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NJ Gov's Ads Target Opponent's Waistline

Corzine spot says Christie 'threw his weight around'

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 8, 2009 6:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – Jon Corzine, the New Jersey governor locked in an ugly race for reelection, is calling his opponent a big fat liar—with the emphasis on "fat." A new attack ad shows hefty Republican challenger Chris Christie in super-slow motion, his flesh jiggling in multiple directions, while an announcer says he "threw his weight around" to avoid traffic tickets. "I think it’s silly and stupid," Christie tells the New York Times, while Corzine demurs, "Seems to be some sensitivity going on here."

Not only have Corzine's TV spots and online ads highlighted Christie's corpulence, but the governor himself has taken to running road races pretty much every weekend. Christie, who has struggled with his yo-yo-ing weight for years, tries not to speak about his size in public, even jokingly. But Corzine's ads may be working; asked what was the first word that came to mind about Christie, a good chunk of voters said "fat."

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

Christopher Christie gestures as he speaks to supporters in Whippany, NJ. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Christopher J. Christie, the Republican nominee for governor of New Jersey, shakes hands with people on the street in Jersey City, NJ. (AP Photo/Mike Derer)

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This ad from the Jon Corzine campaign says Chris Christie, his overweight challenger for governor of New Jersey, 'threw his weight around' to avoid traffic tickets. (campaigntvads)

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NJ Gov's Ads Target Opponent's Waistline