Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama worked together on Capitol Hill today to firm up a bill promoting fitness in America. The legislation would create funding for a series of government run gyms, with the idea that making such facilities available to the public will encourage exercise, improve public health, and thus reduce the cost of health care.
The two candidates have been somewhat at odds in recent months as they both campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008. However, spokespersons from both camps said that the fitness issue was too important to let campaigning get in the way.
A number of Republicans have expressed support for the legislation. Senator Ted Stevens was an early co-sponsor, and the first gym will be built in Ketchikan, Alaska. Critics have dubbed the gym the "Gym for Nobody," a play on the pork barrel Gravina Island Bridge project that has been called the "Bridge to Nowhere."
Stevens supported the project, saying that the $500 million Ketchikan fitness facility would greatly reduce obesity in Alaska, while creating jobs and serving as a model for future gyms.
Regarding Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Stevens said he "hadn't chosen a horse yet in the race," but said he was more likely to support a Republican.
