Barack Obama: 'I Inhaled — That Was The Point'

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"I inhaled — that was the point."

That was what Illinois Senator Barack Obama, currently on a book tour that may or may not segue into a run for the 2008 presidency, said to New Yorker editor David Remnick this afternoon at the American Magazine Conference, after Remnick asked Obama whether or not his admission of drug use in the book would become problematic if he does, if fact, run for president.

The softspoken Obama, who during an appearance on Meet The Press yesterday admitted he would consider a run for the White House, openly criticized the Bush administration in front of 500 or so magazine executives during a wide-ranging, 45-minute discussion, occasionally with Remnick's prodding. "This is the most ideologically driven administration in my memory, so obstinate in resisting facts, dissenting opinions ... [They entered the White House] with a set of preconcieved notions." Obama said. "I think this administration has done great damage to this country."

"I wouldn't fit in with this administration [because I think] actually being informed is a good basis for policy," Obama said to laughter. "OK, that's a low-blow."

Obama was particularly critical of the war in Iraq. "We've used up so much political capital [in Iraq]," adding that it is "going to take the current military the same amount of time it took the military to recover from Vietnam."

After some lighthearted grilling, Obama said Remnick "sounds nicer in his columns, but turns out to be somewhat of a prickly guy."

Remnick, who at this point could be considered the President of the United States of Magazines, forced Obama to address the topic of religion. "It's not 'faith' if you are absolutely certain," Obama said, noting that he didn't believe his lack of "faith" would hurt him a national election. "Evolution is more grounded in my experience than angels."

Throughout the interview, Obama expressed doubt about his willingness to put his family through the scrutiny of a presidential race. "My wife would be leading the bandwagon for me to be running for president ... if I was married to someone else."

When asked if the White House would be a plac e worth inheriting in 2009, Obama said, "There are a lot of problems to clean up, and nopt a lot of resources to work with." He added that the first agenda of a new president should be to "stabilize and extricate ourselves" from Iraq.

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/maga...point_46068.asp

[Saddle Bronc 124]

on obama, imo

-_--_-

[almaty 19]

so did I...next confessional

[Carol&Marc 0]

That was what Illinois Senator Barack Obama, currently on a book tour!

BOOK TOUR glad you got time for a BOOK TOUR! His district must be in TIP TOP shape? Get voted into office,write a book WHILE IN OFFICE (lots of time to write it) then go on book tour!

BARACK FOR PRES........................What a TOOL!

[Alex+R 0]

That was what Illinois Senator Barack Obama, currently on a book tour!

BOOK TOUR glad you got time for a BOOK TOUR! His district must be in TIP TOP shape? Get voted into office,write a book WHILE IN OFFICE (lots of time to write it) then go on book tour!

BARACK FOR PRES........................What a TOOL!

The president of the United States' vacations on the ranch are a better use of time? Just an example of another politician using his time wisely.

PS his "district" is called Illinois.

[almaty 19]

That was what Illinois Senator Barack Obama, currently on a book tour!

BOOK TOUR glad you got time for a BOOK TOUR! His district must be in TIP TOP shape? Get voted into office,write a book WHILE IN OFFICE (lots of time to write it) then go on book tour!

BARACK FOR PRES........................What a TOOL!

The president of the United States' vacations on the ranch are a better use of time? Just an example of another politician using his time wisely.

PS his "district" is called Illinois.

i am from Illinois and God bless him...i guess, he is the first politician to do this...

[peejay 327]

And Howard Dean's campaign took off like a rocket and landed like a lead balloon. Hot today and cold tomorrow. He has plenty of time to hang himself. Illinois is not the USA, but is one state in the USA.

I really wouldn't consider dope smoking to be a positive attribute to add to a resume of a presidential hopeful. I wouldn't hold youthful indiscretion against anyone, but promoting it as a badge of honor is pretty lame.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Good for Obama. I don't trust someone who says they didn't inhale.

[Carol&Marc 0]

That was what Illinois Senator Barack Obama, currently on a book tour!

BOOK TOUR glad you got time for a BOOK TOUR! His district must be in TIP TOP shape? Get voted into office,write a book WHILE IN OFFICE (lots of time to write it) then go on book tour!

BARACK FOR PRES........................What a TOOL!

The president of the United States' vacations on the ranch are a better use of time? Just an example of another politician using his time wisely.

PS his "district" is called Illinois.

wheres Bush's book ? vacations are wrong? okay back to work! and Alex no more vacations for you.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

oh yeah --when bush is on vacation on his ranch he chops wood and what not so people think he's a regular guy and not some yalie born with a silver spoon

[Carol&Marc 0]

oh yeah --when bush is on vacation on his ranch he chops wood and what not so people think he's a regular guy and not some yalie born with a silver spoon

I think he could do other things that would make him seem REGULAR that werent so laborius! maybe just maybe he wants to have a fire, my god! from Barack to Bush bashing you gotta love it!

Edited October 24, 2006 by Carol&Marc

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Wheres Bush's book?

He'd have one if could write.

[Carol&Marc 0]

Wheres Bush's book?

He'd have one if could write.

I see your grammar is excellent!...................................He'd have one if could write. i dont know if your the one that should be judging writing skills!

Edited October 25, 2006 by Carol&Marc

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Wheres Bush's book?

He'd have one if could write.

i dont know if your the one that should be judging writing skills!

Very funny. You're quite a piece. I know for certain that you should not be judging my writing skills. You could have had you mastered to correctly criticize my omitting "he" between "if" and "could" (hardly a matter of grammar, btw, but an erroneous omission) by typing:

I don't know if you're the one that should be judging writing skills.

Thanks for playing.

Oh, and thank you for being mindful of the fact that while English happens to be your native language, it's just an acquired language for me. I tend to think that I'm doing quite well with it.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Wheres Bush's book?

He'd have one if could write.

i dont know if your the one that should be judging writing skills!

Very funny. You're quite a piece. I know for certain that you should not be judging my writing skills. You could have had you mastered to correctly criticize my omitting "he" between "if" and "could" (hardly a matter of grammar, btw, but an erroneous omission) by typing:

I don't know if you're the one that should be judging writing skills.

Thanks for playing.

Oh, and thank you for being mindful of the fact that while English happens to be your native language, it's just an acquired language for me. I tend to think that I'm doing quite well with it.

********* HIJACK ***************

Did you mean ENGLISH or "Americanese" above--many Brits consider the two quite different.

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