Why Michelle Obama's Large Posterior is an Issue

Wisconsin Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner is in a bit of hot water after he was overheard telling a constituent that Michelle Obama has a large posterior.

Sensenbrenner made a reference to the First Lady's butt while criticizing her eat healthy initiative, according to his spokesperson. He allegedly told one woman that each First Lady has a different project and Michelle Obama, her project is obesity. And look at her big butt.

Mr. Sensenbrenner was referring to the First Lady's healthy food initiative, a spokesperson told FishBowlDC, which first reported on the story. He doesn't think the government should be telling Americans what to eat.

Sensenbrenner taking a jab at Mrs. Obama's posterior is out of line, but his overall point about her initiative should be considered.

The First Lady has pushed hard against childhood obesity during her time in the White House by organizing exercise activities with children and replacing the old Food Pyramid with Choose My Plate.

But while preaching the need for healthy eating, the First Lady has also been caught red-handed indulging in extremely unhealthy foods.

In July, DC media outlets reported that she made a visit to a Washington, D.C. area Shake Shack and went to town on the fatty offerings. She ordered a burger, fries, a milkshake, and a Diet Coke -- a massive 1,700-calorie lunch.

At the time I argued that the First Lady needs to be smarter with her public eating choices and I feel it is still true today. As the wife of the leader of the free world, she has to serve as a good example to the America people, especially on her primary cause at the White House.

We've all gone a bit overboard on a big lunch or dinner in the past, but we all aren't in the White House preaching the need to eat healthy.

I'd disagree slightly with Sensenbrenner's ultimate point that the government shouldn't be telling Americans what to eat. No one wants to see a forced diet upon anyone, but there's no denying that childhood obesity is a major problem that needs to be tackled somehow.

More than 12.5 million children suffer from obesity, which makes it an issue that absolutely needs to be addressed.

The key question, which Sensenbrenner rudely alluded to, is whether someone Michelle Obama should be the one leading the charge?

She certainly has a massive pulpit to talk about childhood obesity as the First Lady, but hiccups like the Shake Shack visit show that she doesn't completely understand the ramifications of all of her actions.

When you organize a successful charity event or raise money for a good cause, the media will lavish you with praise. But when you do something that goes against one of your primary causes, you have to expect the firestorm that will ensue.

By ordering greasy food like this in public, Mrs. Obama is sending a particular message, whether she did so purposely or not.

As I wrote in July, imagine being an eight-year old that has been convinced by his parents to eat healthy because that's what Mrs. Obama has advised, only to see a picture of her indulging in a juicy cheeseburger.

If Mrs. Obama's cause was literacy -- like former First Lady Laura Bush -- no one would care whether she ate fast food or had a large posterior.

But as the leader of the cause against obesity, Mrs. Obama has to set a perfect example for people to follow.

While Sensenbrenner could have chosen his words much better, it's best to try to wade past the insult and look at his ultimate message.

There are some legitimate concerns around whether Mrs. Obama should be leading an anti-obesity charge and perhaps the congressman's inappropriate comments will shine light on them.