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SURPRISE, SURPRISE

Sullivan Back; Still Hates Palin

Calls her book 'manifesto for the imagined life'

Nov 19, 09 8:49 PM CST
Huckabee: Obama
Attacks 'Shameful'

Republican condemns
knee-jerk criticism

15 hours, 20 minutes ago
ANN COULTER

Diversity Isn't a Strength

'Irritating cliché' should be ditched in wake of Fort Hood

Nov 19, 09 1:18 AM CST
Limbaugh's Wrong: Gallup's Obama Approval Below 50%

New survey is latest disappointment for President

4 hours, 48 minutes ago
PILING ON

Fox Caught Fudging
Footage Again

This-just-in Palin video actually from '08 campaign

Nov 18, 09 7:39 PM CST
Neglected Ind. Fans Boo Palin

Hecklers accuse her of 'quitting on the job'

3 hours, 1 minute ago
OBAMA'S FREE RIDE

Latest Undeserved
Honor: Black Belt

Obama is now a master of tae kwon do, with 0 years practice

Nov 19, 09 2:07 PM CST
Rush: Gallup Counting Too Many Blacks for Obama

That's why the president's approval ratings are above 50%, he says

10 hours, 36 minutes ago
OPINION

In Piling On Palin, Liberals Make Fools of Themselves

...and legitimize her
as a true rogue

Nov 19, 09 5:30 PM CST
poll shows dead heat

Far-Right
Challenger
a Threat
to McCain

Talk show host JD Hayworth gets close in new poll

8 hours, 43 minutes ago
Sarah Palin's
$25.6M Week

Think of it as a 1-woman stimulus package for herself, publishing, media

11 hours, 40 minutes ago
men of the year

Eastwood Is
Top 'Badass'

Kobe Bryant, Chris Pine, Barack Obama make 2009's elite list

Nov 19, 09 7:33 PM CST
Shirt's Message:
Pray for Obama's Death

Verse reads, 'Let his days be few' and 'let his children be fatherless'

Nov 18, 09 5:50 PM CST

|NEXT STORY »

PRESIDENTIAL WAISTLINE DEPT.

Drudge Alarmed Over Skinny Obama

Prez not chain-smoking, but does skip some meals

By W. McCahill| Posted Nov 2, 09 8:00 PM CST|

(Newser) – In a post today headlined “Barack ‘N Bones,” the Drudge Report sounds the alarm over President Obama’s gaunt appearance over the weekend. An intense, hoops-heavy exercise regimen is behind what the conservative site calls “dramatic” weight loss. “No, he’s not chain smoking,” a source says of the photos of Obama, wearing black sweats and an oversize black coat. “He’s working non-stop for the country. … Yes, he does occasionally skip meals.”

President Obama leaves the physical fitness center at Ft. McNair in Washington after playing basketball Saturday. (AP Photo)

(AP Photo)

President Obama leaves a basketball game Saturday. (AP Photos)

View larger images >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

11.20.09

The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun

11.19.09

Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention

56 comments

VIEWING:

BBT
Nov 2, 09 8:05 PM CST

I guess it's conservative to be a fatass. Limbaugh, Beck, et al. Reply

+18

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Nov 3, 09 9:55 AM CST

He doesn't look that bad really. It's not a requirement to be fat in America. Non issue.

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Nov 3, 09 10:10 AM CST

one of the few times i thumbed up dontlikeyou. thanks, for a change.

IN RESPONSE:

Speedbump2001
Nov 3, 09 1:09 PM CST

Barney Frank, anyone?

-2

IN RESPONSE:

jbcorny
Nov 3, 09 4:18 PM CST

thank you 24 hr news cycle for this gem.

| 0 minutes ago

Netstorm2k9
Nov 2, 09 8:07 PM CST

He's probably the healthiest president we've ever had...unless he IS chain smoking. I do it, and it's not good for ya. And he's under a lot more stress than I. Reply

+11

IN RESPONSE:

Deebles
Nov 2, 09 8:44 PM CST

FDR chain-smoked through four terms. Well, three and then that stroke. But, smoking is bad and no one should do it ,but the people who do aren't snorting coke. I remember when my doctors had ashtrays in the waiting room. We've turned everything into a crisis. All the first ladies smoked since the last fifty years except Michelle. And Rosalyn. Nicotine--an over the counter anti-depressant. He's a skinny guy to start with and if he gained fifty pounds we'd all have a cow. FDR was in a wheelchair for twelve years and we never noticed that--with a cigarette. Let's cut the healthy skinny guy some slack.

IN RESPONSE:

BoZo
Nov 3, 09 2:54 AM CST

Or maybe it's from a coke habit.

-14

IN RESPONSE:

kokuaguy
Nov 3, 09 5:36 AM CST

Good work, living up to your name again, BZ.

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Nov 3, 09 10:13 AM CST

@bozo - standing up to your name i see. don't be ridiculous.

IN RESPONSE:

youngblood
Nov 3, 09 11:52 AM CST

Don't smoke dude! I meet a guy in the East Village and he asked me to help him walk 1 block and as I was helping him he said to me, " Don't ever smoke" Poor dude had emphysema and couldn't even walk one block without help. Throw them away now, that's what I did that day and never looked back!

IN RESPONSE:

BoZo
Nov 5, 09 12:13 PM CST

I thought I had a valid point... Isn't Cocaine the drug of choice for the higher class. Plus, he's admitted to snorting coke before. Oh wait. I'm sorry. I forgot this is newser. No criticism of the pres allowed.

| 0 minutes ago

Reader64481089
Nov 2, 09 8:09 PM CST

I hope that he continues his work, our nations work while staying in great health as I hope does all his family. I do not envy the position he holds as it holds many tough decisions I would not want to take on. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

tomodachi
Nov 2, 09 8:11 PM CST

Who could inherit the reigns from the worst president ever... and not be physically challenged form it? The US presidency is a rough job anyways... GWB made it horrendous for anybody who had to play cleanup. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Deebles
Nov 2, 09 8:48 PM CST

Personally, I think English sucks: reins--those things in your hand. Reign--the years of the king. Rain--well that just ruins your day, but you have to admit that diction is a beast.

IN RESPONSE:

Netstorm2k9
Nov 2, 09 10:45 PM CST

LOL, I refrained, because I don't want to a grammar nazi. You're Grammar Hitler, Heisnberg!.....; )-~

IN RESPONSE:

Netstorm2k9
Nov 2, 09 10:47 PM CST

And my keyboard is wrecked.

IN RESPONSE:

plstyle
Nov 3, 09 12:17 AM CST

@Heisenberg- Loved it.. but maybe Tomodachi purposely placed this double entendre in his response for a couple of chuckles. ??

IN RESPONSE:

hamsammichs
Nov 3, 09 12:45 AM CST

Jesus Christ people, you are even blaming Barack's weight on Bush? Seriously?? Get a grip people, at some point you're going to have to stop pulling that card. Now I couldn't care less what Barack weighs, but I find it hilarious that even THAT can be tied back to GWB. Let's get serious people.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

tomodachi
Nov 3, 09 2:21 AM CST

@Heisenberg: Thanks for watching my back... even though I think you may have bitten off a bit more than you can eschew.

| 0 minutes ago

cornelison
Nov 2, 09 8:32 PM CST

Wait 'til Christmas season. Most people find it hard to resist all the parties & food. Mrs. Obama may insist that her husband relax and enjoy the buffets. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

QueenAlli
Nov 2, 09 8:51 PM CST

If he's anything like me, it's most likely all that stress. When things are going wrong, eating is not a priority until the problem is solved or under control. That said, this report is from Drudge and watch the dumb ass MSM pick it up like it's a real national crisis. I'll wait for the follow up showing that it's a photoshop thing. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

DarkFrancis
Nov 2, 09 9:08 PM CST

Most Prezzes put on a bit of padding. All those official state functions, official meals and a 24 hour kitchen at your disposal must be difficult to resist. Obviously. Obama is resisting well. He needs to take care though. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Nov 3, 09 10:18 AM CST

he has great metabolism. wish i did1

| 0 minutes ago

Fondue
Nov 2, 09 9:11 PM CST

Shopped Reply

IN RESPONSE:

mehrheit
Nov 3, 09 6:49 AM CST

Shopped! I can tell 'cause of the pixels and I've seen a fair number of 'shops in my day. (Anybody???)

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Nov 3, 09 7:36 AM CST

I hope you LOL'd. If someone can't see the ridiculousness in this, I feel sorry for them.

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Nov 3, 09 9:57 AM CST

You guys are morons.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

mehrheit
Nov 3, 09 3:01 PM CST

Know you meme, DLY! Try this for starters; http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/24356 - But in your case, at least most of the time, this one is more appropriate: http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/23384

| 0 minutes ago

bahari@bellsouth.net
Nov 2, 09 9:16 PM CST

The presidency comes with personal doctors, nurses, etc. Mr. Obama is healthy. Rememebr, this is the Drudge Report and Drudge gets nothing right. Reply

-3

| 0 minutes ago

carol
Nov 2, 09 9:24 PM CST

All presidents seemed to get gray hair early, but President Obama is the first that I can recall where he does look a little gaunt. He needs to eat my favorite foods....mashed potatoes, cream gravy and tostitos. I will guarantee he will gain weight. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

foodchain11
Nov 2, 09 9:26 PM CST

Excusuuuuusmee! Drudge gives a sh----t! Hah! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

polstroad
Nov 2, 09 9:41 PM CST

Drudge is such a caring person. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Shannonals
Nov 2, 09 10:25 PM CST

Does it realy matter if the President is fat or skinny? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Nov 3, 09 10:00 AM CST

Only to self absorbed journalists (so called) who are obviously having a slow news day. Plus, fat people do have a skinny bias. I used to be thin and fat people would often comment about my weight. Now, if I had done the same thing to them, they would call it mean spirited. Go figure.

| 0 minutes ago

Snarfeh
Nov 2, 09 11:47 PM CST

If he is still smoking and really needs that nicotine fix, he should consider e-cigarettes. A friend of mine is trying them. I don't know chemistry, but I don't think nicotine in and of itself is much worse than caffeine. I could be wrong as I'm going on what my friend told me. He said that, since the thousands of additives in cigarettes are not in e-cigarettes, they are not even nearly as bad for one as real cigarettes. There's no tobacco and no smoke, only an odorless vapor that dissipates almost instantly (that part I do know because I witnessed it). Although they are not touted as a smoking cessation tool, many smokers have successfully quit as a result of switching to them. I'm trying to get other friends and family members who smoke to try them. Of course, nicotine is not healthy for people, but damn, what a difference they make for those who are still addicted to smoking! Reply

IN RESPONSE:

plstyle
Nov 3, 09 12:25 AM CST

Even smoking lettuce would be bad for your health right? My Buddy sells this unit that you write about, but he calls it something else. The way it works and the logic behind it makes a ton of sense, so i don't get why CA is considering banning it. Im sure it has to do with the Philip Morris people.

IN RESPONSE:

kokuaguy
Nov 3, 09 5:56 AM CST

Nicorette chewing gum works fine. I have friends who have been on it since it was first introduced (1978 in Switzerland) with no ill effects. If only it had been available 20 years earlier when my mother really needed it. She died a very sad death in 1995 from emphysema. The tobacco companies could have stopped lying at any time about whether there were links between smoking and cancer, etc. and saved tens of thousands of lives. They could have come out with a safe way to satisfy the addiction decades before it came out in Europe, but admitting that their customers were addicts would not have been good for business. The same army of paid lobbyists, whores and hacks are now kept busy denying the reality of the coming climate catastrophe.

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Nov 3, 09 10:25 AM CST

nicotine in and of itself is not that bad. addictive yes but so are other things. it is the additives that accompany the smoke that goes into your body that is carcinogenic.

IN RESPONSE:

mehrheit
Nov 3, 09 12:37 PM CST

@schmidt, koka - It's not as clear cut as all that. Yes, pure nicotine is much less harmful than cigarette smoke. But it doesn't reduce concerns to solely addiction. Nicotine (not smoke) is a powerful vasoconstrictor, so it causes high blood pressure, contributes to heart attack/heart disease, and weakens capillaries which can lead to a stroke and/or cognitive dysfunction.

IN RESPONSE:

Snarfeh
Nov 3, 09 12:40 PM CST

@k-guy - Back when I smoked, I tried the gum. My mouth went numb and it tasted horrible. Maybe now it's better; I don't know. But I do know that the nicotine was not the only thing I missed. I missed...no, I miss the other aspects of it...holding a cig, drawing and exhaling, having one with a beer, after dinner, etc. Before I quit, I used to wonder, what the hell do non-smokers do with their hands when they're standing around talking? I know that sounds absurd, but that was a big psychological aspect of smoking...holding the damn cigarette. If I still smoked, I would try this in a hot second because it satisfies allll the aspects of smoking that I enjoyed *and* provides the nicotine fix. Damn, I'm all but talking myself into trying these...I admit I miss smoking. Why, these things even have a little glowing,red light at the end! Crap, I gotta stop...

IN RESPONSE:

mehrheit
Nov 3, 09 12:40 PM CST

Also:::: In theory, switching from cigarettes to nicotine would at least reduce your cancer risk. But for the e-cigs, even this is not entirely clear - Not an FDA approved product, so currently, none of the e-cig products can be manufactured or legally imported in the US (also means no inspections/regulations) so there's really no guarantee WHAT you're actually inhaling. If I remember correctly, (NPR, several weeks ago) these devices are mostly made in China. With China's spotty product-safety record, it's not the first place I would turn for a health-improving product. --- ::Well, smoke break time. Gotta go...::

IN RESPONSE:

Snarfeh
Nov 3, 09 9:24 PM CST

Ah, mehrheit....thank you for pulling me back. I did read that about nicotine later when I googled it, but not the China bit. Wait 'til I tell my friend about *that*...

| 0 minutes ago

Reader68389796
Nov 3, 09 12:30 AM CST

Damn he looks good! Umm, Umm! How could one person be so cooooll. I love this man! Reply

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Nov 3, 09 10:01 AM CST

Another true believer. Get off your knees already.

-4

| 0 minutes ago

ROBR
Nov 3, 09 8:19 AM CST

Neil Young's, Into The Black, has the line: " It's better to burn out,then fade away". It appears the "Ass Clown" is doing both at the same time. True to his reputation as the multi-tasker in Cheif, he is finally actually doing something for the American people by hasteng his own demise. At this speed he will be completely irrelevent by next November. What a waste. Reply

-5

IN RESPONSE:

sache
Nov 3, 09 3:00 PM CST

ROBR, Ass Clown, is that your favorite name for yourself. Sounds about right because "Asshole" was taken by some other ultra right winger

IN RESPONSE:

ROBR
Nov 3, 09 5:16 PM CST

sache, thank you for taking an interest. I go by Richard head around the house, cause I have kids, "Aasshole" has a nice ring to it, your welcome to refer to me as either one.

| 0 minutes ago

schmidtkoff
Nov 3, 09 10:31 AM CST

@robr - you're of to a stellar start here on newser. welcome to the group. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Rocket448
Nov 3, 09 10:49 AM CST

If nicotine were regulated it would be a schedule II controlled substance. Nicotine is a volatile alkaloid and highly poisonous, used in some insecticides. An adult male human would die from a 60mg dose of it. A cigarette is a common nicotine delivery system. The American Heart Association says nicotine addiction is hardest to break. Finally, the amount of nicotine in cigarettes has been rising alarmingly during the past 10 years. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

hamsammichs
Nov 3, 09 7:37 PM CST

Oh but marijuana, now THAT is a dangerous drug.

| 0 minutes ago

911Patriot
Nov 3, 09 11:23 AM CST

He's working his ass off destroying the country! Reply

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Nov 3, 09 11:38 AM CST

Typical screen name for an insecure, faux-patriotic loon.

| 0 minutes ago

Reader83540559
Nov 3, 09 11:50 AM CST

Awwwwww he is just letting Michelle gain his weight. He's losing because he is working sooooo hard for our country? Puuleeze! Reply

-2

| 0 minutes ago

pascoagian
Nov 3, 09 12:06 PM CST

i'd be losing weight too, if the whole world were watching me! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Fondue
Nov 4, 09 8:43 AM CST

Drudge: I haven't seen a healthy president since Kennedy. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 56 comments »

basketball • smoking • Drudge Report • weight loss • workout • President Obama

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Drudge Alarmed Over Skinny Obama

Prez not chain-smoking, but does skip some meals

Women's Star Lieberman Wants to Play Obama

Hall of Famer, 51, takes exception to all-male White House games

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Rep. who walked out on health speech among hoops invitees

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Drudge Alarmed Over Skinny Obama

Prez not chain-smoking, but does skip some meals

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Women's Star Lieberman Wants to Play Obama

Hall of Famer, 51, takes exception to all-male White House games

MORE ABOUT: WNBA • basketball • Nancy Lieberman • President Obama • Basketball Hall of Fame • women's issues • battle of the sexes • one-on-one

'We Ran Into a President With Some Serious Game': Rep.

Obama in great shape at White House hoops

MORE ABOUT: basketball • White House • Jeff Flake • Ken Salazar • Baron Hill • Brad Ellsworth • President Obama • Timothy Geithner • Shaun Donovan • Arne Duncan • Heath Shuler • John Shimkus • Jay Inslee • Mike Arcuri

Lawmakers Get Court Date With Obama

Rep. who walked out on health speech among hoops invitees

MORE ABOUT: basketball • White House • Ken Salazar • Obama administration • President Obama • Timothy Geithner • Cabinet secretary • Arne Duncan • John Shimkus • cowboy hat

basketball • smoking • Drudge Report • weight loss • workout • President Obama

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Help

Tools

Site Maps

What is Newser?

MORE ABOUT:
WNBA • basketball • Nancy Lieberman • President Obama • Basketball Hall of Fame • women's issues • battle of the sexes • one-on-one

MORE ABOUT:
basketball • White House • Jeff Flake • Ken Salazar • Baron Hill • Brad Ellsworth • President Obama • Timothy Geithner • Shaun Donovan • Arne Duncan • Heath Shuler • John Shimkus • Jay Inslee • Mike Arcuri

Lawmakers Get Court Date
With Obama

MORE ABOUT:
basketball • White House • Ken Salazar • Obama administration • President Obama • Timothy Geithner • Cabinet secretary • Arne Duncan • John Shimkus • cowboy hat