It's hot. It's another slow news day. Let's think about Barack Obama's pectorals…

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

Mmhmmm. Oh, I know, CNN's Political Ticker. I do like a man with a strong flexing policy…

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

In fact, reporters caught him making no fewer than four visits to exercise facilities over the course of two days. Which leads to an obvious conclusion, if there isn't anything more interesting to report: maybe Barack Obama was not really working out at these gyms…

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.

An Obama spokesman emailed CNN to confirm that the lithe, muscular candidate was in fact pumping his iron, but the diligent journalists wanted a second opinion, so they quizzed photographers who travel with the campaign. Their conclusion?

[The photographers] said that even when he shot hoops earlier this year with members of the University of North Carolina varsity men's basketball team, they didn't see Obama sweat.

Well, now. Call me a traditionalist, but I believe the president of the United States should be someone who's capable of breaking a sweat. It's just part of what it means to be an American. Fist-jabbing is one thing, but refusing to sweat? Doesn't matter how handsome you are, this is the U.S. of A. Get sweaty or get out.

He's still got my vote for Mr. Universe, though.