Political Hotsheet
December 8, 2008 11:15 AM

Obama Says WH Will Remain Smoke-Free

During his interview with NBC News’ Tom Brokaw over the weekend, President-elect Barack Obama acknowledged that he has had some trouble kicking his smoking habit but promised that the White House would remain a smoke-free zone.

"There are times where I've fallen off the wagon," Mr. Obama said when asked if he had stopped smoking. "I've done a terrific job, under the circumstances, of making myself much healthier," he continued. "And I think that you will not see any violations of these rules in the White House," he said of the ban.

The Associated Press notes that Obama told Men's Health magazine in an interview before the election that he had smoked a couple of times on the campaign trail. "But I figure, seeing as I'm running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack," he told the magazine.
Tags:
Obama ,
smoking
Topics:
Transition
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by sherri2208 December 9, 2008 2:27 PM EST
President-Elect Obama go to a website www.caringbridge.org visit: ajjones. I buried my husband this year age 46 from lung cancer and read our story. Get rid of the nicotine gum and do it cold turkey. Do it for yourself, never give in to the urge. Do it so you will have an opportunity to grow old with your wife, see your girls grow up, married, and a chance to play with grandchildren. You have the biggest opportunity to share with the world that smoking is an addiction and if you can quit, anyone can quit. I wished I had the opportunity to share my husbands story with the world. He does not have the chance to see his children grow up and the paths they will choose and who they marry. I now will not have the gift of growing old with Anthony. Our hearts are broken. Don''t let the same thing happen to your family. Use this gift you have been given to make an impact on the world. God Bless You and your family. Sherri Jones
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by violist47 December 9, 2008 2:12 PM EST
I no longer smoke, but for many years I found smoking a "contemplative cigarette" to be a very pleasant activity. As Garrison Keillor said about America''s obsession with non-smoking: "We may be healthier now, but we don''t think as much."
As far as I know, there is no relationship between Christianity and smoking, one way or ''t''other. Lots of excellent American Presidents have smoked. No one ever accused them of being minions of the devil. The problem with smoking is that it may kill you and/or people you smoke around. So of course Barack Obama must stop. We need him alive!!!
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by questionnews December 9, 2008 2:09 PM EST
What''s the big deal about tobacco use in the White House? I heard that Clinton has a real penchant for cigars and that never made the news.
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by leeanna58 December 9, 2008 1:53 PM EST
I thought the line that Obama says that "Considering he was running for President, he should cut himself a little slack," was interesting. No one forced him to run for President. If cutting himself some slack is appropriate while running for President, now that he will soon be inaugurated President, what else will he cut himself slack regarding?
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by ladyraestewa December 9, 2008 12:23 PM EST
How ridiculous -- smoking makes you one of the devil''s minons but being a hyprocite is apparently acceptable! No wonder people despise the righteous religious --- you are stupid, narrow-minded, hyprocrites!
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by kc629 December 9, 2008 12:14 PM EST
at least ciggarettes are better than the guy we have now snorting lines of blow and chugging 40''s in the oval office! haha

i mean seriously why is this News? who cares?!!!
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by luvny-2009 December 9, 2008 11:44 AM EST
As a christian, I find it appaulling that we have a president who smokes. I suggest he resigns along with all the other liberals due to his smoking.
--
Posted by mrs_premise

-----------------------------------You were kidding I hope, if not you are one hugh nut. Smoking and believing in God have nothing to do with each other. Smoking is a horrible addiction and very hard to stop for some.
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by rixmix98 December 9, 2008 11:31 AM EST
Try Chantix. I took it for four weeks starting August 3 and have been smoke free since.
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by irmcvet971 December 9, 2008 11:07 AM EST
Posted by ReaganiteGOP at 02:05 AM : Dec 09, 2008

Since you are here and are obviously a fascist can you explain to all of us why you people wanted to continue "Trickle Down" given the TERRIBLE results every time we''ve tried it. Don''t attack the person WE the PEOPLE picked when you REFUSED to change course and change a totally failed policy. Until all you fascist can show America you honestly UNDERSTAND that it does not work, will not work and can not work, I doubt any of your sniping and childish attacks of the past will work for you. Just some honest advice. Sieg Heil!
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by irmcvet971 December 9, 2008 11:04 AM EST
Posted by gunfighter51 at 06:19 AM : Dec 09, 2008

It''s amazing how anyone who does not adhere to the "Party" or it''s beliefs can do NOTHING right to you. Add to that your total lack of any education and without a doubt it''s embarrassing for people outside this nation to know you are part of We the People. It is NOT a habit you MORON it''s and ADDICTION to a very strong DRUG!
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by irmcvet971 December 9, 2008 11:00 AM EST
Oh I can sure understand where the President is coming from on this one. It took me a long time and several tries to kick the nasty habit. Good luck Mr. President it''s well worth the effort.
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by rf35 December 9, 2008 6:16 AM EST
I quit smoking nearly a year ago. I guess that qualifies me to run the country.

It is obvious that most people talking about the "habit" have never been enslaved by nicotine. It is no more a "habit" that breathing. Not a day goes by that I don''t get cravings. It doesn''t get easier, it doesn''t go away, and it is a constant source of misery. Since I quit, I have lived in Hell.
Mr. President, I sympathize and hold no ill will toward you and you battle with cigarettes.
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by reaganitegop December 9, 2008 5:05 AM EST
Obama offered an obsufication, rather than an answer? Anybody surprised?

If he can''t give you a straight-answer response his ciggy habbit, what about his other character flaws? And why then would anyone take his word re. Wright, Pfleger, Farrakhan, Ayers, or Rezko?

I found it difficult to quit smoking myself, but I haven''t presented myself as a messiah, nor a role-model to millions, either.

Is his ego and self-assured pontificating all a front for a insecure man inside? Wouldn''t be the first time in history.

Vague answers and vacuous rhetoric won''t work after Jan 20th, Barack- you''ll be held at your word, and have to make hard decisions a lot of people don''t like.


As we rapidly approach Obamamania''s expiration date... welcome to the real world.


http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/
Reply to this comment
by reaganitegop December 9, 2008 5:05 AM EST
Obama offered an obsufication, rather than an answer? Anybody surprised?

If he can''t give you a straight-answer response his ciggy habbit, what about his other character flaws? And why then would anyone take his word re. Wright, Pfleger, Farrakhan, Ayers, or Rezko?

I found it difficult to quit smoking myself, but I haven''t presented myself as a messiah, nor a role-model to millions, either.

Is his ego and self-assured pontificating all a front for a insecure man inside? Wouldn''t be the first time in history.

Vague answers and vacuous rhetoric won''t work after Jan 20th, Barack- you''ll be held at your word, and have to make hard decisions a lot of people don''t like.


As we rapidly approach Obamamania''s expiration date... welcome to the real world.


http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/
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by rangerdahl December 9, 2008 5:01 AM EST
republic76: Good comment

But, remember it wasn''t the cigar that ws getting smoked when Bill was there. That cigar was used for other things in order to increase the flavor.
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by freedomscry December 9, 2008 3:01 AM EST
Hey, Obama! It''s time for CHANGE, isn''t it? Well, put those cigs down and don''t smoke another one!
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by wwudiver December 9, 2008 2:57 AM EST
Back to the who cares. I don''t caer if he shoots acetylene in his eyeball with a hot heroin needle if he governs well and obeys the constitution. Hey, let''s talk about that for awhile!
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by gjc2004 December 8, 2008 11:56 PM EST
Why is Mr. Obama''s smoking habit even in the news? How trivial. It''s his choice and it''s legal. Only Nannies from the land of Nanny State could care. Please media moguls, do us all a favor and stick to the news that truly affects all of us. Oh, wait! Did Bloomburg send out the Smoking Police? God knows anyone that is the President of the US needs something to get them through! C''mon, people. There''s more to worry about than smoking these days.
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by dakotaclark December 8, 2008 11:45 PM EST
Hmmm...

Smoking is not a habit.

Rather, smoking is an addiction.

Any president of the United States that has an addiction to nicotine and does not take very strong steps to end the addiction, would be setting a very bad example for others, especially younger people.

Some addiction treatment counselors have said that it is easier to get off heroin than it is to stop nicotine, especially smoking.
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by sincity_q December 8, 2008 9:13 PM EST
We are a society obsessed with triviality.

So what if our president smokes? We all know that tobacco is not the healthiest of consumables but last time I looked, it wasn''t illegal. And at the same time, the world is going to hell in a handbasket terrorism, corporate crime, government corruption, healthcare collapse, foodprices rising...

Why are we even concerned whether Brack Obama smokes cigarettes? Would we unelect him if he does? Would we impeach him if he decided that his right to smoke outweighed your right to intrude into his life?

Don''t we have beeter things to do than to be the nosiest kind of neighbor... or support a media that patronizes us with fluff to obscure far more pressing concerns?
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