NJ Governor Mocks Opponent’s Waistline

Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

Is it wise to point a mocking finger at an opponent’s weight? New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine seems to think so. A recent campaign ad from Corzine features a shot of rival Christopher Christie stepping out of a vehicle, exposing his hefty midriff while a narrator comments that Christie is “throwing his weight around” to avoid traffic tickets.

Other unflattering shots of Christie have appeared throughout Corzine’s campaign ads. “Mr. Corzine’s television commercials and Web videos feature unattractive images of Mr. Christie, sometimes shot from the side or backside, highlighting his heft, jowls and double chin,” writes David Halbfinger from The New York Times. While Christie reportedly would not comment on his actual weight, it is evident that he is sorely overweight. But does this make a difference to voters?

It appears Governor Corzine wants it to. He tries to portray himself as a model of fitness, running in local 5K and 10K races, sometimes two in one weekend. “I always see the governor at my gym; he is definitely a fitness fanatic. I like knowing that he is health conscious.,” says one local New Jersey resident who frequents the same New York Sports Club as Corzine. “It’s actually motivating.”

Is poking fun at a rival’s weight a smart move in a nation where more than 60 percent of our folks are overweight? Or, is it better to have officials who are healthy and weight conscious so they can lead by example?

As hard as we may try not to judge, some research shows weight-based discrimination happens throughout the workplace — it may just not be as public as this campaign.

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