In a breathless account ^[1], a woman reporter recounts her experience watching Obama work out in a German hotel gym. This piece appears in the usually sober German publication, Bild.

It is beyond parody:

Obama (with toned arms and a strong back) puts on his headphones for his iPod to listen to pop music. He hums quietly. Then he jumps on a fitness bike. He pushes three times on the pedals – but then can’t be bothered with it.

He goes and picks up a pair of 16 kilo weights and starts curling them with his left and right arms, 30 repetitions on each side. Then, amazingly, he picks up the 32 kilo weights! Very slowly he lifts them, first 10 curls with his right, then 10 with his left. He breathes deeply in and out and takes a sip of water from his 0,5 litre Evian bottle.

Shortly before five o’clock Obama comes over and sits directly next to my cross-trainer on the mat. First he does 10 sit-ups, then stretches. Then he looks at his watch and says to his bodyguard: “It’s time, let’s go.” Quickly I ask: “Mr. Obama, could I take a photo?”. “Of course!” he answers, before asking my name and coming over to stand next to me.

“My name’s Judith” I reply. “I’m Barack Obama, nice to meet you!” he says, and puts his arm across my shoulder. I put my arm around his hip – wow, he didn’t even sweat! WHAT A MAN!

Yes, those boldface letters caps are in the original piece.

And that little detail of Obama not sweating… it is belied by the picture, which shows a large damp triangle across his chest.

But let’s widen the frame. Why would a reporter write such a girlish rock-star-crush of an article? Only because she believes that Obamamania has so widely infected the press corps that she cannot be mocked for this bit of treacle. (Sadly, that calculation might be right.)

Exactly what reader is served by this, umm, report? What have we learned about Obama from this?

And it is not just the MSM that has been sucked in. Wonkette ^[2] and others in the gyno-blogo-sphere simply link to this laughable piece without comment or, worse, with approving squeals. Before quoting the Bild exclusive, Wonkette writes: “Let’s enjoy her sexytime memories, together.”

Embarrassing for all concerned.

And doesn’t it make you wonder about the quality of their other coverage?