Too Skinny to be President
| July 31st, 2008You have got to be kidding me:
Speaking to donors at a San Diego fund-raiser last month, Barack Obama reassured the crowd that he wouldn’t give in to Republican tactics to throw his candidacy off track.
“Listen, I’m skinny but I’m tough,” Sen. Obama said.
But in a nation in which 66% of the voting-age population is overweight and 32% is obese, could Sen. Obama’s skinniness be a liability? Despite his visits to waffle houses, ice-cream parlors and greasy-spoon diners around the country, his slim physique just might have some Americans wondering whether he is truly like them.
You know, I’m sure this will be a problem. I mean, it’s not like being skinny is still held up as the ultimate ideal for all Americans. Being fat is the new “it” thing. Why, I understand Seattle Sutton has fled the country for more tolerant Canada, while the last health club locked its doors last week. Plus, as a fat guy, I can tell you that all fat people hate skinny people, because nobody knows better than fat people that your body type is far more important than the ideas you have, the skills you possess, or the personality that animates you.
Snark aside — no, Wall Street Journal, Obama’s skinniness is not a deal-breaker. Indeed, as anyone who has engaged in American society can tell you, it’s an asset. There’s a reason Mike Huckabee wasn’t considered a presidential contender until he had bariatric surgery lost a lot of weight through “willpower.” This nation is far from embracing the idea that one’s body type does not correlate with one’s worth as a human being — and that includes a number of fat-hating fat people, who will be happy to tell you at length why Obama’s skinniness is a strength.
As for me, I wasn’t aware that I was supposed to care whether Obama was fat, thin, or trapezoidal. I just want a president who will wind down the Iraq war and not set the rights of women and the GLBTQQ community back 30 years. And given my choices, I think that I’ll pull the lever for Obama, whatever he weighs.
(Via Kevin Drum)
August 1st, 2008 at 8:51 am
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This comment was written by Bjartmarr.Sure, Obama is bipedal. But, is he too bipedal?
</WSJ>
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August 1st, 2008 at 9:00 am
There seem to be a lot of “Obama Won’t Win Because [Completely Nonsensical Reason]” articles lately. I saw one suggesting he’s weak among women voters, when he’s currently polling better than historical Democratic presidential candidates. It’s also funny to see Republicans attack his “celebrity”. Guess they’ve forgotten all about Schwarzenegger and Reagan.
This comment was written by L33tminion.Report this comment to the moderators
August 1st, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Check out this post on No More Mister Nice Blog:
This comment was written by Ampersand.Report this comment to the moderators
August 1st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I seem to remember Abraham Lincoln was skinny too. Maybe if he ate donuts and jelly beans he would have been a better leader.
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September 13th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
You have made my day. belly-laugh out loud!
This comment was written by Leah.Report this comment to the moderators