Will Obama Set Off White House Smoke Detectors?

During today's Meet the Press, Tom Brokaw noted President-elect Obama's recent admission that he slipped up a few times during the campaign and returned to his smoking habit. He then asked Obama if this would be a problem, considering the White House's no-smoking policy. "I have, but what I said was that at times I have fallen off the wagon." Brokaw then interjected, "But wait, that means you haven't stopped." To which Obama replied, "Fair enough. Well then, what I would say is that I have done a terrific job under the circumstances of making myself healthier and you will not see any violations of these in the White House." Could we be looking at the "no new taxes" promise that will haunt him in 2012? In 2007, a Fox News story revealed what they called "Obama's dirty little secret" and asked viewers, "Would you vote for a smoker for president?"

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By Billy Parker in News on December 7, 2008 5:23 PM

Comments [rss]

Felix Hoenikker

Are they menthols?

NannyState

To be honest, I'm a little disappointed that he doesn't shoot up heroin too. I know I would if I had to take the reins from that mountain bike wrecking idiot.

RoDogg

Oh please FoxNews, "Would you vote for a smoker for president?" We live in a country that voted for George Bush TWICE so why act like Obama smoking is a "dirty little secret"? Obama will not be the first president that smoked, know your history peoples.

virgil

I think Fox is off their game. The folks who voted for Obama make up the largest segment of the anti-smoking demographic. Fox's audience is made up of the "keep your laws off my ashtray" crowd.

If anything can make them warm up to a "muslim socialist terrorist drug dealer", it's defying the anti-smoking laws.

I predict 150% approval rating by the time he stubs out his first oval office smoke.

LinkMan

Can't he just put a smoking tent outside like Schwarzenegger's?

everyAframe

Smoke 'em if you got 'em, sir. Just do something to reverse what the last dude got us into.

r1b2

Great point, AvenueHebrew

r1b2

I know we want to protect the White House and we want to send a good message to folks everywhere. Obama will project a good image. Better a smoker than a public moron.

Brooklynbobby

I'm certain that Bloomberg loves this story!!!

Rocknrope

Why are all smokers rail thin?

MisterTissue

Somehow I imagine the leader of the free world won't have his balls busted by secret service if he lights up a Camel in the West Wing, just a hunch. Do YOU have the cojones to tell the guy with his hand on the little red button that he can't have a smoke?

NannyState

Dick Cheney's skull would make a totally cool ashtray :)

gossipgirl

I did not know the White House had a no-smoking policy! Poor guys!

nog

'Would you vote for a smoker as president?'

Who cares? He's already been elected!

Brainwash

FOX News really truly actually honestly has nothing better to do?

SugarLand

Get a grip Brokaw - The man is trying to save the damn country and you want to give him crap over having a smoke? I'd be constantly walking around with about 10 hanging out of my mouth if I were him. Good LORD!!!!!!!!

AvenueHebrew

After what was being done with cigars in the White House of the 90s, just lighting up a cigarette once in a blue moon is the least of our worries in terms of "character".

NannyState

Thanks, #1. Let the man smoke.

longacre

so you're actually giving "donations" to an actual homeless person as opposed to a bureaucratic organization

If you're making $80 a day tax free, you're not homeless anymore.

ides_of_march

As long as cigarettes (or cigars) are the only thing the guy smokes, I couldn't care less.

I'm not a smoker and I think it's an awful habit but I'm totally against this militant anti-smoking jihad that's been going on the last 20 years.

Living in a free country means be allowed to do things the health nuts don't approve of.

drewo

Keep it cool O.

gregroth

it's nice to finally have a cool president

nohateparade

we send cigarettes to troops with no problem and it's an issue that the president smokes? yes, because sending troops out is already a sort of death sentence.

JacqueMehoff

isn't this what the sheep want? to be more mad men like?

Dirk

Considering the state of things, I'd be smoking and drinking every night if I were President.

OttoBloggo

Jiminy Christmas, the world's economy is falling apart, folks are poor and unemployed, al-Qaeda wants to use WMDs on us, and somebody actually gives a hoot if Obama enjoys a ciggie now and then?

Sheesh, I quit years ago but would probably start again with all the challenges he's got on his plate.