If Time magazine was looking to cause another stir with a controversial cover, it succeeded with its “Elephant in the Room” cover for its current issue. The magazine features stories on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who just won a second term as governor and is considered a contender for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2016.
The cover has a darkened silhouette image of Christie, calling him “The Elephant in the Room.” It has taken on several meanings, including the fact that he has complained about the Republican establishment and Congress repeatedly, but some take it as a comment on his weight. Christie has struggled with his weight for years and has not been shy about the topic. He recently underwent lap band surgery.
Time has been forced to recognize the attention the cover has received. The magazine said that the headline was meant more to reference his status within the Republican party.
"Well, he's obviously a big guy,” Time executive editor Michael Duffy told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews Thursday, reports USA Today. "He's obviously a big Republican. But he's also done a really huge thing here this week. He stood astride the Republican Party and said, 'Stop. We don't have to make our whole appeal about narrow base issues.' And that campaign showed it with the demographics you talked about.”
But media outlets have still criticized the cover. Salon just called it a “fat joke.”
As for Christie himself, don’t expect to hear his thoughts on it. His press secretary told NBC New York that he will not comment.
image: Time