Christie's Weight: Will It Matter?

[Napoleon]

Awesomeness outweighs fat for sure

[Lurker]

I'm being the devil's advocate here, but could Christie's weight actually be a net benefit for him? After all, there a lot of fat American (though admittedly few as heavy as Christie), and if his weight is made an issue he could portray himself as the "victim". That might gain him a few sympathy votes, particularly from voters who have weight problems themselves.

[RedPrometheus]

I'm being the devil's advocate here, but could Christie's weight actually be a net benefit for him? After all, there a lot of fat American (though admittedly few as heavy as Christie), and if his weight is made an issue he could portray himself as the "victim". That might gain him a few sympathy votes, particularly from voters who have weight problems themselves.

I could see this. On the other hand I could imagine a debate if he choses an inexperienced running mates, similar to the "is-Palin-ready?" debate in 2008.

[pbrower2a]

It will matter greatly -- if his obesity kills him or gives him a crippling heart attack or stroke, or causes him to have a bad fall. Any internal surgery on an obese person is far riskier than for someone of normal weight. Otherwise, no problem. If we could elect Barack Obama we can elect someone with the physique of a walrus.

[milhouse24]

Its really the Liberal Media that is obsessed with weight and "handsomeness/beauty" - they send out liberal reporters to write about what clothes the candidates are wearing - really?!?

Midwest Americans from swing states really don't care about a fat politician - and probably like fat politicians more because they are "just like us" and not a "rich east coast NYC fashionista" who care about designer labels. 

[barfbag]

Its really the Liberal Media that is obsessed with weight and "handsomeness/beauty" - they send out liberal reporters to write about what clothes the candidates are wearing - really?!?

Midwest Americans from swing states really don't care about a fat politician - and probably like fat politicians more because they are "just like us" and not a "rich east coast NYC fashionista" who care about designer labels. 

That's true we have a very sick country when it comes to glamour. You don't see many non-western countries sitting around to watch millionaires walk down a red carpet.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

[quote source="Web MD"]Weight loss after gastric bypass surgery is often dramatic. On average, patients lose 60% of their extra weight.[/quote]

http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/what-is-gastric-bypass-surgery

Christie was 350 prior to surgery. He's about 150 pounds overweight. That would put him at 5'11", 260 pounds.

Admittedly, that's still fat. But he'll definitely look a lot better minus 90 pounds.

[windjammer]

Completely. It's exhausting a presidential campaig. So except if he wants to be transported by a cart, he will never be able to support this physical effort.

[roadkill]

Its really the Liberal Media that is obsessed with weight and "handsomeness/beauty"

Not really.  It's part of basic human psychology that we subconsciously link positive physical traits, like attractiveness and height and weight, with positive character traits, such as being honest and trustworthy.  It produces a kind of instinctual or gut feeling in us that's fairly difficult to totally dismiss.

[milhouse24]

Its really the Liberal Media that is obsessed with weight and "handsomeness/beauty"

Not really.  It's part of basic human psychology that we subconsciously link positive physical traits, like attractiveness and height and weight, with positive character traits, such as being honest and trustworthy.  It produces a kind of instinctual or gut feeling in us that's fairly difficult to totally dismiss.

No, I meant that its usually liberal media publications and liberal journalists that focus on the fashion style of a candidate.  Such as People magazine and other NYC magazines.  They tie in liberal policies, women's issues, and fashion sense. 

Conservative blogs usually just focus on the political issues, instead of a person's haircut (unless its to mock it).  That being said, have u seen Hillary's new Haircut - she looks amazing!  Does Al Gore still wear earth tones?  What about John Kerry's expensive pink ties?  Doesn't Obama look so young and handsome, with a nice smile? 

[barfbag]

Its really the Liberal Media that is obsessed with weight and "handsomeness/beauty"

Not really.  It's part of basic human psychology that we subconsciously link positive physical traits, like attractiveness and height and weight, with positive character traits, such as being honest and trustworthy.  It produces a kind of instinctual or gut feeling in us that's fairly difficult to totally dismiss.

No, I meant that its usually liberal media publications and liberal journalists that focus on the fashion style of a candidate.  Such as People magazine and other NYC magazines.  They tie in liberal policies, women's issues, and fashion sense. 

Conservative blogs usually just focus on the political issues, instead of a person's haircut (unless its to mock it).  That being said, have u seen Hillary's new Haircut - she looks amazing!  Does Al Gore still wear earth tones?  What about John Kerry's expensive pink ties?  Doesn't Obama look so young and handsome, with a nice smile? 

You're right about liberals being obsessed with themselves as a whole. There is a point to be made about Chris Christie's weight and someone said about him being pushed around in a cart. Do you think if he had a Segway or if a staff member or intern pushed him around in a chair that the public would go for it?

[IceSpear]

I'm sure it'll be an issue to some degree, though it might be like Romney's Mormonism or Obama's being half black in the sense that pundits will make it seem like a big issue, when in actuality the voters won't care.

[barfbag]

Christie's size might carry a lot of weight with voters.