Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Dabob, you know I could see Ford doing it too. Except he'd get the orders all wrong and trip and drop the burgers all over the south portico.> LOL! Actually, Ford was probably the most athletic president we've ever had, certainly the most athletic in our lifetime (football star at U of Michigan, and played a number of other sports as well). But he slipped a couple of times on camera, Chevy Chase ran with it, and now we all have this image of him as a stumblebum. Gore never said "I invented the internet," but millions of people now believe he did.
Originally Posted By Mr X I dunno, I'd say Obama could probably give Ford a run for his money. Damned slick hoops player and he looks amazing for 48 (hell, I wish I looked half as good at 38 ).
Originally Posted By Mr X <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlz0he9rtKw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...0he9rtKw</a> Gotta admit though, that was one classic stumble! He's lucky he didn't break anything.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <I dunno, I'd say Obama could probably give Ford a run for his money. Damned slick hoops player and he looks amazing for 48 (hell, I wish I looked half as good at 38 ).> True enough. I always thought Ford got a bad rap for stumbling considering he WAS the most athletic president of our lifetime, but now that Obama is president, that assessment could change. On the other hand, Obama, AFAIK, is more of a pick-up game guy than someone who actually starred in sports at a big-time program like Michigan. So I think Ford still takes it, though Obama comes closer than the others.
Originally Posted By Mr X How 'bout this...Ford beats Obama in his prime, but Obama is certainly the most fit prez IN OFFICE we've ever seen.
Originally Posted By markymouse I'm having second thoughts on my claim that Carter was Gore without the charm. Between the accent and the biggest smile this side of the Osmands, Carter was actually pretty charming, especially compared to Gore. I think what works to Gore's advantage vis a vis the Carter comparison is that Gore's prime came after the invention of geek chic. Poor Carter had to settle for either or, and no one would ever call Carter chic.
Originally Posted By markymouse Regarding Ford, it is weird how much of our perceptions of people came from their Saturday Night Live versions. Ford falling all the time. Bush "wouldn't be prudent". And "I can see Russia from my house." Having said that, I love the one of Bill Clinton in a typical diner campaign stop. "That looks really good. Do you mind?" "Are you going to finish that?" Phil Hartman was a national treasure.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "Poor Carter had to settle for either or, and no one would ever call Carter chic." Exactly, which is why I can easily envision him going down to the local hamburger joint and ordering lunch for his staff. Didn't his daughter Amy attend a DC public school? Talk about down to earth.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 And when he had Willy Nelson perform at the White House, some snooty types insisted it proved he was just one step up from trailer trash.
