If Obama is the nominee, will his ADMITTED use of cocaine be an issue in the general election?

[MNDemNY]

[Mass]

1. Other: yes, but they will find something for all candidates.

So, it does not matter when it comes to the primary seasons.

[MNDemNY]

3. But, this does not have to be "found", it has been admitted.

[Mass]

5. So what? Bill's admitted cheating on Hillary will be made a big thing as well.

How can we send a sinner like that back in the WH.

The sad thing here is to see Democrats using typical GOP slime in order to push their candidate.

[Evergreen Emerald]

6. Bill is not running...

[Mass]

7. So what? Do you think it will stop the Pugs? They will have something on every single candidate.

All you had to do to understand that is to see the NY papers a few days ago fussing about Bill changing place at a function to sit next to Penelope Cruz.

[aquart]

51. Horny Bill got elected twice.

The more the Republicans yell, "Look at Bill!" the more people get to remember how they all had jobs back then. Even though Clinton approved so much that has put us where we are now, what we remember is that things were great then and they suck now.

So reminding people that Bill will be back in the White House is not the smartest idea in a country that gave him over 60% approval WHILE HE WAS BEING IMPEACHED.

[Windy]

31. they are already touting a hillary clinton administration as a "co-presidency"

Frankly, I find Hillary supporters akin to bush supporters. disheartening. continuing to give their candidate a pass no matter what she or her advisors do...

[aquart]

43. Please. We're all ears. LIST THEIR CRIMES.

Enough with the sloppy innuendo. SPELL IT OUT.

[MNDemNY]

71. Seems supporters of most candidates give their's the same "pass".

[aquart]

13. Not if they're running Giuliani, it won't.

In fact, isn't Romney the only one still married to his first wife? So it's only an issue if the Mormon is running?

Good luck with that.

[MNDemNY]

23. I'm not pushing a candidate.

My primary vote will go to Dennis.(I have no delusions of a victory)

[aquart]

21. How much cocaine use are we talking?

One hit at a party? A month-long binge? A stay in rehab to clean up? What kind of "use" is in play here? How old was he and where did he get the money? Or was he only using someone else's cocaine? What made him stop?

[Evergreen Emerald]

24. You see--that is the problem. And the media stopped the inquiry

They don't want it to be an issue--so ANY mention, even legitimately, is quashed.

Obama can mention it, use it as a badge of honor. But it must be vague references. Heaven forbid it should be named. Heaven forbid we should question exactly what the hell he is talking about.

But, lets look under every single thing Clinton has ever said and done--but not just Clinton, her husband too.

What a load of crap. And the "progressives" on DU fall right into line.

[aquart]

28. We don't KNOW?

[MNDemNY]

25. Those are EXACTLY the questions that WILL come up.

And I feel the will need to be answered, now...or later.

[aquart]

34. Good grief, I just thought I was behind the learning curve.

You mean we actually have no idea how much use is involved here? YIKES!

Although I really need to say that this man does not seem impaired in any way whatsoever. So I don't think it can be an impressive amount.

But, if it was admitted, then I expect it was witnessed, at parties, or at A party, and those people could be dredged up...if they're willing to admit what they did at those parties...but if the Enquirer is paying...

What really bothers me about it, as well as the smoking, is that this is someone who was that easily led into doing something completely stupid. In Obama's youth, we KNEW what tobacco could do. We KNEW what cocaine could do. That didn't matter as much as being cool.

It's the lack of mental independence in his basic makeup.

Now, he shook himself and stopped the cocaine. That counts. Big time.

But he's still got the cigarettes? With a wife and two children, he still smokes? Is that true? Because I have never seen him with a cigarette, so it could just be a nasty rumor. Is it true?

[MNDemNY]

35. That is my point, It will be vetted...Now or Later.

Maybe now would be better, don't you think? To characterize this as an attack on Obama is ridiculous. His admissions have raised questions that must be addressed.

[aquart]

42. He admitted it but didn't spell it out?

Oy.

But it's a delicately sticky wicket. The Republicans could use it, but that only heightens comparisons to George...so what do they say, do you want another drug user in the White House? Vote for the Dem?

Seriously, he could be smoking dope on the White House lawn. The Republican choices are so uniformly bad, that I just don't think anything else matters. If we count the votes, the Dem wins.

The ones who like Obama will excuse it. The ones who don't weren't going to vote for him anyway.

It might be an issue but it won't be a problem.

[MNDemNY]

44. I do not agree that it will not "swing" some votes.

For some it is a deal breaker. Not for the average DUer, but certainly for many "middle of the roaders", and they seem to be the "decider's" .

[Tellurian]

45. Perfect Title for a new thread..

Please start one..

thanks-

[MNDemNY]

72. Please, go ahead.

[MNDemNY]

39. I know that earlier in

the race, he admitted to smoking, I have no idea if that has changed. (in the interest of full disclosure, I am a smoker.)

[aquart]

47. So are many Americans.

A chink in the armor makes the rock star more down to earth human. (I can spin for anyone.) He just pulls out the aw shucks and it's a win instead of a lose.

Me, personally, I don't like it but I am not voting for him in the primary. I see no obstacle (or anything that would make me abstain from voting or vote Republican) to voting for him in the general.

If he burns down the White House because he was smoking in bed...that would make me mad.

[MNDemNY]

52. If he is the Nom. I will support him.

Not an issue for me. personally, but I do recognize that this is a big issue for a lot of voters.

[hedgehog]

68. Michelle made a deal with him: she would support his run for president as long as he quit

smoking first.

[High Plains]

77. Does smoking disqualify him as presidential material?

Good grief.

[blm]

60. Wow - a black kid in America sampled Poppy Bush's cheap IranContra cocaine

that he was dumping all over the country by the TONS back then, especially TARGETING black communities.

I DEMAND the books be opened on Poppy Bush's illegal drugrunning operations.


http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1190


Bring it.

[MaineDem]

2. There's another poll here at GDP on this same topic. n/t

[MNDemNY]

4. Sorry hadn't seen it.

[ClarkUSA]

8. No, it's not the same poll, MnDemNY

It is a push poll created by a self-righteous, unapologetic Hillaryworlder who's doing a good imitation of Mark Penn's arrogance and
rationalizations as seen on MSNBC Hardball yesterday.

Thanks for a reasonable poll question with sensible options.

[MNDemNY]

12. I just feel this issue will need

a LOT of time and energy, it may well be it can be softened, but I am quite sure the Rep. will jump on it, and we must have a plan other then just crying "smear!"

[ClarkUSA]

15. It's one thing to expect a Republican to do it... but when a Democrat swift boats a fellow Dem...

it's amoral and voters are savvy enough to recognize it.

And anyone who says anything different about Bill Shaheen and those madrassa emails sent by Clinton county coordinators
is no different than a freeper defending the Swift Boat Vets in 2004.

[MNDemNY]

16. I agree, to a point. I do feel the Obama Camp must go further to address the issue.

Sooner rather than later. I don't think it is a deal breaker for most Dems, but I feel it will become a problem in the GE.

[YOY]

9. Did it hurt Presnit Zippy the pinhead?

Oh wait he "found Jebus"...

[MNDemNY]

14. And he never admitted it, Plausible deny-ability.

Obama would not have that luxury.

[YOY]

17. Although I prefer Edwards these days I personally like that he admitted it

And while were at it I've tripped balls on high power LSD and smoked pounds of weed in my younger years yet graduated from a great school, speak several languages, and have a nice little family that I take care of very well.

Granted, I've always seen cocaine as a rich boy drug that only assholes use but anyone willing to hone up to past use to prove that it doesn't destroy one at all as was told to us by the stupid PSAs on Tv is decent in my book.

[MNDemNY]

19. I, too ,admire him for the admission, but I must say,

it opens up the issue, and it will need to be addressed.

[aquart]

10. Another push poll on DU.

This time against Obama instead of Hillary. Am I supposed to think fair's fair?

[MNDemNY]

18. How is this a push poll?

Do you know what a push poll is?

[aquart]

26. Yes. This is directing how you are supposed to think.

If you see a difference between this and the classic push poll examples, please let me know what it might be.

[MNDemNY]

73. If you think that, you are of weak mind.

[ClarkUSA]

11. The Boomer Generation has grown up and they could care less.

They also recognize negative campaigning after the Swift Boat Vets in 2004, so anymore Clintonian and/or GOP dirty tricks will backfire as it is in Iowa
and NH right now. Did you know that some of Hillary's precinct captains are quitting over Bill Shaheen's BS in Iowa (they've cut video expressing their
feelings, too - just saw it on MSNBC on a Chuck Todd segment).

[MNDemNY]

20. I think it is disingenuous to compare this to "swift boating" as

the swift boaters had no basis in fact. The drug use is admitted, and I don't think you can argue the fact that this is different then addressing lies.

[stillcool]

22. I am not a cocaine user...

anymore...however I was alive in the 80's and consider those who did a little coke.. <gasp> normal. Looking back I think it was my duty...I was being patriotic...how else could the U.S. have funded the Contra's?

[jefferson_dem]

27. "Cocaine". Cute. You've said Obama can't be elected because of his race.

Why not start a poll about that as well?

[MNDemNY]

29. Why do you object to the term cocaine? Is it not factual?

gfy

[jefferson_dem]

30. I see your poll for what it is.

Keep shoveling it.

[MNDemNY]

32. Sorry you are so ashamed of you candidates cocaine use.

Personally I could care less, but to think for a second that this will not be brought front and center in th GE is as naive as BHO's foreign policy. Sorry it causes you so much distress.

[jefferson_dem]

37. Baloney. If you "could care less" you wouldn't have launched this poll.

It's not my preferred candidate that i'm ashamed of.

Way to represent *Democratic* values there, "yellow dog." :eyes:

[MNDemNY]

38. I care about electing a Democrat to the White House.

So that is why I brought it up. Do you really think He should/will just skate on this? If you do you are crazy. And by the way, do YOU pledge to support the Democratic Party's nominee?

[High Plains]

78. Go back to New Hampshire, Mr. Shaheen.

[MNDemNY]

66. Won't answer that one?

:shrug:

[NI4NI]

33. Only to those who weren't gonna vote for him even if he hadn'tn/t

[MNDemNY]

36. I think the issue is wider than that.

[MethuenProgressive]

40. This poll says Yes: If nominated, will the GOP make an issue of Obama's admitted cocaine use?

If nominated, will the GOP make an issue of Obama's admitted cocaine use?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3830241&mesg_id=3830241
Yes 76
No 14

[MNDemNY]

49. Absolutely , they will. That is why we must head it off, if we can.

[redqueen]

41. It's ALREADY an issue.

At least two GOP candidates have brought it up, and no nominees have even been chosen!

[MNDemNY]

46. So, do you take the position that Obama should address it further?

[redqueen]

54. IMO, no!

He can't stop them from throwing it around at every opportunity and trying to get mileage out of it... but he can continue to take the high road and give the electorate a break from the BS they're so used to.

As for me, personally, I think he's handling it exactly right.

[MNDemNY]

55. Ignoring it is the "high road"?

That might be the case if it were unsubstantiated claims of cocaine use, but this is a different story. I think the "high road" thing is moot.( and probably not the preferred verbiage)

[redqueen]

56. It doesn't matter... it's ancient history.

If he responds, he keeps it in the news. Not smart.

It's not going to change anyone's mind who has supported him so far.

I doubt it would dissuade anyone from voting for him in the GE, either.

All IMO, of course...

[Vinca]

48. It'll be an issue, but not a huge one.

After all, look at what's in the White House now. Besides the DUI, wasn't there talk of an expunged cocaine charge? What matters is how the Dems fight back when the 'pukes throw mud. Kerry was fatally wounded by ignoring the Swifties.

[MNDemNY]

53. But Obama's "fighting back" only amounts to crying "foul"!

Hardly a reasonable response.

[Vinca]

65. Actually, it is reasonable given he's running in a Democratic

election for a Democratic nomination. He seems to have the good sense to know not to trash his opponents to the point that if they happen to be the nominee it won't come back to bite them during the general election. If only Hillary's minions would follow suit. There's no need to load the ammunition into the Republican guns.

[MNDemNY]

74. So, you are saying if the Dems don't bring it up now, the rep. won't bring it up later?

Naive. So this should not be addressed now, we should wait for the GE? Silly.

[Vinca]

82. Of course that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying we shouldn't

eat our own, pure and simple. If there's dirt to be found, the Republicans already have it. Why do you think they're so hot to run against Hillary?

[madrchsod]

50. a du poll? i can`t stop....

:rofl:

[Labors of Hercules]

57. Other: Yes, but he will be able to reverse the spin in his favor...

As he has done successfully so far, by using himself as an example to relay an strong anti-drug message.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

58. I'm very CONCERNED about it.

Matter of fact I'm so CONCERNED, I think I'm going to go hide under a BRIDGE right now.

:eyes:

[MNDemNY]

61. It must be getting quite crowded under that bridge, by now.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

Guess it went over your head. nt

[MNDemNY]

63. ? enlighten me please.

[MNDemNY]

64. If my use of caps for emphasis is your concern

I stressed "admitted" to make a distinction from only allegations. Different can-o-worms.

[Bluebear]

67. He's calling you a troll.

Just trying to help out :)

[MNDemNY]

70. Thanks, bear, that just wasn't on my radar.

I forgot, if you question certain candidates, you must be a freeper. Oh, well.

[ginchinchili]

59. It by itself won't, but the Repubs will use it to paint a picture of the man...

and it won't be pretty, but it will be effective. How effective is the question.

[MNDemNY]

62. Indeed they will.

[rinsd]

69. Of course it will be. Same with any other real or imagined skeletons in the Dems closets.

The GOP has no scruples.

[flying_wahini]

75. the Repugs need to be reminded that they overlooked *'s cocaine use

It was well known that he had a history of drug and alcohol
abuse......

and they STILL voted for him...

those chickens are coming home to roost...

[AZ Criminal JD]

76. Not exactly the same

Bush never admitted cocaine use and there has never been any hard evidence of that. Obama has admitted it and the media will be working to find someone who bought coke from Obama. Given this occurred during his school years it is not hard to imagine he sold the stuff. A lot of users in school sell the stuff to make a little money.

[stillcool]

83. Are you kidding me?

"Lots of users sell the stuff" WTF??? Where did that come from? How old are you?

[Stop Cornyn]

79. This is a generational issue. I doubt it would cost too many votes of those under 45.

[rucky]

80. Only to people who weren't going to vote for him anyways. n/t

[sentelle]

81. Should I care?

Should I care that a man did some lines in his teens?
Only if he is still in his teens (and maybe if he is in his twenties). Certainly there is someone out here that made mistakes as a teen. Heck, by that standard * shouldn't be president.... right? * admitted as such as late as 40 years old he was still under the influence.

The question is: what is his feelings about it now?
I believe Obama's statement is that he has tried it, decided it was a mistake, and asks others to not try it.
No one questions if he is a current user.

The negative ads will go (or so its said) "OK he's done lines, did he sell?" This brings up some very negative points back at those raising the question.... Did * sell? Why has no one asked that? Is it only non-whites who sell (or is that the impression we are being led to believe by this line of questioning)?

We will hear more of this in the coming days, since other campaigns continue to bring it up. It pays to question the questioner as to why this is being brought up....

[JCMach1]

84. Part of Obama's self-narrative has been that he has moved somehow

beyond the politics of race...

This story plays into the hands of some very ugly stereotypes the GOP can trot out in the General Election...


Whither race then Obama?... once you have been willie-hortoned by the GOP?

It paints Obama into a very difficult corner...