Saturday, March 01, 2014

Should the president use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health?

64 comments:

Anonymous said...

The presidential office bestows the holder with an enormous global platform, and in turn enormous opportunities to broadcast his (or maybe hers depending on the outcome of the 2016 election) opinions. President Obama should absolutely use the Bully Pulpit to promote his ideas and ideals, a president would be foolish not to. Additionally, he's supporting a movement that will encounter little resistance, and is also a non-partisan issue. Which citizen, regardless of political affiliation, will object to decreasing childhood obesity rates?

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

When Roosevelt was president and he coined the term Bully Pulpit, the White House was an effective platform for supporting and sharing personal opinions about public agenda. Now it is far more effective with all of our current technology and means of media, and I would considered it a global platform. Having the ability to use the Bully Pulpit grants a large influence to the president. Because fitness and health are an issue in America today, I think it is great that the president is trying to create a positive role model for the entire country to see.

Unknown said...

President Obama should use the Bully Pulpit in order to promote fitness and health. There is nothing to lose in the realm of making a healthier life for others. as Ian said our modern technology makes it easier and more effective to use a Bully Pulpit. People will hear about this because it sounds odd and they will go and watch it. It is awesome that the president is at least trying to start a new trend in Americans physical health

Anonymous said...

Having the title of president can definitely get peoples attention, so when a president makes a video of exercising a lot of people are going to notice. President Obama is using the Bully Pulpit as a very effective way to promote fitness that everyone needs, an is promoting it on a national level. All of the social media around today will ensure that that video and its message is seen by millions.

Anonymous said...

Being president is a major role in society and many benefits come with the job. One being, is that many citizens will listen to what you have to say. So I think if the president were to make a video about health and fitness, it would be very beneficial to most. The Bully Pulpit, being used by Obama, is a very effective way to express fitness around the nation and decrease the rates of obesity in the country. The video would also be seen many millions of individuals so it would be spread nation wide, which I think would make it a great success. So I definitely think the president should use the Bully Pulpit to their advantage when it comes to promoting fitness.

Unknown said...

One of the qualities a leader should have is being able to be looked upon. When people see the president exercising they will be reminded to not only exercise but also stay healthy overall. I think it is a good idea that the president use the bully pulpit to be a positive role model for the country. I'm sure that this video will get much attention and hopefully influence people to live healthy lives.

Anonymous said...

I do not believe the president should use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health. I believe that his role as president should be restricted to political issues. Although it is a positive message, I believe the responsibility to be healthy and fit lies with the individual citizen. In terms of decreasing childhood obesity, that responsibility most definitely should be left in the hands of the parents.

Anonymous said...

I do not believe the president should use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health. I believe that his role as president should be restricted to political issues. Although it is a positive message, I believe the responsibility to be healthy and fit lies with the individual citizen. In terms of decreasing childhood obesity, that responsibility most definitely should be left in the hands of the parents.

Unknown said...

This is how I see the situation: the First Lady throughout US history has been influential in a great area of expertise. Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Hillary Clinton are prime examples of First Ladies that took the initiative to get things done and create change. It has been Michelle Obama's initiative to tackle the debilitating health issue in America and she has worked hard to accomplish and change the current system. Schools have taken healthy steps by having whole wheat or half wheat products. I think President Obama should use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health. But instead of seeing this situation as the President using the Bully Pulpit to promote health and fitness, we should see this as President Obama supporting his wife's ideas and intitiatives. I think the President should use his influence to help support the FIrst Lady's initiatives and ideas for making a better America.

Anonymous said...

As the president, many people look up to what you think. I think it would be a great idea if the president were to create a video, making a positive impact on america. The Bully Pulpit being used by by president Obama is a very affective way to decrease the rates of obesity in america, because fitness and health are a big issue in america today. So, i believe it would be a great idea for the president to use the bully pulpit.

Unknown said...

I think that the president should use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health. We have an obesity problem in the US, and using the pulpit to promote fitness and health is one way that the government can help influence people to make better choices. It is a non-partisan issue, and I do not see any harm to the president promoting exercise.

Unknown said...

Yes, I think the president should use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health. It was used before and now it is much easier to promote ideas. The president should be someone that is looked up upon. So, a president being healthy and running is a good thing for children and people to look up to. The president needs to help this major issue in much of the world today.

Unknown said...

Obama should take advantage of the power that he holds and definitely use the Bully pulpit, otherwise known as using his position of authority that will provide him with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue in this case to promote fitness and health for the nation. It is a non-partisan issue that will not be rejected by the public. He should use the media and other resources he has available to enable him to get his idea across the nation.

Unknown said...

Yes. The President should do every little thing he can to promote the improvement of fitness and health in this country. It is very obvious that people in this country have a tendency to be overweight and out of shape. When someone with a position of influence is seen exercising and stressing physical fitness and activity, it won't go unnoticed. Even if the President is only able to encourage ten kids to get in shape by doing this, that is still an improvement to the people and the strength of this country.

Unknown said...

Can he use it for more than one thing? Fitness and health is something definitely worth addressing, and it maybe benefit the public interest to see both the president and the first lady supporting the same issues. I think that it may not be the most important issue that could be addressed, but if using Bully Pulpit allows for more than 1 topic, then health and fitness should definelty be included.

Unknown said...

Yes, of course he can use the Bull Pulpit to promote fitness and health. The whole point of the "bully pulpit" is to advocate for your agenda. Not sure if it's the only item we should be addressing right now, but it's definitely alright to do.

Anonymous said...

Obesity is a huge problem in America. Also with being the President, you have everyone's attention. I think the president should use the Bully Pulpit to promote health because the obesity rate is getting high. This would be a great idea to stop the rate of obesity. Also as Tony said, social media will spread this video everywhere.

Unknown said...

When the Americans placed President Obama in office, they did in so he could lead the country by example. One major problem in the United States is obesity. By promoting exercise and fitness, he sets a positive example for the citizens of the United States to follow. This is also a non-partisan issue, so it is free, in theory, from any hostile feelings between the two parties. Most people want to see a healthier country, and President Obama is using his influence to set an example.

Unknown said...

I think that the Bully Pulpit should be used to promote fitness and health because there are many people in the world that find any excuse to not be in shape. If you have a good way to promote a healthy living lifestyle, why not try? Obama wants to create something that will promote healthy living.

Anonymous said...

Yes, President Obama should use the Bully Pulpit. While he was elected to a political office (arguably the most influential political office in the nation) he is a generally well-respected public figure. By setting a positive example, he can promote positive change across America.

Unknown said...

Absolutely. As it has been said, the president has much notoriety and the Bully Pulpit gives them the opportunity to advocate for what they think is important. Fitness and healthy is an important issue in America that needs to be addressed, and so I think the president advocating for it is a great way to attract attention to it.

Anonymous said...

I think president Obama should use the Bully Pulpit to promote health and fitness. He is a well respected man not only in the USA but around the world and he can influence many. Attempting to reduce childhood obesity is a non partisian issue so no no party's will have hostile feeling towards it.

Anonymous said...

Yes, President Obama should definitely use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health. It is obvious that those are both important issues in the eyes of American citizens, so it is to our country's advantage that the President advocate for this issue.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely!!! Any major way or idea that can be spread to a large amount of people in a positive way is a great start to transforming our nation. The president's job is not only to address political issues. The president should be concerned about our nation as a whole- and regarding health, we are not too superior. Using a Bully Pulpit by the PRESIDENT it also beneficial for gaining interest to the American people considering it is our president, which should ultimately gather great attention, and hopefully be a great step to finally making changes.

Anonymous said...

I don't see why the president shouldn't use the Bully Pulpit. He's promoting fitness and health which most Americans see as a problem right now. I think that promoting fitness is with the Bully Pulpit is a good idea.

Anonymous said...

Sure, why not? Maybe everyone else will start going for jogs inside their enormous mansions.

Oh, wait...

When Roosevelt coined the term, he used the White House as an example. It's great that our legislators have become so interested in the physical health of citizens, but my opinion is that they should start being more realistic about it. With all due respect, a skit of jogging through the house and a law cutting down school lunches isn't going to do much.

If they want to really start changing things, then finding ways to make healthy foods cheaper and more or just as convenient as unhealthy foods would be a great start in changing the way Americans choose their diet.

The Bully Pulpit is a good strategy, just not in the case of getting the US motivated to "move!"

Nic Blommel said...

Yes, it is ok for the president to use the bully pulpit to promote exercising. If he is in the position to do something to encourage people to workout then there's nothing wrong with him using that position to get his point across.

Nic Blommel said...

Yes, it is ok for the president to use the bully pulpit to promote exercising. If he is in the position to do something to encourage people to workout then there's nothing wrong with him using that position to get his point across.

Anonymous said...

I think using the bully pup it could be an effective way to promote fitness and health. As there is a rising problem in health and obesity in the united states, this could be a great way to change that. I think obama should use this.

Unknown said...

Yes, because we have a huge problem in America with obesity. People would listen to the president over anyone else. The video would go world wide and everyone would see it because the media will talk about it. It'll be very beneficial I'd say.

Unknown said...

I believe that President Obama should definitely use the Bully Pulpit rule to push things like exercise and living a healthy life. America is one of the most obese countries in the world and having a President that supports exercise and fitness may change the world's perspective of America. President Obama should use his position as a way of promoting public health and fitness.

Unknown said...

While this technique could be helpful in some ways, I don't think this is the best way to motivate America to "move".

As previously stated, one way to improve the health and lifestyle of the US is not by reducing lunch portion sizes, but to reduce the cost and increase the availability of healthy, nutritious foods. Additionally, increasing the rigor and length of some physical education classes earlier on in life could help to set a foundation for the way young children get exercise, and also to increase the enjoyment they have while doing it.

So to answer the question, yes, this is okay to some extent, but no, I don't think it will make a huge impact on Americans as a whole.

Unknown said...

I don't think the president should use the Bully Pulpit to promote health and fitness. Obama needs to focus primarily on the economy and other political issues of the United States. The choice and responsibility to be healthy lies with the individual, not the leader of our country.

Anonymous said...

I feel if the president has the time to do so he definitely should use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health. However if he feels there are more important things to focus on at the moment then he should not do this until those things are taken care of beforehand.

Unknown said...

I believe the presidents use of the Bully Pulpit is a little to much. The first lady already addressed fitness and health goals, furthermore It does not need to be gone over yet again. Most people who are out of shape realize that, and do just about anything to help increase their physical activity. As an overall statement,the government has no right or control over to the items we put in our body. Its ultimately our own decision and no one else should be able to alter or control our self conscious.

Anonymous said...

I believe the president should use the bully pulpit to promote excersize. Obesity is such a rising issue in our society that I feel any promotion to health is beneficial. Especially since he is the president, millions of people are going to listen to him. I think it is great that president Obama is using his power as president to get such a good, healthy message out to the American people.

Anonymous said...

I think it is good that the president uses this to get the message out there but I don't think it should be forced upon people like Michelle Obama has done in the schools. It is a good was to promote good health because some people may look up to the president and society tends to act and want to be like the ones they look up to

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, President Obama should use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health. Fitness and health are becoming more and more of an issue today, so I think it'd be great for the president to create a good image and role model that the entire country can and will look up to.

Unknown said...

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/07/tea-party-activists-mount-reunited-battle-against-irs/

Is it right for the Republicans and Tea Party to go against the IRS?

I believe the the IRS deserves any scrutiny it receives due to the horrid treatment it presented to conservatives. I think that by imposing on the first amendment rights on conservatives, the IRS has targeted a group of people unfairly.

Unknown said...

I think the President should definitely use any opportunity possible to promote fitness. No harm or wrong will come out of showing America a healthy lifestyle. President Obama has a lot of power, he should be able to use it for whatever he seems is right, like fitness.

Anonymous said...

I think the president absolutely should use his Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health. He is the one with the most power in this country and pretty much every move he makes is monitored and analyzed by people, so why not make these moves important and let them make a difference. This country has a definite problem with obesity and illnesses, especially in children, and we should do anything we can to make this problem go away. Obama is a very athletic person, from what we know, and he plays basketball and fills out a bracket during march, and this definitely has an influence on his constituents. I say keep it up, and use his power to try to make America more active and more fit.

Anonymous said...

I think the president should use the bully pulpit to promote health and fitness. However, they only issue is that there are probably more urgent topics and projects to be taken care of before health and fitness. Not that health and fitness aren’t problems because they are, but i’m not sure if that’s on the top five list for what needs to be accomplished. It is great that the president is aware of and wants to help, but as a president, there are greater concerns that need to be taken care of first. Again, the idea is great and health and fitness should be promoted.

Austin L said...

As the leader of the United States. It his the presidents job to influence the country with positive ideas that will influence the country in a positive way. Especially on such a major topic on heath and fitness that is also bipartisan.

Anne Mark said...

According to the American Center for Disease control, less than half of all American adults achieve the Physical Activity Guidelines set in 2008, and less than thirty percent of high school aged students get sufficient physical activity.
While Michelle Obama's campaign to increase the number of Americans making healthy choices does cause discrepancy with shrinking lunch sizes, it is still important to realize the severity of American inactivity.
Obama's use of the Bully Pulpit is an effective way to present this message without forcing further legislation action which would take the choice to be healthy from citizens.
To conclude, use of the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health is an excellent way to promote the issue and a solution without making personal health decisions governmentally regulated.

Unknown said...

I definitely think the president should use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health because he is someone that the whole nation looks to. By using his influence over all the citizens of the Unites States, he can really make an influence in the fitness and health of our nation as a whole. He definitely should use this to his advantage.

Nick Berger said...

I think the president should definitely use the bully pulpit to promote health and fitness. This is an issue that faces little resistence, so I think it is a no-brainier for the president to utilize the bully pulpit to promote fitness and health.

Nick Berger said...

I think the president should definitely use the bully pulpit to promote health and fitness. This is an issue that faces little resistence, so I think it is a no-brainier for the president to utilize the bully pulpit to promote fitness and health.

Anonymous said...

The bully pulpit is a tool that is used by the president, often times in an unecceary matter. Sharing information about fitness and health from a "presidential Profile" standpoint is not what our leader of the executive branch should be doing. On the list of fish to fry in America, politically, and presidentially, health and fitness is not high. While this is true, Obama would be doing the promotion of health and fitness a great favor by expressing his feelings using the bully pulpit. An effective, and unneccesary route

Unknown said...

I don't see a problem with the President using the Bully Pulpit to promote exercising. It is a non-partisan issue that can be effectively communicated to the masses by the most powerful man in our country who is on a global platform.

Unknown said...

No I do not think that the President should use the Bully Pulpit in order to promote health and fitness. Although it is a positive message, I don't think that it's the president's place to give his views on issues that are not political. He has more important things to focus on. Using the bully pulpit in this manner could lead to future use of it over completely trivial matters rather than what's important to the betterment of our country's government. The President's time and energy could be better used on far more important matters.

GEORGI LLANAS said...

Despite the positive message this ad is attempting to convey, the use of the bully pulpit is one previous presidents have used to push legislation they have staunchly supported passed through, despite what a majority of the American people want.

Anonymous said...

President Obama should use the bully pulpit. He uses it to persuade people about their health and keep them in shape. I think that if the president uses this strategy for good things it can be very effective.

Anonymous said...

I think President Obama should use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health because it is a good cause. It sets a good example for Americans because obesity is a problem. Even if people disagree with the president promoting fitness and health, it is a good cause.

Unknown said...

Yes he should. The President should use the Bully Pulpit to convey ideas that he believes are important to the public, especially with the advent the Bully Pulpit as a global platform through modern media.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I believe the president should use the bully pulpit to promote health and fitness. The president's job is to look after the well being of the public as a whole. Health is a big part of that. The president may not be an expert on health and fitness, but then again, he's not an expert on military forces either. Therefore, I believe the president should use the bully pulpit to promote health and fitness for the well being of the American people.

Unknown said...

I believe that President Obama should use the Bully Pulpit to promote fitness and health. By using the Bully Pulpit it makes Obama's life easier to reach out to all the Americans. He may just go on television or the radio to get his message across to the public. By promoting health and exercise, President Obama will be encouraging children to get active which will help people to live longer.

Unknown said...

I see no reason for the President to not take advantage of the Bully Pulpit in regard to fitness and health. The Bully Pulpit is defined as "a public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue." With obesity on the rise and America's health diminishing, I feel it is almost necessary to take this measure. The video is an interesting approach, and I think that because the President is seen as the figurehead for the well-being of our nation, that authority should extend to physical wellness as well.

Unknown said...

The benefits of health and fitness can cover more areas that one, as is mentioned in the following article. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/how-physical-fitness-may-promote-school-success/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Anonymous said...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/01/19/685625/-Healthy-Minds-Healthy-Bodies-Presidential-Fitness Why would the president not use the Bully Pulit for health with kids if it's such a major problem in America?

Anonymous said...

The bully pulpit was created when Roosevelt was the president. The Bully Pulpit is also the story of the muckraking press, which aroused the spirit of reform that helped Roosevelt push the government to shed its laissez-faire attitude toward robber barons, corrupt politicians, and corporate exploiters of our natural resources. Obama would be wise to take advantage of the resources at hand as long as it is for good causes. Promoting health and fitness will help Americans to a healthier longer life.

Unknown said...

Yes, the President should do anything he possibly can in order to promote fitness and health. Our county revolves around technology nowadays and instead of going outside and playing many people decide to play on their iPads or watch TV. Therefore President Obama should use the Bully Pulpit to encourage people to go out and stay active.

Anonymous said...

I do not believe that the president should promote health and fitness through bullying.Bullying is in many shapes and forms and i believe that it is not just because someone is overweight. Bullying can be a very large subject and some people can't help it. Yes health and fitness are important but i don't think that the president should use this to promote health and fitness, that would just be cruel.