Okay, I actually *agree* with NJ Gov Christie! (Which one of us is losing our minds?)

[IdaBriggs]

President Clinton's physician while he was in the White House went on National Television to tell Governor Christie he is overweight and she is concerned he will "die in office."

His response? "Shut up!"

Apparently the Governor feels someone who actually hasn't examined him, or is familiar with his personal health history has no business mouthing off on national television about his health issues.

Wow. I *totally* agree, and think the physician was out of line, or (as Christie put it) "just wants her five minutes of television fame."

Do I have an opinion about whether or not Governor Christie is overweight? Why, yes, yes I do!

But you know something? It is NONE of my BUSINESS. Such discussions belong between him and his physician.

It is the same way I feel about other medical issues (including reproductive decisions).

Since Christie 'gets it' when it comes to his private health issues, do you think he might be able to carry that analogy further when it comes to women's reproductive health issues?

In the meantime, I applaud the frankness of "Shut up already!" If the physician was really concerned, she didn't need to go on national television to talk about it, so my respect for her judgment = Zero. (She might be right, but honestly, completely inappropriate way to present the information.)

http://gma.yahoo.com/video/health-26594251/gov-christie-tells-irresponsible-ex-wh-doctor-to-shut-up-31659641.html#crsl=%252Fvideo%252Fhealth-26594251%252Fgov-christie-tells-irresponsible-ex-wh-doctor-to-shut-up-31659641.html

[JoeBlowToo]

1. Don't kid yourself, Christie will not extend the same privacy to women...

and I personally would worry very much about his health, especially since he would probably have to run with someone like Paul Ryan as his running mate to mollify the Tea Party wing.

[IdaBriggs]

5. Did not realize this was "white house" related.

Thought it was about him in his *current* office.

[HappyMe]

2. I agree with you.

It isn't anybody's damn business. This issue should be left between Christie, his family and personal physician.

[IggleDoer]

3. I wouldn't be concerned about Christie's health as a Presidential candidate...

... if only he would nominate Joe Biden as his running mate.

[KharmaTrain]

4. Psychobabble...

The is a dead season in the telepundit world. Last year was one big orgasm for them...and while they still like to hyperventilate about the "debt cliff" or "they taking away your guns" and other flavors of the day, for the most part this is deadwood time. To "spice" things up, we're already being "treated" to the beltway parlor game of who will run in 2016. Christie is a media darling so obviously he's at the top of that list. Once you hit their radar then everything about your life becomes fair game...especially your looks. That's where our beloved corporate media fills the bill and if there's any blemish or wrinkle, they'll put it on big letters and have a panel of four telepundits verbally masturbate until the network is satisfied.

I'm not concerned about Christie's obesity because I'm fully convinced he will never come close to the White House...other than on the regular scheduled tour. There's no way in today's rushpublican party he can gain the nomination...and if he does, he will get lukewarm support, if any, from the lunatic fringes that dominate that corrupt party.

[LAGC]

8. Hahaha!

You summed up the corporate MSM perfectly.

I agree, Christie blew all hopes of the presidency the day he snubbed Mitt Romney and fell over himself praising President Obama for the hurricane response.

The hard-core conservatives will never forgive him for that. Not in 4 years, not ever.

[Sheldon Cooper]

6. At this point, his weight with regard to his ability to perform the duties of his office

should only concern those citizens of New Jersey, if at all. The doctor who speculated about it was out of line.

However, if he were to make a run for national office in 2016 or later, his extreme morbid obesity could become a legitimate concern for all of us. When Gramps McCain chose Palin, I was concerned about her being a heartbeat away from the white house. McCain was elderly and had survived four bouts of melanoma. If he had been elected and then died in office, look at who would have been running the country and shake in your shoes.

While I agree that we all have no idea what his overall health could be, I think it's fine to wonder about it in as far as who he might select as a running mate to succeed him should he die in office. I don't think we need to fixate on it, or call him ugly names because of it, but I don't think it's out of line to take it into consideration on a national level.

PS - if it matters to anyone, I am fat and have been treated for health issues related to obesity -diabetes,
high blood pressure, and high cholesterol to be exact. I'm not one of those holier than thou people who can't stand fat folks.

[IdaBriggs]

7. I agree with you 100% about running for President.

*EVERYTHING* is fair game for investigation, including running mates and general health of candidates.

If his health is interfering with his job performance, that is one thing, but I have no idea why the doctor thought it appropriate to make such a comment *and then double down on it* in the national media.

[Bandit]

10. It's called politics...

Christie is the obvious front runner for President.. Start laying the seeds of doubt in the people's minds as early as possible... Is he so over weight he might not live a long life? Might he die in Office from being over weight? Create doubts early and often.... Politics.....Why should Democrats keep their mouths shut when Republicans sure as hell don't?

[loyalsister]

9. I'm so glad to see this thread

His personal health and habits are not relevant to those of us outside of NJ. If he runs for president he'll have to release medical records, and people can decide from there. I agree with the analogy to a woman's right to make her personal health decision privately. The endless public condemnation is just obnoxious.

[The Second Stone]

11. He is a public figure often suggested as a presidential candidate

That makes his health a subject of public discussion. His temper and his hard heartedness are also disqualifiers for national office.

[IdaBriggs]

12. I disagree that his weight should be a public discussion (until he is tossed into the ring).

To me, it was just rude.

[FarCenter]

13. His weight is a public concern, since he is a public figure (a very BIG public figure).

[IdaBriggs]

14. Fat joke. Got it. Seems mean.

But you knew that, right? The "mean" was what was supposed to make it funny?

I'm sorry. The joke didn't work for me. And just like a woman's hair color isn't an issue, until someone can convince me that his health is impacting his job performance, I really don't need to know the personal details of his health history.

He isn't a presidential candidate (yet?). This type of stuff is very inappropriate (in my opinion).

But I'm not "big" on fat jokes, so your opinion may differ.