the kicker

Obama’s Gym-O-Rama

Hard-hitting coverage of Obama’s gym time
July 18, 2008

Yesterday, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made not one, not two, but three, yes, count them, three, visits to a physical fitness facility, known colloquially as a gym.

“The Day of the Three Workouts” aroused attention from the ever-vigilant press and blogs who wondered if Obama is A) using the repeated workouts to emphasize McCain’s age or B) conducting VP vetting sessions under cover of sweat.

Seriously? Maybe he’s training for the Olympics? Or maybe he’s practicing moves for the next campaign ad which features a dance number to, you know, appeal to the MTV generation? It could just be the mystical appeal of things that come in threes.

This sort of treatment used to be reserved for the likes of Britney Spears, but now, the press seems determined to celebritize Obama.

And, it’s worth mentioning, that we’re still in the dark about McCain’s fitness habits. Last we heard, McCain’s in good shape, but we still don’t know if he’s a yoga or Pilates man. Inquiring minds want to know!

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Katia Bachko is on staff at The New Yorker.