NPR: Fat Chance: Is Bill Richardson Too Hefty To Be President?

Fat Chance: Is Bill Richardson Too Hefty To Be President?

Filed under: Election 2008

Listen to the interview with Seth Berliner about big guys and the presidency.

New Mexico Governor and presidential candidate Bill Richardson.

Credit: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

Bill Richardson officially announced his race to the White House on Monday, which kind of surprised us considering he was at all the debates and has campaign ads. You figure once you get to that point people pretty much know you're running for president -- or do they? Luke had a question in this morning's meeting -- is Bill Richardson just trying to get noticed? Are his platform and performance in the debates and general bona fides not enough to propel him into the American public's consciousness? And Luke also wondered why someone with such a solid resume has been so completely dismissed so early. Luke called a Columbia University student named Seth Berliner to talk about an article he wrote that might explain why Bill Richardson is not getting noticed: He's too fat. Listen to the podcast or the streaming link above for more on this weighty issue.

Matt Martinez

3:26 PM ET | 05-22-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Hmm... So Berliner thinks that people won't vote for Richardson since he's fat. That seems more PC than voting based on religion and ethnicity.

Personally, I find it amazing that we're asking why it has taken Richardson so long to officially declare candidacy. When is the election again?

Although he is an unlikely winner, Richardson would also make a great vice president. Perhaps he thinks that running president will increase his chances of joining the Democratic nominee as a running mate.

Sent by Steve Petersen | 9:09 AM ET | 05-23-2007

Richardson is a crafty fella. I am from Nuevo Mexico and I knew years ago he was padding his resume for such a time as this. I do think he is trying to get noticed, but not as a legit for the Prez seat...for the Vice.

Sent by Nizhoni | 11:03 AM ET | 05-23-2007

I expected better from Columbia University. I assume that like many of the Ivy League universities, Columbia has more than its share of neoconservative professors teaching the neoconservative "persuasion" and its program of attacking non-believers by whatever means are expedient.

The student's remarks may have some backlash. There are many heavy weights, literally and intellectually, who judge the merit of a candidate on what he/she has done, not by the appearance. There are many who will feel insulted at the insinuation that because of their weight, they are unfit to serve in a public office. As an afterthought, I will point out that Taft and Teddy Roosevelt were not exactly "slim Jims".

Sent by Robert Castle | 4:36 PM ET | 05-23-2007

Maybe it would be somwhat more interesting if you people could air some NEWS,and not try to be People Magazine.

Sent by Chuck Moorefield | 8:12 PM ET | 05-23-2007

Anyone else find it odd that NPR would turn to the president of the Columbia chapter of Students for Barack Obama for a diagnosis of Bill Richardsons chances. (http://www.columbiapoliticalreview.com/berliner.php)

Was not mentioning Berliners connection to Obama a didn't know or a didn't care?

Feel free to explain yourself, Luke & Matt.

Sent by Steve Lydolph | 10:12 PM ET | 05-23-2007

I think this article was a little bogus-it seems like Berliner talked more about other hefty candidates rather than anything concrete on Richardson. Luke, I am with you though-I think he's awesome!

Sent by Laura | 11:11 PM ET | 05-23-2007

Hey Steve -- Yeah, our bad. We didn't know about this. Shame on us for not checking into his background a little bit. So, full disclosure everyone: Seth Berliner is President of the Columbia Chapter of Students for Barack Obama.

That said, I don't think it diminishes the thesis that Americans elect a particular type of person as their president. Sure, Teddy Roosevelt and Taft were rotund fellows -- but they didn't have to contend with 24-hour cable coverage.

Seth's paper was not about Bill Richardson -- it was about whether a large man could be elected president. Modern history says no. Americans these days seem to like their presidents fit, clean-shaven and with a full head of hair. And white.

And, to give Seth credit -- he did say that Richardson's chances were good. And he never once put in a plug for Obama.

Sent by Matt Martinez | 10:15 AM ET | 05-24-2007

Thanks for the defense Matt. Honestly, mentioning I'm directing Columbia's Students for Obama chapter just never occurred to me; it's not something I've been thinking about much during my summer break. Moreover, I had no intention of making my analysis a tool for bashing Richardson or promoting Obama, and I don't think I did either of those things. Regardless, I should have been more self-aware; it's a mistake I have now learned from. Thanks to Steve for teaching me the lesson.

Sent by Seth Berliner | 9:07 PM ET | 05-24-2007

No thanks necessary, Seth. Speaking on behalf of Luke and Alison -- it was a pleasure talking with you. It was a solid paper and an interesting observation on the American electorate. Thanks for being part of the program.

Sent by Matt Martinez | 9:36 PM ET | 05-24-2007

I've got three words for you: William Howard Taft.

Sent by Nick | 2:57 AM ET | 05-25-2007

Bill Clinton wasn't exactly known for his svelteness

Sent by Harold Neal | 12:09 PM ET | 05-25-2007

This podcast subject was a poor choice
for spending some of NPR's cyberspace bandwith allotment. Has America become this superficial, suffering from massive ADD? I hope not.

Sent by JP Davis, a local PBS contributer | 1:38 AM ET | 05-29-2007

It's an interesting discussion, but definitely not my top pick for what to cover.

I like that you've brought up the notion that we care to much about looks versus substance.

Now I'm waiting for a story focusing on substance regarding Richardson and other '08 candidates.

Sent by Jesse Bufton | 11:35 PM ET | 06-01-2007

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