# Was Obama drugged? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 11, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370 "2012-10-11T01:05:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/1 "2012-10-11T01:05:18Z")
I didn’t see this discussed in another thread. If it has been, please close this. About 5 minutes into the first Obama/Romney debate, my partner asked “Is he on drugs?” We both agreed that it sure looked like he was, and we both agreed that he sure wouldn’t take them knowingly. But dammit, he looked like a man on downers, who’s trying very hard to act like he’s not. The only conclusion we could come to is that someone slipped him something. On the other hand, his closest associates would have had suspicions, and had him tested. If the test came out positive, it would have made headlines throughout the world. Now, I’m not into conspiracy theories, but this one strikes me as being is at least somewhat plausible. So is this even a serious possibility? ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/2 "2012-10-11T01:13:08Z")
First time I’ve heard this. We’ll add it to the pile (where already lies various variations on “he did it on purpose”). Also, LOL at his “closest associates” “having him tested.” Don’t think one can have the president tested for drugs absent some truly bizarre situation. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/3 "2012-10-11T01:14:06Z")
Given the stresses of campaigning (and I guess being president fills one’s day, too) I can easily picture him being tired and not at his best. That’s a far more plausible explanation than him being drugged. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/4 "2012-10-11T01:16:48Z")
No ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/5 "2012-10-11T01:20:31Z")
Is Biden going to be on drugs too? ---
**Author:** ![ReuvenB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc348/32.png) [@ReuvenB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReuvenB)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/6 "2012-10-11T01:23:37Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Is Biden going to be on drugs too? We can only hope. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/7 "2012-10-11T01:30:07Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Is Biden going to be on drugs too? How would we know? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/8 "2012-10-11T01:31:01Z")
I’d peg Biden as more of a shrooms guy. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/9 "2012-10-11T01:33:26Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > … we both agreed that he sure wouldn’t take them knowingly. Whither this secret knowledge? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/10 "2012-10-11T01:34:15Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I didn’t see this discussed in another thread. If it has been, please close this. > > About 5 minutes into the first Obama/Romney debate, my partner asked “Is he on drugs?” We both agreed that it sure looked like he was, and we both agreed that he sure wouldn’t take them knowingly. But dammit, he looked like a man on downers, who’s trying very hard to act like he’s not. The only conclusion we could come to is that someone slipped him something. On the other hand, his closest associates would have had suspicions, and had him tested. If the test came out positive, it would have made headlines throughout the world. > > Now, I’m not into conspiracy theories, but this one strikes me as being is at least somewhat plausible. > > So is this even a serious possibility? Maybe he’s a guy who’s…down. And trying to pretend like he’s not. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/11 "2012-10-11T01:40:09Z")
Someone suggested altitude sickness. When did he arrive in CO? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/12 "2012-10-11T01:43:24Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Someone suggested altitude sickness. When did he arrive in CO? That was Gore . . . not the most outlandish claim he’s ever made. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/13 "2012-10-11T01:48:26Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > …he sure wouldn’t take them knowingly. But he looked like a man on downers, who’s trying very hard to act like he’s not. How could he try very hard to act like he’s not on something that he didn’t know he was on? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/14 "2012-10-11T01:52:56Z")
It _was_ his anniversary, maybe he and Michelle had a few drinks? But I doubt it. It was a bad debate, that’s it. > [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’d peg Biden as more of a shrooms guy. You ever been in a vice presidential debate… on shrooms? ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/15 "2012-10-11T02:02:02Z")
I think he was hypnotized by an evil republican in the audience. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/16 "2012-10-11T02:05:30Z")
The answer is yes. panache45, you found me out. I administered drugs to Obama just before the debate to ruin his performance. Damn it, it was supposed to be a secret. How could I possibly have known that some astute member of a message board would see through my clever ruse? Now I’m going to have to give the money back to the Republicans. Curse you, panache45. You ruined my planned weekend getaway to the Cayman Islands. ---
**Author:** ![Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58956e/32.png) [@Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emtar_KronJonDerSohn)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/17 "2012-10-11T02:07:38Z")
Thanks OP, I just about peed my pants laughing. You’re even funnier than the birthers! ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/18 "2012-10-11T02:12:59Z")
It is amazing how elections turn people into crazed lunatics, proposing outlandish theories to avoid having to accept that their preferred candidate just plain and simple fucked up. Can you imagine how loud you would laugh if Romney had been the one that flopped the debate, and conservatives were scurrying around proposing some of these things? “Oh, Romney must have been drugged! I knew it from the moment I saw him! I normally don’t buy into crazy theories, but this is plausible!” Give me a break! Obama was not drugged - at least, not without his knowledge. There is no way whatsoever. Imagine the furor that would erupt if the perpetrator were caught? No one would risk it. And he did not have altitude sickness either. Denver is not that high. Healthy 50-year-old men who work out regularly do not get altitude sickness at 5,000 feet. It just does not happen. Most commercial airliners have a cabin altitude (meaning the altitude the cabin is pressurized to) of 8,000 feet. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/19 "2012-10-11T02:13:38Z")
I think the idea that somebody secretly drugged the President is incredibly unlikely. There’s a much more obvious answer: Obama was over-confident. He had a solid lead on Romney, Romney had made several gaffes during the campaign, and Obama was too confident in his own intelligence. He probably figured he’d just show up and walk away with the debate. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370/20 "2012-10-11T02:14:12Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > It is amazing how elections turn people into crazed lunatics Elections don’t do that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-obama-drugged/637370.md?page=2)