A Weighty Issue in New Jersey
Steve Adubato, Ph.D.
CBS 2 Political Analyst

New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie is a big guy.  In fact, by his own admission, he has struggled with weight his entire life.  The question is, should Chris Christie’s weight matter in the largely contested race for governor in New Jersey?  Let’s face it; we all have biases, prejudices and issues with different people for different reasons.  And when it comes to those who are overweight or bordering on obese, things get even more complex. 

Voters will decide whether Christie being heavy is significant enough to influence their vote on November 3, particularly in a state where the unemployment rate is at nearly 10 percent; we have the highest property taxes in the nation; and the budget deficit stands at a whopping $8 billion. 

Beyond all this, what really bothers me is that the Democrats aren’t being up front about the fact that they are trying to use Christie’s weight against him.  A couple weeks ago the Corzine campaign came out with a spot talking about Chris Christie’s driving record and the allegation that he got out of a ticket by “throwing his weight around” as New Jersey’s US Attorney.  Right after that language was used in the commercial, there was a shot of Christie getting out of a car.  He looked big to say the least. 

Governor Jon Corzine insists that the language and the Christie visual were just a coincidence and his campaign would in no way make reference to Chris Christie’s weight.  But get this.  Just a few days ago, Democratic State Chairman Joe Cryan said at a Corzine rally; “What would it feel like if the next governor weighs 350 pounds?”  Hmm.  Not using Chris Christie’s weight as an issue? Really?  We are talking about the Democratic State Chairman at a Jon Corzine rally.  Not a single Democrat chastised, questioned or took on Joe Cryan for his crude and totally inappropriate comments. 

I say, if you are going to score cheap points by making reference to Chris Christie being overweight, then OWN it.  Stand by it.  Be accountable for it.  Don’t let surrogates take the cheap shots and you try to stay above the fray.  The governor is better than that.  I’ve always thought him to be a decent guy.  That’s why he should rebuke the Democratic state chairman immediately and make it crystal clear to everyone associated with him that any reference to Chris Christie’s weight should be off limits in this campaign.  Anything less demeans the governor, the state and this already pretty demeaning campaign.

New Jersey’s problems are too serious for us to have another diversion, be it about weight, loans to ex-girlfriends or former employees, driving records or whatever else doesn’t deal directly with the massive fiscal hole the Garden State finds itself in.

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