Political Play of the Day: Obama becomes a gym rat

CHICAGO - Sometimes it's hard to tell if Barack Obama is running for president of the United States or Mr. Universe.

The Democratic presidential contender exercises regularly, but over a 24-hour span this week, he took it to a new extreme.

Twice on Wednesday and again Thursday morning, Obama traveled to a lakefront apartment building near his Chicago home to work out with a friend at his gym. On Wednesday night, Obama also spent an hour at the East Bank Club, a mammoth exercise facility just north of the city's famous business Loop where he is known to play basketball.

On the former occasions, reporters accompanying Obama saw him get in and out of an SUV wearing a baseball hat, white T-shirt and black sweat pants. On the visit to the East Bank Club, Obama was dressed casually as if going out to dinner, wearing slacks, a blue blazer and flip-flops.

A distinct lack of visible sweat on the Illinois senator triggered questions about whether he was actually exercising or using the gym visits as cover for conducting vice presidential vetting or interviews.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton e-mailed a succinct, two-word answer: "Working out."

Later, spokeswoman Linda Douglass said Obama had his first workout Wednesday interrupted by a phone call and then decided to have a "sore hip" examined at the East Bank Club after his second, full workout. His visit to the gym Thursday morning was a regular workout.

She said she was not sure if the candidate was seen by a doctor or a therapist. She also wouldn't say whose call prompted Obama to truncate his first workout.

___

Compiled by Glen Johnson

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.