Controversy swirled last week over remarks made about New Jersey Governor Chris Christie that he is too fat to be president.

It would be a dangerous step to add conditions as to how people can serve their country in whatever capacity.

Christie’s New Jersey colleague Senator Frank Lautenberg is almost 90 and thinking of running again. Should it be allowed?

Christie has been a very effective governor despite the avoirdupois, and would likely be an effective president in spite of it.

As a family man and in terms of his health for his wife and kids, that is an entirely different but private matter.

But putting conditions on physical appearances would represent a dangerous departure.

We should not forget that George Washington had wooden teeth and Abraham Lincoln a face only a mother could love, yet they were arguably our greatest presidents.