New Jersey Governor Chris Christie addressed concerns about his weight at a press conference last Tuesday. This was something he should not have had to do. There are a lot of good reasons to criticize the Garden State governor (many of which I’d be happy to address in a later column), but his weight is not one of them.

Like many Americans, Governor Christie is overweight. A fact that he’s not only acknowledged, but has also even poked fun at. He famously pulled a donut out of his pocket while taking flack from David Letterman about his size. He stood up to then-New Jersey Governor Corzine when his 2009 gubernatorial opponent indirectly mocked Christie for his size. And he’s never shied away from any other challenger who’s called attention to his girth. The question I would pose to those who have made Christie’s weight an election issue is: is this something that should impugn his ability to govern? Last time I checked, being heavy wasn’t something that impaired your judgment.

We have a number of elected officials whose personal lives provide much more compelling reasons for opposing their right to govern. We allowed former Rep. Joe Walsh to serve in Congress while he refused to pay over $100,000 in child support. We tolerated North Carolina Congressman Aaron Schock despite his illegal solicitation of money from a Super Pac. Even Scott DesJarlais, the anti-abortion and family values crusader who forced his mistress (yes, I said mistress, not wife) to have an abortion, gets to serve another term in Congress.

Obesity is obviously a problem in this country. Over 35 percent of Americans can be classified as obese. The Center for Disease Control projects that number will reach 44 percent in every state by 2030. The rates of heart disease, diabetes and strokes will increase right along with it. But obesity is not a moral failing.

We should applaud the efforts of leaders like Michelle Obama who are working to inspire Americans to get more fit. We should appreciate the good intentions (if not necessarily the policies) of officials like Michael Bloomberg who want their constituents to watch what they eat. It’s ok to nudge a loved one in the right direction when we’re worried about their health. But it is never ok to shame someone for his or her weight problem.

I am not a member of the Chris Christie fan club. I disagree with a number of his policies, and with many of his stances on key issues. But I find it ridiculous that every time he speaks to the media he has to talk about the number he sees on the scale every morning. Christie’s patented tirades often sound obnoxious to me. I think it's rude when he asks reporters if they're stupid. I find it objectionable when he berates his constituents. My ears bleed when I hear him attack people for asking him simple questions. However, this is one instance where we could all benefit from some of Christie’s brand of “straight talk.”

 

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