WSJ: Obama May Be Too Thin To Be President

The Wall Street Journal's Amy Chozick warns Barack Obama of another potentially elitist personal trait -- he's too thin:

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.

The candidate has been criticized by opponents for appearing elitist or out of touch with average Americans. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll conducted in July shows Sen. Obama still lags behind Republican John McCain among white men and suburban women who say they can't relate to his background or perceived values.

Comments

[videlicet]

"Food faux pas have plagued presidential candidates in the past. On a 1976 visit to Texas, Gerald Ford bit into a tamale with the corn husk still on. He lost the election to Jimmy Carter."

Hillarious! :) It sounds like the WSJ is riffing off the Daily Show, but I'm not sure.

Say what you will about the mainstream media's dereliction of its duty to inform the American public of relevant facts and issues, they're having fun. As McCain is wise enough to know: you've gotta keep a sense of humor about politics, no matter the number of crises that are converging in our nation.

[The Militant Marker]

Talk about a pathetic "news". I'll roll with the 46 year old skinny guy that's in shape, over the 72 year old 3 time melanoma cancer survivor, who has to get checked every three months to make sure it hasn't come back. One of my main fears of McCain outside of his policies is he's only a few floors from the "upper room".

[orianna]

I'm getting pretty sick of the dumbing down of the office... let's look up to our president, eh?
I'm also getting pretty tired of wasting my time with petty editorials/opinions.

[adl]

You've gotta be kidding me. So, we've got record obesity in this country and one of the solutions should be to shun thin people as leaders so we won't have to feel bad about our obesity? My God, it just gets crazier and crazier.

[smags72]

Yeah, you'd think this country would actually WANT a President who can actually pass the President's Test of Physical Fitness - maybe he can whip us all into shape!

[Hirnlego]

Its elitist to be thin now? Bah hah ah hah haaa

[AnnieinOR]

too black, too white, not white enough, not black enough, funny name, big ears, too cocky, too snobby, too rich, not rich enough, not fat enough, doesn't have enough health issues, jumps too high, too skinny.... gee - these people that have a criticism for everything about O must walk on water and sh** ice cream.

[NPRLuvr]

Must be another slow news day.

[SuiginTou7]

Remember when the WSJ was a respected newspaper? Hmmm Welcome to Murdock's style of stupidity.

[DanniD]

Instead of Americans being concerned about O B A M A being like them, perhaps they should strive to be more like him! Intelligent, articulate, compassionate, and physically fit. I think I'll start right now, I'm going to ride my bike and when I get back, I'm going to stay off the net and read a book!!!

[harriscrl3]

Exactly they are acting as if there is something wrong with being healthy and intelligent. This idea of wanting a president like us is the most dumbest thing I've ever heard if its true its sad. We want a fat unhealthy president who is a average perhaps face disease like diabetes is poor likely have no healthcare or substandard healthcare I mean do we really want a president like that. We should want a president that is intelligent that dont embarass us or make us look bad when they interact with other countries. Have you ever had your mom tell you as a child dont embarass me in public or make me look small why would we think a president that embarasss abroad is a good thing.

I dont know maybe we've peaked we have no ambition for ourselves and our leaders anymore

Carol

[c1ee]

This is a joke right?

[noamjunior]

WSJ may be to Murdoch-ed to be an actual newspaper

[LillianB]

Oh, for crying out loud! How stupid can one become?

Let me say something AS idiotic as "he is too skinny to be President":
Big Macs have already turned out to be unhealthy for Americans. Why should they want one to run the country?

[AllenPapapetrou]

In a similar vain:
The only votes JFK got were from Irish Catholics.
The only votes Carter got were from Georgians.
The only votes Reagan got were from Hollywood.
Obviously none of them were elected President.
So don't expect Obama will either...

Of course McCain will only get votes from rich Arizona Vietnam vets.

Jeez, nobody's gonna get elected...
Whatcha gonna do?

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

This man can't win, can he? He's too skinny while at the same time HE WEIGHS MORE than PortaJohn (O's at 170-180, EggHead McMuffin is at 160-165).

Suddenly it's wrong to exercise and eat right? What's next?

[GiannaX]

Good Lord, this is beyond silly season!