Posted by Christi Parsons at 2 p.m. CST
Context is everything.
Back in college, Barack Obama and many of his friends smoked cigarettes, a habit common in the Bohemian world in which they circulated.
Nearly three decades later, Obama is a member of the U.S. Senate, a likely presidential candidate and the father of two young girls, and now the smoking thing is a liability.
So the Illinois Democrat, just days before he is expected to announce his run for the White House, tells the Tribune that he is trying to kick the habit.
"I've never been a heavy smoker," Obama says. "I’ve quit periodically over the last several years. I've got an ironclad demand from my wife that in the stresses of the campaign I don’t succumb. I've been chewing Nicorette strenuously."
His wife was a big influence. So, indirectly, were his two young daughters.
"It's not a habit I want my kids to be exposed to," he said.
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Comments
Do a bong and vote for Obama dudes!
John McCain = George W. Bush part 2
Barack Obama = Abe Lincoln/JFK
Posted by: John E. | February 6, 2007 2:26 PM
Republican leadership is not something you want to expose your children to either "Rock",so help stamp them out!
Posted by: Raving Loon | February 6, 2007 2:40 PM
Barack "Hussein" Obama should quit cigarette's for his and his family's sake,not for a run at the Presidency,considering his chances of winning are going "up in smoke" against Hillary and Rudy.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | February 6, 2007 2:47 PM
Since I see only my favorite three Swamp nuts have responded to this post I thought I'd chime in...
John E. -
Why do you continue to demean your beloved Obama by comparing him to JFK?
Posted by: no name | February 6, 2007 3:15 PM
Gee Paolo, I didn't know that future President Obama had a middle name that was in "quotation marks",thanks for letting us in on your secret.
Posted by: John E. | February 6, 2007 3:16 PM
Reasons to quit: Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health. Smoking is ugly. Smoking is a political liability. Smoking makes you stink. Your family wants you to quit smoking. You want to quit smoking. Smoking makes your teeth yelllow. People look up to you as a role model. Smoking is dirty.
Reasons not to quit: Quitting smoking is difficult.
Obama's making a personal choice to do something that is very difficult. Something that also happens to have many benefits. Good for him.
Posted by: nffcnnr | February 6, 2007 3:42 PM
Paulo, didn't the article say Barack was quitting for his wife and kids?
Posted by: John | February 6, 2007 4:01 PM
Obama,
Good luck. I quit the J literally overnight.
Took another ten years to get of the tobacco.
By the way, one of the funniest movies ever made;
Reefer Madness.
Check it out.
Posted by: C.Morris | February 6, 2007 4:05 PM
Barack has been smoking for "three decades!" Now there are 5 reasons to not vote for him and I'm sure more reasons to come from the Clinton's...
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | February 6, 2007 4:46 PM
Guys Paulo Middle Name we been looking for Braindead
Posted by: Dale Peters | February 6, 2007 5:40 PM
Paolo,I wanted to remind you that Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein not "Hussein",get it right next time will ya.
You and Little Johnny were supposed to shovel my driveway today,what happened Paolo?
Posted by: John E. | February 6, 2007 9:23 PM
JohnE.
How can there be snow on your driveway with global warming? You better go see Al Gore's movie.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | February 6, 2007 10:44 PM
Obama is quitting smoking?
WHO CARES!
Where does he stand on ISSUES?
Posted by: Jeff Allen | February 7, 2007 2:17 AM