Bringing It Up Again: Obama And Cigarettes

By: Christine Lagorio
Topics: White House

In tonight's Web-only Inauguration wrap-up, Katie Couric mentioned a question she asked President Barack Obama in

COURIC: You don't really think of this job as working at home, do you, necessarily (laughter). But speaking of stress, what's going on with the smoking thing? PRES. OBAMA: You know, we're doing fine with it. I know everybody likes to poke, you know. I haven't had an interview yet where this one doesn't get raised. COURIC: Well, I think people just wanna know how it's going. And I think – they feel for you. PRES. OBAMA: Yeah, we're doing fine. I'll do better if people don't keep on bringing it up (laughter).

So Couric asked Politico.com's Mike Allen if he could read anything between the lines of Mr. Obama's answer, such as, that he still is wrestling with the habit. Allen concurred that it's possible, but suggested that perhaps we might all go a bit easier on the new president. After all, he spent an altogether frantic day looking completely cool, poised and collected."If you look at the way President Obama has handled himself and the way he's been portrayed, I'm happy he has a few faults, weaknesses," Allen laughed. "That shirtless photo op sure gives guys a lot to worry about. I'm happy he has a few hidden habits like that." Plus, Couric said: "You also do have to appreciate that the guy's under a lot of pressure."Allen added a zinger: "If he wants to get in his Audi* and have a cigarette, he ought to be able to."
*Shameless, tongue-in-cheek sponsor plug. Um, thanks, Audi.

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by papadoc1000-2009 January 23, 2009 3:12 AM EST: You can tell the liberals here. If this were a Republican President, you''d be swinging from the rafters over what lousy example he is to the nation''s youth and lack of character to be able to quit.

At least try to feign a bit of distaste for a disgusting habit. Your slip of hypocrisy is showing.

And yes Katie, your drool was evident.; Reply to this comment


by aog23 January 21, 2009 2:36 PM EST: Katie,you blew it. Compare your body language when you were talking with Obama to what you used when talking to Palin. The bright, lively eyes, big smiles, etc. looked like fawning admiration, as opposed to professional journalism. While I am a happy Obama supporter, it is your JOB to be professional and even handed, and besides we don''t need to further feed the ''liberal media bias'' talk of the right.; Reply to this comment


by aog23 January 21, 2009 2:32 PM EST: Katie,you blew it. Compare your body language when you were talking with Obama to what you used when talking to Palin. The bright, lively eyes, big smiles, etc. looked like fawning admiration, as opposed to professional journalism. While I am a happy Obama supporter, it is your JOB to be professional and even handed, and besides we don''t need to further feed the ''liberal media bias'' talk of the right.; Reply to this comment


by sea1965 January 21, 2009 1:32 PM EST: This was just one of the negative things that katie couric did yesterday. She kept calling him Barack Obama. That was very disrespectful. He was President-Elect Obama, before that he was Senator Obama. Cbs news did a great job at coverage yesterday, but I was very disappointed in Ms. Couric disrespect for our new leader. Dan Rather never called Former President Bush, George W Bush.
Katie, President Obama or Mr. President please!!!!; Reply to this comment


by mnmom02 January 21, 2009 12:44 PM EST: Honestly I think its cool to know that our President has faults, he is just like the rest of us Americans! Thanks for digging Katie. :-); Reply to this comment


by judylibra January 21, 2009 12:11 PM EST: And furthermore, doesn''t she have anything else to be concerned about with our country being in the crisis that it is?; Reply to this comment


by judylibra January 21, 2009 12:09 PM EST: Good Grief, he''s a person too! Get off our new presidents back, I think he''ll make us all PROUD smoking or not!; Reply to this comment


by tagpad January 21, 2009 6:12 AM EST: Tim,
It''s less than a day and your acting like a girl dog in heat. give the man a break and go have a smoke. Please chill out.; Reply to this comment


by rthacker3 January 21, 2009 3:03 AM EST: Good grief. He''s now our President so what business is it of her''s what his habits are? Perhaps during the next interview she''ll want to explore his digestive tract and how that may be working for our President. Gracious, Katie is over due in my opinion to get a camera and look for employment with the tabloids.; Reply to this comment


by edrieb January 21, 2009 2:51 AM EST: frankly, i''m not surprised couric brought it up. she''s been exceedingly negative all day long!

from comments she made - attempting to create imagined future friction between biden and clinton to negative sniping on why obama chose biden as v.p., couric has disgraced cbs and portrayed a biased and sniping, ugly view from the commentator''s seat (notice, i refrain from using the word journalist here...).

cbs news owes america better than this - if ms.couric cannot look at america''s greatest moment - the peaceful transition of power - and do something other than trying to create discord, she should return to parodying herself in animation. i am sure that finding nemo will be making a sequel soon - her "talent" is better off displayed there.

shame on you, cbs news and SHAME on YOU - katie couric!; Reply to this comment