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Obama Admits to Bumming Cigarettes on the Trail

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October 08, 2008 9:04 AM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama admits he's bummed cigarettes a couple times on the campaign trail since publicly kicking his habit at the launch of his presidential run.

"I figure, seeing as I'm running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack," he told Men's Health in an interview for their November issue.

Obama originally cut his smoking habit at the request of his wife who pushed him to quit while launching his presidential campaign early last year.

In recent months, Obama has admitted to the fact that the rigors of the campaign trail have caused him to smoke a few times.

"I fell off the wagon a couple times during the course of it, and then was able to get back on," he told Chris Matthews in May, "But it is a struggle like everything else."

In June he told reporters in St Louis that it had been "months" since he had last smoked.

Over the summer, Men's Fitness ranked the Illinois Democrat with Olympic athletes as one of the top 25 fittest men.

According to health reports released in late May, Obama's Dr. David L Scheiner MD, deemed him in "excellent" health – and had kicked his smoking habit with success.

"His own history included intermittent cigarette smoking," Scheiner wrote in a health report released to reporters, "He has quit this practice on several occasions and is currently using Nicorette gum with success."

Or intermittent success?

October 8, 2008 in Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (67)

User Comments

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I can't believe this man is going to be the next POTUS.

Posted by: Mark | Oct 8, 2008 9:13:27 AM

Where are his health records? More than a single paragraph released by his dr. His mother died of cancer and he is a smoker (if you're still bumming cigarettes you a smoker). Age doesn't equate health!

Posted by: samhiguchi | Oct 8, 2008 9:23:20 AM

Better than Bush/McCain/Palin all put together.

Posted by: darkplayer | Oct 8, 2008 9:25:22 AM

Mark you better believe it.

Barack H. Obama is the next President of the United States of America.

Obama is now ahead in the following RED states

Nevada
Colorado
Missouri
Ohio
Florida
virginia
North Carolina

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Oct 8, 2008 9:26:39 AM

McCain is a very very sick man.

McCain had to escape the stage immediately after the debate for health reasons.

Obama stayed on for almost 20 minutes to chat with the audience of 80+, sign autographs and take pictures.

Like I already said before McCain is a very sick man who will die in office if elected.

McCain apparently had a dizzy spell three days ago and almost collapsed, but was caught by one of his FBI Security details.

Investigations are underway, trying to force McCain to release his latest medical records.

McCain has either developed prostate cancer or his skin cancer is back.

If any of this is true McCain has less than 3 years to live. And don't talk to me about his mother because she does not have cancer.

At what ages did McCain's father and grandfather die again?

Just think about it for a moment my friends.

McCain will die in office if elected and Sarah "Humpty Dumpty" Palin will be President.

God Save America.

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Oct 8, 2008 9:27:29 AM

This is considered newsworthy?

Posted by: Lisa | Oct 8, 2008 9:27:37 AM

McCain is a very very sick man.

McCain had to escape the stage immediately after the debate for health reasons.

Obama stayed on for almost 20 minutes to chat with the audience of 80+, sign autographs and take pictures.

Like I already said before McCain is a very sick man who will die in office if elected.

McCain apparently had a dizzy spell three days ago and almost collapsed, but was caught by one of his FBI Security details.

Investigations are underway, trying to force McCain to release his latest medical records.

McCain has either developed prostate cancer or his skin cancer is back.

If any of this is true McCain has less than 3 years to live. And don't talk to me about his mother because she does not have cancer.

At what ages did McCain's father and grandfather die again?

Just think about it for a moment my friends.

McCain will die in office if elected and Sarah "Humpty Dumpty" Palin will be President.

God Save America.

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Oct 8, 2008 9:27:54 AM

Let's talk about health for a minute. Mental health.

Who was that guy wondering around the stage, in and out of the camera shot, while Barack Obama gave thoughtful level headed answers to the questions in last night's debate?

John McCain looked like he was lost. Again.

Posted by: John McCain's conscience | Oct 8, 2008 9:30:16 AM

Mark--

"This man" (also known as "that one") has a name, Senator Obama. Why don't you show some respect. And he's going to be president because he's a steadier leader than McCain, very smart, and is going to lead us away from the republican policies that have lead us to record deficits, bank collapses, an unnecessary war, and no progress on issues such as health care. All I hear from you, Mark, is contempt. At least I'm voting based on the issues. And I hope Obama can quit--nicotine addiction is not limited to republicans or democrats of course.

Posted by: Obama supporter | Oct 8, 2008 9:35:15 AM

I frown upon those who struggle with smoking. I think of them as being weak. However, I'm still supporting Obama for president.

Posted by: Reason | Oct 8, 2008 9:35:19 AM

if you are smoking ciggies,you haven't "kicked the habit"

no more than if you just occasionally do heroin or are just a little bit pregnant

Posted by: trettione | Oct 8, 2008 9:40:31 AM

"Mark--

"This man" (also known as "that one") has a name, Senator Obama. Why don't you show some respect.
"

that's funny , given obama's use of "sweetie" , "honey" and other terms for woman.

Posted by: trettione | Oct 8, 2008 9:41:39 AM

Gotta give it up, Senator.

DR. Everett Koop reported that nicotine addiction is equal to a heroine addiction.

Just keep at it. Quitting is not an event, it is a process! Even though you will fall back every now and then, continue to consider your self a non-smoker. It will happen, but it doesn't happen all at once, it takes time.

Posted by: Truth Matters | Oct 8, 2008 9:45:16 AM

Everyone is so worried about McCain's health...

Obama + 49 yrs old + black + stress+smoking + not eating or exercising correctly = hypertension = STROKE.

Posted by: cissy55 | Oct 8, 2008 9:48:31 AM

I'm an illiterate fool.

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Oct 8, 2008 9:48:45 AM

This story is just rediculous. Truly, who cares, except for the few that want to bash Obama and this is all they have left.

Posted by: Cyndi | Oct 8, 2008 9:50:59 AM

McCain's is obviously suffering early signs of dementia. Why else would he chose Sarah Palin. A woman who is not aware of any newspapers she reads. A woman not aware of any other Supreme Court Decisions she opposes. McCain and Palin want to over turn Roe-vs-Wade. Last nights debate clearly demonstrates 20th Century Washington and 21st Century Change. Americans wake up! Take a look at the issues that are important to you. Has your life improved in the last 8 years under George W.(orst) Bush?

Barack Obama is the right man for this country!

Posted by: jstriblen | Oct 8, 2008 10:01:41 AM

Believe it. The 8 yrs of President Obama begin 1/20/09.

Posted by: dem in chicago | Oct 8, 2008 10:10:14 AM

The only reason you Obama fans want him to win is so that you can live in a welfare state and continue to sit on your fat, lazy asses and blog on goofy websites all day long. The blogs are just filled with you people. Go back to work!

Posted by: GettaJob | Oct 8, 2008 10:10:16 AM

Posted by: Truth Matters | Oct 8, 2008 9:45:16 AM

Everyone is so worried about McCain's health...

Obama + 49 yrs old + black + stress+smoking + not eating or exercising correctly = hypertension = STROKE.

=======

Apparently you missed the truth on "not eating" and "exercsing correctly"... especially the not execercising part. You're talking about a man who seems to hit the gym every day... do you do the same?

And what does being black have to do with it... we're not talking about sickle cell anaemmia

Posted by: pawal1 | Oct 8, 2008 10:11:14 AM

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