He’s not running for President in 2012, but his many public appearances to convince the GOP of that fact have resulted in countless barbs about his body. Can someone explain why we are so obsessed with Christie’s weight? How are the people who throw out these fat jokes any different from bullies on the school yard (I’m looking at you, David Letterman)?
If you are so inclined, please attack Christie’s politics, values, plans, or policies. He’s a politician – feel free to comment in any fashion about the manner by which he does his job. Even Sarah Palin managed to criticize the manner by which he announced that he was not (no really, NOT) running for president. As disagreeable as I find Palin, at least she had something to whinge about that wasn’t Christie’s pant size.
Weight, when it deviates from our strict standard, is seen as a personal failing. Add media buzz and this “personal failing” soon eclipses all other accomplishments. Comments about his weight create noise and drown out any real debate.
This irritation on my part has nothing to do with his politics. That’s a completely separate matter from his size. We’ve accepted that people of all genders, sexual orientations, and colors can have valid political views, but somehow, being larger prevents that.
I guess girth begets worth.