Report: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie “secretly underwent lap-band stomach surgery to aggressively slim down for the sake of his wife and kids,” the New York Post reports.

Gov. Chris Christie:  “I’ve struggled with this issue for 20 years. For me, this is about turning 50 and looking at my children and wanting to be there for them.” “He declined to say how much he lost, but sources said he has already shed nearly 40 pounds.”

Under normal circumstances, Gov. Chris Christie’s Lap-Band stomach surgery wouldn’t be that newsworthy, but I have to put in context of a possible presidential run. He is a very popular Republican governor in the blue state of New Jersey. Call him whatever you want, he is a popular figure that the Republicans love to hate, but Democrats in his state embrace. Well, kinda embrace. Doesn’t mean he would win but he’s a lot more credible than the usual line-up of right wingnuts we have seen masquerading as serious contenders for the presidency — Michele Bachmann, Mr. 9-9-9 Herman Cain, Rick Perry, etc.

On the other hand, he could just want to live a more healthy lifestyle, with no presidential ambition. Nothing is wrong with that.

This was cross-posted from The Hinterland Gazette.