Chris Christie: Too fat to be president?
According to one political analyst, the biggest obstacle the New Jersey governor would face in a bid for the presidency is his weight
The video: During his successful bid for the New Jersey govenorship last year, Republican Chris Christie's "burly" build was the subject of much debate and controversy. His opponent, Jon Corzine, even airing a television ad that referred to Christie "throwing his weight around." Now, with strong approval ratings and growing support in the Republican party are generating speculation about a presidential bid as early as 2012, his size is once again becoming a hot topic. Appearing on a Philadelphia Fox affiliate, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, a Columbia professor and political analyst, opined that Christie was too fat to make a successful presidential bid. "He doesn't have the body type to win," Hill said. "Let's be honest… he's fat."
The reaction: "Keep taking juvenile potshots at Christie's weight, liberals," says Guy Benson at Townhall.com "It worked so well for Jon Corzine." Yeah, "I'm not so sure," Christie's weight would lose him the presidency, says Alex Balk at The Awl. Who knows, it might even help him "if the election comes down to the 'Which candidate would you rather have a sack of Sliders with?' query, which, given the way we're going, it probably will." I'm not so sure, says the TJ Walker Interactive blog. "America voters have shown little tolerance for fat presidential candidates since the era of Television." Sure, "Clinton was a little chubby in 1992, but he never had a double chin." Watch Dr. Hill discuss Christie's weight on Fox Philadelphia:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 fact-checked cartoons about the VP debate
Cartoons Artists take on civil disagreements, admissions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Japanese villages where time stood still
The Week Recommends Up to 200 villagers cooperate to thatch a roof in a single day, preserving this beautiful tradition
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: October 6, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published