Let's get physical: Bush's obsession doesn't fit job

Houston Chronicle ^ | 7/30/05 | JONATHAN CHAIT

[MarkL]

Am I the only person who fails to understand why conservatives see this finding as vindication? After all, these studies show that some of the best-educated, most-informed people in the country overwhelmingly reject the GOP. Why is this seen as an indictment of academia, rather than as an indictment of the Republican Party?

This is sort of like saying that the fact that pro-democracy protestors were in jails, gulags, and mental institutions in the old Soviet Union, while the best educated and influential people were members of the Communist Party in the USSR, rejected democracy and captialism... Why is this seen as an indictment of communism, rather than an indictment of democracy?

Mark

[Casloy]

What I mean is the fact that Bush has an obsession with exercise that borders on the creepy.

Nowhere near as creepy as a reporter obsessed by Bush's obsession with staying fit.

[Lady Jag]

Do you forget JFK's national phys ed program (I forget its name)? I grew up with it and swear by it to this day. It made a huge difference in my life, physically and emotionally, and I believe the Bushes should push it as an agenda, too.

[Let_It_Be_So]

The "uninformed, out of touch idiot" wasn't considered for a job.. he was the one writing the article. The only thing Wilkerson was quoted as saying was that President Bush "warned of impending doom" if he didn't consider cross-training. What the article did not do was provide any characterization of what Wilkerson thought of the President's advice. On the other hand, the article did opine as to what the writer of the article thought about the advice.

[Flightdeck]

He was blasting the author, saying pretty much what everybody on this thread is.

[Yasotay]

The healthier they are, the longer they can stay on the bench....

True but Bush should 'FDR' the Court .... and since women normally live longer .... put on Ann Coulter .... Laura Ingraham .... and Michelle Malkin.

[MinorityRepublican]

I would love to see that! I never thought of that, but you're right - he should visit some Army post and lead a battalion or brigade run! That might be better than the carrier landing (for an old Army guy like me, anyway) and the libs would go crazy! Can't you see it: W out front with the guidon alongside, sun just coming up, a thousand young soldiers running in formation behind him...

I could be wrong but I heard that President Bush's knees aren't holding up that well anymore and that's why he is riding his bike instead of running.

[Pippin]

I take it they'd rather have him with one foot in the grave.

[stocksthatgoup]

[CDHart]

"Unfortunately, most of us have more demanding jobs than he does."

Did the article actually say that? I don't want to go direct to the Post as I'm on a very slow dialup.

Carolyn

[PhatHead]

I remember reading that, too - not sure if that meant less running, or no running now.

[deathb4dishoner]

Wilkinson impressively responded that he runs 3 1/2 miles a day.

this is nothing I rap off 4 miles every other day - granted I am younger by 10 years but come on takes like 35 minutes bfd

[Mr Rogers]

I try to run about 5 miles/day, but I can't always get free during daylight (and in the Tucson summer, I find 4 miles about as far as I can run with the temps over 105...).

A lot can depend on the knees - I know several guys who had to stop running when their knees gave out at 45 or so.

[MinorityRepublican]

I remember reading that, too - not sure if that meant less running, or no running now.

I bet he wasn't able to run for a while but now he is probably able to do cross-training, which allow him to do a variety of activities including running occasionally so that will lessen wear on his knees.

[ONETWOONE]

Better yet. Have him, his father challenge Dean, Clinton and that sports guy Kerry from Mussachuessets.