I never would have considered drinking alcohol or doing drugs before, but now that I know Obama did it, I’m getting wasted tonight! Yay!

I think it was a smart move on Obama’s part. Folks today are really searching for someone who will be truthful with them. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t ever vote for the guy, but not because he did what any typical college student did.

Romney is stupid! The bible speaks of wisdom and uses “broken vessels” to deliver the Lord’s word. Peter, David, Paul… these biblical men made mistakes – were in fact known for those mistakes – and were great men of God. How dare Romney step out so irresponsibly as to suggest that someone who DOES smoke a joint today cannot dream of being President tomorrow! I am being serious here…. Rudy has it right: the pretense of perfection is what has us in the state of politics we are in right now…. I do not care who sleeps with who… I want my president to be a good husband or wife, not a perfect one…. I want my president to be familiar with some everyday, common challenges facing everyday people – and for many of us that includes facing a future with the spector of past mistakes. Past mistakes do not define a person; its how they respond to those mistakes that are the ‘Measure of the Man (or Woman).

I am an Obama supporter through and through, and I applaud him for standing up and being authentic. Hillary has similarly demonstrated the ability to be authentic as well. Romney, on the other hand, is a pompous, arrogant and self-righteous man.

As the saying goes, “when the hell comes down, I’ll take the whiskey drinkers over the milk drinkers”.

The more I listen to Obama, the more he sounds like the candidate I want to vote for.

Caveat – I am libritarian/republican, and will vote for Rudy.

Come on Mitt – this is EXACTLY what is wrong with moralists like you. “Oh, don’t talk about it” and it will go away. Yeah right.

I also applaud Obama’s honesty. He took out the “dirty secret” the Clinton camp dug up (which wasn’t hard) and the wind is out of that sail. Good for him. Of course, he still wouldn’t nuke someone who nuked us, so he’ll never be president. But, I give him high marks for what he did today.

Now, where is the bong…..

Joke of course. I am republican, and we don’t smoke, drink, fornicate out of wedlock, have o’s, or otherwise do anything that makes us human. Or, is that Mitt’s wing of the GOP? I forget.

I have so much of a better opinion of Barack after he admitted that…. He is truly showing integrity and humanity. If my Republican favorites lose, I will vote for him…. I do disagree with some of what he has said, but the fact he is showing he is a true man, he will have my vote. BTW….I am republican…and I want Rudy… But, Obama has a running chance with me…. Down with HILLARY!!!!!!!!!

This is a politically calculated incident. Recent polling shows that voters believe Obama to be more honest and genuine than Hillary. Obama figured he could exploit this advantage over Hillary by “candidly” discussing a topic that is supposedly taboo. Obama has no experience to run on (nor does Hillary, which voters will ultimately realize) and so these are the types of strategies and stunts he has to employ to convince people he will bring a change to D.C.

Give me a break! Being a good example is certainly a worthy thing for ourselves and our children. Heaven knows that Bill Clinton already trashed the White House and opened some promiscuity doors for our children. Recheck the history of this, you’ll find that this is true.

Anyone blogging here have morals, or children?

Obama is sure sending a mixed message to these youth when he tells them not to do drugs and not be a slacker while at the same time he says he did both, and look where he is today – a presidential candidate.

Romney callled this correctly. Rudy blew it. Obama’s mixed message to the youth serves no purpose other to garner Obama a few more headlines at the potential expense of untold numbers of young fans that now have a poster child for their own drugs and slacker life style. They can always point to Obama and say that their alternative lifestyle didn’t keep Obama from being a presidential candidate, therefore it must be ok.

Romney is right. Bad idea Barak, bad idea.

Romney is completely wrong is saying that Obama made a mistake discussing his errors in judgment to children. If you sit and stare at a child and say hey I never did that but knowing you did, how does that teach someone? If you are honest and say yes I did that, this is how it happened, this is what it did, and this is why I no longer do that goes a lot further. I am not an Obama supporter but I am completely in favor of someone running for president to be honest and not stand there and lie. “I didn’t inhale” no longer works

This tells you a WHOLE lot about Romney. It also, surprisingly, shows the honest, uncorrupt side of Giuliani. Like him or not, Obama’s honesty is truly a refreshing change of pace.

Obama shouldn’t sugar coat drug use talking with school kids

He didn’t “experiment” with drugs in science lab…he took drugs.

What a mistake!! What a horrible thing to say to a bunch of kids!! The President is a role model– by that statement today, Obama and effectively Rudy told kids it was OK to use illegal drugs. Forget about illegal immigration.

Heck, according to Rudy it is a good thing because it will help them deal with “future mistakes”. What the crap does that mean?

“Mr. President, North Korea just launched a nuclear weapon at the U.S.”

(Rudy) “Crap! Looks like a good time to break out the weed. Where are my doobies!!!!”

Of course no one is perfect, but COME ON!

Obama’s candor about his youthful shenanigans is refreshing. I doubt that there is anyone alive who can point to themselves as never having done at least one or two foolish things when they were young. What matters is what our potential leaders have done during their adult careers, not what they did when they were children.

As an educator I am disappointed in Senator Obama. While we don’t want to hide the ills of drug and alcohol abuse the message Obama sends is unfortunate. Substance abuse counselors and programs actually encourage schools to adopt policies such that teachers do not share stories of their past or current alcohol or drug use. These messages should instead be left to trained professionals. Not doing so can actually have the impact of encouraging drug and alcohol use.

I absolutely agree with Mitt Romney. He knows we all make mistakes, but a candidate for President should hold themselves up to a high esteem. When Obama speaks to kids he should tell them of his accomplishments and how he worked hard to get there. As far as Giuliano is concerned he is always preaching that he is not perfect. It seems he is always making excuses for all the mistakes he has made with his choices. No one is perfect, but you aim high and to be a good President you need to make good choices.

I find it disturbing that there is the belief that a “typical college student” would even dabble in any illegal drugs let alone cocaine. To have a president that “tried” marijuana, but didn’t inhale (what a joke), is bad enough. This should be an automatic disqualification. To have some one who admits to having previoiusly committed a feloneous act even be considered a presidential candidate is disgraceful. As president, can you see him being “tough on drugs”, NO! He has no credibility. Such a president trivializes those families and individuals that are traumatized by the scruge of illegal drugs. To say little of the message it may give to gangs and cartels that thrive off of the carnage caused by drugs. I feel a little like the frog who was put in water and slowly boiled to death. Put directly in boiling water, he’d jump out, but turning up the heat a little at a time will do the frog and the U.S. in.

Ok, so it’s NOT okay that GW had an alcohol problem, but now it IS okay that Obama used illegal mind altering drugs. Oh, well, as long as we admit to our mistakes it’s okay. Maybe 20 years from now we’ll have a candidate that admits to sodomy, shoplifting, and viewing child pornography. American hyprocrisy at its best…..

Perhaps this is the “scandalous info” the Clinton campaign was referring to but didn’t want to bring out. Of course, the Clintons were known potheads at one time (and quite possibly still are) and they didn’t want to show their hypocrisy by scandalizing Obama about his drug use.

I am not sure Obama handled it right. Neither does Romney’s claim that Obama should not discuss youthful failings in public. The one point that I agree with Romney on is bringing the subject up himself sans a question from someone else. One should not deny their human failings. In fact I think they should confess them when appropriate. But Obama should not have used his substance abuse as a means of getting political advantage. It REALLY sends the wrong message.

Guilliani has gone up a notch in my estimation & Romney’s prissy self righteous reply ensures he would never get my vote.

Good for Rudy. I also think that it is a good idea to be straightforward and honest with the American people. That’s someting we have not seen from a president in over 15 years. It must be nice for those who are perfect, like Hillary who does not admit to her mistakes, and Mitt, who flip-flops and has a hard time understanding what the word ‘truth’ really means. I wonder if mormons believe in forgiveness?

I can’t wait until Hillary gets on the bandwagon for this one—”I not only smoked pot dropped acid and partied naked with Bill, but I shot Vince Foster in the back of the head!! Top that, Obama!!”

Rudy is right, Mitt is wrong. We are not voting for God, we are voting for a politician. If they say they never made a mistake, they are full of horse dung. We learn from our mistakes.

Finally, a human being running for office.

You just secured my vote Barak. Hillary can say goodbye.

As a die hard conservative, I’m not comfortable with Romney’s comments. A person’s past is what it is, none of us are born perfect or with a functional moral compass. If Obama says he made dumb decisions that he now regrets, that is his right. A person should be allowed to grow and change positions as they get more experience with life, its part of the natural aging process. I’m not really sure what Romney is suggesting, that Obama should have lied about it to protect us poor ol’ dumb masses who wouldn’t understand? That kind of elitist thought is exactly what I hate about politicians and those in power. Mr. Romney, you just lost whatever support you would have gotten from me (and no, I’m not going to vote for Obama either, we disagree on way too many things, but he was in the right here).

Dave

Giuliani said. “The reality is all of us that run for public office, whether its governor, legislator, mayor, president–we are all human beings. If we haven’t made mistakes don’t vote for us cause we got some big ones that are gonna happen in the future and we wont know how to handle them.”

That statement from Giuliani is hardly confidence engendering (either, in reference to Obama’s “sharing”). They’re both saying, essentially, vote for the deficient because you can’t expect anything more.

I agree with Romney’s position. I don’t believe people should or must hide their past when there are behavioral and character problems in the past, but, to try to make these problems Oprah-Couch-Jumping moments is hardly commendable.

That means, Obama’s revealing his unreliability for the President, as is Giuliani. What do we do if ever in the White House, Obama decides to wander again and “experiment” and Giuliani does, likewise?

These are all poor candidates. It is not good for our country. Romney’s comment is of great concern, as it shows that he is a highly contrived candidate. We’ve made it through Bill Clinton’s character flaw, and almost through Bush’s character flaw. Romney may be so slick that we won’t discover his flaws which may be as great or greater. Let’s ask Romney the toughest of the tough questions, and not accept anything less than candor. Same with the rest of them.

As an educator I am disappointed in Senator Obama. Substance abuse counselors and programs encourage schools and educators to adopt policies and behaviors such that they do not personally share stories of drug and alcohol abuse be it present or in the past. Doing so can actually have the impact of encouraging adolescent use. Instead, substance abuse should be left to trained professionals, which Senator Obama is not. This is only furthered by the media coverage and the perceptions that will take root and grow throughout the nation. Most adolescents will hear of Obama’s use and have no context to which to understand.

This is quite tragic. Further alarming is how quick Mr. Guiliani has been to jump in in support of Senator Obama’s comments.

“It’s just not a good idea for people running for president of the United States who potentially could be the role model for a lot of people to talk about their personal failings while they were kids because it opens the doorway to other kids thinking, ‘well I can do that too,’”

Yeah Romney…keep everything secret. Make people believe you are perfect. They will forget that you “lowered taxes” in MA with hundreds of fee hikes, from DMV registrations to fishing licenses. They will forget that you strapped your beloved family dog to the roof of your car and drove on the highway.

How about this: Presidential candidate talks about his/her personal failings, and then stands tall because they OVERCAME those failings. I think that is more of an inspiration than appearing to be a boy scout. Give me a break.

I think Obama’s comments were totally unacceptable. Snorting cocaine is not a matter of just wasting time. Does Obama realize the methamphetamine epidemic that is plaguing people’s lives across this country? Does he realize that he is creating a false impression in these youngsters lives that even if you experiment with serious drugs you’ll be fine and can be very successful? Because if that is what he thinks, he is flat wrong. Many people who experiement like him will not be fine. They will ruin their lives and end up on the street or in prison. Billions of dollars will be spent by the taxpayers to try and help them kick their habits and mostly, the programs will fail.

If Rudy knows anything about fighting crime, he ought to have condemned the casual attitude Obama has shown to these students. I sincerely think Obama is not fit to be President. Not if that is the way he thinks about amphetamines.

Get it out now so it doesn’t come out later. Good strategy in my book. Obama is running on the fact that he is different. This makes him different alright. Honest. When has Honest ever happened in politics? Although admirable, he is too inexperienced as is Hillary. What he did in school was what everyone I know did , except me. Oh, I forgot. I did chase some girls. Whatever happened to all those girls?

Which makes me wonder: When will Hillary admit to her past indiscretions like sleeping with her husband?

Brilliant. Hillary’s plan to swift-clinton Obama is publicly exposed & gets a public antidote. To be honest, it’s a no-brainer.

Hillary is like some mythological character made out of some unmentionable substance. At some point her own history must come bobbing up in full few. Then what will she do?

As one of Rudy’s Iowa co-chairs, former Iowa State GOP Senator and just plain common Iowan, the arrogance of Mr. Romney to act as though he is above mistakes/sin is the very reason GOP, independent, and democratic voters are moving away from the GOP. Both RUDY and Senator Obama have solid platforms and don’t pretend to be someone else once they run for another office as Gov Romney has. As one Iowan, I see Rudy being the GOP nominee and Senator Obama the Democratic just because Iowan’s and Americans are sooo tired of the “say one thing when running but do another when elected”.

I agree with Mitt Romney. Young people today need role models of those who have never been on drugs, never drank, etc. The youth who do experiment with eviL sometimes can’t get away from it, or it takes years from their lives just trying to overecome these bad habits they’ve developed.
I have noticed Rudy always takes up for people who are “less than perfect”.
Almost like Rudy resents people who arn’t on his level(done everything, tried everything, and done evereything “his” way.) Well whats wrong with people who do try to ‘GET IT RIGHT” the first time? Why does Rudy defend people who allow their bad choices to lead them to the gutter? It is NOT something
to be proud of. I had much rather remember Obama as a serious student
than a lying down drunk, or drugged out of his mind. This means that I will not vote for Obama.

.

I learned three things.

1. Giuliani doesn’t want to waste time defending his private life, or mud-slinging at others.

1. Mitt Romney is in favor of politicians keeping secrets, and basically disrespecting young people. He wants to keep them all in the dark, like Mormon kids.

2. Mitt Romney sees himself as the the future “leader of the free world.” That will be one bizarre and frightening world.

The fact that he is getting this much support shows how close we are to the end. And all of these following fool comments on here refelct the dumbing down of this now crap hole.

Dollar all time low. Anyone notice?

All the folks who knock Obama for his lack of experience, just need to think one thing… Ted Kennedy has a boat load of experience.

So somehow it is ok to tell kids that a guy with magic spectacles and hat created the basis for a religion. This same guy had over 30 wives, the youngest 13. Oh ya…and our buddy Jesus was here in North America on vacation. Who is living the lie?

This whole notion that our Presidential candidates need perfect lives, like they were ready to be President at 16 years old, is completely ridiculous. I’ve made mistakes too, but have learned from them. I believe that is the true measure of a man. I think Obama’s honesty really shows a lot about his character. I think it’s great.

Obama told the truth..OUCH!!! you people out there that think that your children or everyone elses is entirely innoceNt and void of this And of similar behavior are either completely the most fortunate people in the world or the most ignorant. either a)they have done similar acts and understand that they too are not EVIL people or b)they see someone – a politican, nonetheless, being…errr…i guess…honest?
So thats a mistake? Impressionable they may be, but stupid and uninformed they are not.. come on guys…i am not even a democrat. you really think more kids are smoking crack because he told the TRUTH about his own mistakes…or can we make those anymore? I mea…the presidnt I voted for and despise admits cocaine and DUI’s…i know you a$$holes voted for him,..right? and of course…you…you have neer smoked bud or ..drove drunk…not eve from a wedding….LIAR!!!!!!

SO..honesty is NOT your best policy right? seems to be in accor

Romney has emereged as a new person who had/ has never had any stand on issues but who follows a flock to any where is talking about being a “role model” when it comes about Obama telling the truth… Shame on him and it is just plain disrespect to the public, espcially to those who are investing their time, fortune and future on him. I hope all candidates will be honest, human and true to their nature. Rudy, good JOB.

So it’s ok and even “sexy” for Billy Clinton and B. Hussein Obama to use drugs and get wasted, but President Bush is a drug using boozer… nah no double standards in politics at all!!!

He who is without sin, cast the first stone…

I applaud both Rudy and Barak for being open and honest. Role models for today’s youth is certainly important in forging our future, however, white washing our past indiscrestions during our “formative” years does not make us a role model (i.e. Bill Clinton, G.W. Bush, and numerous other elected officials too numerous to mention. The “Scared Straight”, “This is your brain on drugs” approach does not work. Maybe being honest with children and being a coach and positive guiding force as they go through their “formative” years will work. Look at all the children of the past who ACTUALLY experimented with illegal, immoral things and STILL ended up as president, senator, congressperson, governor, etc… Sound familiar?

Obama has written about his drug use in his memoir, “Dreams from My Father.”

“Junkie. Pothead. That’s where I’d been headed: the final fatal role of the young would be black man,” Obama wrote. Mostly he smoked marijuana and drank alcohol, Obama wrote, but occasionally he would snort cocaine when he could afford it.

Drugs, Obama wrote, were a way he “could push questions of who I was out of my mind, something that could flatten out the landscape of my heart, blur the edges of my memory.”

Yes this is something to be proud and inspirational to the youth. I thought marijuana was still illegal in America.

And by the way, Mitt Romney didn’t say to lie about it, he just said it was not a good idea to talk about it to a group of students, and I agree with Mitt 100%. This was the wrong place and the wrong time to talk about it.

Look, I don’t necessarily have a problem with Barak Obama having done stupid things as a kid. But I do have a major problem with him telling a bunch of teenagers about it. I agree with several of the previous commentators that either 1) this is a “polling driven” comment to demonstrate that he is more honest than Hillary, or 2) this is the essence of the supposed “dirt” that the Clinton campaign had on him, and he is just preempting it. In either case, it was a coldly-calculated, purely political stunt. But it certainly did not do those teenagers any good. If Obama were a public school teacher, and shared this little tidbit with a group of school kids, the local school board, not to mention the parents, would have had his head. I know that if my kid were in that audience, I would be outraged. But from a candidate for the presidency of the United States, this is an absolute outrage at every level. But being a darling of the left, all that many of the liberals will say is, oh, how nice that Obama is so honest. What happened to shame? What happened to embarrassment about inappropriate things? While we have a major drug epidemic in this country, it is unconscionable for someone in the position of Obama to air his dirty laundry to a bunch of impressionable teenagers.

Thankfully, we have a candidate in Mitt Romney who has the moral clarity to call a spade a spade. He has my vote.

Setting the example for Honesty is a great standard to set. The fact that Giuliani supports it, instead of taking a pot shot at a Demo, increases his standing with this Repub. Way to go Giuliani!!!

Of course Guiliani defended Obama. He has multiple skeletons in his own closet, adultery being the least of his character flaws. But why is the country giving him a pass? Washington politics these days is all about the scandal of the week. How come no one is scandalized by this? I don’t want a candidate to be “honest” about his felonious past. I want someone who has lived in such a way that he doesn’t have anything to lie about! At the very least Obama should be repentant, not proud. I think he thinks his drug use/slacker youth makes him cool. I think it makes him pathetic. The point is, the person responsible for protecting and defending our Constitution should not be a person who breaks the law. How did this moron make it into national politics?

Hmmm… the president is a role model, shouldn’t admit mistakes. Parents are role models, teachers are role models should they hide their mistakes from children? Should history be edited so that those we have looked up to in the past appear more perfect, less flawed, less human? The image of a “perfect” person does not inspire. Instead it creates an illusion that is unattainable, and for many discourages them from ever trying.

Um, Romney has a problem “because it opens the doorway to other kids thinking, ‘well I can do that too and become President of the United States,’”

Well, guess what .. you CAN do that too and become President of the United States. As a matter of fact, according to the few studies done on the subject, intelligence corresponds with a propensity during youth to experiment with drugs. There is no mystery about it, curiosity is a big factor of intelligence and achievement.

I learned one thing.

1. Walt is a bigot

The point isn’t honesty it is saying more than you need to. As far as I understand he wasn’t asked did you do drugs while you were in school. It sounds to me more like a premeditated effort to prevent someone else from using this information against him not taking into mind what this might mean to the children he is speaking too.

The Book of Mormon as revealed to
Prophet Smith forbids such wicked behavior.
It is a shame to even speak of such things.
The Biblical word for sorcery in Greek
is pharmacopiea ( Pharmacy)
We need a President who hears from God,
and rules righteously!
That man is Mitt Romney!

Anyone who agrees with Mitt is a complete idiot. As a consequence, your children are, too, idiots.

You make your children as stupid as you are from the start. Because you all underestimate your own childrens’ ability to understand the value of truth in a lesson, you force them into blissful ignorance.

I should think a proper parent would want their child to be smarter than they are. Teach them to use their minds; not to follow some fantasy direction of life.

A few comments here have misrepresented Romney’s intent in his remarks about Obama’s statements, as also Giuliani’s about Obama’s comments.

I do NOT perceive Romney as saying that anyone should “lie about it” or deceive anyone about their past — whatever their issues may be — but that these behaviors are not commendable and shouldn’t be discussed before adolescents, framing them as “Presidential” qualities: “it’s OK to have used drugs as long as you’re honest about it and it’s still OK to be President if you have” is what I hear Obama saying.

Obama’s also not being entirely candid. Nor is he being sensible, nor responsible. He chose to make these pronouncements before an adolescent audience (very irresponsible, not very sensible), he frames his past behaviors as being “experimental” and “wasteful” and such but never comes out and admits the truth: he used drugs (nor does he name those “drugs” — which, in his case, I believe it was cocaine).

Giuliani also has these “past” issues that he’s been evaluated negatively about and well he should be. Though people change — which is good and good in their behalf — who and what they were in their lives entirely is IMPORTANT to who they will be in the White House.

I don’t think Romney’s indicating lack of forgiveness nor self righteousness nor judgementalism any more than any parent or adult otherwise would be in saying “no” to someone younger who was talking about risky or inadvisable behavior. Sometimes it’s not popular to spell things out in absolutes but sometimes it’s necessary.

The Presidency isn’t a character act on Sesame Street or MTV. I don’t want to waste a vote on someone who is “cool” or trendy so much as someone who is reasoned, level, responsible, smart and moral.

The issues of character and reliability are very important and I believe Romney was saying that Obama spoke foolishly and Giuliani is doing so also in minimizing the foolishness. Obama might better manage his “sharing” as to who, what, when, and where.

Romney is not claiming self perfection. The point he is making is that Obama is portraying drug use in high school as a typical harmless behaviour that may end up delaying your career for a couple of years. “I thought I was great in basketball, I liked the chicks, I snorted coke, smoked weed and drank a lot, ………… just being a silly teenager”. “No harm, no foul, I’m now one small step away from being the most powerful person on the planet”. He’s made it acceptable. If I’m a kid in high school doing those things, hearing him say that makes me think “I’ll give this up when I’m ready to get serious, right now I’m having too much fun”. “My role model Obama did these same things and look at him now”.

I’m shocked at how many of you cannot see this? It’s not as if he was cornered on the matter, these admissions weren’t necessary and can only cause more harm than good. His wife Michelle tells the world he is so “snore-y and stinky” when he wakes up in the morning that their daughters won’t crawl into bed with him, and now we have Barack’s “party animal” high school lifestyle. Don’t these two realize that some things are just better left unsaid?

Any of you applau
ding Obama for being as truthful with these kids as you claim, should
wake your children up this morning and let them know all of your mistakes, Not that
easy uh? Parenting is the most basic form of “Leading by Example” Of course
Guliani applauds Obama, Rudy’s got his own skeletons in the closest, and out.

Somethings, are better just left in closet/memory. Was this, a Defense on Obama’s
part, before the Hillary machine went on the offense? Does anyone remember,
I didn’t inhale-B.C. Hillary has no business bringing up smoking/taking dope, Infedility, Real-estate transactions, or any other issues that could and will back fire on her campaign.
The true breath of Fresh Air is Mitt Romney. Our country, is in dire need of “Getting Back to Basics” There is nothing wrong with Morality/Family/ Strong Core Values.

I’m neither Mormon nor Christian, but I will say, I am a Natuarlized Citizen.
I think it’s time for the Christian right, to wake-up
and realize Mitt Romney offers closest Core Values to Christian faith. UNITE!
The enemy from within is getting stronger! Don’t allow it to happen.

And I bet Mitt has made no mistakes, has no character flaws…..he is as “pure as the wind driven snow”. I will vote for Mitt ONLY if it means keeping Hildabeast away from her throne……

I have noticed Rudy always takes up for people who are “less than perfect”. <– This was a comment by smart girl.

Smart girl, I may be wrong but there are no perfect people on this earth. If there is, please, show me one. You make no sense at all with your post. People who have not taken some sort of drug are far the minority in this country or any other country for that matter. Drugs are in our life no matter how much you try to think differentely about it.

I applaud Mr. Obama for coming out with this. I am not a democrat but he is definitely my choice if I had to choose between Romney and Obama. Now as far as me choosing a republican, Mr. Giuliani is my first choice. He, to me, is honest, down to earth and actually wants to get things done for Americans. I live in NY and have seen NY City pre Giuliani and post Giuliani and let me tell you, it is quite a different landscape/society that was transformed in a positive way. The only way i can prove it for all non NY democrats/republicans/independents alike is watch movies that were filmed in NY pre Giuliani and post Giuliani you will see a big difference in the scenery. I just don’t feel that from other republican candidates other than Mr. Paul. I just don’t feel the same way about our foriegn policy and Iraq as he does and that is one of the most important issues in this world today. Ms. Clinton? Yeah okay. it will be a big mistake for America if you nominate her Dems. Good luck with that. all of this is my opinion of course. Good luck all and may the right candidate be the one to bring us and the world to a higher standard with respect for all humanity and the differences within.

Romney is stupid! The bible speaks of wisdom and uses “broken vessels” to deliver the Lord’s word. Peter, David, Paul… these biblical men made mistakes – were in fact known for those mistakes – and were great men of God. How dare Romney step out so irresponsibly as to suggest that someone who DOES smoke a joint today cannot dream of being President tomorrow! I am being serious here…. Rudy has it right: the pretense of perfection is what has us in the state of politics we are in right now…. I do not care who sleeps with who… I want my president to be a good husband or wife, not a perfect one…. I want my president to be familiar with some everyday, common challenges facing everyday people – and for many of us that includes facing a future with the spector of past mistakes. Past mistakes do not define a person; its how they respond to those mistakes that are the ‘Measure of the Man (or Woman).

I am an Obama supporter through and through, and I applaud him for standing up and being authentic. Hillary has similarly demonstrated the ability to be authentic as well. Romney, on the other hand, is a pompous, arrogant and self-righteous man

YOU HAD ME UNTIL “HILLARY HAS SIMILARLY DEMONSTRATED THE ABILITY TO BE AUTHENTIC”….Please, that woman wouldn’t know authentic if it hit her in the face !

Ohhhh.
Now it’s perfectly clear.
Romney is a typical, egotistical , lying azzole.
Voting for him would be as ignorant as voting another Bush into office.

Obama did good.
EVERYONE drank and smoked weed in the seventies….even Gilligan !!!
I’t just what it is.

I would never vote for Obama but what he did was good. It shows that even though kids may do some foolish things they can overcome and go on to be successful in life. Romney should know that Jesus can change a person. Probably has a foolish erroe somewhere in his own life. That’s the problem with religious people. They need to know Jesus and promote Him rather than themselves.

I would never vote for Obama but what he did was good. It shows that even though kids may do some foolish things they can overcome and go on to be successful in life. Romney should know that Jesus can change a person. Probably has a foolish mistake somewhere in his own life. That’s the problem with religious people. They need to know Jesus and promote Him rather than themselves.

So, Bill Clinton tells “lies” about “not inhaling” and “I did not have sex with that woman” and get reamed. Then Obama tell the TRUTH about drinking and drugs and Romney still reams him???? Listen, this is NOT an example of drugs and alcohol being right, but that telling the TRUTH is!!!! I am not supporting Obama (though I respect him), and certainly have no use for Rudy or any of the Republicans, but in this instance, Rudy is right. Lets stop the damm hypocracy, its about time we admired a little more honesty from our politicians, public servants and candidates! Hard lessons are learned about things we do when we are younger, you cant hide from the past, but learn from it. And just what is Mitt saying —- its ok to LIE for convenience?????? Give me a break! Way to go Barack!

Actually, if you read through the stories, he admitted this ‘drug use’ issue in his book. So, this is nothing new, it’s just caught wind in the media and grown legs of its own.

I can respect a man that doesn’t hide his past. Especially when we’re talking about something that happened in high-school? What kid doesn’t do something in high-school that we may not endorse later in life.

Personally, I think the comments about kids getting the wrong message is exactly why it’s important to be honest with them (at age appropriate times). If you’re a parent, do you not correct your child on things that you did as a child? Because if you follow the logic that you can’t make them do things or not do things because you had issues with it yourself, your hands would be tied and you would never be able to do or say anything to your kids.

Again, good move for Obama. Be Real, Be Honest, Be Human………Just Be!

Honesty in politics? Not so fast. Obama’s probably just bleeding himself before another camp can take a swipe at him first. That being said everyone’s got skeletons and shortcomings – at least some politicians admit to them. Even if it’s kicking and screaming, it’s still more honest to tell the truth at political gunpoint than to lie and evade with doubletalk in the hopes that the public will just stop paying attention.

Anyone here besides me remember GW’s evasiveness about his susbstance (re:cocaine) use in the 1970’s during the 2000 elections? His answers then were pretty much what he’s given us ever since he’s been president – a whole lot of smoke and mirrors in the hopes that we’ll just eventually give up and the answers to the tough questions the press asks him will be buried somewhere in a shallow grave.

So let’s get this straight, a few days ago we heard that the Clinton camp had some dirt on Obama from his past. Obama responds publicly that if you’ve got something, then just say it. Clinton remains quiet.

Then yesterday Obama decides he’d better come out with it before someone else does, and admits to doing drugs.

On the one hand, it seems calculated in order to head the accusations off at the past.

On the other hand I applaud Obama’s honesty. If he weren’t pro-abortion, and didn’t have a host of other Liberal beliefs that I strongly disagree with, I might just vote for the guy.

Adults need to be responsible for their actions and influence on youngsters, in any situation. Mr. Obama could have gotten the same message across without using his own personal experiences and it would not have been lying, but would have been a better choice to help uplift and inspire young and old alike. He admitted his drug use was a waste, so why suggest that those children too may go down that same path, help them to see they don’t have to. Help them see there are better choices, the world has so much to offer. Suggest the wiser, better, higher road. Now that would be a change for a presidential hopeful.
I am not perfect, nor do I expect any of the hopefuls are. I would just hope that good moral character and high values still mean something in this country. Why does it seem that the vass majority of people want a president that has had a life that is like a soap opera than a man/woman that has lived a good wholesome life. Very sad state of affairs….

This is not about honesty, this is about the dirt that that Team Clinton has on Obama. Looks like Novak might have been right, and Obama is heading off a bomb dropping on him in the furture.

Obama delivered a message that is true, but no one wants to admit: if you’ve used drugs and given them up you’re actually a stronger, more capable person than one who hasn’t.
Drugs don’t cause addiction: we all have the capability of getting “addicted” to an activity. For some it’s piety and work; for others, it’s inebriation and avoidance.

I got drunk once in junior high and never did it again. I got so sick and I never forgot that feeling. I also smoked pot off and on for 4 years. Guess what? So have most baby boomers! To find someone today who grew up in the 60’s or 70’s that didn’t experiment with drugs would be very difficult. I made some foolish, stupid choices as a young person, but I learned from those choices. I have 4 kids in college and not one has tried drugs, alcohol (before they were 21) or cigarettes. I’ve been married to a minister for almost 30 years, teach Bible studies and lead weekly prayer meetings. Should I step down because of my past, or help others to learn from my mistakes? Mr. Romney needs to lighten up. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Besides, we’ve already had a pot-smoking womanizer in the White House for 8 years (and seemingly still can’t keep his pants up). It’s not like it’s something new here…..

“Hillary has similarly demonstrated the ability to be authentic as well”

You lost me there. But I agree that Rudy is right about this.

Of course, touting Obama’s honestly helps him against Romney, who comes off as a phony. And it also helps Rudy against his likely general election opponent Hillary, who herself is not known for her authenticity.

I’m not an Obama fan, but his complete honesty is something sorely missing from our elected officials.

Romney is wrong in his opinion because Obama wasn’t glorifying the drug use he was identifying that it caused him to waste so much of his youth that he didn’t realize it until college.

THAT takes alot of stones to admit to while running for President.

At least he didn’t lie and say he never inhaled. . . . .or “smoked” an intern. . . .

Romney calls this correctly. This was the wrong venue for a “lifting of the skirt” on Senator Bam Bam’s personal indiscretions. Do it during a debate or speech in front MADD but not in front of a group of high school kids. Bet the school administrators were shaking their heads.

Whe will the NEA weigh in on this one??????????????????????????

I am NEVER going to vote democrat-having said that- I really respect the fact that Obama is honest. And I was never under the impression that it opens doors to little kids saying, “Well, I’ll do drugs and be president”. Obama is merely saying that he’s not perfect, he is a human whose made mistakes and learned from those mistakes. Smart people don’t have to keep screwing up- they are able to learn from other’s mistakes. For those that can’t grasp that, then perhaps they should go out and do drugs.

I think it’s VERY partisan of Romney to come out blasting. The thing about Giuliani is that he’ll reach across the table to shake your hand. And the country needs that- whether it comes from a republican or democrat. This country is SOOOOO divided and people are SO angry about the politics, that when I see a republican and a democrat who are actually fair to each other, it makes me think that it’s possible for our country to get over this partisanship.

I think it’s great that Giuliani said that. he could have come out swining. And as a conservative, like I said before, I really respect Obama’s honesty. I disagree with most of what he says, and would never vote for him, but it’s nice to know that he’s not gonna tell people what they want to hear for the sake of votes. If only some OTHER democrats and republicans would do the same, we COULD see real change in the country in the next election. Someone tell me what’s wrong with being honest?

Honesty about one’s past failings is one thing… discretion is another. Yes, O’s behavior in college is common but the Presidency is not! I want an uncommon president who inspires me not only intellectually but also behaviorally.

Is it the better part of wisdom to give ’specifics’ rather than generalities to high school kids? When ‘O’ admits he goofed off, we understood him. You don’t need to, and shouldn’t give specifics. Many high and middle school kids will take license from his admittance as they did with Clinton’s oral (not) sex. Ask middle school administrators, counselors, teachers and parents what they know about oral sex in the middle schools. It is rampant. Clinton’s behavior fanned a lot of flames.

Now if Obama was duplicating a Clinton scheme which is calculated to blunt a potential scandal, then this admitted episode about “alcohol, drugs, (sex, rock ‘n roll) is not about honesty but rather diffusion which makes him unseemly. While appearing honest, forthright, and a person of the people’ he is singularly out for political gain as a ’say or do anything man. Of those types, we have had enough. Is there another Lincoln or Reagan out there?

Obama did the only thing he could do, which is own up to it.

I can’t believe the criticism here. So you’d rather he lied about his past, only to be hit with evidence later that he did in fact try drugs when he was younger? You’d rather have a president who tells outright lies for no other reason than to protect his image over one who is truthful about his past? Wasn’t that exactly what Clinton (weed) and Bush (cocaine) have been heavily criticized for by repubs and dems, respectively? Give it a break people. Drug use as a teenager/twenty-something has no bearing whatsoever on your fitness to be president as a forty-something.

Romney is right, but his argument smacks of political opportunism – he blew the discussion.

Obama is not a bad person for admitting his past failings – but he didn’t use the best judgment in HOW he discussed it. As presented, some kids WILL take the attitude “See, there’s no hurry for me to get off drugs…”

As for Rudy – well, I hate to say “right message, wrong messenger”…but he’s hardly the guy I expect to be unbiased about the topic of “past moral failings”.

Romney is just being “Mormon”. Truth isn’t one of their favorite things.

I’d like to know what Bill Cosby thought about Oboma’s comments. The youth today, especially black youth, don’t have any morally solid role models to look up to. Their influences are overpaid/overdrugged sports figures, hip-hop thugs, and MTV soft-porn’ers. Oboma panders by saying the he’s experimented, therefore he’s allowed to enter their dishonorable fraternity and win their vote. Nothing here is very surprising or shocking.

Whoa. My fellow countrymen, you frighten me. A person should be ‘disqualified’ from office because he has dabbled in drugs? Are you serious? You’ve bought a bit too much into the government’s propaganda machine. Smoking marijuana or doing cocaine does not suddenly turn you into a slacker or your brain to mush. Even ecstasy, mushrooms and LSD don’t have permanent effects — indeed, they’ll temporarily alter your state of mind, you may feel tired or scatter-brained for a few days afterwards, but following that… you’re back to normal! Your body eventually expels the substance just like it does to anything else you ingest. Granted, young kids shouldn’t be doing it and I don’t think anyone should be doing it extremely frequently, but drug use is simply another lifestyle choice. In fact, many substances are much less harmful than tobacco and alcohol (and even caffeine) when taken occasionally and responsibly. Why are you trying to demonize your fellow citizens? Many of us are, I would venture, very well-educated, hold great jobs, have wonderful families and lead far more interesting lives than you — and some of us are even considering political careers. We will change these silly draconian laws sooner or later, so please don’t put up too much fuss.

Mitt’s comment got me thinking….hmmmm what is he hiding.

Bill

Romney is putz. So everyone that in the 60’s or 70’s tried smoking pot is now inelligble to run for President?? Romney is a rich kid, silver spoon baby who has never worried how to pay a bill, how to support a home or how to overcome real obstacles in life. His businesses treated employees like they were no different than widgets. The guy is a big corporate internationalist that does business with the Islamist Saudis like they are honorable people. Romney would be a terrible Republican candidate and that is why his national polling is so weak. He is big phoney. At over 50 years of age he had a sudden conversion on being anti-abortion. At least Rudy is honest about his opinions. Romney just cannot be trusted and he would be close to as bad a Hillary and that is saying alot.

Ok first off Im 25 married and have a kid. I used drugs and smoked but, I sure don’t tell my daughter or little brothers my war stories. I don’t tell my kid “babe, you know your dad smoked pot and snorted coke, but, I don’t think you should do it. I made a mistake.” I will never vote for a democrat in the first place, but democrat or republican I think it is wrong to do something like that. His speech could have better been used at a AA meeting or something. I think it is wrong and Romney was not talking on Gods behalf like some say, I think he is taking the side of moral decency. Something that alot of Americans have lost.

Liberialism is the downfall of America.

How is smoking marijuana a mistake? Its a great god given herb. Cocaine is disgusting. Anyone who drinks alcohol should be shot. These are truly evil people.

Rudy Giuliani and Barack Obama may not be perfect, and that’s fine if you’re an ordinary person. But for President, I want someone perfect- like Mitt Romney. He even looks Presidential with every hair in place. In fact, he almost looks plastic- like a Ken doll. And he may have had the wrong positions while Gov of Massachusetts, but atleast he’s changed his mind now. Plus he’s rich! Shouldn’t we want a President that can fun his own campaign? He can single handedly pull us out of debt! ROMNEY 08!

Wow! You mean a Mormon presidential candidate is slamming someone else for drinking and using drugs?! GASP! (sarcasm font)

Cheers to Rudy and Obama for not being afraid to teach our youth that people make mistakes and learn from them. Romney of course takes the LDS approach, act pious, don’t admit mistakes, and shield children from the realities of life. Having lived in Salt Lake City and seeing how Mormon parents handle their childrens’ personal issues – this comes as no surprise.

I am sure the book of Mormon doesn’t oppose telling the truth, does it?

It’s an inconvenient truth. I don’t think atheists should preach the gospel, virgins give advice on marital issues, or someone who’s never touched drugs or alcohol be responsible for policy on them. I’m genuinely unsure who I’m voting for in the upcoming primary, except that it will not be Hillary, but th emore I listen to him the more it seems like Obama is in touch with the common man and not just the economic elite.

Romney has it all wrong. The message it sends to kids is that it’s never too late to turn yourself around and make something productive from your life.

Are people seriously criticizing Obama and forgetting the current presidents rarely-discussed past drug usage?

Romney is not encouraging secrets but repentance. Paul didn’t go around after his conversion and use his stories of killing innocent Christians in order to convert people to Christianity. I am not expecting a perfect candidate, but this was political. I agree with the educator above. Telling someone you’ve done something wrong and encouraging others not to do the same is an ineffective means of persuasion.

I think if Rudy were to start talking about all his many skeletons in his closet that Obama wouldn’t be quick to compliment him.

Along the line, that question would have inevitably been asked of Obama. He brought it out in the open, so it no longer is an issue or has to be discussed any further. It doesn’t mean that he should be admired for that admission. What he did in his youth was wrong and the honesty of his admission does not lend any credibility to him nor should it. Will his poor choice as a youth make him a poor president? Not as long as his decisions and other choices in his life were based on good judgement.

Rudy who has agreed with the honesty of Obama’s admission, could not do otherwise. This man has to much baggage and has made more poor decisions and judgements in both his personal and political life. NO one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but I don’t want a man who is a candidate for the presidency of the United States, to be so very careless in his judgements. To many poor judgements make Rudy a liability.

As far as Mitt goes, I don’t see him as a viable candidate. I believe his religious beliefs will play a role in many decisions that he will make. I have nothing against his faith, but when that faith enters the political arena and decisions are made based on that faith, we have lost the separation between one’s religious beliefs and the belief of what is good for all americans of all faiths.

my goodness, most of you missed it entirely. mitt is talking as a parent. any parent knows that you talk bluntly with your kids about choice and consequence, but that shouldn’t include ‘i had sex when i was 12 so you shouldnt’. whether you are honest enough to admit it or not, the stats support the idea that a when person in authority, such as parent or president, admit to specific errors, that opens that error up to a greater acceptance among those that look to the leader for guidance. after all, look at oral sex among jr high age kids. it skyrocketed after the clinton scandal. most 12-18 year olds dont look at it as a sexual act now. young people naturally emulate their leaders, & i’d rather have mitt as a role model than obama.

It isn’t that “O” did something wrong and Mitt didn’t. It’s the standard that we need to try to live up to. That’s what Mitt’s talking about. Maybe “O” shouldn’t dismiss his behavior as an indiscretion, but really lay out the facts about what is wrong with that kind of behavior. Then again, if he did maybe people wouldn’t like him as much and he wouldn’t get elected. All in all I think this whole thing is just damage control. He wouldn’t want this discussion going on a day or two before the election.

Today if an 18 year old kid gets caught drinking just one beer their life in ruined. The state takes your drivers licence away until your 21 & basically you would never have a chance of running for President. All this shows is that our facist government just loves to ruin peoples lives!

At first glance, Romney’s comments are disturbing…but then I thought about it.

I am not going to tell my kids of the stupid things I did when I was young. It really does give them the thought of…well if dad did it at one point, it’s ok. We all should know that it is easy to justify our own bad acts. There is no reason to give more room to our youth to justify their acts.

The voting population (18+ years of age) knows that our presidents did dumb things when they were young. They don’t need a speech talking about it. It isn’t disrespecting humanity to keep them secret.

The thing that is really funny is that if we had one big presidential confessional, Romney would probably win (by having the least secrets)…it is likely that he didn’t even drink alcohol when he was young and never had sex until he was married.

I see a lot of wisdom in what the world is calling “arrogance.”

Its very sad that people all over this board and Rudy have reverted to having absolutely no personal standards when it comes to the most important office in the world.
Romney is not saying you have to be perfect, but don’t make your personal failings public to show drugs as acceptable and apparently in this case, preferred path to the future success. Look at what Bill Clinton’s poor morals did for the country’s standards. It’s a shame that Romney’s high standards will hurt him in some eyes while Obama’s checkered past and his advertising of it, will actually help him.

Have we ever had a President who didn’t have a skeleton or two in their closet? Will it ever be possible to have a President who is Presidential through and through? It seems there should be better choices from both parties. Choosing the less “evil” of the bunch is getting old. It would be better to elect the best of the best. But don’t see that happening anytime soon.

Gee, makes you wonder what little secrets Romney is hiding from us all. Or maybe he is just the perfect man who is able to restrain from all forms of sin. How many times have you lusted after a woman in your heart Mitt? How many times have you masterbated Mitt? Well then, I guess your not qualified to be a President either. Before I became a Christian I did drugs throughout my twenties. I commited many sins that I have recovered from and am a better person because of it. I am not voting for Obama but respect him for bringing this out in the open. A self righteous, sinless man, is not needed in the White House.

Good move on Obama’s part. Any die-hard conservatives that are going to vote for the religious right were going to regardless of what Obama said. Especially after the Bush admin., we need a president that isnt afraid to discuss tough issues in an open and candid manner.

Romney’s dont ask, dont tell policy is ignorant at best. If we dont talk about terrorism, will that go away too? For someone that woked with and advised some of the most powerful men in America when he ran Bain & Co., he sounds like an idiot.

GO Rudy!!!!!!!!!!!!The right man at the the right time.
Obama, nice guy, no where near qualified.
Hillary, do I really need to say why, she’s a faker, a dud, never did anything but stand in the wings behind her husband and now thinks she deserves this.

Romney is right. Obama should save it for the Dr. Phil show, or Oprah.

I hope what Mr. Romney was trying to say is that the nature of what Mr. Obama disclosed was inappropriate for the forum in which he disclosed it. We all know there is not one perfect person. What we should all strive to do is our very best at all times and if we do make mistakes, it’s not necessary to give the gory details or glamorize the mistake.

As for Mr. Giuliani agreeing with Mr. Obama’s disclosure, he would like for the American people to forget his past issues too so it behooves him to agree.

I would not sit any one of my children down and tell them the things I have done. I will willingly admit to them that when I was growing up I made mistakes because that’s what learning and growing is all about but they have no need to know the details of the things I’ve done. If my parents had told me all they’d done then told ME not to do it, I’d call them hypocrites in my best teen defiance.

I’m not voting for Barak Obama, but not because he’s publicly admitted doing drugs and alcohol as a young adult. Unlike others, at least he’s admitted these mistakes. Bill Clinton, on the other hand, tried to sell us on the notion that he tried marijuana, but “didn’t inhale.” Come on, now!!!! Does Clinton think that little of the American voter thyat we’d stupidly buy that? Who’s a more honest man, Obama or Clinton?

And as for Mitt Romney’s judgmental statement about this being a “huge error” by Obama, one point is appropriate. Does he expect us to believe he’s so perfect that he’s never engaged in misconduct of some kind? Kind of makes you want to take a real close look at the details of how he’s lived his life. He’s plastic and tries to tell us he’s not. Liar and hypocrit are appropriate. Anyone who lived through Watergate learned early that our political leadership is quite capable of committing crimes and unethical actions.

I’m not voting for Romney, either.

Mitt Romney said, ‘well I can do that too and become President of the United States,’” Romney told an Iowa audience today.

Well YES you can. George Bush is living proof! We all know he was a drinker and a coke head.

As far as Mitt is concerned, it is he who is without sin, cast the first stone. I’m sure Mitt did some wild and crazy things as a teenager as well. We all do. He didn’t just stay home on Friday nights and watch “Leave It To Beaver” with his milk and cookies….did he? Hmmmm…..NAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Our President represents Us to the rest of the world, which is why “character” is an important consideration when choosing someone to perform that function. That’s why mudslinging is an effective political tactic: if you can’t rise above the other candidate, tear the other candidate down. A spin on that tactic is to say, in effect, “yes, I’m flawed, and I admit it, which makes me a better person than that other candidate who pretends to be perfect.” It beats the mudslingers to the punch, and it apparently appeals to a certain type of voter, too.

Let’s put political posturing aside and be real for a moment. Everyone bears imperfections of some kind, but only clowns emphasize them. That’s true down here at street level, and it’s especially so at the global level. Clowns are entertaining, but they don’t belong in the White House.

It’s naive of all of you to believe that Obama did the “right” thing by finally revealing to the public that he drank alcohol and did illegal drugs in the past. That is EXACTLY what he is trying to do to gain more votes and popularity as the right candidate for the job. If he is such an honest man why did he never tell the truth about all of this until Hillary’s campaign people let it be known that they had a huge secret about him? Obama does not deserve anyone’s respect because he was forced to tell the truth out of fear that his dirty secret was going to be exposed and cleverly realized that he would gain sympathy and respect from fools that were going to be gullible and naive enough to respect him.

Mitt Romney is still the best man for the job. He’s someone that you can trust and has the experience, widsom, compassion, and intelligence to get the job done. Mitt has admitted to past mistakes about how he has changed positions on certain issues and he has admitted that his way of thinking was wrong in the past. That’s something that I respect because it shows me that he is wise and humble enough to admit when he is wrong and that’s the kind of leader that we need. We don’t need a prideful and stubborn leader to lead this country.

Obama should have kept his mouth shut and if Hillary or anyone else would have tried to use it against him he should of then explained why he never talked about it. Someone that is running for president shouldn’t send out the message that drinking alcohol and doing illegal drugs is just a part of life. I know that everyone isn’t perfect and we are all humans but he should have been wise enough to not send the wrong message or to allow the youth of society to think that they can still be successful if they mess with these kind of things. People make mistakes and of course it doesn’t make them a bad person. People can always rectify their wrongs but be very careful whenever you talk about your past transgressions because it might weaken others and give them the idea that they can do bad things and still end up successful like Obama.

Don’t be fooled by what Obama is doing. Open your eyes and realized that he basically tried to kill two birds with one stone. His back was against the wall and he felt like he was forced to finally admit what he had done in the past because he didn’t want to get swiftboated by Hillary or anyone else. Rudy’s comments Obama made him appear weak because it shows that Rudy is the type of politician that’s afraid to call a spade a spade. He just went with the politically correct answer because he knew Obama was going to end up fooling a bunch of people and wanted some of the undeserved praise as well.

As a lifelong Republican, it is doubtful that I would vote for Obama anyway, but Romney’s ill-conceived statement that Obama made a mistake by admitting his drug use has made me lean away from supporting Romney. Would Romney have had Obama lie about the drug use? What does this say about Romney’s character?

Well I know who I won’t be voting for: Mitt Romney. Here’s a guy who thinks it’s important to lie about your past when questioned. We’ve had enough of that crap with other politicians. I respect Senator Obama’s honesty and candor. Good for him and Giuliani, bad for the others who believe the same as Romney.

“Because power corrupts, society’s demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.”

John Adams

it’s great that obama’s honest about that…too bad the guy doesn’t understand that raising taxes hurts the middle class. if a man doesn’t understand how the country runs financially, he does not have what it takes to run the country

Somehow the left’s incessant ridiculing of Bush for his earlier indescretations were’nt handled as a qualification as they are now doing for Obama’s.

damage control, and pre-emptive counter attack. just wait, I suspect we’ll be hearing more about Obama’s “wasting time” during his childhood. I suspect selling and/or trafficing will be remembered by an old-childhood friend. The role of president is not social counselor. Of course there are many, but the vast majority of Americans’ are not in need of a role-model who was able to overcome their youthful indiscrections involving narcotics.

I’ll take bets that…

1) Those commenters who have used drugs and alcohol in their past, or still do, support Barack and Rudy ’s statements
2) Those commenters who have stayed away from the stuff think more like Romney.

And it’s to be expected that both points of view will try to make a bigger issue of this than it really is so they can feel better about themselves.

Debrar is absolutely correct, if you ask any kids born in the early 80’s they will almost all tell you that oral sex is NOT sex. Im all for Obama myself id vote for him before Hillary in a heartbeat. I hope the Democrats realize that if they bring Hillary to the presidential election they will again bring forth the losing horse. Their only real chance of winning the next election is to have Obama up there. I do have a lot of respect for the guy, ill admit his lack of experience and his springboarding make me a bit nervous about him but hey i suppose we could and have done worse. If i had a REAL choice id be voting for Gen. Clark. But alas he is not running this time In regards to the drug use, i dont see him stating he did drugs as a sign to kids to run out and do it, if nothing else it serves as making it an “uncool” factor. IF that. As a kid when i did drugs i didnt do them because the president or anyone else did it, i did it because my friends were and i wanted to try them. I havent done anything beyond alcohol in 16 years so there ya are. Alot of us did drugs including me and im not going to be picking the splinter out of anothers eye before i pluck the log out of my own. There are much worse things that a person can do other than drugs.

I respect his truthfullness. It was a joke to hear Clinton
say he didn’t inhale…

Rudy is encouraging Obama’s confession because it makes it easier for Rudy to ask voters to forget all of his moral faux pas, including his immorality and corrupt thuggery while mayor. If a man can’t be trusted to be faithful to the most important commitment he has made in life (marriage), how can he be trusted otherwise?

Romney is right. The President sets a moral tone. If you don’t believe it, look at the incidence of oral s*x among middle-schoolers after President Clinton. All of this stuff sends a message. Kids aren’t stupid; they are far more aware than we give them credit.

According to Obama, cocaine should have the same penalties as crack – so I guess this makes Obama a crackhead!

MOST COMMENTATORS SEEM TO FEEL THAT EARLY LIFE WITH DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND WOMEN HAS LITTLE OR NO EFFECT ON THE PERSON .
THE DRUG-ALC KIDS IN THE INNER CITY (OR ANYWHERE) DO NOT SEEM LIKE STERLING CITIZENS; AND THEY VERY OFTEN GET INTO TROUBLE. AND THEN THEY LEARN TO LIE.
NATURALLY GIULIANI SUPPORTS OBAMA SINCE HIS BEHAVIOR IN EARLIER LIFE WAS NOT
EXEMPLARY.

I thought both comments from Obama and Guiliani were thoughtful and honest. As any historian knows the Presidency, House, and Senate have always had ‘humans’ serving those offices with character flaws and pasts. I think the last few decades of having our Presidents (Clinton and GWBush) lie and deny their previous drug and alcohol abuse breeds distrust with the American people.

As for anyone who thinks that people would use Obama’s comments as an excuse to start or continue using drugs, some people will use anything as an excuse, even the time of day. If kid’s are using drugs it is because they have either decided on their own, been pressured by friends, believe it is alright because close family members do it, or do it because their favorite sportsstar/musician/actor does it or glorifies it. Not because some presidential candidate did it.

If anything the conclusion that people should draw from Obama’s comments is if you have done drugs in the past you can still make something of yourself, if you are currently using drugs then realize that you are wasting time and maybe if you quit abusing and dedicate yourself to something you could one day be successful.

I thought of it as just his way of saying “look i’ve been there before, i’ve done some dumb things, but i realized it, matured, and moved on”

I guess maybe because I am young (mid 20s) and do not yet have children that I can’t relate to a number of posts. It seems like many people on here are the type that have children and say ‘my kids are upstanding citizens, they have a good head on their shoulders, they would never do drugs, drink, have premarital sex and so on’ That is ulrealistic at best and dangerous at worst.
Don’t let the coping mechanism you’ve created for handling parenthood dictate who our next President is.

Why is it every time someone talks about the realities of life that affect a large majority of Americans somebody else stands up and screams “Won’t someone please think of the children”. Then Mitt flies in wearing a cape and holding a giant rug to sweep reality under. Hooray!

Let’s be honest. The kids are already doing drugs and drinking underage. Just because Senator Obama admitted to making bad decisions as an adolescent does not mean that kids are necessarily going to go out and state snorting lines of cocaine. More realistically, it will show the adolescents who have fallen victim to zero tolerance policies know that it is possible to be successful and move on with your life after having made a mistake. Maybe it is time for a new approach to “the war on drugs.” Clearly that is a war that no one can dispute the government is losing. I agree with none of the man’s politics, but have great respect for his courage and honesty. I only wish more adults (especially educators) were as humble and classy.

While I do not in all honesty fully support any of these candidates I do admire Barack’s honesty and Rudy’s response to it. Mitt needs to come into the 21st century where we are now experiencing a resurrection where honesty and character seems to be finally more important than charisma and deceit for the purposes of gaining political power.

The American public finally seems to be awakening from it’s deep slumber to the point where it now is looking towards politicians who have human frailties, can admit to them in public and can then evaluate for themselves whether or not the politician in question acts with personal responsibility or resorts to the old shell and pea game in their efforts to distract the public from the truth and change the entire argument to some other topic.

The sooner all of our politicians become aware of the fact that America is tired of the mud slinging and desperately wants politicians with substance who will stand accountable for all of their actions the better it will be for all of us.

Bill lost me from the start when he said, “I tried it once but didn’t inhale.” He won his re-election on the notion that the private character of a president was unimportant and made the office of the President a laughing joke to the rest of the world. And we wonder why many in the rest of the world does not take us seriously?

Now one of the reasons his wife is telling us why she should be president was because she was the first lady. Give me a break please.

But not to concentrate on just her; all of them have been more than guilty of flip flopping around the issues like so many codfish laying on the deck of a fishing trawler.

We are not the largely uneducated population we were back towards the end of WWII and it is high time the people we elect to office understand that and start treating us with a little more respect when it comes to our intelligence.

MOST “PERSONALLY GUILTY” COMMENTATORS DON’T SEEM TO BELIEVE THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD
EXPERIENCE HAS MUCH EFFECT ON THE PERSON. WHAT I READ IN THE PAPER IS THAT THEY
LEARN TO LIE, STEAL, AND CHEAT IN ORDER SATISFY THEIR DRUG-ALC ADDICTION

They are ALL a bunch of lying windbags. The ONLY man who will uphold our constitution is Ron Paul. All of the rest are a bunch of power hungry, pro-establishment, big government LIARS. Pull your heads our of the sand America before it’s too late!

For those who are chiding Mitt for not being “honest” — being honest does not mean laying all one’s worst mistakes out for the world to see. Mitt is showing sound judgement. You don’t tell your kids, “Oh yeah. I partied and got wasted when I was young, but I don’t want you to do it.” Some things are best kept to oneself, especially if one is in the position of role model, which all these candidates are.

Let’s focus on the important aspects of Romney: Successfully starting and managing major corporations, taking over an Olympic committee in crisis and turning it into a resounding success, Governor of Massachusetts, top student at an Ivy League school, fabulous father, etc. He and Rudy are the only 2 that have any business even thinking about running for president. Too many people I’m afraid vote based on “image” and trendiness. Barack tells everyone that he did drugs and drank too much, and people are going to vote for him based on that? Because he’s “honest”?Please.

These candidates are ALL a bunch of lying windbags. The ONLY man that will uphold our constitution in Ron Paul. The rest are just a bunch of power hungry, pro-establishment, big government, liars. Wake up America and pull you heads out of the sand before it is too late!! Ron Paul 2008.

Obama sounds like I want to hang around with… go to a game , drink at a bar, do some dope or… but I’m not sure I want him leading the free world especially when his finger is on the big button. You might not agree with Romney but I bet you didn’t agree with your parents when they told you to turn the tv off and do your homework. This country needs a leader that does the right thing, especially in this era of moral decline.

Let me start by saying that I will NOT vote for Barack Obama. It’s not because of coming out with the fact he drank and did drugs. I just don’t think he is the person to lead this country.

During President Bush’s first campaign, the Dems drug out his cocaine use and drinking. People were asking, “Why didn’t he just come clean in the beginning?”

Is this the dirt the Clinton camp claimed to have on him? How do they have the right to be on the moral high-horse? Oh yeah, Bill didn’t inhale. He also didn’t spend any time under his desk with a beret-wearing intern.

I applaud Obama for being honest. Whether it is a political ploy or not, I hold now just a tiny bit of respect for him. There are many, many people who have drank, shirked responsibility and experimented with drugs. Most of these people learn from their mistakes as did Obama. He is not condoning drug use by his speech to those kids. I’m sure if his daughters came to him about drugs or drinking he wouldn’t light one up or chug one down with them.

Has Mitt Romney always been perfect? I think it says something for Obama that he was able to overcome those mistakes and be successful in life.

Barry Obama won’t release his college transcripts from his NY, pre-Harvard days. He won’t point anyone to any friends or teachers he bonded with. The one friend that came forward, who Obama admitted was once a friend, is a man who lives in his car and who has had brushed with the law.

Keep all this in mind.

Novak writes up a column on Sat. saying there are problems in Obama’s past. One Tuesday Obama is out saying he did weed and blow, slacked off in school, and made mistake. What kind of “mistakes.”

If I add two and two I usually get four. What is Obama hiding?

Anyone thinking of voting for Hillary should Google “Bill and Hillary Clinton: Their Secret Life”

I am a registered republican and believe that Mitt Romney doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in South Florida of becoming president. At this point I am strongly hoping that Obama wins the Democratic nomination because he is someone I could definitely vote for. HRC will NEVER see my vote. I’ll definitely vote against her, but never for her. (I’d vote for Mickey Mouse if he were running againste her!)

Good for Mr. Obama, in this case. None of the current crop of candidates, including Obama, comes close to securing a vote from me. But at least this guy’s actually admitting that, in doing a drug at some point in his life, he’s more like the preponderance of people in the world than the rest of the pack currently running for president. Now, if only he’d start telling people that it’s the war on drugs, and not drugs themselves, that is the root cause of the crime stigma attached to drug culture, maybe we’d actually be getting somewhere…

So Mitt’s advice is to lie about your past. I don’t want someone in office that has no experience in anything. That would mean that he has to listen to other people’s opinions to form his own.

Obama disclosed youthful failings as a tool to garner political favor. Romney said such things were best kept private so as not to give other people license to do them too. What Romney was not asked was whether there was a preferred way to discuss such things. If he had been he would surely have said that confession is good and desirable in the proper setting such as when someone asks. Otherwise, it comes off looking tacky at best and maybe even injurious to others.

Romney is a fool.

Obama is a great role model because he speaks plainly and openly. There is no substitute for honesty. For our own good, Romney would give us half-truths and perhaps lies? No thanks, Mr. Romney. You, sir, exemplify much of what’s wrong with America.

of course it’s o.k. with Rudy since he’s a draft dogger, cross dresser, gun grabber, and 3 time loser (do his kids even talk to him?) himself. So the cross dresser is right he has flaws. Obama and Rudy are both socialists , fascists, and the Ken doll Mitt is a flip flopper!

People who are against Mitt Romney fall into one of three categories:

1) Self-righteous, religious bigots (i.e., “Christians”)
2) Liberals who are more than happy to see America’s morals disentegrate
3) People who have been fed a pack of lies from those in categories #1 and #2

Which category do you fall into?

Romney is just another run of the mill politico who will lie, deceive and do whatever is necessary to get elected. So Obama should have lied? That’s the Romney way! I think folks are tired of these politicains peddling the same cookie cutter image, never ever giving an honest and direct response for which they might be held accountable for.
How appropriate , he erebukes someone for telling the truth…

Mitt Romney’s willingness to cover-up (not openly discuss) past failures should be a warning sign to any potential voters. Mitt… are you suggesting that Barack “LIE” about his past? Barack did not make a mistake by opening his mouth… YOU DID when you condemned him w/ your comment!

This is such an old story! Does anyone read anymore? Obama admitted his drug use in his book, “Dreams From My Father,” and it has been reported on significantly since the book’s release.

Our current President used drugs and alcohol heavily in college, and continued to drink heavily well into his 30s.

Despite what Obama did when he was 17 years-old, he has since been the president of the Harvard Law Review, turned down a prestigious judicial clerkship to practice civil rights law in Chicago (where he represented victims of housing and employment discrimination and worked on voting-rights legislation), taught at the University of Chicago Law School, held a state senate seat and, since 2004, been a U.S. Senator.

If you don’t like his record as a politician, fine. But don’t let his actions as a juvenile alter your decision.

Daniel-Rudy is encouraging Obama’s confession because it makes it easier for Rudy to ask voters to forget all of his moral faux pas, including his immorality and corrupt thuggery while mayor. If a man can’t be trusted to be faithful to the most important commitment he has made in life (marriage), how can he be trusted otherwise?

What has Rudy done? What was so corrupt? I live here in NYC, and as a female, 5′2″, 115 lbs, I can jump on a subway in Brooklyn at night, by myself and am safe. Couldn’t say that Pre-Giuliani. Seriously, what has Rudy done? What is so corrupt? All Bernie Kerrick rumors aside- what concrete evidence is there that he’s corrupt? (bearing in mind that as procecutor, he took out the mafia in NYC)

And not that you’re insinuating, but I feel the need to say it- by your comment “If a man can’t be trusted to be faithful to the most important commitment he has made in life (marriage), how can he be trusted otherwise? “, then NONE of the Clintons can be trusted.

You are 100% correct when you say that kids are far more aware than what we give them credit for. But I think it sends a powerful message to say, “I made a mistake, I did this and learned from it, and won’t be doing it again. Take what I say, and learn from my mistake, so you don’t repeat it. I can assure you, it was a lesson well learned.” Which is what Obama is saying- he’s not advocating doing drugs, he’s saying he made a mistake and learned his lesson and wants to pass along the lesson. (That being said, let me reitterate that I wouldn’t vote for him, I’m very conservative.)

Romney did not advocate lying. As a presidential contender you need to consider what you say and the impact it has on our youth. When Clinton admitted to drug use, when he was caught with Ms. Lewenski he never endorsed his actions, he said he was wrong. The result was increased activity mimicing the presidents behavior. What Gov Romney said was correct. Obama, Rudy, and Romney are all being honest, only one is considering the impact on our youth.

Oh, it was not a good thing when Bill Clinton said he smoked pot, but its okay for Barack Hussein Obama to confess and its okay,………………..I DON”T THINK SO. ! Just with the middle name HUSSEIN, is a fear this country should be aware of. Those people go to great lengths and many years to distroy our country. NO FOR THIS HUSSEIN ALSO.

It’s funny how Mitt Romney is the bad guy for living a moral clean life. The scriptures teach us in the last days the good will be considered bad and the bad good. Why do we rip someone and call him self righteous when he has lived a good life. Looks like the only way for Romney is in a no win situation. If he had any dirt on him people would say see that Mormon guy doesn’t live his religion. We can’t trust him. But he does live his religion and is a good honest person and he is criticized for that too. What kind of worl do we live in???????

You people criticizing Barack for his openness and sitting on this Holier than Though pulpit are pitiful. I hate to break it to you, but experience is the best education possible. Reading about something is fine and observing it helps as well, but unless you’ve been there, you really don’t know.

So check yourselves and look within. Barack is to be applauded for being genuine and open. Exactly what is need in this triffling political system we have.

Everyone makes mistakes, to crucify a man for smoking weed in his youth is laughable. You people need to get out and live life. I smoked weed for probably 7 yrs of my life (I’m 26). It’s a phase, I grew out of it. Now, I have a college degree am gainfully employed and work as a Laboratory Technician.

May I quote George Carlin, “If Honesty, were suddenly introduced into American Politics, the whole system would fall apart.”

Sadly, the negative commentators here seem to be showing the truth in that statement.

Growing up – Michael Jordan was my role model. He never experimented with drugs, ever! And if you believe that I have some swamp land to sell you. Yes, Obama needed to preempt accusations. But Romney is right. Michael Jordan recognized his responsibility to be that larger than life persona. Obama needs to recognize this and proceed accordingly – and not in front of the kids. Michael is still my hero (call me).

The more I hear from Gov. Romney (”Mr. Perfect”) the more plastic he seems. I dn not share many of Sen. Obama’s views but I respect his candor and lack of pretense. We need real people running for the White House; Sen. Clinton and Gov. Romney strike me as programmed Barbie Doll candidates with one finger always checking the current political winds.

Obama is a man like any other. This is why Jesus died for our sins so that we might have life more abundantly and life everlasting. All persons on earth have done wrong and some continue to do wrong. If we play this game of character assassination, only the American people and the world will lose because the real issues will not be addressed, therefore we may not choose the right candidate for the times due to searching for pefection or the person with less scandal. A past and present belief system is not an issue but someone admitting failings is??? What a joke!

Giuliani is right. Let see if he gets attacked now for speaking the truth.

Romney’s comments are just further evidence that the man is unfit to hold public office. What a hypocrite! And how typical of of the GOP. Makes LOTS of serious mistakes, but refuse to ever own up to them.

Citizens against Mit Romney

Do we really need more reasons not to vote for this guy

1. When one of his “friends” got in trouble for airport stall hijinks did he pray for his family? No, he run him over with bus and blasted him on TV. Mit is fair weather friend
2. You can’t set a bad moral tone and be president? No redemption in his bible I guess. The last two presidents have done drugs. George did coke and alcohol and Bill did weed and fat chicks. Yet some how they are able to function.
3. To those who think he speaks for the Christian Right, forget it no evangelical worth his bible purse is gonna vote for a mormon. According to them mormonism is a cult.
4. His is name is MIt, I mean its good for comedy writers. But for president?
5. And worst of all he was governor of the state of the Evil Boston Redsox.

America – is use to the lies… now the truth comes to them they can’t or will not accept it !!

When someone is telling the truth about thier experience we run… however, the same folks that are so high mighty about thier past will refinance thier house to get thier kids tickets to see Brittany Spears.

America – wake up these polictians are human. go to high school event – these kids with access to the internet are not stupid.

shut down the play station – tv – cell phones and talk to your kids. If a candidate for president can cause your child to go purchase a dime bag – YOU need to talk with your child a little longer.

YOU – be a role model !!

I think something that kid’s could take away from Obama’s message is that just because you’ve made mistakes doesn’t mean your life is ruined. You can turn it around. I’m voting for Rudy but I completely respect Obama’s honesty, something that is much needed in our politicians. Anytime a politician acts too ‘perfect’ it just makes me distrust them more. Everybody is human, even presidential candidates. Obama’s own battles make him more well prepared to understand and help average people fighting their own battles than Mitt Romney. I guess in Mitt’s world he thinks “Lets just not talk about it and pretend it doesn’t exist. Lets just pretend the world’s perfect and only bad people have problem’s with drugs la la la la la”

Perhaps this is a calculated political move by Obama, but it’s refreshing none the less to hear some honesty from these folks. I believe going into such detail about his past drug use was not a wise decision, none the less. Addressing past use of cocaine and pot by name definitely sends the wrong signals to the high school audience he was addressing. “I experimented with drugs and alcohol unwisely when I was a youth…” is as far as the details should have gone. It was also refreshing to hear Rudy defend an opposing party candidate (although he’s covering his own skeletons in the closet by doing so). Ultimately if we get to know our candidates a little bit better through this rhetoric, the better off we are.

Obama’s honesty is refreshing. No one is perfect. If you’re offended by this level of honesty, then perhaps you should ask yourself if you’re happy with the highly contrived candidates of the past few election cycles. The reason we don’t get straight answers from these people is because they feel a need to appear “perfect”. And why do they feel that way? It’s probably because some focus group shows that a critical percentage of Americans have a hard time dealing with the “truth”.

I know a lot of people are offended by Bill Clinton. But think about it – he’s the perfect embodiement of what Americans want in a candidate. He tells the truth (I smoked pot), but only sort of (I didn’t inhale). He said he hung out with Monica, but didn’t finish. It makes me sick, and I’m a liberal. So, I’ll take Obama’s honesty. I smoked pot too and it was a mistake. Give me a real human being every time.

Which begs the question – is Mitt Romney real?

Just thought I would share my thoughts. Just so you have a frame of reference demographically: I not registered with any party; I am an African-American male in my early 30’s with a law degree in the midwest; I was raised Cathoilic but now attend a Christian church (but don’t consider myself very religious); I usually vote (95% of the time) Democrat. Also “taking sides” oversimplifies the discussion, but for the sake of brevity, I have no problem with Barack’s comments and I think Romney sounds pompous and arrogant in his response. I can appreciate the concerns about role-modeling, but Romney is coming across as if he thinks he is better than everyone else on a moral high-horse.

With that said – at this point in time:

Barack vs. Rudy – I’m voting Barack
Barack vs. Romney- I’m voting Barack
Hillary vs. Romney – I’m voting Hillary (with minimal gusto)

Here’s where it gets a bit interesting:
Hillary vs. Rudy – I’m not sure, but I am currently leaning toward Rudy.

Where in his comments did Romney say he should lie? And where do people get off assuming Romney HAS to have some skeleton hidden in his closet? I am a member of the same church as Romney, and I’ve never smoked pot or used drugs or alcohol. It’s what our church teaches us, and people actually do it. The people that are so quick to condemn Romney for his self-righteousnes are the people who, like Obama, have probably done the same things. Romney never condemned Obama for drug use, he just said it wasn’t a good idea to tell children he’d done them. And yes, there is a HUGE difference between lying about your past and keeping certain things disclosed. Kids don’t need to know the president has done drugs to know that drugs are bad, and how in the world would a president having done drugs help him empathize with everyday Americans?

As a Republican I am happy to see that the Democrats have a candidate like Barrack Obama. I give him props for his “honesty” about the alcohol and drug use, but in my experience I find that people only fess up to about ten percent of what they actually did. Remember Bill’s famous words, “I tried it, but I didn’t inhale…..” Heck, Bill was made a hero. He didn’t inhale! Yeah right! I’m curious to see what spin the media puts on the Obama story. Remember how they went after GW when his DUI came out. Can anyone say double standard.

Final thought: Honest politician…… That’s and interesting concept.

Those who spin this to be “Obama answering a question truthfully” have missed the point; he was not asked if he ever did drugs, he was asked about regrets. Rather than display his poor judgement with a selfserving, politically calculated answer. He could have just as easily answered “honestly” with his regrets about “wasting time” and not applying himself until he was in college. He could have used his answer to inspire and motivate his audience of highschool students. His “honsety” about his drug use could have accomplished his political goals in a more appropriate venue. Honesty yes, but poor judgement, inexperience and drug use are not attributes I look for in a candidate.

i think that it is a good thing that jhe spoke openly about the mistakes he’s made in his life and maybe since he’s he’s been through what he’s been through he will address the huge prevelance in drugs in the U.S right now. He is definitely a role model showing that he isn’t perfect , he had a problem with drugs at one time and look what he’s accomplished since. He’s now running for the presidant of the U.S

Obama supporters want us to believe that the best candidate to be President of the United States of America is a Drug using, ex-Muslim, Foreign raised inexperienced one term Senator that promises comfort to our enemies and threatens our allies?????
This is Liberalism at its core, black is white and white is black.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

Having worked with youth in our community I have seen and heard the justification and rationalization that our youth take from the public comments of our leaders. To hear a 13-year-old refer to and talk trivially about a “Lewinsky” was outrageous and embarrasing of the society that we live in.

I agree that honesty is a vital character quality needed by our politicians. I agree that politicians become examples and role models for our children and should conduct themselves as such. I agree that we are all imperfect and should take responsibility for the mistakes that we make and work to overcome them. I believe that we can admit imperfection, show empathy and encourage personal triumph without detailing all of the various ways that we have made mistakes. I believe the intent of Obama to be honest is praiseworthy, but I agree that his description of his failures will destructively serve to embolden our youth to tamper with illicit drugs. I believe in forgiveness but we don’t need to hoist a banner listing all of the things for which we have been forgiven. It is not secret, but a personal folly that is best discussed one-on-one.

MITT is right again!!

no, really, who cares

Here is A person that cant put his hand over his heart during the national anthem,dosn’t deserva to be president.

I’m amazed at the self-righteous comments by the Mitt Romney supporters here and the condemnation of Obama. I am not a Republican but my estimation of Rudy just went up because of this. Don’t those on here knocking Obama’s honesty realize that at present we have a reformed alcoholic in the White House?

“Do what I say, not what I did. But just in case you don’t know what I did, let me tell you…”

Does that make Obama honest? When Romney says it’s wrong, does that mean he’s condoning dishonesty?

The issue isn’t about being perfect or admitting mistakes. It’s not even about which candidate got it right. Obama just undermined everything the local police, principal, teachers and parents have been teaching for years. Since it came from the position of a presidential candidate, it will trump the message by simple-minded locals.

Unfortunately, Giuliani reinforced the wrong message.

Even more unfortunate, too many Americans think it’s the right message.

Uh, excuse me..your last 2 presidents were both confessed drug users…
one who didn’t inhale, and the other was a bumbling drunk trust fund baby cokehead……
If you think that a Presidential candidate doesn’t have skeletons in his closet, than you are a moron…

Hi Neil, which of the following categories do you fall in?

1) A person who needs to compartmentalize everyone into black-and-white categories?
2) A person who desires to fool people with false analogies.
3) A person who just can’t see all the possibilities.

If all of life were as simple as a multiple-choice test!

How many people are currently in prison for using illegal drugs? Just because Obama did not get caught for using illegal drugs does not mean that he should not have gone to prison. It only means that he did not get caught. I would not vote for a felon.

What’s wrong with a candidate that has morals? Romney is right.

I don’t know about other parents, but I will not lie to my children, so yes I will be honest about my drug use. Obama is refreshing…Giluliani is refreshing. It is nice to know that these candidates are willing to be open and honest and admit they are human and they make mistakes. Bush can’t seem to do that, neither can the Clintons.

This is the problem with the crazy right (and yes I am a registered Republican)..you think sweeping things under the rug and down right lying to children protects them, when in reality you are doing more damage than you think. The one thing I knew in life is that I could tell my parents anything and know I had their guidance and support. If I got drunk, I called my parents. Unlike my friends, who were so scared of their parents or felt there parents were never honest with them got in the car and drove drunk. Honesty goes a long way, and I know I respected my parents a lot more because of their own honesty and their understanding that teenagers screw up, it is the parents job to try to lead them down the right path. My dad always said if you can’t start with honesty then you have nothing.

I want to get another wife now that Mitt is a role model ….HA HA PLease use a sarcastic tone when saying tis …… or I wnt to use steroids like a Republican Governor.

First Romney goes after anti-mormon pranksters. Like there is anything he can do about that. What a dummy. Just shows his thin skin.

Now he tells us it’s okay to whitewash your background. If Obama has something to explain, let him explain it.

Romney should go back to fixing the Olympics. China needs him.

By the way, which one of these candidates, democrat or republican, actually has any experience as a leader of anything? Managing a Senate office doesn’t count.

The only two are Guiliani and Romney. And Romney is obviously unfit.

That leaves us with morally challenged Rudy. Well, Rudy will win because he has a personality and a sense of humor. It’s his at least, not some poll-defined plastic construction like Clinton.

Man is Romney way off on this one… I think any candidate that fesses up to things the screwed up or did when they were younger makes them seem more human. Mitt blew it on this one… if aperson learns from his mistakes… then we all benefit. Idiot

I RECENTLY SAW A PICTURE OF 3 CANDIDATES. THEY WERE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE AMERICAN FLAG AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WAS BEING PLAYED. THE CANDIDATES AND 1 OTHER PERSON HAD THERE HANDS OVER THEIR HEARTS EXCEPT OBAMA, HE STOOD WITH HIS HANDS DOWN IN FRONT OF HIM. SHOWS JUST HOW MUCH RESPECT HE HAS FOR OUR COUNTRY. BESIDES THAT THE FACT THAT HE ADMITTED THAT HE DID DRUGS AND WAS A WOMANIZER AND A LAZY IN SCHOOL JUST PROOFS THAT HE KNEW IT LOOKED BETTER TO ADMITE TO IT THEN TO HAVE THE PRESS FIND OUT AND LET IT HIT THE FRONT PAGE LIKE HE WAS TRYING TO HIDE IT. I HAVE NOT RESPECT FOR THIS MAN AND I PRAY THAT HE DOESN’T END UP THE LEADER OF OUR COUNTRY.

Are you kidding me….I am a 24 year old who now works in Law Enforcement and I grew up during Clintons time in office, He did not make being promiscuous look any better or worse to me, people have been doing drugs, drinking and cheating on there spouses since civilization began. I am a republican but give me a break. People ask what about our children the answer is shouldn’t you have already enstilled the ethical and moral fiber in them to make the right choices. Humans obviously make mistakes but learning from them is what seperates us. The countries that force everyone to live by religion never seem to do very well…ask Iraq, Iran and oh yeah most every fallen civilization in history. Make your own choices and live with them, when asked about them be honest so others can learn from the mistakes you have.

Yes Tip Towers, Mitt’s morals do not fit yours. Making him unfit? Rudy is a buffoon.

As a human, I also have made mistakes. Most I have learned from – some perhaps more than others.

I think Romney’s comments are indicative of the lack of tolerance all too common in politics and media. By tolerance I don’t mean acceptance, but understanding.

So Romney’s point is that Obama should have lied? Is Romney saying that its better to have a dishonest President than one who used drugs and honestly talks about it?

Ninny.

Giuliani did not equivocat in his answer. A simple yes coupled with a lillte warts and all rhetoric. Man I love to see a grown-up answer a question!

Yo Carl:

Ditch the sunglasses in the banner, my man.

Would Hume wear sunglasses in a picture? Nuff Said.

Honesty is the best policy. How long has that saying been around? What we are becoming tired of are these celluloid, fake candidates that are afraid to admit past mistakes. Kids should know you can make mistakes, but, you can still pull yourself together and succeed.

I personally am very tired of candidates adopting this “presidential” posture and fake gestures. Someone think tank is telling them it makes them stronger, smarter. It make them look fake and ridiculous to me. Will someone please stand up and be who they are????

Have you seen the transformation Hillary has gone through? Mitt Romney may be a good leader but everything he does is polished and for show. McCain, now he looks real. Obama looks real. Anyone agree??

It is not unreasonable for ‘we the people’ to “expect a pretence of perfection,” to quote Mayor Giuliani. ‘We the people’ have the right to have high expectations of those who want our vote. The fact is that ‘we the people’ are smart enough to realize that, with the exception of Jesus Christ, no one is perfect and that we must accept less than perfection in our leaders.

In the right context and setting, honest and sincere public confession of one’s past failings might be appropriate. Whether Obama’s confession is honest and sincere, the context and setting were dead wrong and it seemed calculated and political. Nevertheless, his lack of any substantive experience and qualifications prohibit him from getting my support.

As for Giuliani, regardless whether his confessions have been honest and sincere, his character is simply too flawed to warrant my support…unless it comes down to Giuliani v. Clinton in the general election and I’m regrettably forced to choose the lesser of two evils.

If qualifications, experience, honesty, transparency, and integrity are important attributes to consider in selecting a President, might I suggest careful examination of Mike Huckabee?

There are people out there who are not (and never have been) dumb enough to use drugs. I have never used drugs or tried alchohol (my family has a history of alchoholism). How come everyone calls Mitt Romney fake when he says that it was a bad idea to bring that up.
Good parents don’t brag about marijuana use, or they’ll have kids who need to outdo them. Kids will rebel and push the limits, and when they know that their president USED drugs (not experimented), they will push those limits.
Obama hasn’t always had it together, but some candidates have.

I think it is about time politics becomes honest. I am so tired of all the liars in the political arena, from your town mayor, state governors, all the way to the White House. We teach our children to lead an honest life and yes, we all make mistakes and we learn from them. That’s what life is about. Why do we allow politicians to get away with sneaky tactics and then have them try to sweep their indiscressions under the rug when their opponents open up the can of worms. BE HONEST FROM THE GET-GO! We are all human. Way to go Obama….you may not win, but you will be remembered for your honesty.

I RESPECT OBAMAS HONESTY. NEITHER ONE IS ADVOCATING THE USE OF DRUGS. RUDY IS ONLY SAYING HE RESPECTS HIS HONESTY. WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE THAT ARE SO NARROW MINDED AND STUPID THAT YOU CAN NOT SEE WHAT THESE TWO CANDIDATES ARE SAYING. BOY, YOUR LIVES ALONG WITH MR. ROMNEYS MUST REALLY BE EXCITING. HAVE YOU NEVER CROSSED OVER YOUR PERFECT PATH IN LIFE???? (GIVE ME A BREAK) HOW CAN GROW IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE NEVER MADE A MISTAKE IN LIFE.
I AM A REPUBLICAN AND WILL VOTE FOR RUDY. I HOPE OBAMA BEATS OUT HILARY!!!!!

People pretending to be perfect aren’t to be trusted. I have more respect for Obama’s honesty, than Mitt’s calculated positioning. A real role model should have some integrity and not say whatever it takes to get elected…at least on the Republican side, Democrats have the media to cover for them:)

After reading the article, then all the comments, it’s still hard to tell outside the complete context exactly what happened when Sen. Obama made his “confession”. I come away with a few questions, though. Since when is one obliged to tell all about past errors / misjudgments / sins / indiscretions to anyone but his or her God, and perhaps a few close, trusted friends? Since when is not advertising one’s past the equivalent of lying? Since when has the term “Christian” become synonymous with “self-righteous” and “religious bigot”? I am a Christian. I have also done things in my younger years I am and will be forever ashamed of. If my children ask about any of those things I will be honest, but not necessarily give all the gory details. Right now especially they do not have the maturity level necessary to handle my past. And there’s no need for them to. There is a difference between sinning and advertising it, and sinning and being forever ashamed, knowing the pain of it, and praying you never do such again. I remember the scene from the movie Yentl where Yentl’s father was teaching her the Torah, much against Jewish tradition / law (I’m not sure which) and the father assures his daughter it’s alright. She asks, if it’s alright why go around the house and cover all the windows — to which he responds, It’s alright with God; I’m not so sure about the neighbors. “Neighbors” can be cruel, jugdmental and condemning. Keep such things between you and God when possible, but in all cases do not lie. I don’t see Gov. Romney encouraging anyone to lie. I will not vote for Sen. Obama. I’m not thrilled with Guiliani. But as a Christian, I will vote for the candidate most likely to allow us to live in true peace (even if that means a defensive war) and unimpeded freedom of religious expression. I encourage all to do the same.

I think Mitt Romney is WRONG! Who made him judge of who should disclose what? I think it is really admirable for Obama to open up about his past mistakes. I also agree with Rudy Giuliani that we shouldn’t expect candidates to be perfect. I think that Obama disclosing his mistakes shows what an individual of courage and great character he is…something I think the front runner Clinton lacks. Candidates are too willing to appease thier constituants by speaking only of their accomplishments. In order to learn, sometimes failure is a part of the equation. I commend Obama for his honesty. I wish more candidates would be so honest about who they really are!!!

Let’s review:

PAST: Presidential candidate joins a FAITH that teaches all believers will get their own planet when they die;
CURRENT: Same candidate believes telling LIES to children is OK and condones pretentiousness.

PAST: Presidential candidate smokes pot/snorts cocaine;
CURRENT: Same candidate tells the TRUTH about the mistake that it was and has learned from it.

Hmmmmm….

Truthfully, I hope our next president pretends he has learned from mistakes, dies and communes with God with Incense and Myrh in the heavens.

Maybe Romney should lust in his heart or admit sometning negative you guy’s want to know .
shame on him for saying role model .

One of my biggest role models is a family member who was a drug and alcohol addict for years. He turned his life around and has fought the good fight every day to stay clean and sober. He is now a successful professional with a good family, who treats the people under him well. He continues to help people in AA face the same demons he did. Sure, he is not proud of his drug- and alcolhol-filled past, but he has more strength in him than so many others, who have never really fought for anything in life.

The fact that someone tried drugs or was a slacker at one point does not bother me. What does concern me about Obama is that he has a lot more experience with motivational speaking than he does politics.

i admire mr barack obama for telling the truth; that means he is not a phony.

he deserves my respect.

How bout just saying you made mistakes early in life, learned from them and move on. Why specify WHAT you did? Does it serve a purpose to specify you snorted coke?

I believe it does send the wrong message to younger kids, that you can do drugs, but that won’t stop you from attaining the highest office in the land. Apparently, drugs aren’t all that bad.

If you have kids, would you specifically tell them WHAT you did wrong early in life, or tell them “Yes, I did things I’m not proud of and they actually kept me from accomplishing more in my life”. How about making something positive out of a negative?

I’m not religious by any means, but am conservative because I think the republicans actually are better for the youth of this country.

Obama is indicative of the kind of people who are liberals, let it all hang out and don’t think it will effect our children. Jeesh, what a bunch of idiots.

Romney’s a damn fool and a phoney who wants to be president just because he wants to be president. Obama is the real deal and exactly what America needs right now. He is the first “change” candidate to actually have a shot at changing the disgusting way business is conducted in Washington.

Certainly all made mistakes in our past and that is understandable. But does that mean we need to air our dirty laundry for all to see? I feel it was the wrong choice to bring up such things from ones past to try and prove one is human. Nobody is perfect and in the past most folks have understood that in their candidates. But to openly discuss the mistakes that were made in the past is not always going to get you a pass. Now he will have a public divided not by the fact that he did such things but by the fact that he brought it up. Not only does it show our youth that maybe it is ok to try these things because a candidate for president did it but it also alienates parents who may not want discussions like this brought to the table. It will be interesting how it plays out but I personally don’t think it should’ve been brought up unless another candidate does first. Once that happens the tables can turn and a candidate can play the nobody’s perfect card. But openly discussing could make a candidate a target.

Contrary to Romney, I feel that his discussion of Obama’s past isn’t showing failure, it is showing his ability to overcome. I am currently going through a similar thing and it is really inspiring. I don’t feel like kids will follow what he was. They will see what he’s made himself into by overcoming it. I respect him much more now. I feel that if Baraq becomes president, which I do hope for, his discussion was a breakthrough in creating a fresh presidential image as human and not flawless but able to overcome personal defeat, which shows very strong character.

Jesus Christ couldn’t get elected President by this crowd.

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”

But hey! Make sure you do your SINS before men, and you’ll become Prezeedential Material, leader of the Free World, and the person with the finger on the nuclear football!

This discussion is just what our country needs – how much authenticity can and will we accept in our political leaders. And what does that say about us as citizens?
In our book, Winning Without Compromising..Yourself, we advocate for greater authenticity among our political leaders. And more importantly shows them how to be better leaders by doing so.
Keep the debate flowing!

This is unbelievable, people saying how honest he is. He broke the law, he implied to high school students that this type of behavior is OK. Are you people that stupid to support this moron. Come on if my kid came home stoned from school and said dad its not big deal, even our President use to get stoned all the time. And by the way we robbed a store , shot the clerk and then got get pulled over for running someone over, maybe that is OK also, if I tell everyone about it. Are you people really that stupid, apparently so. Maybe no one is perfect but lets not make someone President of the most powerful country on the planet with admintedly no shame, embarrassement on a very serious issue. This is very sad how we can even let this shameless man run for President.

I’m sort of half and half here. On one end of the spectrum, it’s probably true that everyone in their lifetime has done something they really regret and wish they could take back. If Obama played it like he truly regretted his decision, then I would tend to think that what he did was okay. If Obama said, “Well, I took this and this and this, but I still can be President,” then that is the wrong message. It all depends on what Obama was trying to get across to the kids.

Therefore, both Rudy and Mitt may be correct. As President, you want to be candid, but you also want to be an upstanding citizen that many can look to as their role model. I am looking for both of these qualities in our next President.

Wow up to now I would never considered voting for Obama. But I am begining to like what I hear from this man. If person can get off their thing as being Democrat or Repulican and start thinking whats right for the plain America folks. Obama is a very smart person. This way people find out from him and he can preach against it. And not have it come from one of his goody goody perfect running mates. The truth is something the American people love to hear because we don’t seem to hear it much.

There is nothing refreshing about Obamma being a lazy drug user. True, Bush was a lazy drunk at one time but there is nothing refreshing about that honesty. You prefer to penalize Romney for his convictions and wealth of experience and hard work and instead hire a lazy senator from a senate with a 11% approval rating; probably the worst in US history. But what would a lazy American know about US history? Most of you can’t point out Kansas City on a map let alone vote for a man that has to deal with real challenges at home and abroad. Obamma and Hillary and the rest of the senators suck. That is the bottom line. They have no leadership ability whether they are honest or not. Probably not all that honest either.

I’m amused by self righteous, pompous, fundamentalist hypocrites. Mitt is an ass. Mormons are ——- idots. Religious zeolots of any persuasion are complete idiotic —holes.

Nothing is wrong about stepping into your own back yard or sitting down in your own easy chair and smoking a cigar or a joint or swirling your favorite scotch.

What the hell is life for? Constantly praying to fictitious gods? Denying women their rights? Destroying the environment? Stifling science? Murdering people for their oil and bragging about it (”bring em on”, “mission accomplished)? Occasionally, visiting your ancestors is a good thing. And it would be good if George and all “red” citizens visited their ancestors permanently.

This holier than thou religious fundamentalist leaning nation is in it’s last throes. I think this is a much truer statement than Cheney’s “last throes” statement about the insurgents in Iraq. Or all of his other republican lies. Anyone in approval of the Republican platform does not deserve a place to live on planet earth.

Sam Sharp

Hey Kerri,

I am glad that whenever you got drunk you called your parents. I want my children to call me too if they get drunk…. once. Your parents failed you by condoning your behavior and allowing it to become acceptable.

Go ahead and tell your kids about all your youthful indescretions, premarital sex? sure I did that, getting drunk? Yep, Drugs? You bet! I am sure you will be their best friend. I am sure they will listen when you tell them they should respect you, respect the law, respect others, respect rules and respect themselves regardless of what you did. After all you were being honest, why bother teaching them when you can just let them screw up?

Sorry to be harsh, but I take comfort in knowing that you respect my honesty……

Ok, so how will Obama be able to pass a security clearance to sensitive information? Our own military has a very specific guideline on past useage….Will Obama be exempt from the same standards because he is in a high public office?

Not sure how any republican can rail away on Obama for his mistakes considering the current president did cocaine. Let’s not let hypocrisy run rampant here folks.

Thank God finally someone who is honest. It is about time someone, especially a politician is real about themselves and life. God Bless him. I have a lot of admiration for him.He could still be out there doing drugs and be a burden to our society instead of all he has done for it.

Makes me now wonder what Mr. Romney might be hiding.

It’s about time someone is telling the truth. I say if they never admit their mistakes, they are either not being truthful or they aren’t living the way most of us live… Obama stands for the future…

Let’s vote for the Candidate who confesses to the nastiest sins!
Anyone care to itemize them for your children to see and learn about?

I can see it now. A political cartoon of a married couple with children wondering why the Presidential Debates aren’t televised after 10:00pm.

This Debate has a V-chip rating of TV-MA.

why does rudy feel the need to keep emphasizing he is not perfect?…..”…while I’m not perfect…”….”…I’m not perfect…”…seems like a lot of bad stuff is still to come out on this guy perhaps?

Oh my goodness, such a honest candidate. Come on, this guy is becoming a master of
political blah,blah. It’s like he has been a politician right out of the gate. Behind every suposedly honest statement is a manipulation, and you really never know what is true or where he stands. So he did drugs and tells about it, now in this moment today where does he
stand. I do not want to hear his sad sob stories, I want to hear ideas and proposals of leadership.

Disclosure is not always the key. Some of you are so ridiculous, and you find comfort in the candidates who support your own history.

Romney is not saying to lie, he is saying that people don’t need to know about your illegal and immoral actions. I think there are some people we can pretty much assume they’ve had a past, and we don’t really need to hear about it.

Keeping your mouth shut also helps keep government secrets SECRET. Knowing when to talk, and when to shut is a benefit, not a hindrance.

I’m voting for Mitt Romney!!

How about morals in the White House, and more morals in America? What a concept. How about if we can see how noble we can become, not how low we can go?

Clinton already taught a generation about sex, we don’t need another president to teach another generation about illegal drugs.

Parents and leaders must be good moral examples if we desire to have a good, moral country.

Mainstream America does want a good, moral country.

I have to agree with Romney, the president of the United States has to lead by example. Kids don’t need to think it is ok to go out and get wasted on drop and booze while they are in high school. My parents never told me that they went out and got all boozed up in high school and I didn’t need to know either. My parents just wanted it to be better for me and I want it to be better for my kids, but I don’t think telling my kids about the bad decisions I made in high school will help accomplish that. It is tough enough for kids to made the right decisions as teens. I certaintly don’t think a person who is suppose to be a leader should be telling kids he did not have enough will power to keep himself straight as a teen. That is not my idea of a roll model!

This is a TMI mistake. Whether it’s a big one or not will show down the road. If someone is clearly digging for dirt in your past and seems likely to find it, sure, come clean and people will appreciate the honesty. If, however, you just volunteer it without much apparent cause, then you are either being self-serving in some way or just a bit foolish. Romney is at least partly right here. It does more harm than good for presidential candidates to start volunteering the mistakes of their youth, both to that candidate and to society. What we see as normal should be moral and smart even if it isn’t, as that creates a beneficial standard for people in general to live up to. When someone seeking the presidency goes out of his way to volunteer that he missed that standard in his youth he sends a number of messages. That he came back from those mistakes is a good one, but that he made them in the first place tends to suggest that normal isn’t really all that smart or normal as people may want people to believe. That 2nd part is definitely not a good thing.

His honesty in this context I think is admirable. I believe kids on the wrong path can relate to this and have hope rather than think they can get away with this behavior. He is trying to help kids.THat is always admirable.

I think it is a refreshing change to actually hear a politician speak candidly and frankly about their past mistakes. Of course Rudy has no choice but to agree as he has made more mistakes in the public’s eye than most people. Mitt on the other hand has weighed in and told us that Obama made a big mistake by being truthful which can only lead us to believe that if he was in the same situation he would have lied about it. When will these people understand that telling the truth and asking for forgiveness is way more acceptable than covering up the truth and lying about it? The truth almost always finds a way out eventually. Once the deceptions of the Bush Administration are made public, and they will be during the next administration. There will not be another Republican elected president for 16 years. I will be voting for Democrats across the board in this coming election and Obama just went to the top of my list.

This is why I like Guiliani, Obama, and Paul. They’re not afraid to speak their minds. I’m so sick of all the “sound bytes” we’ve had from the Bush/Clinton dynasty for the last two decades.

We had 8 years of a pot-smoking (but not inhaling) womanizer who perjured himself and was indicted. This country had no problem electing skirt-chasing Clinton.

Character is important. At least Obama was forthcoming on this issue. I still would never vote for the man – he has no experience outside of the Senate and I wouldn’t trust him any farther than I could throw the Rock of Gibralter.

It seems that lying is now the prerequisite in order to be a politician in this country. What a shame.

I applaud Mr. Obama has done, although I do agree with some posters that this may have not been the correct audience to send this message to, it is important to have a president/candidate that is honest, and his message to these kids is not “I did drugs and look I’m a presidential candidate” I see it more along the lines of “Sure I made these mistakes, but they did not ruin my life, I over came my flaws and am a better person because of my struggles and triumphs.”
I would also like to note that I vehemently disagree with people who claim that drugs are “evil”… drugs are merely chemicals. These chemicals are inanimate objects , they are neither good or evil.. PEOPLE are evil. If we want to get young people to stop taking drugs we have to explain to them the truth. alcohol is not EVIL, pot is NOT evil, drugs are not EVIL… it is the people that abuse them, the people that would harm and endanger their fellow man to use them that are evil. The man that gets drunk and drives is evil, but the man who gets drunk at home and goes to bed is not, the difference between them is that in the first instance the drunk endangers others, in the later instance the drunk is only harming himself. Anyone that thinks that these inanimate substances are evil is ignorant, people are the only things that are evil.
What a person does in his own house, that does not pose a risk of harm to his fellow men/women is their own business, I nor anyone else including the government, has the right to tell him what he can and can’t do in the privacy of their own house. I applaud Mr. Obama for his honesty, this is the first step, once people can wake up and be honest we can begin to see the truth of the situation, that it is people that are evil, not drugs. The reason we have a current substance abuse poroblem is because we are not educating children correctly. For all of their inexperience children are still smart, you tell a child alcohol is bad, then they see the fridge in the basement, or the local bar in town (or the 5 bars) its not hard to see the double standard.

It’s funny thay only a small number of people here get what just happened…

1. Hillary has “dirt” on Obama.
2. Obama uses a group of kids to bring his questionable past to the table. Whether it’s the dirt Hillary had or not, bringing it up shuts her up because she has a past with drugs as well. It’s a win/win for Obama because people will say “oh wow, he’s so honest” even though any psychologist will tell you what he did was a bad idea.
3. Rudy agrees with Obama because he doesn’t want to run against Hillary and any positive support for an opposing candidate is a win for him.
4. Romney weighs in to show he’s the “true conservative candidate.” With Huckabee the Christian Conservative’s poll numbers skyrocketing in Iowa, Romney sees he needs to step it up and appeal to the righteous.

If any candidate want’s me to help them campaign, shoot me an email, I’m dead right with this one.

So what’s the problem?

The current occupant of the White House is by his own admission is a “reformed” alcoholic.

Reading comprehension was part of my education process at a very early age. Apparently it wasn’t for many of you. Romney never said he didn’t make critical judgemental mistakes. He said he believes that it is wrong to present those mistakes as acceptable behaviour. When you are as successful as Obama or Romney, you can’t say “don’t do what I did”.

As Chris Miller stated: “Substance abuse counselors and programs actually encourage schools to adopt policies such that teachers do not share stories of their past or current alcohol or drug use. Not doing so can actually have the impact of encouraging drug and alcohol use.”

This is standard school policy. Research has shown that sharing these stories has an adverse effect. While you may think your honesty is discouraging the student from drug use, in reality it is quite the opposite. The more successful a person is who is admitting this behaviour, the more likely the student is to think that it is acceptable behaviour.

It was the best thing for him to do rather than wait for others to do it and then accuse him of hiding his past. He had no other option. I don’t agree with Romney. I think kids learn more from someone who fell from grace a few times and then went on to change their lives and do good. I approve of what he did, but I am still voting for Hilary.

What is the matter with people about the skeletons in their closests??? I admire Barack Obama for being honest about his past as kids that are messing up can take a look at that and say to themselves, that they too can change for the better. Look at Senator Obama today. I couldn’t agree more with Guiliani in his opinion of this honesty. Senator Romney, you should know the tenacity of the political people,no matter what party, to see how much dirt they try and dig up on candidates. It is fine that you have a sterling record but that does not make Senator Obama tainted. He is a well educated man who has turned something negative into something very positive and that makes him ‘real’ in today’s world. What about the forgiveness that God teaches us. Less pot shots can be taken when full disclosure with a record of positive change has been shown through the years. I am a registered Republican and a committed Christian who is very interested in this young man’s leadership abilities whether he is chosen as President or will remain serving this country. We need more like him, honest and real.

Yes, that is right, a good Christian or a Morman would not tell the truth, they would say they did not do drugs even if they did do drugs. At least obama tells the truth and does not care what others think.

Yes, Mitt, EVERY ONE of my children reacted to Obama’s statement by thinking, “We CAN’T become President of the United States UNLESS we do drugs, because look at Obama!!!” And your children, Mitt? Didn’t they think that too? No? Well, why did mine and not yours, Mitt? Do tell! Perhaps mine are……S-T-U-P-I-D? Mitt? Are my children S-T-U-P-I-D? How will they find your name on the ballot? Mitt? MITT?!?

I think Romney is not of the real world because all have came short of the glory of GOD. for him to say the he feel this man is wrong for telling the truth then that tell me a lot about him other words he will lie about his pass and keep it hid then to tell the truth and realize the pass can be forgiving. I WANT TO KNOW CAN MR ROMNEY SAY HE NEVER IN HIS LIFE GOT INTO NO KIND OF TROUBLE?

Let’s see….

:–”I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court,

He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.

Nope doesn’t say anything about being a good student, being a religious person, nope nothing about living a lifetime clean and sober with the same woman…can’t find a thing about thse issues.

How about we find a candidiate who can effectievly unite and lead the country and not worry about this crap. It seems we’ve had a few of them in the past…Jefferson and his black mistress, Kennedy enjoying the favors of various women, Washington the slave owner.

Quite franly I couldn’t care less if the President spent the evening with cross dressing hookers doing lines of coke provided they were effective in their Constitutional duties; they’re an elected civil servant not a role model, not a king (or queen as the case may be). Perhaps if our focus on what their true responsibilites are, we’d find and elect better leaders.

Thats pretty stupid for you guys to think that canidates should say those things, presidents are sopposed to be role models not say experimenting with drugs is ok mitt romney is by far the best canidate just look at his record and things he did, what Guiliani all he did was be there for 9/11 thats it, and the only reason hillary is up there is because of bill and how many wifes has guiliani had again?

The drugs don”t bother me as much as finding out Obama was raise Muslim. Why is no one talking about this????????????????? If he were Catholic or Jewish; this would be a BIG DEAL.

They all lie

I will Not be voting for Mr. Obama (or any other democrat for that matter), but I have to admit that at first I admired his honesty. However, after some consideration I realized that telling a room of schoolkids about your past drug use probably isn’t the proper forum for this sort of political announcement (and have no doubt that is what this was). Should we expect our presidentioal candidates to be perfect? No. Should we expect them to be discreet? Yes. Regardless of how Mr. Obama has dealt with the rest of his life, this chapter in it is nothing to be proud of.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion on what Giuliani and Obama’s statements say about their morals, and I’m personally not sure on this issue yet. If you don’t support these candidates because of the moral positions their statements represent, thats fine. I think anyone who suggests that they are probably going to start taking drugs in the White House is being more than a little ridiculous, though.

Obama didn’t drink and do drugs alone. Someone is out there just waiting to claim that they did drugs with Obama and tell about it at a critical point in the campaign, and I have no doubt that Hillary is looking for just such a person, if she doesn’t have them already. Romney is wrong. I won’t vote for Obama, but not because he used drugs years ago.

OBAMA deserves praise for being honest and truthful about himself and the reality of life. We all make mistakes and no one is perfect. He is being honest and realistic and that gets my respect any day over someone who is going to lie to my face and be dishonest behind my back like we are all so used to with politicians. It takes courage to be that honest with people.

Mitt Romney is wrong. He is the kind of person you cant trust because obviously he doesnt realize how important the telling the truth is to contituents. We are not idiots, we can sense when someone is being candid and forthright with us and we appreciate it. We are thirsty for it and we should all know now that MITT ROMNEY IS ONE CANDIDATE WHO WOULD RATHER LIE. Who wants another president like this in the white house? Not me.

As a minister, when I preach I don’t share with my congregation the sins of my youth.but rather try challenge youth and old to live Godly lives. Rommne is right. Although I am backing Huck, former gov. of Arkansis. Best qualified to be our next president. Check his resumae

Well, ole’ Mitt probably just exposed himself as being the “better than you” candidate, which may not play well with the voters today. I would think that most of us have had enough of this kind of nonsense. Obama admitted to his mistakes, which is more than Mr. Romney has ever done.

–
“Who’s takin’ you for a ride?”
http://fraudvictimalert.typepad.com

i think everyone’s complaints/concerns about obama’s comments are exaggerated. he did not say that drugs are okay, or that you can do drugs and turn out fine. all he acknowledged was that he previously used drugs when he was younger and did not apply himself. That would entail that until he stopped taking drugs, he could not reach his full potential. As a college student, anything that obama said is not going to make more kids start taking drugs, that is absolutely ridiculous. “Now that obama admitted to smoking weed, I’m gonna go get stoned!” I don’t think that is going to happen. All of the GOP moralists need to lighten up, there is no way any presidential candidate from either party would be taking drugs now and what obama said in no way would contribute to teen drug use.

Well, doing cocaine, driving drunk, dodging blow-off military service at a time of war and being pushed through college because of who you are isn’t much of a role model for the children. Is our children learning?

This whole idea that telling others about your problems is quite ignorant.
It is very similar to the whole Sex Education question.

Currently, we say to our children, don’t have sex, but if you do then this is how to do it.
This completely sends the wrong message to children.

Personally, I have always liked a rock solid role model to follow.
People have problems, and I have mine, however telling others that they
can do terrible things and still be “okay” is the wrong message.

Honesty is still the best policy and if Barrack wins he will be responsible for alot of policy… Today’s kids would like to know how adults handled these drug related issues and I would bet Mr. Obama has learned a lesson or two that would be worthy of passage by both sides of the isle…

Interesting as this discussion is, I think to what this man is applying for. The Presidency. The highest government job, with the highest security clearance, go ahead and try to get a security clearance by telling the investigator what he said. GOOD LUCK. Oh, but he could be President, that is different?

Mitt probably doesn’t have any “drug/alcohol/premarital anything” skeletons in his closet because these behaviors keep you out of mormon temples (although some mormons do lie about these things and still get in) and mormons are highly motivated to be what they call “temple worthy.” Mormon children are taught from day one to “stay worthy” for the temple because they can’t get to heaven without being married in the temple. This is why we see almost all mormons living perfect lives (at least outwardly) because they truly believe that where they go after this life depends on their sinless behavior. They are very focused on external appearances for this reason, and also because their salvation depends on how well they grow the church and gain converts through their perfect examples of perfect behavior. By the way, you can’t go to the temple if you drink coffee or tea, shop or play sports on Sunday, etc. And remember, no temple–no heaven (celestial kingdom to mormons) for you.

The president is role model ….well look at Bush and he is suppose to be a ” Good Christian” Oh please ….they are nothing but a bunch of liars in the White House and more and more stuff is coming out all the time ….There is enough evidence to impeach the president …..Obama is not my forst choice …but if he was …his confession would not have an impact on my decession …..I am a independent …I vote for who is the best person ….not who is Democrate or Repubican ……Romney is a self ritious ass**** ……Guiliani only came to the defence of Obama because of what the press has put him through. As far as I am concerend …christian are every bit as fanaticale as muslins ….they allow a higher power to decide for them ….If there is an God ….he would be a forgiving God and he wouldn’t judge obama …..only a good christian would ….it makes me sick …. Bush and people like him will eventually end up in hell where they belong.

Mr Romney has shed a little light on his belief system here. What he believes is that by doing good and being perfect he will achieve his goals. Contrary to Christian belief that we are all sinners incapable of doing good. Mr Obama is doing the right thing by not trying to present himself as perfect.

I believe that they are both being honest about how they view there lives.

Why is pot such a big deal? It is safer than acohol and tobacco, both used in socializing situations I am sure at many Congressional functions by adults. Marijuana, like other drugs, is not for kids. There are many activities in our society that we permit adults to do, but forbid children, such as motorcycle riding, skydiving, signing contracts, getting married and drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco. However, we do not condone arresting adults who responsibly engage in these activities in order to dissuade our children from doing so. Nor can we justify arresting adult marijuana smokers on the grounds of sending a message to children. Our expectation and hope for young people is that they grow up to be responsible adults, and our obligation to them is to demonstrate what that means.

Obama was raised muslim. To me that is a major problem, not whether he drank or did drugs.

To err is human. To admit the error in one’s ways takes humility. Of course the self-righteous will always cast the first stones as though they have never made mistakes. In his words, those were times when he didn’t apply himself a lot. The moral of the story, (which I’m sure is what the high school kids in his audience took away as well) is success follows when we choose the right. It speaks more to the selfishness of adults than the intelligence of high school kids when we seek to score political points against each other or apply an interpretation of Barack’s words that suits our political arguments. I give the high schoolers enough credit to take the message and apply it to their lives by making their own good choices.

An observation after reading these comments so far:

Why is it that Ron Paul supporters inevitably opt to vote for the Democrat? I just read someone write they’d vote for Obama rather than Romney (a Pauler wrote that) and on every other Paul comment that’s written, it’s always being said that they’ll “vote for Hillary/Edwards/Richardson/Obama” IF (anyone but Paul is the GOP nominee)”.

Thus, my ongoing conclusion about Paulers is that they’re Liberals gone past the Far Left and maneuvering for the Democrats. It’ll be interesting at some time in the future to see just how many Liberals/Democrats have been involved in that funding for Paul, though I’m not holding my breath.

Voting for Obama, an outright Marxist, will never be the decision by any Conservative. Thus, I dare say, the Paulers reveal themselves yet again as not Conservative and working against a Republican White House.

Just an observation. For all the “we’re conservatives” stuff from the Paulers I read, they always opt to vote for Obama. There is not one moderate nor conservative among any of today’s Democrats — they are all as Far Left as can be. I’m still amazed that the Democrat leading choice is between a Marxist and another Marxist.

At least Barack is telling the truth about his early years, unlike our current president who has covered up his early mistakes and has continueed to lie to the American people throughout his tenure. We’ve all made mistakes, but we don’t all ‘fess up and get on about our business. More power to this man of honesty.

A a republican I appreciate Baracks honesty – none of us are perfect.
And it may be a good political move to get that information out early and on your own terms.
You gotta know Hillary or whoever is already aware of this and is just waiting for the right time.

You people who are against what Obama said live in a fantasy world. Go take your legal drugs like Prozac, Ritalin, Zanex etc.. Drink your alcohol, and go on pretending that those are better than Marijuana or some opiate. You puritans keep your heads in the sand.
When are we gonna start to realize that truth is the authority and not authority the truth.
If you are curious about this world, if your passion is to seek out the truth than you will do whatever it takes to get to that truth. Maybe a acid trip gave you some insight, maybe mushrooms, perhaps a smoke out session made you realize something you were missing while “sober” and in “reality”. There is a time and place for everything.

I suppose mr romney would prefer that such youhtful errors in judgement and coping be brought out later on by the press,!?!? Trust me it will come out just like Bush’s dui. I wonder what mr. romney has done he would prefer kept quiet. I don’t agree to giving a lot of air time to people discussing their errors, but let’s not have it hidden under a rock either. People that are going to think — “oh I can do it and still become president” — well — I hate to tell you –they are going to do it any way irrespective of what mr obama says…lets get real and try not to scapegoat each other in the process — scapegoating is so old and immature!!!! grow up candidates!!!!!

Obama did not set a bad example by discussing his past indiscretions with those highschoolers–let’s remember he told them he made *mistakes*! He was not advocating the use of drugs, he called them a waste of time and talked about how they inhibited him.

Mitt is plain wrong, and from my perspective it sounds like his solution to combating the drug problem in our society is to simply not talk about it. That’s gonna get us real far.

Many of those children probably have friends or relatives who have become embroiled in drug problems. Pretending to be self-righteous and claiming to have never done drugs is no way to relate to those kids. If you want to teach them something, teach them not to make the same mistakes–it will be a more valuable lesson coming from someone who’s been there and learned from it than from some pompous, “perfect” human being.

Go Obama!

Way to go Romney. We need more pompous, arrogant, authoritarian fools like you leading the country. Thanks for showing your true colors before the elections.

By the way, presidents aren’t supposed to be role models any more than sports heroes or entertainers. They are supposed to be leaders, aka: those that people will follow. Hopefully they will know the direction to take everyone. While Romney is looking backwards, Obama is moving forward.

The only ones Romney stands a chance of leading are those he can buy. Obama, far and away, shows better leadership qualities than Romney. People actually want to see and follow him. They sense he is the only one in the field with the possibility of pulling the country together and moving into a common future. All of the other major candidates on both sides are divisive.

While you’re going after cultural issues, just what are you going to do about Rudy’s morality? Ignore it, hide it, whitewash it? Romney’s hypocrisy? Both of these guys are flip-floppers on all your major issues and hollow suits. Obama’s the one with the real leadership qualities, even though I’m not quite ready to support him yet. This pushes me closer.

You mean romney is slamming obama for the things that bush did 10-15 years ago???

I personally think Obama will use any tactic conceivable to gain popularity. His sudden take-off in the direction of “openess” and “forthrightness” is nothing more than a transparent facade. He is nothing more than a pompous, self-righteous, and “wet-behind the ears” neophyte politician. It truly scares me that such an unlearned individual with no track record and no experience can even begin to think he should hold such a position as President of the United States. His mantra of a “New direction and New Ideas” is the quintessential Joke-of-the-Day…….. Stop talking and address these “new ideas and new direction”. This incessant and extraneous rhetoric will drive us all nuts!

Are we all now to apply the term, “flip flopper” to Obama?

I mean, he used drugs and enjoyed himself, now he says he doesn’t use drugs and doesn’t allegedly want to enjoy them, so, he’s a “flip flopper,” right?

If not that, then what?

Liberals exhaust themselves scrambling to justify just about everything, including damning people of faith for their faith, and especially Christian morality, yet they applaud the “honesty” of Obama in his extended AA-style confessional, regardless of audience and venue.

I think this is just Obama being political. I don’t think it reveals about him a “good program” of recovery or sobriety, either, as to the drugs issues.

Many here defend marijuana use as if “everyone does it!” Well, everyone doesn’t do it, did not do it in the Sixties, some people actually don’t like smoking nor marijuana. But Obama’s referring to his past drug use of cocaine, I believe. That’s a more substantial thing than mere dalliance once or twice at a party in his youth.

Obama should save this sort of confessional talk for drug recovery meetings and books in his old age. Otherwise, his revelations as told here are entirely for political purposes, in hopes of making ploy of eager youth who he wants to impress as lovable. And you know what that indicates? That his focus is with himself, and not with the youth he “shared” before. He’s concerned about himself, about the leverage issue, about almost certainly heading off the Clinton damnation that is about to fall with whatever it is they’re threatening to reveal (or not reveal, depending on what day Hillary says what).

My question is, when did he ever stop doing that or did he?
We don’t expect our candidates to be perfect but we sure as hell don’t want someone with so much bad judgment and bad baggage behind him. It’s a question of character and judgment which bears a reflection on this entire nation a test, Obama has already a failure an educated one at that. His kind of behavior does not change simply because one decides to run for president. We need a president with strong moral values a man who because he is more and better educated does not succumb to outside pressures, someone who has America’s interest at heart. Obama is still fighting his personal demons. We can forgive him but voting for this man will put a stamp of approval on bad judgment, decision making like Iraq and bad behavior like drug abuse, womanizing lies and more lies is OK. If that’s the case we may as well send our moral values and the constetution off to Irac, we sure as hell are not using it.

Romney, while I respect him as a person (and I am a registered Republican) has taken the wrong view on this issue. Why do you think so many kids are screwed up. They are brainwashed, by television, hollywood and corporate Marketing, into thinking that they need to be perfect…or at least appear to be. And that’s a bunch of bull.

Obama is doing more good than “harm” by sharing his imperfect world as a teen with other imperfect teens…go ask the counselors. Open up America!

It would probably come out anyway, so it’s better he beat ‘em to it. And as far as Romney goes…well, it makes me wonder what he’s hiding.

Couple of things that seem to be blowing right over the heads of some folks here:

1. 75-80% of Americans try illegal drugs sometime in their lives. The overwhelming majority of them do not become junkies or addicts, and move on to become productive and successful members of society.
2. The folks that are implying that Obama is trying to undermine some coming ’scandal’ or rushing information out before someone else does ignores the fact that he already admitted this stuff in one of his books.

I’m seeing far too many people here that are either in the virginal 20-25% of Americans, or are in denial about their own pasts…OR they’re okay with being liars.

I do tell ALL of my kids about my past failures. No, I don’t go into details, but to be anything but honest with them is just not an option for me, and it makes me chuckle to see so many Foxheads that supposedly follow the 10 commandments be so willing to break one because they can’t admit their mistakes.

Now, I couldn’t brand myself as either a conservative or liberal on all issues. On one hand, I raise my kids to be polite, respectful, honest and to have a good work ethic. I think that the sexualization of young kids in media, fashion and advertising is deplorable. I also believe making government smaller by making it more efficient. But I also believe that we should have universal health care, stop putting people in prison for victimless crimes, and that one group’s religious book should NOT be the basis for our legal system. They have that in the Middle East… it’s called Sharia Law. Look it up. (The folks that want to legislate according to the Bible are the same ones that would lose their minds if someone ELSE’s religious book was used instead of theirs… hypocrisy much?)

By the way, so far, our method of being honest with the kids has worked amazingly well. Two of my stepsons (who were told about their parent’s drug, sex and alcohol experimentation) have recently graduated with honors as engineers (one Software, one Aeronautical) from Virginia Tech. They are both vehemently anti-drug, anti-smoking. And we have 5 more that are on the same path. (Three youngest… 10, 11 and 13, all just brought home perfect report cards yesterday).

It comes down to this: If a Presidential Candidate telling your children that they tried drugs and alcohol… and that said Candidate regrets the mistake and realizes the wasted time… and that they furthermore learned and grew up and became a successful lawyer and legislator… will set them on the path to junkiedom, how well are you really parenting your children?

Of course Guiliani is going to support Obama’s confessing to past indiscretions; he has more skeletons in his closet than all the candidates (except Hillary) combined.

Romney was correct in his criticism of Obama’s disclosure of his drug use to a group of teenagers. These kids need proper role models, and of all people in the world, the President should be that person. There are plenty of people in this country who have never smoked or tried drugs (I’m married to one). Is it too much to hope that the person we elect as our leader was one of those people making good choices at an early age? Must we constantly keep lowering the bar??

I think Mitt Romney is a mistake

I agree with Mike. I never even knew about drugs or alcohol until I heard Obama’s speech…then I figured, I better check this out…so tonight, I’m getting drugs and alcohol, and I’m goin’ all out…I mean I’m gettin’ as far out as I can man…way past the point of being eligeable for the presidency.

First, his wife Michelle tells the world he is so “snore-y and stinky” when he wakes up in the morning that their daughters won’t crawl into bed with him, and now we have Barack’s coke snorting, dope smoking and heavy drinkling teenage lifestyle. Do we have too much information here? Don’t these two realize that some things are just better left unsaid? Is this a confessional or an election campaign? Does this couple have enough common sense to lead the free world? I think not.

Every time Mitt Romney opens his mouth, he gives me another reason not to vote for him. He’s running for president, not God. I don’t like Obama’s politics, but I appreciate his candor and his general consistency. I abhore pious, sanctimonious politicians like Romney who flip-flop on critical issues.

Mitt must also be using drugs and booze if he thinks that Americans use the President as a role model.

It is interesting that the people who have made alot of mistakes are all on the Obama train. The people who made good choices and refrained from doing the wrong thing are for Romney.HHMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

Bush Jnr took drugs and had an alcohol problem. I might not respect his decisions as a leader, but I think he is human and I respect him for fighting and overcoming his substance abuse problem.

first off – i typically vote democrat and am, as of now, supporting obama.

that’s not why i’m writing, though. i always read the comments to stories and get irritated at their one-sidedness or irrationality. this time, however, i am happy to read comments from so many people – regardless of party – sticking up for honesty as a principle. it makes me proud to be an american to think that although i may not agree with you politically, you believe that brutal truth – even if that truth is hard to swallow – is more important than sugar coating or prevaricating.

so, to all the people – democrat, republican, independent, or otherwise – to whom i am referring, thank you. i am proud to live in a country with people like you and am, in a way, very happy that you support your candidates and i support mine. after all, that is the way our founders intended it. keep fighting the good fight and may the best man or woman win.

If Obama did or didn’t do drugs wouldn’t sway my opinion of him so long as he is truly over it.

What DOES sway my opinion is for Obama to get up in front of school kids and bring the subject up himself…not in response to a question on it…and to play it off like it’s OK.

If someone asks him if he ever tried drugs and he gave that response, then it is respectable…but he is using it as a political ploy…wow we are so gullible sometimes!!!!

Look at this blog and how many people are saying they LIKE OBAMA BETTER because of this.

It Was Calculated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RUDY HAS COME TO OBAMAS DEFENSE BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT THERE IS PLENTY OF DIRT ON HIMSELF THAT WILL SOON BE COMING OUT AND HE WANTS TO PROTECT HIS A**. HE KEEPS SAYING HE;’S NOT PERFECT AND HAS MADE LOTS OF MISTAKES HIMSELF..WELL THATS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. WE DONT NEED A PRESIDENT WHO JUST KEEPS EXCUSING HIMSELF FOR ALL HIS MISTAKES AND POOR JUDGEMENT. WE ALREADY HAVE THAT IN BUSH.

There is no one person running for President that scares me as much as Mitt Romney.
As a resident of Massachusetts I saw first hand his poor performance in office and his totally fabricated persona. Clear and simple – Mr Romney has flip flopped on just about every important issue and would suffocate this country with his holier than thou
sermons. I would never judge a man by his religious beliefs – but least we not forget decades ago his great great great grandfather had multiple wives.
I would suggest to Mitt Romney to really show who he is instead of this plastic veneer.
I salute Mr Obama on his honesty and appalud Mr Guiliani… I’m die hard Dem from Boston but I am considering voting for Rudy.

Romney is wrong! True Christianity is not a cultural hiding game! Granted we should not be reveling or promoting our sins — they need to be repented of…but that doesn’t make us any less the sinners we are. Funny how someone like Rudy seems to understand that and the supposed “moral” candidate doesn’t. I hope this shows evangelical voters that Rudy isn’t the bad man they think he his.

If Obama hadn’t said it then Hillary would have made it public. He was smart to get it out now so she couldn’t use her Clinton tactics on him.

Bill Clinton smoked but did not inhale.Hillary would never fail to exercise decorum in telling youth to study hard and excel rather than Obama Gen-X tactics of telling youth he identifies with their angst and adjustment issues. Romney is , of course, correct. This wasn’t the venue to “share” war stories of youthful illegal drug abuse. A friendly visit to a halfway-house or homeless shelter for drug-abusers in recovery might have been a better “feel your pain” venue for Senator O. He may not be a “square” but he needs to exercise greater judgment and less candor to impress upon the youth of America lasting values, not the rhetoric of youthful “feel your pain.”

I believe one question can answer this dilemma:

What effect did Bill Clinton’s deplorable behavior have on the morals of our nation? What he termed not sexual relations was almost never spoken of before Clinton. Now, one would think from the chatter of today’s teens that, rather than being demeaning and “worse than” , it is not only accepted, but almost expected.

We need more Heroes! Clean, exemplary Heroes. Our nation has had enough of the tawdry, the decadent. We see it everywhere we look. I want a President that will lift our nation, a man of high integrity. I do not want a junky, a “coke head, a Serial adulterer, or someone who even stole the White House China back in there again!

I want a CHANGE! I want an Honest man … with High Integrity …a Faithful Man I can point to as an example, whose moral strength will be a pattern for our children, a hard working, loyal, compassionate family man who understands the value of Service, the meaning of a promise, a covenant, a commitment.

I want a Hero. And I thank God I have one to Vote for this time! Need I even say his name?

I want Mitt Romney as the Leader of Our Great Nation, the man I know will listen to us, as he listened as Governor, where I reached him by phone long before he said he was running for President! I am grateful he is willing to serve our nation for no other reason than to do his best to keep us safe and strong and trim back the waste he alone is so adept at finding, and has so often done – at the Olympics, various businesses, and as Governor of MA, when he could easily take all his family and friends and sit on a beach somewhere in luxury for the rest of his life… if he was a different kind of man. I thank the Lord he is who he is, altruistic enough to take on this great challenge for the good of our nation, and our people.

Jim posted at 2:03 … Anyone can make good choices when they change them constantly to fit the audience. As a resident of Massachusetts – I saw personally what a total failure this man was for our state.
I am a die hard Democrat from Boston and I am considering voting for Rudy.

DOES THIS MEAN HE INHALED???

So Mitt would prefer people to lie in order to show the kids how they ought to behave. Because everyone knows if you’ve experimented with drugs you’ll never amount to anything in life.

This was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO calculated!

Do you really think that Obama just decided to bring up his drug use on a whim? He was not asked a question about it. Was he trying to relate to school kids by saying “I did drugs just like you”?

Of course not. He knew it would remind people of the waffling of Hillary’s husband. He knew from Billy’s experience that America wouldn’t care about him trying then quitting drugs. He knew he could get the right wing in a tizzy.

Him writing about it or talking about it in response to a question is one thing. But he DELIBERATELY brought up the subject in front of high school students!

This was a political ploy that is working.

Republican President William McKinley used cocaine in the whitehouse over a 100 years ago and by all accounts historians rank him as an above average president.

Look it up there was a popular Cocaine wine named Vin Mariani even the POPE drank it so Romey doesn’t even know what he is talking about and Americans have forgotten much of their own history.

Anyone who thinks Obama made a mistake, especially Mitt, is saying Obama should have lied. So Mitt thinks Obama should not have told the truth. What does that say about Mitt? I’d rather see a flawed human as president who has integrity and who’s as good as his word, then have a boy scout who lies. As for Giuliani, what else could he say? He knows he’s not perfect and it’s no secret.

Besides, as soon as Lou Dobbs is convinced he’ll win, he’ll run and all this will be moot.

Bush Jnr had an alcohol abuse problem for many years and has repeatedly failed to repond to accusations of cocaine abuse – saying it’s “irrelevant”. Whilst I might not like or support the decisions he makes, I have respect for his strength in overcoming his addiction(s), where many people can’t. It took guts for Obama to admit his abuse during this critical period, maybe he did not have a choice, but I think Americans need honesty more now than ever.

Restore our trust Obama.

I am definitely NOT an Obama supporter, but I think he did the right thing! It takes a LOT of courage as a Presidential candidate to admit taking drugs (even if his admission was politically motivated). And people…he admitted he wasted a lot of time doing it and would discourage anyone else from doing what he did.

What else do you want the man to say?! “I didn’t inhale”???!!!

There’s a whole host of things I disagree with Obama on, but he *appears* to be a decent and honest *person*.

Which is a LOT more than one can say about EITHER of the Clintons!

Mitt’s “Holier than thou” attitude isn’t what we need. Why not talk about W’s indescretions as well Mittster? Set yourself on the high ground and then start to explain why you take a position and then abandon it when the polls come up different.
Obama is taking the right approach. He is honest about the drug use, condems the choice as bad and shows that if you try you can overcome a poor decision.

I am not an Obama supporter, but respect his honest answer to the question. I always thought Jesse Ventura (OK, sort of boob, but a straight shooter) handled the question of marijuana use better than anyone when he was asked on the TV show “Almanac” if he had ever used it. Jesse responded that , yes he had, but had done a lot more stupid things when he was liquored up than when he was stoned. Ask him and he answered.

I agree with Romney. All of you who are saying that he is “too self-righteous” are straight-up FOOLS. Maybe it has not crossed your minds that maybe Romney never did any drugs? Maybe he has lived a good life? NOT EVERYONE IS INTO SUBSTANCE ABUSE. I am not, and I agree with Romney 100%. For Obama to go to a high school, and say, “I did drugs when I was young, just like you teenagers,” sets up a terrible precedent. Because it does convey to the teens that it is OK to screw up and abuse drugs, and everything will still work out for you in life. Many times, teens who get into drugs, become addicted, and their lives are ruined. It is possible that Romney is a straight-edge kind of guy who never got into that kind of stuff, and if he wants to set a good example for the kids, then more power to him.

I don’t know if anyone on this thread read Obama’s autobiography, but in it he talks candidly about his pot and coke use so this is not the “surprise” that Clinton INC will unload if Obama starts winning primary states.
BTW since the LIBs call W a coke addict and their is no evidence can I call Obama a coke addict?

Romney was not saying that a person that has experimented with drugs cannot run for President. He was saying that it was a mistake to publicly admit it to kids like that. In this context Obama showed that although it’s wrong to do, you can still do it and be a successful person later in life. There are things to say to kids and things not to say.

This shows Guliani’s background as well as Obama’s. Romney’s history is clean, yet people attack him for being so. People want a moral president, yet they criticize a candidate for his morally based religion and clean history. Wake up!

I am by no means an Obama fan. However, If he hadn’t come out in the open someone from the Republican party would have come out with it. Sure Mitt Romney is against Obama’s honesty! He’s a Republican! Most Republicans in the current administration don’t know the meaning of the word honesty. I’m happy Rudy Giulianni has such a positive attitude regarding the drug issue with Obama. Probably because as a Republican he has seen the horrors of Mud Slinging Campaigns and in his own way has also been on the receiving end. I wish all the Party’s would just run their campaigns on their merits and the issues. People are tired of the mud slinging and want the Candidates to address the issues that are affecting our every day lives.

I agree with Romneys, “well I can do that too and become President of the United States,’”

We need kids who’ve done drugs to KNOW that because of any drug use of any kind they will never amount to anything, so no point in trying. Become and junkie and go to jail.

The way Barack Obama acts sometimes, I wonder if he really is off drugs.

All you fools who agree with Mitt are what is wrong in this country today! You, like Mitt, advocate LYING to the public, just like Mitt will do if he gets elected. Obama is telling the TRUTH. He is expecting the kids to MAKE INTELLIGENT DECISIONS on their own. Kids don’t respect folks who talk down to them, they respect HONESTY. Good Lord, what has this crazy country come to when people advocate telling kids lies about ANYTHING????????

One more reason not to vote for Obama…

Just one more reason not to vote for Obama…

It’s refreshing to see candidates be open about making mistakes. Better to speak about it now and tell it their way rather than it come out later. As we all have seen in the past, if someone is leading in the polls, the mudslinging gets more intense. As for Romney’s remark, how many kids are going to grow up and become President of the United States? If anything the kids that may be making those mistakes today may be inspired to turn their lives around.

Obama is a phony, pure and simple. Who cares what he did as a simple minded immature no-body? I am concerned what he will do as a presidential simple minded, immature no-body.
He is using this declaration of honesty to divert voters from his total inexperience and major incompetence.
Since a good number of voters are as simple minded and immature as he was he has nothing to lose.
He will get little of the so called “Christian Vote” because he has does not have genuine evangelical credentials. He has Oprah in his corner but she represents air head religionists who are only concerned with touchy feely BS.
American voters are probably at their dumbest in the history of our country.
They want to hear BS, see BS and get BS from candidates.
With Obama they will certainly be getting their fill .

Ron Paul, the only candidate on either side worth of a vote.

Anybody remember that George is an alcoholic, recovering, but nevertheless, an alcoholic? Romney better hope that there are no skeletons in any of his closets.

At least Clinton did not inhale

WE LOVE YOU MITT ROMNEY!!! ROMNEY FOR 2008!!!!

Obama tells all for political reasons period! – he must be feeling the necessity to disclose –it is the lesser of the two evils.

The joke is on all of you fools who support his bad behavior and insult good judgment.

YOU’VE BEEN PLAYED, and you are too clueless to know it.

Glad to hear from those who see the wisdom in Mitt Romney’s advice. The voice of reason!

Seriously, no one expects these people to be perfect, they are far from it. However, to stand in front of school children(I don’t care what age), is poor judgement, and I would seriously be in doubt of their decision making in the Oval Office. If guilliani is defending that decision, he has lost my vote as well. Romney looking better and better, with Mike Huckabee as Vice President.

If Obama gets just the vote of those who have smoked marijuana once and/or had at least one drink too many, then he will have a landslide victory never seen before.

Wait till Romney’s “secret” comes out!

Momma for Obama, spoken like a new democrat………if any one disagrees, they are not to be heard…..God Help Us.and Save us from Democrats!

it opens the doorway to other kids thinking, ‘well I can do that too and become President of the United States,’

Well…ummm…YEAH apparently you can (we’ll see anyhow)

George W. Bush was, by his own admission, a daily drinker from the age of 15 until his early 40’s.
He claims he quit on his 40th birthday, but video evidence contradicts that. It’s also an open secret that he used marijuana and cocaine as a young man. He is also a well-documented failure in all his attemps at running his own business, despite a Harvard Business School degree.
Will you Republicans remind me AGAIN why this waste of humanity is the greatest man to hold the office of President and how a successfull, intelligent man like Obama is unworthy of the office?
If he was named Barak Bush and was a few shades lighter he would probably be more appealing to you guys.

Regarding Mitt Romney: I think the phrase I’m looking for is “sanctimonious prig” or maybe “prissy Nancy-boy” These are old words from the 1950’s or earlier but you young kids can figure them out.

I commend Guiliani for his statements on Obama’s admission of youthful indiscretion. Mitt Romney needs a bit of a head-check, though. While most certainly apocryphal, Washington’s ‘I cannot tell a lie’ should be the policy of all candidates.

On another point, I believe Mr. Romney is campaigning to lead the USA, not the free world; while international involvement is expected of any national leader, perhaps Mr. Romney should focus closer to home. It’s a big enough leap from the Governor’s mansion to the White House; the King of the World’s throne will have to wait. Besides, those of us living elsewhere in the free world like to elect our own leaders.

Mitt Romney should really chill out for once.

I think its great that Obama came forward with this confession. It would be even greater if it kept him, and others like him from achieving office. What I find upsetting is that members of the Secret Service who guard these people with their lives have their backgrounds checked from kindergarten to present and any blemish is a likely disqualification from service whereas the politicians who they protect can be, and all too often are, crooked as a barrel of snakes, as my father would say. Why is it too much for a politician to live up to the standards of their protectors? How can one promise to protect the constitution yet flaunt the laws that emanate from it? Even worse, how can people think that’s OK?

Obama can do whatever he wants, but it was a poor political move and an even worse move for the kids who had to listen to him. “Uh, I wasted a lot of time, but hey I was really into girls. I just kinda skated by…” Yeah those are the only consequences to cocaine, youth alcoholism and marijuana addiction. Ridiculus. I don’t understand why people take the moral lowground because it is the safe thing to do. There is nothing good or right about anything that Barak did in his youth, but he blows it off like no big deal.

Kids aren’t stupid, but they sure are influenced. Obama was a poor influence that day.

I am sure he just politically pandered to the pokey on the couch with his buds, but I have a hunch that they wont make it to the voting booths anytime soon.

Romney, as usual, seems to have forgotten who the current president is.

You know, as an employer, I don’t hire felony drug users, like Obama, and as a voter, I don’t vote for them. Romney is right here.

Thanks Obama for raising the issue and addressing it in such a forthright manner.
Thanks Rudy for quickly pointing out the appropriateness of Obama’s approach in the matter.
Thanks Romney for speaking out so quickly and showing how out of touch you are with regular people and the Bible. Your gratuitous display of Sanctimony, Self-Rightiousness and pure unadulterated B.S. is more revealing about your own character than you imagined before you took such a cheap shot. I must admit,though, your hypocritical criteria could have spared us George W.
You’re not only wrong but late.
Again thanks to one and all.
Already Obama is changing the dynamics of politics.

Re: revealing youthful errors vis-a-vis Obama, Giuliana and Romney, Mitt Romney made a “huge error” of his own by chastising Borack and Rudy for admitting their youthful indiscretions. Mitt had better be careful that he doesn’t come across as some kind of a “Holiier than thou/Christer” given his own earlier baggage of missionaryism.

You are all missing the calculated political point here:

His campaign desperately wanted to get this information to innoculate him against the fact he was educated in an Islamic Madrassa in Indonesia.

They are correctly calculating that his admission of smoking pot and drinking is more palatable to the American electorate than the fact he spent his youth memorizing the Koran:

“Look, he’s not a good Muslim, he smoked pot and drank! So what if he knows the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah!”

So what alternative is Romney promoting? TO LIE? TO CONCEAL THE TRUTH? I can’t think of any other means that would serve his apparent purposes.

If B Clinton had said, ‘I made a grevious mistake. I have apologized to my wife and she forgave me. I apologize to you and ask that you would forgive me’

Never would have been an impeachment. Nothing like laying your sin out yourself to deflate the sails of your antagonist.

Hillary, Learn from B. Obama. Your leak to Novak resulted in Obama’s bolstering and you look like a dirt grubbing slimeball politician.

Never vote for him but because of issues not integrity. Way to go Obama. Now speak of your Muslim heritage with pride before it kills your chances!!

Of course Mitt’s right. Look at what has happened with teenage girls since the Clinton years. They all believe it’s ok to have oral sex thanks to our ex-President saying BJ’s were not sex. He was their role model for this type of behavior–and they quote him frequently. Mitt can take this position this because he has led an exemplary life–period. Rudy defends it because his list of mistakes are as long as his arm. End of story.

How can telling kids you used drugs secure your vote? Some of you are STUPID! Bad call Obama.

Romney is right. Your teenagers probably believe giving oral sex isn’t sex at all thanks to Bill Clinton. Has anyone found any dirt on Romney in all these months? I thought not.

Kids are smarter than that Mitt… You cannot placate children anymore. The information spread in today’s media obsessed culture is so fast and accessible they would find these things out on their own thus continuing the trend of mistrust toward our politicians. Why are you all so blind?

You all forget, we have a dry drunk and an ex cocaine user in the White House right now.

As a kid i remember my grandfather used to smoke a lot. One day i asked him how it was to smoke and he gave me one of the cigarretes and said “Try!” I inhaled that stuff and coughed like an old dog! He told me that smoking was really bad to your health and that i shouldn’t do. Since then i never considered any kind of drinks and toxics. People have to stop hiding what’s true and pretending they’re so perfect. point for Obama down for romey

Message to fellow Republicans: Criticize Obama for his candor and you will die. Not only will you die, but you will die for all the right reasons — because you are a bunch of hypocrits for whom nobody would want to vote, or invite to dinner for that matter. If you really feel that admitting prior transgressions is a character flaw, get out of Washington and politics now before your values are furhter warped and you completely lose who you are and end up like Al Gore. You will recall that “the real Al Gore” has not been seen for many years and is presumed dead. The guy who presently responds to that name is just inhabiting his body. He is not real or even humanoid, but that is what happens to you if you stay in Washington too long.

You cannot say you were not warned.

Lots of people have no reading comprehension skills. THAT is what is wrong with our country.
Romney isn’t saying you have to be perfect. He is saying it isn’t something to brag about. HUGE difference. You don’t have to lie about it. But why even bring it up?

Obama has now lost any credibility with telling kids to make correct choices. If he does, it makes him a hypocrite. “Hey I did it, but you shouldn’t”

Obama’s impromptu words were confessional in tone and perhaps a bit too personal. That being said, Obama appeared simply to be gently encouraging his student audience to reject complacency during their youth. I don’t fault Obama for his response to the principal’s question; he appeared sincere I believe he meant well. It really wasn’t that big of a deal.

I smoked weed once in my life and never drank, maybe just cough syrup but I support Obama 100% for his honesty. It’s a double standard to hold people up to a pedistal because some how they are above us by being an elected official but they vote for a war that will kill 1000’s of people or for a tax break that a coporation much like Rommney’s will use to ship job’s overseas and force people to lose jobs here in United States. I can’t stand the double talk and will support Obama’s honesty with my vote and money

Well, Mr. Romney, how hypocritical of you, as a ‘man of the cloth’. Don’t you practice honesty and openess at home and in your life? Your quick to pre-judge others intentions publicly. Of course, I get it… it’s just politics…

First off, we’ll have had 16 years of leadership from admitted substance users\abusers at the end of the Bush presidency, so the argument that we are sending kids the message that they can do drugs and still become president is not a new issue. If you were paying attention, and I know you all were, Obama made it very clear that he was wasting his life when he was using drugs. That seems like an appropriate message to kids to me. Many comments appear to indicate that ever trying any drug automatically qualifies you as an idiot who can never amount to anything successful. I wonder what hole these people live in? If you think doctors, lawyers, politicians, and other such “successful” folk have, on the whole, never tried drugs or managed a substance abuse problem then you have serious delusions about the prevalence and effects of drugs on our society (see the first sentence for more shocking revelations). I’m beginning to think Obama’s lack of experience may be the key to his success. In case no one noticed, the respectability and credibility of the U.S. is fading fast. Without any clearly qualified leaders in the running, I’m not so sure that someone who hasn’t been corrupted by the political system isn’t worth a try. Democrats and Republicans alike are playing us like puppets. Doesn’t anyone realize that there is nothing in the structure of our government that says anything about Republicans and Democrats? Many of our forefathers warned of such parties as they were aware of the polarizing effect. Now, over 200 years later we think it is normal to vote between two candidiots (you can use it if you want) to lead the free world while we have to trust that the parties are picking the best person for the job and not who will fulfill their own personal agendas. Obama is refreshing because he seems the most down to earth, whether or not I agree with his ideas. I feel the same way about McCain, he seems that his heart is in the right place and I like his straight forward approach even though I disagree with many of his opinions. Okay, sorry about the diatribe and back to the topic at hand. Romney has that aura of someone who is playing to political chess game. Hillary is trying very hard but Kasparov she is not. I want someone who knows the trials and tribulations of the average U.S. American and someone with the integrity to stand up for their position regardless of the audience. I want someone who does not involve themselves in matters such as gay marriage or a national war on drugs, that is what we have state governments for. I do not know yet who this candidate will be, or if they will come. All I do know is that U.S. Americans have a very limited concept of time and appear to believe, on the whole, that we are going to be on top forever. I sure hope we are but 200+ years is nothing in a historical sense and if we do not fix the flaws in our democracy, the same flawed system we are actively pushing others to adopt, are time at the top is going to end. Democracy is the best thing out there, when done right, but in the wrong hands it has become a bastardization of the democratic principles our nation was founded on.

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving

Hey, Mitt–telling voters that you will never admit to having made a mistake as a kid? Now, that’s a HUGE error. Obama has my vote!

For all those using the “I never inhaled” card and are using Clinton as the paragon of Presidential insufficiency, remember that presidents have been lying, cheating and stealing since Chrst was a corporal. Let’s not pretend that the office of the President still holds an umblemished dignity. If that’s the case, then perhaps Obama talking about drug use is better than Bush trying to hide the fact that he had a cocaine addiction. Also, anyone remember his alcoholism? We should be using this as a tool to help people recover instead of making them feel inept and perennially unhirable. I think Bush’s ability to overcome his addiction problems is one of the only fatastic things he’s done over the course of his unremarkable career.

Mitt probably does not have any skeletons in his closet because the mormon version of salvation literally depends on their perfect behavior. Mormons require marriage in their temple in order to get into heaven (their version is called the celestial kingdom). And in order to be allowed in the temple Mormons must prove themselves “worthy” by following a long list of do’s and don’ts. Once they have attended the temple they must stay “worthy,” and give and do everything they can to grow the church and win converts. That means being perfect examples of perfect behavior at all times. If they don’t, they will not qualify for the celestial kingdom. As a mormon teenager I was constantly frustrated by the demand for perfection–Jesus’ words: “Be ye therefore perfect…” were twisted to mean He required sinless behavior from me. Only after I started reading the Bible as an adult, without an LDS perspective, did I realize that Jesus meant “Be perfect in loving others.” Hope this explains Mitt’s mindset and behavior.

How come Obama can snort cocaine and become President, but he can’t get a Gov’t security clearance to deliver the inter office mail at MANY US Gov’t agencies whom he would be in charge? What a loser………druggie.

If you’ve been in this country for the last 40 years then you know
that a huge percentage of the population experimented and tried drugs.
No one should be disqualified from becoming all they can be because of
bad choices made in the distant past…. especially when they are very
young and life is not so clear.
What you have to look at is the person they become.
And Barack Obama is a very good man with a strong moral fiber,
good instincts and intellegence. We could do a lot worse trusting him
with the presidency… look around.. we have done a lot worse.

Romney frames the issue incorrectly.

Obama’s message is not that you can do drugs and still be President. His message is that you can make mistakes in life, change habits, and improve your life.

Noble message, imo.

Hmmm…let’s see if I understand: President George W. Bush was a cocaine addict and an alchoholic and he admits it. Yet the Republican moralist party is behind him. President George W. Bush’s wife got drunk and ran over an ex-boyfriend and killed him prior to marrying George W. Bush. This is not news, it came out during the initial campaign and yet the Republican moralist party supports them. So…let me see if I understand this, if you’re black and you smoke a joint you are bad news but if you are lilly white, what the heck, you can be an addict, a drunk, and an all around war monger…Go Christian values…