Chait Makes Waste

Of space that is. Is W's exercise regimen proper filler for the L.A. Times editorial page? This little weasel hates Bush and even seethes at something as insignificant as this:

My guess is that Bush associates exercise with discipline, and associates a lack of discipline with his younger, boozehound days. "The president," said Fleischer, "finds [exercise] very healthy in terms of … keeping in shape. But it's also good for the mind." The notion of a connection between physical and mental potency is, of course, silly. (Consider all the perfectly toned airheads in Hollywood — or, perhaps, the president himself.) But Bush's apparent belief in it explains why he would demand well-conditioned economic advisors and Supreme Court justices.

Bush's insistence that the entire populace follow his example, and that his staff join him on a Long March — er, Long Run — carries about it the faint whiff of a cult of personality. It also shows how out of touch he is. It's nice for Bush that he can take an hour or two out of every day to run, bike or pump iron. Unfortunately, most of us have more demanding jobs than he does.

Emphasis mine. Chait has BDS so incredibly bad that a blood transfusion fromHugo Chavez might not even cure him.

Does Chait mean to insinuate that he has a tougher job than Bush? If it's tough to write inane columns such as this, the guy must have some serious issues.

Update: The very good site Independent Sources has an excellent take on this story:

But to answer Chait’s question — yes, I do find find it creepy that a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times sees fit (pun intended) to criticize anyone (including the President) for a regimen of physical fitness. Chait says “The notion of a connection between physical and mental potency is, of course, silly.” But according to one of the best hospitals in the country, the Cleveland Clinic, “researchers have found that exercise can decrease depression, increase self-confidence, decrease stress and anxiety, enhance mood and improve overall mental health.” (Do we have a copy of “Google for Dummies” we can send Mr. Chait? — ed.)

Speaking personally, I believe that taking care of one’s well-being is an important sign of character and something I wouldn’t mind seeing in our leaders.

I guess the reason Chait writes such poor columns is simply because it's hard to type with a Krispy Kreme in your hand.