# Who gives a fuck if Obama smokes? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 22, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372 "2008-07-22T15:12:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/21 "2008-07-22T16:29:19Z")
If the odd smoke was good enough for your [greatest President ever](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah_Bartlet), it’s good enough for Obama. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/22 "2008-07-22T16:31:13Z")
Smokers are addicts, and usually it takes something pretty important to get them to stop. A year ago, he was just deciding that he might have a shot at the presidency, which was something perhaps a year and a half ago, he wouldn’t have. It appears that it was the tipping point for him and I think it’s a good thing anytime someone decides to quit. If you’re inclined to throw darts at him due to ideological differences, then I suppose it pumps your nads. Whoopie for you. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/23 "2008-07-22T16:43:31Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Why do you think he decided to quit? [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > Just a coincidence that he did this at the beginning of his campaign? Yeah, right. Try to wrap your tiny mind around the possibility that quitting smoking was **in part** to improve his public image for his presidential campaign, and yet amazingly, that **does not mean** that a smoker cannot be nominiated or elected. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/24 "2008-07-22T16:45:23Z")
We’re a little sidetracked here. Obama’s reasons for smoking (or not) are immaterial to me. I opened the thread to find out why \*anyone else \* (beyond friends, family and his physician) would possibly give a shit. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/25 "2008-07-22T16:52:31Z")
Because the POTUS should be an exceptional individual. If he doesn’t have the willpower to quit smoking, what else will he lack the willpower to do? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/26 "2008-07-22T17:02:50Z")
Maybe he doesn’t want to quit smoking. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/27 "2008-07-22T17:11:07Z")
Next thing you know you’ll be trying to find out what religion he belongs to … ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/28 "2008-07-22T17:27:43Z")
There are various ways in which smoking is implicated in federal policy (no-smoking laws in federal buildings; regulation of tobacco products by the FDA; smoker-specific coverage issues under national health insurance proposals). Voters might assume that a President’s personal attitude toward smoking would influence his position on such issues. Also, if he’s going to be standing 20 feet out in the Rose Garden several times a day, that’s less time he can spend on the nation’s business. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/29 "2008-07-22T17:28:12Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Apparently he cares enough to have quit once he decided to run for president. He would be asked about it constantly by the press and in the debates if continued his habit. And I doubt he’d have been nominated to run for the Democrats, much less be able to win in the general. [/QUOTE] He quit because his wife asked him to, not because the Democrats would give a shit. Clinton smoked and it didn’t hurt him. The subject rarely even came up. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/30 "2008-07-22T17:29:13Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] No. Why do you think he decided to quit? [/QUOTE] His wife asked him to. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/31 "2008-07-22T17:29:48Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] Because the POTUS should be an exceptional individual. If he doesn’t have the willpower to quit smoking, what else will he lack the willpower to do? [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=control-z] I care. If he isn’t smart enough to quit smoking, why should he be allowed to run the country? [/QUOTE] These are some of the most superficial standards I’ve ever encountered. Can you name a single person whose work or service might have been admirable who didn’t have some kind of objectionable trait, habit, or addiction? For that matter, haven’t a high percentage of exceptional people been bad at handling their personal lives? For the record, I don’t think holding a public office should require much willpower. It should require good judgment regarding matters of policy. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/32 "2008-07-22T17:33:21Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] Because the POTUS should be an exceptional individual. If he doesn’t have the willpower to quit smoking, what else will he lack the willpower to do? [/QUOTE] Winston Churchill was a smoker and a heavy drinker. FDR smoked too. Hitler’s body was a temple. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/33 "2008-07-22T17:33:31Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Clinton smoked and it didn’t hurt him. The subject rarely even came up. [/QUOTE] Sure it did - it provided him with a handy cigar case, creating embarassment all around. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/34 "2008-07-22T17:37:47Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Winston Churchill was a smoker and a heavy drinker. FDR smoked too. Hitler’s body was a temple. [/QUOTE] Yahbut smoking wasn’t known to cause all the health problems back then. To me, if Obama smokes now, it’s a case of “Do as I say, not as I do.” Or does he promote smoking? Can’t have it both ways. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/35 "2008-07-22T17:38:41Z")
It’s good that he’s trying to quit. You have to wonder if a nicotine addict would be able to enforce really tough measures against the evil tobacco companies. It’s the same thing with a Catholic president or a black president. I understand that Obama might secretly be black, but I hear he’s trying to quit. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/36 "2008-07-22T17:39:28Z")
Seriously, **Mace** do you really think _anyone_ is going to base their vote on whether or not a candidate smokes? Do you think any of these liberal Obama supporters around here are going to switch to McCain if Obama gets caught sneaking out behind a restaurant for a heater sometime? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/37 "2008-07-22T17:40:05Z")
[QUOTE=Tom Tildrum] Also, if he’s going to be standing 20 feet out in the Rose Garden several times a day, that’s less time he can spend on the nation’s business. 😉 [/QUOTE] Well, he could smoke in the portico or the National Cathedral, just like Jed Bartlett. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/38 "2008-07-22T17:40:39Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] To me, if Obama smokes now, it’s a case of “Do as I say, not as I do.” Or does he promote smoking? Can’t have it both ways. [/QUOTE] How about \*neither \* way? Is smoking something we really need the President to take a firm stand on? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/39 "2008-07-22T17:40:49Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] To me, if Obama smokes now, it’s a case of “Do as I say, not as I do.” Or does he promote smoking? Can’t have it both ways. [/QUOTE] Ridiculous. People have known for generations that smoking is bad for you. He’s running for public office. He’s not running to be your dad. I don’t drink alcohol and I think that on balance alcohol plays a negative role in society. It would be idiotic for me to insist that all public officeholders abjure from consumption of alcohol in order to qualify as “role models.” We’re adults in this society and we should treat office holders as what they are – fellow adult persons – not candidates for personal hero. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372/40 "2008-07-22T17:41:02Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] Yahbut smoking wasn’t known to cause all the health problems back then. To me, if Obama smokes now, it’s a case of “Do as I say, not as I do.” Or does he promote smoking? Can’t have it both ways. [/QUOTE] Is he telling any adults not to smoke? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gives-a-fuck-if-obama-smokes/457372.md?page=3)