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Obama was supposed to decide whether he would run for president over the holidays, but he has put off a final decision for a few weeks, according to ABC7’s Andy Shaw, who scored an exclusive interview with Obama yesterday.
Senator Barack Obama said that he has decided to take a few more weeks to make sure that all the i’s are dotted, t’s are crossed, his family is onboard and his gut still says go. Then, assuming all that stays as is, he will soon announce formation of an exploratory committee, which is the first step on the long presidential campaign road.
“We’re still taking a look at it. As soon as I have news to make, you’ll be the first to know,” Obama said.
Senator Obama is back in Washington, D.C., after a family vacation in Hawaii, to finalize his plan to run for president, which is tentatively set to begin with an announcement in the next month that he is forming an exploratory committee so he can start raising money and put a campaign together.
“Until you are actually out there and running, you’re not running. The rest of it is speculation and gossip,” said Obama.
Meanwhile, Washington Post staff reporter Lois Romano finally got around to reading Obama’s first book, published 11 years ago, and realized that he had (gasp!) admitted to drug use.
Obama’s revelations were not an issue during his Senate campaign two years ago. But now his open narrative of early, bad choices, including drug use starting in high school and ending in college, as well as his tortured search for racial identity, are sure to receive new scrutiny.
Lynn Sweet offers up some analysis.
Running for president puts Obama under a microscope. Just because he admitted using drugs does not put the subject off limits for revisiting. How he answers inevitable further questions could become grist for critics.
Because of the Post, Obama won’t be able to get away with dismissing questions about drugs as an “old story,” a common damage-control tactic.
Even a wisecrack could look different in this new light.
Obama, guesting last month on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” was asked by Leno about taking drugs.
“Remember, senator, you are under oath. Did you inhale?” Leno asked.
Replied Obama, “That was the point.”
Critics could ask why Obama did not add a cautionary “Just Say No” message for impressionable youths.
Also, for you “What about his record?” types who pervade the comment section of just about every blog, WaPo did a piece comparing the voting histories of Hillary Clinton and Obama
*** UPDATE *** Daley tossed in his two cents today.
Mayor Richard M. Daley says past drug use should not be an issue in the 2008 presidential campaign. […]
Mayor Daley says drugs have been a problem in all segments of American society for years, and he’s seen many people who’ve recovered from drug use and rebuilt their lives.
Daley says people understand that and “it should not be an issue at all.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 5:29 am
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The shine seems to be coming off Obama a little - now he’s confessed to using cocaine in high school as well as smoking pot. His real estate dealing with Rezko and now an article about a Rezko supported intern shows up - maybe he’s not as squeaky clean as he first appeared. True, there may be nothing illegal or wrong with the real estate dealing or hiring the intern, but those instances look questionable - and to someone who wants to maintain a clean image, these should be red-flagged from the start.
Comment by Sahims2 Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 6:52 am
“Sahims2″ he didn’t just confess to using drugs. He did that over a decade ago.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 7:01 am
The problem is Obama gets off talking about non issues… his pot use.. his experience… He’s a Harvard trained lawyer with a record in the Illinois Senate… forget the pot… I don’t care too much about what his past postions or stands were either. No one is asking him about what he wants to do if elected President. He needs to get a little more specific then bring us together.
Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 7:22 am
I can’t support someone for president who showed such poor judgment in high school.
Comment by NW Side Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 8:18 am
As many have already pointed out, our current Prez has admitted to what sounds like rather severe alcoholism in early adulthood. Yet even those who believe he is incompetent don’t attribute this to past alcohol use. Alcoholism and illicit drug use are complex problems and in Obama’s case may or may not be relevant to a White House occupancy. But this is America, where most seem to believe redemption is possible for all.
On the other hand, this is also a country (and state) where we routinely lock up first time drug offenders for years to the tune of the cost (to us) of several Ivy League educations per drug offender.If Americans really believes drug offenders are that dangerous they might have trouble ignoring Obama’s self disclosed drug history when they go in to the voting booth.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 8:37 am
I’d rather vote for someone who admits past drug use than someone who parses questions so carefully that they can avoid disclosing drug use. (This is a reference to the way our current President answered questions about possible cocaine use.)
As for the Leno appearance: I saw the clip, and I seem to recollect that Obama did say that it was a mistake. He further added the thought that one can’t talk to young people seriously about the dangers of drug use unless one is honest about his experience. I’m paraphrasing, but it still sounds a lot like a “just say no” message.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 8:49 am
I smoke a joint in high school, too, but ended up hating the experience and the awful smell. The experience led me to abhor drugs, and I’ve touched an illegal drug since then. Hey, can I run for the White House?
Look, if you were in and out of rehab for a heroin problem, I can understand that people might question how you act under stress, but what are we talking about here? A serious heroin problem or some guy going to a high school party and being offered a joint? How many people haven’t at least tried the stuff even if they ended up not wanting to continue to partake?
If you’re 40 or 50 and still smoking something like Cheech and Chong in overdrive, then maybe it would raise some eyebrows.
How nice to know so many politicians have used drugs at some point in their lives. It helps explain why they are so messed up in the head now. In fact, they could turn Washington into one giant Just Say No campaign to teach the kiddies a lesson in what NOT to do doing their formative years.
Any more indictments at the state level and we’re all going to need to smoke something to get up enough nerve to bother voting ever again. Maybe even an open bar…
Comment by Angie Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 9:21 am
Meant I have NOT touched an illegal drug since then. Typos in last post. Must get caffeine I have not had yet, apparently, so we can type a coherent post.
Comment by oops Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 9:28 am
What about his record?†types who pervade the comment
And we appreciate it. I dont’ think the enthanol hurts HC as much as it would have Obama. Iowa is abotu fund raising as much as anything. She won’t have problems with money.
She will have enough to get her to Super Tuesday. Obama needs to win or do REALY well in Iowa and/or NH or he will be in trouble.
Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 9:38 am
Obama tried drugs in college! Not a good choice but no different than the people I knew who are now school superintendents, lawyers, physicians, social workers, parents, business people, and many other professions. The current run of politicians (and religious leaders) seem to have regular moral lapses. Of course people like Lois Romano have no skeletons in the past because she spent all of her time in high school/college at the library studying or helping people.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 9:42 am
For whatever it’s worth — it appears that sometime during 2006, the Senator became “voluntarily inactive” as a lawyer:
LAWYER SEARCH: ATTORNEY’S REGISTRATION AND PUBLIC DISCIPLINARY RECORD
ARDC Individual Attorney Record of Public Registration and Public Disciplinary and Disability Information as of January 3, 2007 at 11:23:01 AM:
Full Licensed Name: Barack Hussein Obama
Full Former name(s): None
Date of Admission as Lawyer
by Illinois Supreme Court: December 17, 1991
Registered Business Address: Not available online
Registered Business Phone: Not available online
Illinois Registration Status: Voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law - Last Registered Year: 2006
Malpractice Insurance:
(Current as of date of registration;
consult attorney for further information) In annual registration, attorney reported that he/she does not have malpractice coverage. (Some attorneys, such as judges, government lawyers, and in-house corporate lawyers, may not carry coverage due to the nature of their practice setting.)
Public Record of Discipline
and Pending Proceedings: None
Durbin also took inactive status during 2006. And — is this possible? — Lisa Madigan and Pat Quinn have not yet registered as lawyers for 2007??? (In fairness — perhaps the ARDC has a processing backlog, or “the check’s in the mail”, or something. After all, it’s only January 4th!) Source: www.iardc.org.
Comment by Dooley Dudright Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 10:19 am
Dooley Dudright @ 10:19:
the ARDC’s Inactive status merely means the attorney has not paid his or her fees to practice law in Illinois state courts. Lots and lots and lots of attorneys do this. For example, most Assistant U.S. Attorneys don’t keep their ARDC status active because they’re practicing in federal court, not state court. Many elected officials, especially federal officials, don’t practice in any courts - state or federal - so they save a couple hundred bucks by going Inactive. Of course, the ARDC charges a hefty penalty to move you from Inactive back to Active (I think its the years of back dues, but I could be wrong).
So the fact that Obama, Durbin, or even Patrick Fitzgerald are not currently registered as Active with the ARDC doesn’t mean much.
Comment by George Ryan's Cellmate Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 11:00 am
unfortunately, the usual temptation (booze) back in the forties when I was mainlining it was succeeded by pot and then by the Timothy Leary LSD era and then downhill into new excitements.
It ain’t pretty, but bringing out young indiscretions prevents future blackmail or oopses.
Unfortunately, working in the Senate does not provide enough evidence of executive ability necessary to succeed as President. Like to see him become Governor, first
Comment by Truthful James Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 11:27 am
I want to know if Obama supports Democracy. Will he enter into a secret and undemocratic debate contract with the Republican presidential candidate, as previous Democratic candidates have done; or will he support open debates and demand a Citizens’ Debate Commission? What will he do to improve competition in our political marketplace of ideas? Will he try to ease ballot access requirements for new party and independent candidates in federal elections? Will he try to implement a system of majority elections, using a series of runoff elections, or instant runoff voting, which would have the effect of completely eliminating the so-called “spoiler effect?”
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 11:42 am
===He needs to get a little more specific then bring us together.
Like that book thingee he wrote? Seriously, because the press isn’t reporting on something doesn’t mean he’s not doing it–it means the press is covering what they think is important–and is not in this case.
I tried some drugs and even liked a few, but the irony is that I never had an illicit drug problem, but I certainly had a drinking problem (problem not in the George Bush sense) which no one would think much about for someone during high school and early college.
The best answer to this was Bill Bradley who was asked the question on This Week in 2000. He responded to the question about pot with, “Yes, have you?” It was quite funny to watch both Cokie Roberts and George Will answer the question even though the answer was no. Cokie went on about being a mommie and George discussed his like of whiskey. George was, in fact, a good central Illinois boy.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 11:49 am
Anyone running for office would be foolish not to out themselves for doing drugs in school. You can bet it would be announced as a National Crisis if they failed to open up early into a campaign. It also can focus attention away from the fact that you haven’t offered any solutions to real world problems. It buys you time to devise a plan, i.e. raise money or at least check the traps to see if money is available, and feel the pulse of the voter (to see if there is one). Barack will be tested in the upcoming primaries if he chooses to run. The primaries promise to be excellent entertainment with all the big guns showing up. All the politicals are lining up their ammo and their spokespersons. Can hardly wait to see “trashing the opponent†taken to a whole new level….and in High Definition; to see the stunned announcements of discovering that an opponent burned one in college….how could they. It will be simply grand. Perhaps Obama will do well…There’s always hope!.
Comment by Justice Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 12:08 pm
The Bill Bradley moment was wonderful. Thanks for reminding us.
I really think this helps Obama by giving him a chance to talk about something instead of policy and issues.
Democrats headed for a heck of a convention in 2008 unless the war can be neutralized as an issue.
They’re going to want to talk about anything and everything besides that. So were going to get a lot of this touchy feely mumbo jumbo stuff from them.
Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 12:26 pm
I think this is just the usual media hashing and rehashing of issues that are unlikely to mean a damn come actual primaries. “Did you use drugs in your irresponsible youth?” is no longer a question that disqualifies someone from office in the media or the public’s eye, the media just dutifully trots it out about this time in the vetting process. The only way you get busted for this stuff is if you lie , and you’re caught.
Obama’s delay might mean nothing more than he doesn’t want to upstage the show the Democrats are currently putting on in D.C. That might honk off more than a few Democratic bigwigs, if their 100 legislative hours had to compete in the news cycle with Obamamania.
Comment by ZC Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 1:19 pm
Obama will probably wait for a slow news week to announce his decision no matter what it is. Either way, he has to put on the correct spin in order not to run off any supporters in the present or future runs for whatever office he may choose.
Comment by independent downstater Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 1:40 pm
====Democrats headed for a heck of a convention in 2008 unless the war can be neutralized as an issue.
===They’re going to want to talk about anything and everything besides that. So were going to get a lot of this touchy feely mumbo jumbo stuff from them.
Bill have you been paying attention to how the public feels about the war recently? they aren’t doing enough to end it sooner. It’s about 60 percent of the people who want a timetable for withdrawal and the President’s ‘plan’ is to escalate with the same number of troops used this summer. In the case of Obama public opinion is right about with his policy speech in December.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 2:23 pm
It is strange listening to Rush spin his right winged thoughts on the Senator’s youthful drug use. After his problems he should not be talking about Obama spinning anything.
Betty Ford should be an example to all of us on drug abuse matters. She was an example in improving your life from the experience. Obama has learned from his youth. Too bad Rush has learned anything from drug abuse except being a nasty person.
Whenever Obama announces this month or in the future he will be a candidate we will be proud of. Like Lincoln Obama will give this nation hope and a positive direction for all Americans.
Comment by decaturboy Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 3:23 pm
I don’t think the “drug issue” will have that big of an impact,if he plays it right. First off, most of the people who think drug use is an unredeemable act are conservative Republicans who aren’t going to vote for him. Most Libertarians won’t care. The left wing of the democratic party won’t care about past use. So then it boils down to the center and their views. My sense is being honest and straight-forward will impress them. Most people understand that we are electing a President not a Saint. What they are looking for is someone they can trust, which is one of Obama’s strongest selling points.
The toughest part of the challenge for Obama is developing a strong anti-drug policy. If he backs our current policies, he will lose support in the democratic primary. He also can’t advocate changes that make him look permissive and “soft on drugs.” A quick cop-out is to back more prevention and anti-drug programs like DARE, but these programs are relatively well known failures. Developing a real solution and new direction will be difficult but is possible. Regardless, our failed anti-drug programs are an important issue that needs to be addressed in the Presidential race.
Comment by Objective Dem Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 3:24 pm
I’ve not entertained the thought of running for public office; however, it appears that I am ineligible to do so since I have never used illegal drugs. The #1 requirement for public office seems to be that you have to have a skeleton in your closet.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 3:25 pm
Obama promised Andy Shaw he’d be the first to know? I seem to remember him promising Oprah that he’d announce for President on her show. Who would you rather double-cross, Andy or Oprah, Andy . . . or . . .Oprah . . .?
Comment by Goodbye Napoleon Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 3:27 pm
Bill have you been paying attention to how the public feels about the war recently? they aren’t doing enough to end it sooner.
Sure, watch Rahm’s performance with Cindy Sheehan on video. Sheehan splits Dems and unifies Republicans. I’ve seen it before…. long ago.
Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 6:41 pm
Marion Barry, eat your heart out!
Comment by Snidely Whiplash Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 9:18 pm
Well, Mayor Daley, sorry, but I’m not comfortable having a former crackhead’s finger on the nuclear button. The presidency requires an individual with impeccable judgment. And no, I don’t feel comfy with the current prez’ finger on the button, either!
Comment by Snidely Whiplash Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 9:22 pm
Don’t assume that Cindy Sheehan is a Democrat. She actively supported Green Party candidates Michael Berg and Malachy McCourt in 2006.
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 10:26 pm
Of course Obama took drugs in high school. He had to cope with the tough streets of Hawaii.
An elected official from Cook County will never win the presidency because Cook county is viewed as a “laughing stock” and “corrupt” by the rest of the nation.
Comment by Anna Thursday, Jan 4, 07 @ 11:33 pm
I’d vote for him BECAUSE he did drugs. Get real people. Most of you tsk-tskers probably do worse. I think he’s even cooler than I did before. Who DIDN’T try drugs? The squares! Sorry, but if the shoe fits - smoke it.
Comment by State of Farce Friday, Jan 5, 07 @ 1:40 am
Well who didn’t do dumb things in high school and college? What matters is that Obama grew past it. And most importantly that he’s turning out to not be a liar like the Clintons who try to cover things up. Sen Obama seems to be a “man for the people” more than a politician. That’s what we need in Washington.
Comment by Usually Republican Monday, Feb 12, 07 @ 7:43 pm