Is A Presidential Candidate's Weight A Legitimate Campaign Issue?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Poll question: Is A Presidential Candidate's Weight A Legitimate Campaign Issue?

Obesity is linked to a increased chance of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. If a candidate is obese, should his or her obesity be a legitimate topic for inquiry

[ingac70]

1. Yeah, he could fall over dead of a heart attack....

and we'd be stuck with whatever idiot was chosen as VP.

*I am heavy myself.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. I Have Had Weight Issues Since I Was Three

I do think it's a legitimate area for inquiry as was the president's smoking.

[murielm99]

3. Yes. The President's smoking was the first thing I thought

about. Some of them made a hugh fuss over it, even though it appeared that he was not a regular smoker. I am glad he quit, regardless.

I think any health problem is a legitimate concern. Even if it is a medical condition that is under control, the public needs to know.

I am not saying that I would not vote for someone who was obese, or someone with a heart condition, or someone who has beaten cancer. However, we still need to know the risks, and the facts.

[sufrommich]

5. FDR was a smoker. nt

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. That Was A Different Milieu And People Weren't Aware Of The Risks

He also had uncontrollable hypertension that couldn't be brought under 160/90 with the drugs of his day.

I think a candidate's health is a legitimate area for inquiry.

[ieoeja]

13. And he died in office!

Near the end of his 4th term.

[treestar]

11. Suppose you did not find the VP to be an idiot?

It would make the VP choice a little more important. Like McCain's pick, when he was old, really sunk him, since the chances of an older's President's vP becoming President is greater. Just like our hypothetical fat President. If his health if good and he's good on the issues and his VP is OK, then I don't see the big objection to the fat President.

[sufrommich]

4. No, it's not. You're taking a chance with any presidents

health. That's why you pay close attention to who the VP pick is.

[liberal N proud]

7. There have been several portly presidents

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. Not In The Past Couple Of Generations

,

[Papagoose]

9. Only if you also care if he smokes, wears his seatbelt, uses sunscreen, etc...

I have been overweight my whole life, only getting it under control after surgical assistance. It has never ceased to amaze me that otherwise kind, decent people feel it is okay to pass judgment on others because they are overweight.

That being said, obesity is a SERIOUS health issue. If I were to be told that a candidate had cancer or uncontrolled diabetes than could easily kill him while in office, that would give me pause before voting for him. Obesity is no less serious.

[treestar]

10. To some degree

I thought McCain's age was an issue, so any health related one would not be failed to be considered. But then it would depend on how obsess, the person's actual health and whether they were still the better candidate.

[krawhitham]

12. if he/she is old too

[Faygo Kid]

14. William Howard Taft made it through, and without medications.

Got stuck in the White House bathtub, but lived long enough to be chief justice.

Pretty beefy dude, too - bigger than Christie.

[DFab420]

15. lol god forbid you worry about the health implications of excessive body weight

someone's feelings might get hurt... careful.

I find it amazing how people forcibly sit in denial regarding weight and the human body..

I'm sorry if you're overweight, but it's not like people are insulting you by pointing out the health issues related to it.

[Ter]

16. Not for anyone running this time

All of the candidates from Obama to the Republicans seem to be in good shape.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

18. There Is One GOP Candidate Who Is Clearly Obese By Any Reasonable Metric

.

[11 Bravo]

17. Fuck yes it is. Morbid obesity is accompanied by a host of life-threatening health issues.

It was an issue with Cheney (although, unfortunately, not enough to make a difference); and it would be an issue with - and I'll go ahead and say the name - Chris Fucking Christie. And if someone gets their feelings hurt because they mistake a LEGITIMATE health concern for some type of bigotry, tough shit.
In 1997 I had cancer and it was touch-and-go for a while. Happily, surgery and radiation worked, and here I am; but if I had been running for President it would have been a legitimate concern, and I would not have accused anyone who raised the issue of being an "cell metastasizing bigot".

[bemildred]

19. Everything is on the table, no exceptions.

The voting public will decide.