Barack Obama & Cocaine & Politics / myLot

United States

January 4, 2007 5:23pm CST

I saw a story where apparently in his first book (before he had political aspirations) Barack Obama admitted to cocaine use when he was in high school and college. The article said that the book in question is not anything like you would ever see a politician writing because it is so frank and honest about touchy subjects like past indiscretions and drug use. The author speculated about whether this would hurt Obama's presidential chances. I am not sure how I feel about it. I think that it is pretty likely that an adult today would have tried some drug at some point in their youth, or at least had ample opportunity to do so, and I wonder if it will hurt him or endear him to Americans that he has this in his past. Personally,just this thing will not stop me from liking him. I am very interested to see if he officially decides to run, and if so how he does. I am not sure at this point who I would support in the upcoming presidential election. I kind of like John Edwards but I don't know if he could overcome his association with John Kerry. I also like John Kerry, but he has not had an easy time of it in the press lately, and I wonder if it would hurt John Edwards. I really like Barack Obama and I will be very tempted to vote for him if he runs. I am also interested in Hillary, but I don't know if she can really pull it off. Please tell me what you think about all of this.

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4 responses

Smith2028

@Smith2028 (797)

• United States

29 Jan 07

As much as I disagree with the politics of Barak Obama, I do give him all the credit in the world for being honest and open. Obama is one of the only politicians I have ever known that admitted his skeletons before the media could do it.

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dunce002917

@dunce002917 (226)

• United States

25 Jan 07

Things that he had done years ago should not affect America today and beyond. Unless he is still using Coke then that's a different issue. It is still too early to tell if it would hinder his campaign. Since He, John edwards and Hillary Clinton announced their intention to run for the oval office, I think this would be an interesting democrat primary election. One hope, I hope they do not use the smear campaign Phil Angelides and Steve Westly used during the recent California elections. That tactic just made it easeir for Arnold to win. Also, it depends on who runs for the Republican Party. We confirmed Mr. Brownback and Giuliani for the Republicans. So it should be an interesting Presidential elections in 2008.

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@try2bsincere (69)

• United States

7 Jan 07

I just brought that book. I think your talking abour dreams from my father? well, i really like him and appreciate the fact that he is not afraid to be honest and frank with the people. It tells a lot about his charactor, and if he was placed in a position of authority over us, wouldn't we want someone honest and sincere? Just from watching him and listening to what he says he doesnt seem like the washed up decietful individuals that we come across so often in the government.

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@nuorder (9)

• United States

8 Jan 07

the fact that Obama made this admission HIMSELF in his OWN book makes it less remarkable than it really is. Barack had to come clean about his past, if he didn't do that, then it would hurt him more in the long run. coming staight out and admiitting his sins was a bold and smart move. Look what happened to Clinton and his "I didn't inhale" quote. Clinton was a brilliant politician, but this was a less than brilliant tactic on his part. Just admit that you inhaled and move on...people just could believe the fact that he really didn't do it...Clinton's personal foibles became such a distraction that it detracted him from being the greatest preisent of the 20th century. I do believe he will be the next democratic front-runner...no doubt! I really like him.

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