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When they’re not being force fed at the county fair, candidates are often going hungry. Many campaign events are centered on meals, but the people in attendance expect the candidate’s attention. Their food is often untouched as they spend time in conversation or pressing the flesh.

Candidates frequently go from gobbling power bars in between appearances to eating fried foods such as corn dogs or other local specialties loaded with fat and calories. When they do have time to sit down and eat a regular meal, it tends to be late in the evening.

Most candidates are trying to squeeze in some exercise and keep in shape. A candidate who gains a few pounds will be noticed and the coverage does not tend to be flattering.

Senator Clinton is praying, Governor Huckabee seems to be craving pizza and steaks but is determined to stay slim, Governor Richardson is working out almost daily, and Senator McCain just wants a real meal, some comfort food instead of all the junk food. As he eyed the offerings at a recent event, he was quoted as saying, “I’d love some spaghetti,” per the New York Times.

Apparently, food can get candidates into trouble with voters in various ways. Ordering wrong, eating it wrong, or turning food down, can be seen by voters as being rebuffed: “…if you reject someone’s food, you kind of reject them,” said former White House chef Walter Scheib as quoted by The Times.

Rudy Giuliani appears to have taken embracing other people’s food to a new level. Either that or the man is just hungry. At a campaign stop in Iowa he was seen moving from one table to another pilfering pizza slices.

Food really is something that can bring people together. It's often used for celebrations. One thing we all have in common is that we have to eat. Learning more about what, when, where, and how candidates eat, helps make them feel more like real people we can relate to.