Chris Christie defends Michelle Obama’s obesity campaign

NEW YORK - Even though US First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign against obesity was mocked by Sarah Palin and some conservatives, Republicans Chris Christie and Mike Huckabee have sided with her.

During separate morning news programs, Christie, 48, who is the Governor of New Jersey, and Huckabee, 55, who is the former Governor of Arkansas, defended Michelle Obama, 47.

“I think it’s a really good goal to encourage kids to eat better,” the New York Times quoted Christie as saying on ‘Face the Nation’, on CBS.

“You know, I’ve struggled with my weight for 30 years, and it’s a struggle. And if a kid can avoid that in his adult years or her adult years, more power to them, and I think the first lady’s speaking out well,” he stated.

Michelle has urged parents and food manufacturers to make healthier choices available to children, adding that she tells her daughters “dessert is not a right”.

Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate, called Michelle’s efforts an example of “government thinking that they need to take over and make decisions for us”.

But appearing on ‘Fox News Sunday’, Huckabee, who once shed more than 100 pounds, said that in fact Michelle was calling attention to a serious problem, not calling for government intrusion.

Asked about the criticism, Christie said that it was necessary and he made a point of saying that he did not want the government telling people what to eat.

“But I think Mrs. Obama being out there, encouraging people in a positive way to eat well and to exercise and to be healthy, I don’t have a problem with that,” he added. (ANI)