That would be pretty sad if it hurt him. I think it's a point in his favor personally.

This. Is. Ridiculous. How can being unhealthy be a plus??

Isn't this a good thing????

Don't see how anyone would thing that would hurt him?

it could show that he thinks about the consequences of his actions, isn't purblind about his decisions... i guess it underlines his image.

are they actually serious? if there are actually people out there who wouldn't vote for him b/c he makes healthy choices in his life, then those people don't deserve a vote. what flippin' morons.

What exactly are people voting for? This is a serious election, not a joke. What kind of stupid nonsense is this? And how is being healthy a bad thing?

Um there are plenty of reasons to question Obama's ability to run this country, but I think physically fit is something he has working to his advantage! That article is an insult to Americans.

Journalism is lost... is this really all the WSJ could find to write about?!?!
personally, i'd rather have a fit president, than one on his way to a heart attack convention.

Did anybody READ that sign? That's something I'd be proud of: being wasteful and lazy. *shakes head* I think it would be a step in the right direction. Maybe with a healthy(er) President, there would be more incentive programs to promote a healthy lifestyle.

I agree with jkat that there are many reasons to question Obama's ability to run the country. However, being physically fit is not one of them.

Uhh...Most of our previous presidents have been fit. George Bush goes for a jog every morning, and according to my boyfriend, he has a pretty toned body (I have no idea how he knows...And I didn't want to ask.). WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?

ditto lcterp

shows how pathetic parts of our nation's values and beliefs really are

The fact Obama keeps in shape and is taking his health more seriously, makes me want him as a our president even more. Our nation needs a health overhall because our bodies are full of sh*t from all of those Big Macs and a side of fries. The fact that people will find Barack unrelatable because he is fit, those beings need therapy; they have a very messed up view on what they should "relate" to.

=) lol i just noticed the title..."omaba"?

anyways, i totally agree. if that's the only thing that these people can fault him for, i say he's golden!

Omaba?

Insane.

OMABA=spelling error.

wow... i think having a fit president would be a positive thing... especially in this day and age where more than a third of our country is overweight and has a strong addiction to HFCS, trans fat, fast foods, and over sized proportions. he would be a positive role model in a health aspect...

maybe americans want someone to associate with and feel that they have something more in common... that a potential president has flaws and will have to work to fix them? but who says obama doesnt have to work? maintaining a healthy lifestyle is hard work as well..

is anyone else thinking this is a satirical article? they cant really be serious!

First, I don't think Obama has quit smoking, but hopefully he will soon. Second, I'm not a fan of Bush by ANY means, but isn't he really fit? I know he runs and doesn't drink or smoke. I think we already have a pretty "fit" president...so I don't get the debate.

Weird... I was just driving behind a Ford Truck during lunch that had two bumper stickers. One said, "Typical White Person" and the other said, "Bitterly clinging to guns and religion."

That article has been publicly stated to be satirical. How can 66 percent be overweight and another 32 obese, that would equal 98 percent of the country. The author was pointing out the absurdness of focusing on the person rather than the issues.

Actually, I think the 32% obese may be WITHIN the 66% overweight, as obesity is a degree of overweightness. (Obesity runs in my family, and I'm familiar with it's medical definition, and the diseases it causes). Those two percentages relate to each other. They're not separate from each other.

Personally, I think Obama's fitness is a plus. Fitness is a virtue, not a vice.

Also, I think that sign is absurd. If it's indeed true, it's a sad testament about the "typical white person." I find it laughable that the woman is proud about that.

The original article was pretty shoddily researched. Or should I say, "researched" — This blog post explains how the journalist had an idea of the story she wanted to write before she began researching, and where did she turn for a good source? YAHOO MESSAGE BOARDS. Ace reporting there.

Sigh.

this is so grosssssss.

even stupid prez bush is in good shape. i've seen the media focus more than once on how physically fit he is.

chunky kitty, practice your math.

The 32 percent of people that are obese, are ALSO overweight. The statistic reads that 32% of people obese, and 66% are overweight -- which means that 34% of people are overweight but NOT obese.

can we find a president that puts education first?

As for the article, what a horrible woman with a horrible sign. I've never understood the redneck pride mentally.

And people wonder why the rest of the world has a poor opinion of Americans...

Ugh.. that sign only proves that a change is necessary. She shouldn't be proud of being lazy and ignorant.

the stupidity that constitutes political discourse in this country never ceases to amaze me.

This is so dumb. The fact that he is healthy, has quit smoking, etc should be an admirable thing. But people should vote for President based on the issues, not what they eat for dinner...

I can't believe Americans think that they can drive whatever kind of car they want or decide their own thermostat temperature without consulting the rest of the civilized world. Isn't that what the UN is for?

that's outrageous. they should look at him as a fitness inspiration. that can't seriously be their deciding factor.

Oh wow. Ridiculous. And seriously, that's a sign to be proud of? Idiot.

The AOL comments are always far scarier. Or sadder. Disturbing. I'm happy to live in one the fit communities, with great access to the outdoors and health care, local produce, fresh restaurants, etc. I'm active, still eat fun stuff sometimes, apparently don't want to be "typical" because that's just depressing and would never take being too fit or too healthy into consideration. Urgh.

That is crazy Bella!

I think it is a sign of intelligence that he stays healthy (and I think his policy ideas are pretty brilliant as well). I also know that exercising is a good way to destress and focus. It improves mental clarity for some people. It makes me feel better to think that the person running the country has that outlet.

This sounds ridiculous. If your out of shape and love junk food- its your own fault. How can it be a bad thing that Obama is in shape?! If he was out of shape, I bet people would give him crap for that too!

Bush is pretty darn fit - I saw him jogging while I was on a White House Tour - and he was doing laps of the house for almost an hour! His bodyguard was having a hard time keeping up.

WoW...how ridiculous...I would totally want a fit president...it would be a good role model for the country...and with the amount of overweight ppl we have, we need that!

I'm glad his healthy lifestyle is a public issue; however, I don't see the controversy surrounding it. If there are Americans out there who are overweight and lead unhealthy lifestyles, yet who also like and are inspired by him, it's possible that they can follow his example.

I always think it's funny how "relatable" people expect the president to be. "OK, he doesn't know jack about issues A, B, and C, but he's good for a round of Bud Lights on the house!"

Also, whatever happened to striving for something? Don't people want someone they can look up to (not just in an election, but generally)? Yeah, I get lazy, and don't always follow examples of the people I admire, as does everyone, but someone to look up to is a *good* thing, isn't it?

Next thing they're going to be telling us is that to live the most fulfilled life, we must lay on our couches 24/7 and eat Baked Lays. Hello, backwards thinking! The American population seems like it is ashamed of its weight issues, and wants a president they can relate to. With a fat president, "fat" will become the new "normal," and "obese" will become "full-figured." Perché questo succede?

The WSJ is really overly fond of making non-issues into values issues. But I think it's funny that every subsequent President has endorsed JFK's idea that physical fitness for citizens was in fact a vital component to national security. So vital, in fact, that there is a Presidential Council on Physical Fitness and, for those schools that haven't yet been forced to cut the class, a Presidential Fitness Test for phys ed!

Also, I really resent the photographed woman's characterization of a "typical white person". Sure, *she* seems fine with perpetuating an unhealthy stereotype, but I'll go ahead and pass, thanks.

@em1282: I totally agree with you. I wouldn't want a person I can relate to as president, I'd want someone much smarter than me, and with more will power.