Healthy Living

Monday, November 30, 2009

I'm Barack Obama and I've approved this delicious piece of apple pie

Now that it's August, I can no longer hold back from talking about some of the U.S. presidential election stuff, especially when I read something like Amy Chozick's recent article in the Wall Street Journal titled "Too Fit to Be President?", a column that questions whether a nation of fatties will want to vote for a man who is--well, I'll just come right out and say it--sort of dreamy in a swimsuit. It seems that Senator Obama's physical state of near perfection is being cited by voters as a reason to dislike the man. Reports of lifting weights next to the Democratic candidate are profilgate on the Internet, and Senator John McCain, his opponent, even took an opportunity to use Sen. Obama's gym habits in an attack ad.

Chozick then goes on to question some of Obama's eating habits as though they were carefully planned publicity stunts. Certainly the man doesn't actually enjoy eating pie if he's going to the gym that much. Clearly his offhanded remark about liking buffalo wings must have been a clever ruse, just to get votes. Wow, jaded much? Can't a guy just enjoy getting his pie on? I know I do and I know plenty of people enjoy pie even though they go to the freaking gym. The two don't seem to be mutually exclusive...or is it just me?

Given that it wasn't too long ago that Mike Huckabee had allegedly undergone weight-loss surgery to secure votes, just what is the right BMI for the United States' top guy? Would a candidate's weight deter your vote, either way? Do you prefer your leaders to be fit and care about appearances? Or would you prefer a candidate who enjoyed an Egg McMuffin once in awhile? The comments are hoping that you'll give us your vote.

Does the government have a right to tell us what we can eat? Check out the Daily Special's roundtable on the topic for some food for that.

MORE FROM ELASTIC WAIST AND SELF:

[photo credit: Getty Images]
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Comments 1-10 of 15
  • ...'s Avatar
    Posted by ... Tue Aug 5, 2008 4:21pm PDT

    lol i like the title

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  • jessicatastrophe_70x7's Avatar
    Posted by jessicatastrophe_70x7 Thu Aug 7, 2008 9:22am PDT

    love your title, btw. haha. and psh

    he can have his pie and eat it too,

    and if i turned 18 THREE DAYS SOONER, GOSH DARNIT, he'd have my vote, too.

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  • Beth's Avatar
    Posted by Beth Thu Aug 7, 2008 11:35am PDT

    People will nit pick about anything. I think it gives him a big bonus.

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  • Afizzo's Avatar
    Posted by Afizzo Thu Aug 7, 2008 11:53am PDT

    I'm more into voting for someone that has healthy lifestyle habits over a fat slob. Let's look at it this way- if you're going to skimp on the most important thing of all, your body, what else are you gunna f--- up on?

    And yes, the man likes pie. So what? He's ovbiously not going to gain anything. He's healthy =]

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  • Mindy R's Avatar
    Posted by Mindy R Thu Aug 7, 2008 12:41pm PDT

    Weight...really...is this what we are voting on? I am saddened that someone might actually pick someone because of their physical appearance. It's not a "Miss America" pageant.

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  • Orchid's Avatar
    Posted by Orchid Thu Aug 7, 2008 5:26pm PDT

    I'd prefer to select my candidate based on their policies and political record than if they need Jenny Craig. Politics is brain, not brawn.

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  • springtime's Avatar
    Posted by springtime Fri Aug 8, 2008 8:43am PDT

    The President of the USA has a hectic schedule every day. GWB is in bed at 9:00 PM and up before dawn... works out religiously. I don't care for his politics but the man rarely looks fatigued and dragging his feet. The Pres. should be physicaly fit to lead this country and a healthy diet is part of fitness. Of course, he eats pie. I bet he gets down on some ice cream too. But you can bet it's not on his dinner table every night or even every month.

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  • YERI's Avatar
    Posted by YERI Fri Aug 8, 2008 10:24am PDT

    All I know is, no matter what the man does, he WILL be criticized. Its not only his healthy lifestyle, but its also his supposed "celebrity" lifestyle. I mean, Really!? All he's trying to do is run his campaign the way he should, and if it seems as though he's getting a lot of publicity, be it due to his healthy or celebrity lifestyle, its only because he is after all the first black democratic candidate that could be the next president of the US. I mean, I think I can speak for all of us minorities when I say that this is pretty much a BIG DEAL. Haters will be haters I guess....he has my vote nontheless.

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  • Michael's Avatar
    Posted by Michael Fri Aug 8, 2008 12:31pm PDT

    I don't think his gym habits have been as criticized as much as his blowing off the opportunity to visit US service men and women in the hospital in Germany so he could go shoot baskets in the gym. I think he has a great future as a personal trainer and not as President. Can we get back to articles about Healthy Living and just forget this emotional detour into Politics ever happened??

    Mike D.

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  • mabcosmic's Avatar
    Posted by mabcosmic Fri Aug 8, 2008 6:34pm PDT

    Sounds like that article wants to fat bash more than make coherant political commentary. Besides, people questioning if Obama will be elected for this or that just buys into his persecuted image. Of course people are going to friggin vote for him, whether or not the media lays it on thick for people's fragile little egos.

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