Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Playing the Obesity Card for Trenton

Interesting fuss about new advertising in the race for Gov. of NJ. One candidate has been running ads emphasizing, in word and photos, another candidate's .... size.

Both The New York Times and Atlantic have good, non-political, and, err, well-rounded commentary on the issue.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/nyregion/08fat.html?_r=3&hp

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/10/david_kessler_the_former_fda.php

I've seen the ad in question, and while it uses an unattractive photo, it's mild, not quite the "schoolyard taunt" the Times calls it. I'd not decide on one candidate or another based on his weight, or this ad, if I lived in New Jersey.

Comments, anyone? Please, nothing on the politics of the candidates, otherwise Tom and the other moderators will have my head.

Tacky
If he wanted to underscore his fitness to do the job, he simply could have entered the race. Post-race, mentioned how he's fit enough to do the job.

Tacky
If he wanted to underscore his fitness to do the job, he simply could have entered the race. Post-race, mentioned how he's fit enough to do the job.

As Atlantic mentioned, portraying politicians as fat has a long tradition in America. And politics is an ugly business anyway, so I doubt anyone in either camp in the race was surprised.

Unfortunately, too much of politicking has become less about why you're qualified to do the job, and more about making sure everyone knows why your opponent is not.

If he's going to be this tacky in his campaigning, why not hire some shady photog to snap pix of the guy while he's eating his lunch and just 'shop an "Om Nom Nom" on it?

Why can't the political types stick to the issues at hand and tell the truth? I've seen the "fat" adds on the Governor's race an as a clyde I'm offended ! Maybe we should form a special interest group like everyone else.

Just an update: the Clydesdale won last night.

I realize Mr. Christie is going to be a little busy for the next four years, but during his time in office he has the bully pulpit to set an example on cutting back - on his girth, that is. Appearing on talk radio bragging about personally creating 'stimulus' for Dunkin' Donuts isn't the approach he should take. :roflmao2:

Again, please, no politics.

Glad he won.

Why can't the political types stick to the issues at hand and tell the truth? I've seen the "fat" adds on the Governor's race an as a clyde I'm offended ! Maybe we should form a special interest group like everyone else.

If they told the truth, they'd never be elected :rolleyes:

Just an update: the Clydesdale won last night.

I realize Mr. Christie is going to be a little busy for the next four years, but during his time in office he has the bully pulpit to set an example on cutting back - on his girth, that is. Appearing on talk radio bragging about personally creating 'stimulus' for Dunkin' Donuts isn't the approach he should take. :roflmao2:

Again, please, no politics.

It's been done before, in Arkansas:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52897-2004Aug9.html

It takes a special democrat to lose in NJ. That was one of the dirtiest races I've seen.

It's been done before, in Arkansas:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52897-2004Aug9.html

True then, but if you have seen him on Fox News lately a lot of that weight has returned. It was an inspiring story at the time from what I can remember.

Just an update.... and again I'm trying to keep this thread non-political:

The big guy in Trenton has people gossiping about his running for higher office. So once again obesity could become a campaign issue. The Washington Post, err, weighed in on the subject:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/chris-christies-big-problem/2011/09/29/gIQAAL7J8K_story.html

Some dissenting points of view, which I may or may not agree with:

http://www.nationalreview.com/media-blog/278797/eugene-robinson-christie-too-fat-be-president-greg-pollowitz

I struggled with obesity from college onward. As someone who has attained a normal weight after obesity, I'm slightly biased against obese people. Let me clarify, however: I see a difference between obese people who are apathetic about their physical condition and those who are actively trying to change their situation. My instinct is to view an obese candidate as someone who lacks discipline, but at the same time, there are multiple reasons for obesity such as physical hindrances like genetics or hormonal imbalances, or practical reasons like a schedule too full to eat normal meals at designated times, or psychological and emotional issues such as an attachment to junk food.

All this to say that I think people will judge a candidate's qualification partly on their perceived discipline stemming from their success at weight control. If Christie were fit and could exercise well, this wouldn't be an issue at all. His weight does have an effect, whether or not it is related to his policies.

Don't like Christie. But criticizing his weight instead of his policies is absolutely shameful.

Sadly, this is the reality of a fashion-obsessed America.

please people.... no politics.

lol :)

please people.... no politics.

lol :)

I sometimes post about round people in the public square. This includes people who may be in politics or make political statements - Star Jones and Kevin Smith on the left, for instance. For me a lot of weight loss is thinking about what weight loss means. And that includes interaction between the obese and the world at large, pardon the pun.

I struggled with obesity from college onward. As someone who has attained a normal weight after obesity, I'm slightly biased against obese people. Let me clarify, however: I see a difference between obese people who are apathetic about their physical condition and those who are actively trying to change their situation. My instinct is to view an obese candidate as someone who lacks discipline, but at the same time, there are multiple reasons for obesity such as physical hindrances like genetics or hormonal imbalances, or practical reasons like a schedule too full to eat normal meals at designated times, or psychological and emotional issues such as an attachment to junk food.

All this to say that I think people will judge a candidate's qualification partly on their perceived discipline stemming from their success at weight control. If Christie were fit and could exercise well, this wouldn't be an issue at all. His weight does have an effect, whether or not it is related to his policies.

The governor and former prosecutor has a very stressful job. He's also been reportedly dropping and regaining 40 to 50 pounds. I'm not sure where that fits in your thinking.

Incidentally, the heaviest President was Taft, who came in at over 300 pounds and spent most of his adult life dieting and regaining. And his weight was brought up in the 1908 campaign. It was even the subject of jokes years after his death - for instance, in the film version of Arsenic and Old Lace.

http://www.doctorzebra.com/prez/g27.htm

I am pretty sure that if we had no access to video or pictures of politicians and voted for them based on written reports, etc, we would have better (or should I say more level-headed) people running the government. Sad fact of life...we judge books by their covers. We can't help it...it is written in our genetic code.

I know of a few guys that wanted Palin to be the next POTUS just because she "is hot looking"....never mind what she has to say.

The Leader of the Opposition party in Australia engages in cycling events and iron man races. He is very fit for his age (late 40s, early 50, I think), and he is giving cycling a profile at the highest level. The female Prime Minister is loafing a bit of weight, although obese is not something one could call her.

But it's really galling when the Minister for Health (no less) criticises the Opposition Leader for his physical pursuits, under the guise of suggesting he should spend more time on politics.

This in a country that has overtaken the US for more obese people per head of population and which seems to pride itself on alcohol consumption and watching sport rather than participating in healthy physical pursuits.

I am pretty sure that if we had no access to video or pictures of politicians and voted for them based on written reports, etc, we would have better (or should I say more level-headed) people running the government. Sad fact of life...we judge books by their covers. We can't help it...it is written in our genetic code.

I know of a few guys that wanted Palin to be the next POTUS just because she "is hot looking"....never mind what she has to say.
Well, I wouldn't call our PM good looking, and frankly, she wasn't even elected by the populace to lead the country -- she got the job by politically assissinating the incumbent mid-term.

She is Prime Minister after the last election only by virtue of support by the Greens and several Independents, but what she said before the election was basically: There will be no carbon tax in my Government.

Guess what? Legislation is now before Parliament for the introduction of a carbon tax next year.

I think the fatal drop in the Government's approval rating has more to do with the lie she told rather than the carbon tax itself.

So, even what they say is irrelevant. You might just as well elect on the basis that they are "hot looking".

I know of a few guys that wanted Palin to be the next POTUS just because she "is hot looking"....never mind what she has to say.

Men who like hot looking women often don't care what they have to say.

The Leader of the Opposition party in Australia engages in cycling events and iron man races. He is very fit for his age (late 40s, early 50, I think), and he is giving cycling a profile at the highest level. The female Prime Minister is loafing a bit of weight, although obese is not something one could call her.

But it's really galling when the Minister for Health (no less) criticises the Opposition Leader for his physical pursuits, under the guise of suggesting he should spend more time on politics.

This in a country that has overtaken the US for more obese people per head of population and which seems to pride itself on alcohol consumption and watching sport rather than participating in healthy physical pursuits.

Criticizing the opponent for engaging in sports and athleticism is common in the US. In 2004's election we saw both Mr. Bush mocked for his mountain biking and Mr. Kerry ridiculed for his road cycling. If Rick Perry becomes the Republican candidate in 2012 I expect negative comments about his triathlon finishes.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/94/234045834_a56bf34c3b_z.jpg?zz=1

Don't like Christie. But criticizing his weight instead of his policies is absolutely shameful.

Sadly, this is the reality of a fashion-obsessed America.

I will give you image concious but not fashion obsessed

Men who like hot looking women often don't care what they have to say.

You say that like it is a bad thing.......:lol:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-30/requiem-for-a-governor-before-he-s-in-the-ring-michael-kinsley.html

"He is just too fat. Maybe, if he runs for president and we get to know him, we will overlook this awkward issue ..... But we shouldn’t overlook it -- unless he goes on a diet and shows he can stick to it."

At least we know he is on the level cause his bubbles in the middle!!

I admit to being a biased semi-former fat man; when I saw Christie on the news being put forth as the "I'm not running canidate for POTUS" I thought "Geeze guy you need to lose a pound or 100!!" I know he has had and has a job that takes up a lot of time but walk to place and don't eat to fix your stress! Remember I stated I was a biased semi-former fat man!

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-30/requiem-for-a-governor-before-he-s-in-the-ring-michael-kinsley.html

"He is just too fat. Maybe, if he runs for president and we get to know him, we will overlook this awkward issue ..... But we shouldn’t overlook it -- unless he goes on a diet and shows he can stick to it."

To be perfectly blunt, this is something all of us fat people face every day. I am almost certain I was denied a job at Microsoft due to my weight, and I've known other people who have been turned down for jobs due to the same. Is it fair? No, not at all. But it is reality. Almost everyone in this forum is actively trying to lose weight, and there's a reason for that: we view our obesity as a defect in our bodies. Everyone else in the world does as well. They view it as an indicator. "If this person cannot maintain their own health, how can I expect them to maintain their job?"

Ironically I worked better when I was fat. I would put in 80 hour weeks all the time and my productivity was through the roof. All I ever thought about was work work work. Now that I'm losing weight, I leave work early to go cycling all the time now. I daydream about cycling or skiing at work now, and count the seconds until I can leave. Ah life. It's funny, ya know?

To be perfectly blunt, this is something all of us fat people face every day. I am almost certain I was denied a job at Microsoft due to my weight, and I've known other people who have been turned down for jobs due to the same. Is it fair? No, not at all. But it is reality. Almost everyone in this forum is actively trying to lose weight, and there's a reason for that: we view our obesity as a defect in our bodies. Everyone else in the world does as well. They view it as an indicator. "If this person cannot maintain their own health, how can I expect them to maintain their job?"

Ironically I worked better when I was fat. I would put in 80 hour weeks all the time and my productivity was through the roof. All I ever thought about was work work work. Now that I'm losing weight, I leave work early to go cycling all the time now. I daydream about cycling or skiing at work now, and count the seconds until I can leave. Ah life. It's funny, ya know?

Good post Mirth.

To be perfectly blunt, this is something all of us fat people face every day. I am almost certain I was denied a job at Microsoft due to my weight, and I've known other people who have been turned down for jobs due to the same. Is it fair? No, not at all. But it is reality. Almost everyone in this forum is actively trying to lose weight, and there's a reason for that: we view our obesity as a defect in our bodies. Everyone else in the world does as well. They view it as an indicator. "If this person cannot maintain their own health, how can I expect them to maintain their job?"

Ironically I worked better when I was fat. I would put in 80 hour weeks all the time and my productivity was through the roof. All I ever thought about was work work work. Now that I'm losing weight, I leave work early to go cycling all the time now. I daydream about cycling or skiing at work now, and count the seconds until I can leave. Ah life. It's funny, ya know?

As the writer at the National Review link I posted above wrote, why should we single obesity out instead of, say, smoking and a past history of drug use? Or, since Kinsley brought up the subject and thinks it's an illness, serial adultery?

I too was a better employee when I was 400 pounds and did nothing else. I was also a more productive writer; most of my published work appeared between 2000 and 2006, and would fill five hundred pages formatted for a standard page size. (I don't consider posting to Usenet or online forums "writing", although the same muscles are used.) But I'm not going back.

As the writer at the National Review link I posted above wrote, why should we single obesity out instead of, say, smoking and a past history of drug use? Or, since Kinsley brought up the subject and thinks it's an illness, serial adultery?


I don't think obesity is specially singled out. I remember a large amount of criticism about Obama's smoking habit, for example.

As for adultery... I am baffled why this isn't seen as a bad thing. I especially find it ironic when politicians preach about morality when they are well-known philanderers. Don't really understand why people accept that behavior, but whatever. I personally wouldn't vote for someone who did that, and at the end of the day, that's all I've got control over.

I don't think obesity is specially singled out. I remember a large amount of criticism about Obama's smoking habit, for example.


Yes, perhaps, but I'm not finding an article from any notable writer that he was 'unfit' for office for that reason. (Again, folks, the thread is on obesity as a disqualifier for public office, not on the policies or qualifications of any particular politician.) Admittedly I might be stretching things by called Michael Kinsley "notable", since as a journalist he passed his sell-by date long ago, but still....

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/opinion/sunday/bruni-chris-christies-weight-and-the-oval-office.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=opinion

"Let’s talk about discipline. It’s not an attribute that carries through in a consistent, coherent fashion to all facets of a person’s life; disciplined or undisciplined behavior on one front doesn’t augur identical behavior on others. Someone can be a flawless steward of his or her physique and a wanton lunatic in all else. Ever been to Hollywood?"