2 Comments


In a recent series of photos, Barack Obama is looking even skinner than usual, almost scarecrow-like. It could be the clothes, it could be bad camera angles, or it could be, as "insiders" say, that rigorous workouts and missed meals (but not smoking) have led to a very real weight loss.

In politics, being a "lightweight" is the ultimate insult. Maybe that's why Obama recently assured a fundraiser crowd, "Just because I'm skinny doesn't mean I'm not tough."

Of course, it's also not good for a politician to be on the other side of the weight spectrum. Just ask the more-than-pleasantly-plump Chris Christie, who's been blatantly called out for his overweight physique during his run for New Jersey governor.

So what do you prefer, a leader who can't resist a second helping, or one who's so stressed out he's missing meals? We've rounded up the fattest and skinniest presidents in U.S. history to help you make your decision.

The Fatties

William Taft -- the gold standard of fat presidents. You've surely heard the one about how they needed to make the 300-plus pounder a special bathtub in the White House.

Was he a success? The fact that he only carried two states, and finished in third place, while running for reelection in 1912 says no. On other hand, he was the last president to bravely wear a mustache (perhaps to distract from the bulbous mid-section), and he started the presidential tradition of throwing out the first pitch at baseball games, which we still have so much fun with today.

Grover Cleveland -- at 250 lbs., Cleveland was large and in charge and got that way the awesomely old-fashioned way: by eating a ton of food and drinking beer at all hours.

Was he a success? Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms. In other words, after going through a period without the fat man, Americans decided they needed him back in their lives. Yes, this is also the general theme of much of hefty hip-hop star Fat Joe's music.


The Skinnies

Abraham Lincoln -- Lincoln was so lanky that historians are always trying to slap genetic disorders on our 16th president, unable to accept that maybe he had an epic metabolism.

Was he a success? Well, his presidency was a great success but, sadly for any Lincoln look-a-likes, his appearance has now become linked to genetic disorders and awkward asexuality.



James Madison -- Madison weighed 96 lbs. To repeat: We once had a president who weighed 96 lbs. And he was about 5-foot-6, so it wasn't like he was a midget.

Was he a success? The Dainty One is considered to be a slightly above average president, who managed not to make a total mess of the completely unnecessary War of 1812 he got us into. Yet, the important thing here is Madison weighed 96 lbs. That just might be the most amazing of all presidential facts.