Obama's Doctor Says He Is in "Excellent Health"

Barack Obama's primary care physician for the past 21 years pronounced the Democratic presidential front-runner as "in excellent health" this morning. Dr. David Scheiner, on staff at University of Chicago Hospitals and Rush University Medical Center, says that Obama has had regular checkups and has been treated for a variety of minor health problems, including upper respiratory infections, skin rashes, and minor injuries.

He is a frequent jogger, eats a balanced diet, has a healthy blood pressure and pulse rate, and no excess body fat. His mother died of ovarian cancer, Scheiner said, and his grandfather of prostate cancer.

Obama, an "intermittent" cigarette smoker, is "currently using Nicorette gum with success. "Said Scheiner: "Sen. Barack Obama is in overall good physical and mental health needed to maintain the resiliency required in the Office of President."

—Liz Halloran