11:53pm

      hey dick head … you obviously confused me with somone else…
      You friken pukes are all the same…
      reality is going to smack you upside your head someday …
      And I’m guessing sooner that later
      word of advice.. be careful what you say…
      you might find yourself in,the wrong part of the world…
      And you might just find out that…… that smart as mouth of yours
      wont stop a bullet..

      Report Post » MARCH4HIM  
    • godhead
      Posted on October 1, 2011 at 10:15am

      March4Jesusunlessihavetolivelikehimthenforgetjesus . . .

      Now, now, now, don’t get your silky purple panties in a wad (or vice versa). You’re upset, and you should be, because it’s not comfortable to make an idiotic blindly ignorant overstatement and get called out on it. I;m guessing it’s like getting caught shop lifting . . . a bad idea that turned out worse.

      But obviously that doesn’t stop you from doubling down on stupid with a side order of faux machismo. It’s kind of cute, really. And with all that bullet talk. Wow, you a scary man you are. Yes you are! Yes you are! How ’bout a cookie?

      Report Post »  
    • MARCH4HIM
      Posted on October 1, 2011 at 11:37am

      I’m not talking about me… dumdass there are actual places “in the world”(mexico comes to mind) that would actually shoot your sorry libral ass.,and then cut your head off and mail it to your mother.

      And
      I’m not Jesus… you might want to remember that ……I’m more like a work in progress …
      and your enjoying… to your delite… that you happened upon my weak spot..(ignorant ,arrogant.smart asses)…I’m not the turn the other cheek kinda guy …
      I’m more like Harrison Ford in the land of the Amish… If you were to theaten me…I’d might smack that libral smile off your face.. but I dont consider you a theat…your more like a fly buzzing around annoying someone ….then goes back home to its cow dung for more nutrition….

      your just a annoying fly…full of crap ********

      And for the record my first name choice was 900yrdscentermass.
      .But I thought it was to telling

      Report Post » MARCH4HIM  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on September 30, 2011 at 8:31am

    Listen, what matters in the end is getting the right person into the office of the Presidency to undo the damage done by Mr Obama and his cronies, and turn back the helm to where America should be headed to — a future of, by and for the people in control of their tamed government and a golden future.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
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