Obama Hoping To Quit Smoking Before Elections

[oberliner]

(CBS) CHICAGO Sen. Barack Obama's battle for the democratic presidential nomination still has not officially begun, but he is fighting another battle.

Katie McCall from CBS station WBBM-TV in Chicago reports the Illinois senator is hoping to quit smoking.

Obama was in Washington, D.C., Tuesday talking about Iraq.

“Whenever you think it's as bad as it can get, it gets worse,” he said.

Back in Chicago, his constituents were talking about him, and his decision to quit smoking.

“I think a lot of the country would respect that,” said John Lavelle, a non-smoker.

http://cbs2.com/nationalpolitics/politicsnational_story_038011953.html

[Mojambo]

1. It's very humanizing.

It's also incredibly difficult to do when you're under a lot of stress (like he's gonna be.)

Should be interesting to watch.

[Warpy]

4. Yeah, good luck to him and the Red Sox

It's hard enough to do when you've got nothing much going on in your life.

I wish him well.

[etherealtruth]

5. I can't fathom how he'll do both ...

Honestly quitting smoking took every single bit of personal fortitude I had ... it wasn't pretty.

I can't imagine it while under the public scrutiny (not to mention attacks and complaints from every side). I wish him well ... ooooh, geez.

[ForFuxakes]

2. Sorry...

But for me this is a non-issue...

Whats next...Hillary dropping Mabaline(sp)?

[Bluebear]

3. Obama at debate: "OK ENOUGH!!! ENOUGH!! SHUT UP UP UP UP!"

"Sorry."

:)

Good luck, Barack!

[etherealtruth]

7. If he's still going through withdrawl ...

Expect frequent use of the "F" word and expect to see moderators, opponents and a few spectators slapped silly.

[left is right]

6. I wish him well in his attempt to quit smoking

and it might be a feather in his cap, if he is successful at quitting, especially if he succeeds while handling the stress of campaigning. But smoking or smoke free is a non-issue for me.
However, I do see this as becoming one of the major distraction foisted on America by the pundit class. If he doesn't quit, he will be a poor example for America's youth. If he ties to quit and fails, he will be called weak-willed: "can we trust a man to stand up to the tyrants of the world--if he couldn't stand up to the tyrant nicotine." If he tries and has long term success, every time he raises his voice or points to repuke flaws, we will hear: "since Barack quit smoking he has been decidedly crabby--I personally found him more personable when he smoked. Does he even possess the needed diplomacy to..."

Would someone please tell the repukes that screams in my brain to shut up!