Smokes, Drinks and Addiction In The White House
It's more than a surprise, if less than a shock, to find that the US President-elect, the very model of self possession, is still a smoker. Barack Obama's intellectual self-confidence underwrites his "Team Of Rivals" choices for cabinet: Hillary Clinton, Robert Gates et al will serve, Obama will lead, it's his vision. Yet the coming man remains addicted to that classic neurotic's prop, nicotine.
He has admitted as much in a Barbara Walters interview.
Of course the last Democrat in the White House didn't inhale and never even lit the cigars (no sniggering at the back) he claimed to brandish in moments of celebration. George W apparently gave up smoking around the time he foreswore alcohol. His critics might argue this shows an inverse ratio between statesmanship and abstinence.
And Obama? For security reasons presidents don't send email. But he has already made it known, despite the convention, he's loath to give up his BlackBerry/CrackBerry habit. We must also now assume President Obama's worries over crises or would be assassins will be sublimated by a quick drag, or toke as he'd say, round the back of the Oval Office.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~44~RS~)
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CHARISMA ORATORY RHETORIC
Obama is all too much like the light-show that was Tony Blair. There will be far more capable (non-smoker) 'leaders in obscurity' dotted around the USA, who lacking the NEED for status and adulation, are just living a life.
Look at Blair's approval-rating at the start; look at what he did in office; look at how he behaved when the game was over; look at his profile today.
For self-obsessed men to gain office, it is sufficient, only, that good men are not that desperate.
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Peter:
Addictions, smoking and drinking are part of most White House's for many generations....
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And Obama? For security reasons presidents don't send email. But he has already made it known, despite the convention, he's loath to give up his BlackBerry/CrackBerry habit.
~The reason is also--because of the Rights, under the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION act and because; so, that way no one can see the messages....
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