David Axelrod should more careful in his handling of the drug issue

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Obama adviser David Axelrod told reporters on Thursday that Obama only used drugs up until age 20, and that he had not sold drugs or shared them with friends.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2007/12/obamas-drug-confessional.html

This is a puzzling unforced error. Obama specifically writes, with admirable candor and emotional vividness, about how drugs gave him entrance into different social circles... that he could get high with a rich white friend's van at prep school, or get high with Hawaiian street kids on the beach. He speaks specifically about how drugs were a way to fit in... a leveler of social barriers, a way to have company, etc..

Obama's experiences are just like mine and millions of other people. Almost ALL youthful drug users use drugs socially. That's a lot of the attraction. Most people reading this know that a joint is something to be passed around.

Since Obama was honest in his account of getting high WITH people, there is no way he never "shared them with friends." (Unless the campaign's argument is that he was a chronic mooch who never once in his life reciprocated with anyone who got him high... a statement as giggle-worthy as "I didn't inhale.")

So David Axlerod creates a situation where anyone can come forward and say, "Yeah, Barack shared a joint with me once when we were kids," and Presto! Proof that the Obama campaign "lied about his drug use."

So if Axlerod is smart, he'll drop the sharing part from any further statements.

[ellacott]

1. David Schuster reported that he changed his answer

He reported that he asked Axelrod if Obama ever sold drugs and Axelrod responded, "No". Shuster said when he asked him if he ever shared drugs Axelrod told him he couldn't answer that.'

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

2. Good to know. Makes sense.

[Adelante]

4. I'm glad he changed that answer

I was a bit leery about it. He seemed to have a head cold, poor guy.

[sandnsea]

3. Aren't you ashamed to post this?

Do you just plan on disappearing after the primary so you don't care what kind of fool you make of yourself?

[maddiejoan]

5. Interesting

I'm way more comfortable with him sharing drugs then not.

The image of a college kid all by himself in his dorm room snorting up some toot is creepy to me.

[Windy]

6. You clinton surrogates don't give up do you! Maturity is lacking

Move on. Worry more about your candidate and her stance on the issues like Iraq and Iran...

this is getting totally ridiculous. Clinton supporters are the only ones who seem to care about this issus.

Hint....its not working!

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

8. If you don't understand the OP get someone to help you.

And if you think I am a "Clinton surrogate" you are an absolute fool.

[killbotfactory]

7. If Obama didn't share his pot with friends, he's an asshole

But I think they are trying to make a distinction between casual use and pushing drugs on people.

Either way, it's not an issue to anyone except those who already dislike Obama.