NJ Governor Mocks Opponent's Waistline

by Deborah Dunham (Subscribe to Deborah Dunham's posts)
Oct 9th 2009 4:00PM

Christopher Christie
Photo: Mike Derer, AP

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.

Comments (35)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

wheindl 10-09-2009 @ 6:35PM

I think it's great that Gov. Corzine loves to run in 5K and 10K races. In fact, I am all in favor of giving him lots of time to do more of this... starting in November. :)

Wateraddict 10-12-2009 @ 12:23AM

As with society and smokers voiceing their opinions of smokers is it becoming socially acceptable to voice outloud everyones opinions of obese people ? One day will we publicly voice our opinions out loud about people that are over weight because it is over taking smoking as North America's #1 killer ? Lets wait and see what happens .

Raejean French 10-09-2009 @ 11:29PM

What is the matter, Governor? Why do you have to attack this man for his weight and appearance?

Let's hope you have something more to offer the people of New Jersey in a re-election than your slim, trim figure...or you could be the one getting fat while eating tons of humble pie.

Betty 10-10-2009 @ 7:25AM

If the worst thing Corzine can throw that is NOT a lie is that Christie is fat, he better pack his bags. None of his muckracking ads have been the truth. Much like his promises when he ran for governor four years ago. He has RAISED taxes, despite promising that he would not. AND the sales tax he RAISED also has been applied to items that were NOT taxes before. Try buying a large ticket item now that didn't fall under sales tax before. Services are now taxed that were not taxed before. And it's killing the little guy. And four more years of this is all we will be looking at if he gets another chance. Look at his last campaign. Look at his four years. (NOT the four years HE wants you to believe he has had--the REAL ones, the tax levying, heavy handed, self serving ones) And all of the ills that he purported to cure with this syphoning of money from our wallets are still there and growing. Where do YOU think all that money went that was going to eliminate the deficit? He added nosebleed increases to the New Jersey toll roads and threatened recrimination should anyone vote against him in passing them. He added a tax to the top of selling one's home--if that sale meant you were leaving the state. He took away our property tax rebates, and we PAY the highest property taxes in the country. I am so sick of hearing him bad mouth Chris Christie. No matter how bad he might be should he be elected, he could not match our REIGNING monarch.

Dmz 10-11-2009 @ 10:40PM

Get real-- all those responding to this article are probably FAT--just like Christie--no self control. Face the facts: We in New Jersey need a huge diet; one the Mr. Christie cannot abide by... GO JON!!!

Lori 10-10-2009 @ 8:06AM

Corzine is an idiot. That's why NJ property taxes are the highest in the country. Nobody gives a rats ass what the size of anyone's waist is - just do your job moron.

Tami 10-10-2009 @ 8:53AM

Corzine needs to go. He has MORE taxes planned for NJ. His state can't afford to keep him.

Doug 10-10-2009 @ 10:17AM

Haha, Corzine is the biggest hypocrite in history. Let us all remember the accident he was involved in driving to the meeting between Don Imus and the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team. Corzine's motorcade was traveling 90 mph and Corzine was not wearing a seatbelt when they crashed. Now, a new ad from Corzine has come out criticizing Christie for letting a cop go for speeding. Corzine has got to have the biggest nerve to come out blasting Christie for that because how many tickets do you think Corzine gave himself?

Juliette 10-10-2009 @ 3:14PM

It shouldn't matter whether a candidate is overweight at all. An overweight person may be just as motivated, if not more so, to help our children live healthier happier lives and avoid becoming overweight in the first place as a physically fit person.

I hope New Jersey voters compare the candidates' platforms and histories rather than simply watching campaign commercials. We'd all have more money if Americans were healthier; it should be about who is most motivated to make that happen.

Marilyn 10-10-2009 @ 10:59AM

I don't live in New Jersey so I am unaware of any other political ads that Governor Corzine has on the air. As the current governor, Corzine appears be is focusing way to much on his opponets weight. He should have vast knowledge of real issues that are affecting his state. Does he suggest solving them by belittling and disparaging anyone who disagrees with him? What are his views?
It seems he is trying to turn the focus away from himself to focus on his opponents weight. I would ask, what is he hiding?

Laura Simione 10-10-2009 @ 11:26AM

I live in Jersey and I am overweight and the fact is Chirstie is too. So any picture of Christie is going to show a morbidly obese man. I am voting for Corzine not because of his weight the truth is Christie is a big fat liar......and that is not a reflection on his size only his mouth and what comes out!!!!

Laura Simione 10-10-2009 @ 11:34AM

Lori the taxes in NJ are currently the highest but we are neck to neck with Conn. and NY....demagraphics play a big part as annual salaries and home values also rank highest get a job in WV and see ahow far your money goes WV having the lowest. move there on your NJ pension and you will be living well

rl0163 10-10-2009 @ 11:40AM

Who is Corzine kidding. He always looks dirty with his dirty hair and scrungy beard, totally unkempt. He and his Democrat friends are now making issues about weight (Obamacare), so who are the real bigots? These characters look for a chance to cry foul if someone disses their ethnic/racial heritage, however they can make fun of someones weight? IT'S CALLED BIGOT!! NO DIFFERENT THAN RACIST!! Perhaps Corzine would like only people who meet the federal fitness guidelines to vote for him? This man is a loser, that's why Goldman Sachs fired him and if those idiots fired him, he had to be a real slug. Go Christie!!

Arlene 10-11-2009 @ 10:25PM

You are so right about Corzine being a BIGOT! How desperate can the man (term used loosely) be to attack an opponent's weight. If that is the worst thing he can find to attack, then he is definitely shooting himself in the foot by alienating everyone who is overweight. What an idiot!

ssgchester 10-11-2009 @ 8:28PM

Christie is just yet another pre-paid political hack for the Republican Party.
The only reason he got the US Attorney General's job for New Jersey is that he and his wife were one of the early fund raisers for Baby Bush for the 2000 election.
Why isn't anyone asking about the David Lat affair?
It's been pushed under the rug.
No one is asking about the political appointments Christie's given for pay backs for getting his job.
This guy lets tons of RICO cases and other goes by the wayside. Just how many Russian mobs cases go is unknown.
And cases that had connections to 9-11 also were let go. Remember that some of the air craft flew out of Newark, NJ.
If you want a pre-paid political hack, then tubby is your boy. But hey, the Republican Party has kicked him around as a candidate for a few years now.
He's just another Georgie Bush. After a wonder 8 years which left this country in financial ruin, in frivolous wars, a sky high number of indictments for party officials, do you people really want more of that but on a state level?
This is not the guy the Republican need to run. He'll be just a male version of Baby Bush.

Lillian 10-11-2009 @ 9:45PM

I find it amusing that Gov Corzine finds it necessary to comment on Christie's weight. Isn't this the same Corzine who felt it was safe to speed up the NJ Turnpike at 90 mph without wearing a seat belt and almost died in a crash? I would suggest the Gov look inward before casting stones. Go Christie!!!! It is about time NJ had a competent Governor.

Gina 10-11-2009 @ 9:42PM

You know, if John Q. Public made comments about someone's weight in this day and age, it should be called PREJUDICE!!!!!

eghbert 10-11-2009 @ 9:57PM

most people laugh at other peoples misfortune so I see nothing wrong with talking about fat people. In fact, fat people should be called fat people. This political correctness thing is causing people to not talk about topics that should be talked about. I'd vote for a fat person in a minute if they were qualified. But i'd still make jokes about them. I hope they know they're fat.

Arlene 10-11-2009 @ 10:41PM

I do not make fun of other people's misfortune and neither do the people I call friends, eghbert! It is cruel and is only done by people with inferiority complexes (that they are unaware of) to help them feel better about themselves. Perhaps you should seek help for your cruelty - I bet you were the school bully when you were younger! Perhaps you still are. There is hope for you though, at least you are not a total idiot and would vote for a person on their qualifications.

BonSchwein 10-11-2009 @ 10:05PM

Governor Corzine proves he is insensitive, classless and desperate to insult Christie on his appearance. He is really no more mature
than an elementary school bully! I am NOT overweight, I run every day and I am saying this.