Amidst an in-depth profile of Republican contender Mike Huckabee in the New York Times is a tiny tidbit that makes me question his presidential fitness. When offered a free meal by Times’ reporter Zev Chafets, his first choices were T.G.I. Friday’s and the Olive Garden. Regardless of his politics, that poor decision-making has cost him my vote.
In spite of his penchant for low-end chain dining, Huckabee managed to drop over 100 pounds over the last few years thanks to diet, exercise and God. His big loss spawned a book, a conspiracy theory and a push to reduce the obesity rate in his home state of Arkansas, which is one of the top ten fattest places in the country. Perhaps the most well-received plan proposed by this “small government†Republican are 15 minute exercise breaks for government employees. Sadly, since Arkansas’ smoking rate – 26 percent of adults — exceeds the obesity rate, I suspect that a lot of people will be using that extra time to spark another cancer stick.
This article appears in Dec 12-18, 2007.