I don't want something like this as my president. No wonder the kids like him. What a sin and why don't we really make the USA the laughing stock of the world.
No thanks

Only losers take drugs and drink in High School. He is a loser in my mind and will never make it any far in life.

Come on give Obama a break he is being honest!!

To Ann in IL,

You said "I don't think we want our children to even consider this kind of behavior."

The thing is, Barack Obama talking about smoking marijuana and drinking is not the first time your children, or anyone else's children, has heard of these things. The second children begin interacting with the world, they will hear about these things from somewhere. The question is, do we equip children with the tools to deal with these things and make the right decisions by talking about them and being open about it? Or do we shelter them, and pretend that by ignoring it in our own homes that they'll never see it anywhere else? I think giving our children tools, and having open discussions about what's going on is extremely important…because it's usually the children who are sheltered that suddenly explode and go overboard with things like drinking and drugs.

Saying the word "marijuana" doesn't make kids want to smoke pot.

I won't even mention the fact that our current president not only had a coke and alcohol problem, but tried to hide it. What does THAT tell children? Lying is cool?

So what if he snorts a little coke? If you don't vote for Obama you are a Racist Bigot and Islamiphobic!

Unimpressed!! ok, did he point out any great advice as to his drug use.

HOW about advice like: "Ya know, it was a great waste of time energy & money. An awful lot of it has to do with peer pressure and curiosity and some rebellion. YOU are really not missing a lot by skipping this experience.
There are a lot better ways to spend your youth. You really aren't missing anything."

that's what we should be telling kids.

Was the question actually about his drug use ?
Was he feeling guilty or IS this some kindo of PR stunt to attract people of that perssuasion/background. great for his honesty, but wonder if it is a wrong signal to kids, some kids will take it that way, maybe it's really best not to PUBLICly bragg about it, maybe it's better to just PERSONALLY/PRIVATELY remember we all make mistakes espescially young ones, &don't throw rocks at glass houses. But out & out bragging; & without being asked specifically; it's a calculated PR stunt.

PEOPLE ARE BAD MOUTHING SENATOR OBAMA, HOWEVER THEY ARE FORGETTING THAT HILLARY CLINTON'S HUSBAND, OUR EX PRESIDENT, SAT IN FRONT OF THE TV CAMERAS VIEWED BY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD AND SAID "I DID NOT HAVE SEX WITH THAT WOMAN (MONICA) IN THE OVAL OFFICE", AND THEN WHEN FORCED THE TELL THE TRUTH, HE FINALLY ADMITTED THAT HE DID HAVE SEX WITH HER …FOLKS IS THAT THE KIND OF FIRST FAMILY WE WANT TO PUT BACK IN THE WHITEHOUSE FOR ANOTHER FOUR TO EIGHT YEARS? WAKE UP!

OUT WITH OLD….IN WITH THE NEW!

OBAMA 08

Who hasn't? Legalize it!

http://democratequalssocialist.wordpress.com/

I persoanl think that a studid question in the first place..i dnt thin it will affect obama anyany way unless you guys make it do so..was bush a alochlic..and that din't stop him from be a persident…wat about tht scandal with clinton wen he was in seat..it was such a big deal to america..now becuase it's a black..yall" trynna bring him do.i could go on and on..but yall know dat's not necessary

As a parent, I don't like his approach. I don't think we want our children to even consider this kind of behavior. Maybe its good to give some hope to youth who 'experimented' drugs and alcohol, but he talked to everyone. To give kids the idea that it doesn't really matter if you tried all these things (look at me, I am running for president!) is totally wrong.

This is not political honesty, is just cheap talk.

Ok, for all those people who are giving him grief for his statement, what do you teach your children? None of us have lived perfect lives, and then we lie to our kids and pretend we did? All we're telling them is that they're horrible for having flaws, and innevitably it's ok to lie. Great role models!

And maybe it's more a lesson to those kids who are trying drugs and drinking, that they should be honest to, and they can change what they're doing and stop. All the "perfect" kids out there who don't do these things aren't going to change they're ways (and if they are, they were going to anyway.)

There's a large percentage of our population that has to get their heads out of the sand, and quit pretending if they lie about things and act like they don't happen then the world will be a better place. Get with reality, accept who you are, the mistakes you made, and the lessons we've learned, and realize that's life, and that's growing up. Kids will learn their own lessons.

Major kudos to Obama, and any candidate that says otherwise is just trying to cover for the fact that they don't feel honesty is the best policy, but it's just what America wants.

Hillary will still win - Obama is running the same platform as Bush ONLY OPPOSITE ON THE ISSUES - He's fooling a lot of people into believing he's the savior of the land - he's not the 2nd coming just like Bush wasn't.

Personally, I find this confession of Obamas right after Justice Thomas's book, My Grandfather's Son, came out, a little on the 'copy cat' side, hoping it will win him the election.
Obama says he took our Flag pin off of his lapel because he wanted his patriotism to come from within, as reported by cnn previously, and then Obama doesn't put his hand on his heart as in the video shown not long ago by cnn also, to me when his arm wasn't broken (didn't appear to be in the video) thats not partriotism.
Although I find Obama's honesty about his past habits to be interesting, I find the timeing questionable.

i agree, go obama. go honesty. at least someone has the balls enough to say yeah i did this and this but i learned from it and moved on.
or you could be an ignorant moron about it and think wow obama is telling kids to do drugs and then they'll be the president. if people would actually take the time to read the articles and books and were informed about the camdidates, maybe then we'd have a chance at getting a good intelligent president in office for a change…

It's unbelievable that most of you people are critical of Obama, but you same people allow your kids to watch MTV, and other television networks that influence their lives in a nagative way. Wake up people. Kids know more than you think, and parents need to discuss the realities of the world with them. Stop pretending like everything is all good, because it's not!

I'm a Republican (who will vote for Obama unless he's running against Giuliani) - I find his honesty refreshing…we need to send a clear message that this is what we expect of our politicians…he delivers

It's about time a candidate is honest about their early years!

This is bad.

I respect being honest but i want more from my president. I think it is ridiculous to say that most have tried it so what is the big deal. I have not and don't think the leader of the US should have either. I respect that he is honest about it and that he tried to tell kids to that change can happen (though I don't think that was the best way to do it…comes off a little like do drug, change life, become president so it does not matter what you are doing now) that is why he is an ok senator and should remain one but not president. People compare it to bush and alcoholism and such but look what a great president he has been (*smirk*). Should we be comparing it to that? I expect more and Obama does not deliver.

I don't see what the big deal is. At least he can relate with the millions of people who feel the same way he did at one time.

As someone who has always preferred his heroes flawed, I appreciate Obama's honesty with the kids. Especially, when he goes on to condemn such behaviour whilst identifying potential pitfalls that the kids should avoid.

It's time we stopped pretending that we voted for past public officers on the account of their character. Infact what we actually did was vote for those who were more expert in hiding their sordid past.

It's human to have made mistakes in one's life and it's human to also want to switch and seek the right path. Bill Clinton to my mind, is the perfect example of someone who would have been a more gracious person if had taken the risk to admit to his shortcomings.

Because when it is all said and done, the truth still emerges and in the end, does nothing to lessen the impact of the individual. Especially one as gifted as Hilary's husband.

Obama clearly understands this and is baring all for you to see.

Don Alaxander (Carson City Nevada): Once an addict always an addict? Wow, speaks volumes why Bush acts the way he does. At least Obama is willing to talk about his past problems and not sweep them under the rug like Clinton and Bushie.

Yes, Obama experimented as a teen - a lot of people do! Its people like Bush who continued to abuse drugs like coke less than 10 years prior to becoming president - that bothers me. Bush never grew up - and that has been his problem since day No. 1. He's still a spoiled brat who gets his way at no cost.

Once a drug addict always a drug addict, thats the last thing we need in the White House.

Posted By Don Alexander Carson City Nevada : November 21, 2007 4:30 am

Kinda like GW, huh?

Someone here mentioned that we would not share any of our past indiscretions with our own children. Actually, as my daughter grows older (now 17, I'm a single dad) I do share with her some of the mistakes I made, so hopefully she won't repeat them. I believe that's called parenting.

I honestly can't believe the naivete of some people on here, first of all about drug use and effects in general. Secondly, that they believe the such experimentation wasn't rampant (I'd say easily 70%) among the people that are sitting in the halls of Congress today. Or the captains of business and industry. Or the educators in our classrooms today.
Let's face it, the baby boomer generation was into it, especially back in the '60's & '70's.
And for those idiots who think this was pre-emptive move on his part and haven't been paying attention, he came clean with this in his first book, long before he dreamed of running for president. It is NOT new news, folks.

To Jack,NY,Ny:
Dude..where's your critical thinking. This is basic child psychology 101. Meaning…how to encourage kids to change bad habits in order to become a productive person.
PS: Try to read more child psychology, will you?

And he got his experience from living in Indonesia for many years too.

CNN is never negative to Obama

Mr. Obama: That is a little more information than I needed.

I still can't understand why he would tell high school students this. Breath of fresh air? Or a pass for kids to use this? I told my two youngest nephews about this (aged 12/14) and both found it hysterical, however their mother did not. Yesterday we read that Obama would be good on foreign policy cause he lived overseas as a child? (tons of experience!) and voting for a black president would make the world see our country differently. WE are all hungry for change but this is absolutely f'ing funny. People let's start to get serious - please take a step back and take a second to think about how deparate we have become.

Based on what he continus to say, I think Obama is still on drugs.

To john from los angeles CA,,, Forgive me if I am wrong here,, but I think CNN put this story on this site,, Last I heard Cnn doesnt lean right

I didn't do drugs but I sure drank enough at parties where others used drugs. I had an earlier lesson seeing all the drug babies at the hospital my mother worked at as a 13 year old and I never forgot what drugs do to your children. It is to bad everyone did not get this lesson. But about Obama, our generation will hardly be able to find a candidate that is not square like those of us who can make such a claim. Drugs are the one area that China, Malaysia, and Saudia Arabia got the punishment right.

To be honest, this is extraordinarily new to American politics.

If people would put behind any bias and vote this guy america would have one of the exciting presidents in modern time?

Admitting he took drugs while running for President? Wow!!What a new brand of politicians in America.

HONESTY

The crap Clintons try to pass on us.
I had drugs but did not Inhale crap

ONE more point for Obama over Clinton. Score Obama million to Cliton Zero

KEEP it going Obama The Clinton lying spining smokescreen machine is running out of GAS. And the truth is coming out.

Clinton==Bush==16 year old JOKE==status quo

GO BIDEN OBAMA EDWARDS

Obama Bin Laden a druggie who would have guessed. Once a drug addict always a drug addict, thats the last thing we need in the White House.

Hmmm….goofed off in high school, experimented with alcohol AND drugs, learned all he will ever need to know about foreign policy between the ages of 6 and 10 (in Southeast Asia, no less), and, oh yes, was a practicing civil rights attorney. Great qualies for the top job, Barack (maybe at Toys R Us).

In 2006, the US government funded a randomized and double-blinded study by Johns Hopkins University,[14] studied the spiritual effects of psilocybin mushrooms. The study involved 36 college-educated adults who had never tried psilocybin nor had a history of drug use, and had religious or spiritual interests; the average age of the participants was 46 years. The participants were closely observed for eight-hour intervals in a laboratory while under the influence of psilocybin mushrooms. One-third of the participants reported the experience was the single most spiritually significant experience of their lifetimes and more than two-thirds reported it was among the top five most spiritually significant experiences. Two months after the study, 79 percent of the participants reported increased wellbeing or satisfaction; friends, relatives, and associates confirmed this.

He is being honest, but why…..He seems like he is being just one of the guys….We don't need one of the guys for prez………..

Posted By CJ : November 20, 2007 3:52 pm

Do you even live here CJ? For craps sake tha's one of the reasons people voted for Bush, because he seemed like ' someone you'd enjoy having a beer with'

No one will ever be good enough for our country. But Obama IS the best qualified canidate to choose. He's honest, sincere, trustworthy, open-minded. He talks about realistic ways to resolve many of our problems.He will be able to bring together all parties domestic and foriegn together. He is someone not trying to make himself out to be Perfect. No other canditate looks to solve our problems, only continue them.
I do want to say this though and please
reply to this OBAMA/EDWARDS. I hope its not far fetched. who else to be vice president? Richardson as V.P?

Never for a second does Mr. Obama condone illegal activities, and you would have to be pretty ignorant to believe that he does. You have all experienced so much in your lives, most of us have gone through our stages of alcohol use or drug use, and if you are smart, you don't abuse. Obama is simply stating that he had a problem, and overcame it.

I wouldn't believe anyone who suggests they didn't do anything of the kind. Someone wrote that most of America is anti-drug and moral.

Have you been to a college campus lately? Everyone has skeletons, whether they like to admit it or not.

Hey, Jerry N.Y N.Y Take it easy and have another prozac.You must be drinking the cool-aid dude.Sure you dont live in Bugtussle,Iowa? You dont have to vote for him.

it appears some people posting here aren't too bright.

Obama clearly says that his drug use was a mistake and he was wasting his life away. He clearly states that he was heading down a destructive path that could have led to his death.
How on earth do some of you fools taje his statement and twist it around to say he was encouraging drug use?

How stupid ARE you people??

Actually, I think it was Laura who told George to quit drinking, not Jesus.

When Obama tells about a "different kind of politics" he really does WALK THE WALK. He has been honest about everything in his past from well before his presidential run, and this is extremely frustrating to those running against him. If they have no dirt to throw at the guy then they're forced to fight fairly.. and that is something that almost no politician knows how to do.

Good Luck Obama, you absolutely have my vote (and many others) this election.

Obama - I took drugs to make me feel better, and then I quit because I thought I was wasting my time.

Clinton - I smoked dope but never inhaled. (just like they never had sex with an intern)

Who is the better role model?

Some people on this correspondence just can't handle the idea of a politician who can be honest about themselves. As for those saying this will offend people in the Bible belt, then just remember the cornerstone of Christianity is repentance and forgiveness. But I forgot. Barack is Muslim, isn't he.

hes nuts telling kids that what afool,this has got to be his expierence drugs and boooze..OMG
those repubs will nail bite him in the GE…

For those of you with parochial and severly myopic views who fail to understand Barack Obama's intent, let me clarify. In no way is he saying "Kids- it is ok to drink and take drugs and oneday you will be running for presiden," rather the underlying theme of his revelation is that people are not incorrigible and should not be afraid to change if they are on a reckless course as he once was…

So I did it and its okay. Great role model! What is wrong with these people showing the younger generation no morals. Clinton, Obama are real pieces of work.

I do applaud his honesty, even if he is using to benefit his campaign (and why shouldn't he? It's politics!). His message isn't that it's ok to do drugs and consume alcohol. His message is that sometimes people screw up, but he learned from his mistakes and made something of himself. Don't EVER EVER post the response that it's because he's a left-wing loony (Jerry of NY!). You CANNOT tell me that right wingers are the most moral of all Americans. Please. And I'm sure a sizable portion of America has tried some sort of illegal substance (includes underage drinking), and are still moderate, moral people. Get off of your high horse. I commend Obama for his honesty, and I hope his target audience does something with it.

When asked whether he ever smoked pot, Obama also said "I inhaled. That was the point."

Unfortunately, he may not be slimy enough to be a great politician. He is the type of politician we dream of and make movies about. Unfortunately, the ability to maneuver between different sides a stake out nebulous positions are the politicians who know how to work the actual system to get things done.

George Bush did the same in high school or college days. Guess Obama has the pre-requisites to be the next president.

Obama did enhale and he is not a liar! I think there is some importance to his statements about his youth and experience. He is now a grown up man with a great deal of wisdom. He has so much to offer this country unlike Hillary with her lies, slander and more of the same dirty b—l sh-t. We have been there and done that and it did not work. Hillary needs to crawl back into the sewer she slimed out of and leave running our country to the sane people.

And you, sir, have never drank, smoked, experimented with drugs? Well, maybe not, but have you ever been honest to the point of hurting yourself, honest to the point of where the possibility of damaging your standing and your credentials, in short, your honor, was most definitely at hand? I agree with the others: for once, a politician that has admitted he's human, he's had faults, and that he's worked through, accepted, and conquered them. I may not agree with everything Obama (let alone every politician) affirms, but I will not deny a person his right to be honest. I believe you, Mr. Obama, have gained points, whether you, or we, know it or not. Your conscience, at least in part (however small), is clean.
How dare you people turn every little thing into a piece of bi-partisan drivel!! You think we want to hear you psychoanalyze every single news article that comes down the pipe? Think we want you people, you often politically hand-fed strain-at-a-gnat-but-swallow-a-camel knowledgeable people to show us the trees when the forest is right in front of us? We worry about the politicians mudslinging, when we should really be worried about our own, common-person's mudslinging problem. We worry about political corruption, when we let ourselves become corrupted by bi-partisan hate, animosity, and base language. Do we sound educated then, or do we rather sound like the child trying to be the biggest in the sandbox? We vote to place a trusted individual in the highest office in the US, not to get back at someone, not to poke a political party in the eye and say "Nyah Nyah." I vote not for the lesser of the two evils presented, but rather for the person I think will do the best job in leading the country, whether the person be Democrat or Republican. I will do what I must according to the child of my common sense and my conscience. Remember the saying, "What's right may not always be popular; what's popular may not always be right."

where do a lot of you live, and when did you grow up??? And where are you today??? At the school I work at you'd be hard-pressed to find a family that has not been affected by drugs and/or alchohol at some point in the last 40 years. Do you even begin to understand the hope and light this gives to many children's view of the world? This is reality, and it is again heroic for someone in this position to acknowledge the real world that many, many people live in and deal with everyday.

We don't want another ex-illegal drug user as President. Hasn't America learned a lesson yet? People wake up!!!
To the people who think Obama is being honest, you are either naive, ignorant or just plain dumb.

anyone who supports bush and criticizes Obama for doing drugs and drinking should do their homework. Bush was arrested for drunken driving and it is well known he has used cocaine in the past. I hate bush supporters.

I'm not saying I'm going to vote for him, but at least he's honest. I really don't see this as "encouraging" students to do drugs…I think his intended message was that, yes, he's done it, but it was a bad idea and it's not something he would suggest. Any student who would take this as a suggestion is just looking for justification to do what they already intend to do.

The best of the dummycrats are a waste , lol. drug heads, trial lawyers or lair. No social meds , pleaseeee!!, no social anything. we need a strong commander and chief ok!!

perhaps, laura…and what this country doesn't need is prigs and hypocrites like you…and the present occupant of the white house.

Don't drugs and alcohol damage your brain cells? And now he wants to run our country?

Just not that long ago these very same people on this blog were bashing Bush on this subject. But sure, it's ok for Obama because he is a Democrat. Pathetic.

Bush copping to a sketchy past: name-calling.

Obama copping to a sketchy past: refreshing!

Can't say I'm shocked.

I'm glad Obama was honest about his use of drugs and alcohol, George Bush Jr. was honest too about his use of drugs and alcohol, look what he has done to America and continue doing until he gets out of office.

I'm a registered democrat, I always vote straight democratic ticket; but if Obama is the nominee for the Democratic Party, I'll cast my vote to any Republican Candidate for Presidential Election.

His excuse for using drugs during his high school days was a copout, even when you're 16 or 17 you already know what is right from wrong. It was his use of drugs that I find totally appalling. I can't vote for him if he's the nominee for the Democratic Party.

Thank you CNN for printing this news, I didn't know this side of Obama, it's an eye opener. I was torn between Hillary Clinton and Obama, now I know who'll get my vote.

Boy, I just think its just great he drank and took drugs when he was young, I wish more people would do those kinds of things when they are young. I guess its OK to do if you are honest about it when you grow up, really who are you hurting anyhow? Also, with cool news like this its really swell to smear the Clintons while we are putting articulate comments together, hey they could have drank and took drugs too, but now someone else has played the drug card-bummer man.

Bush did coke, were you hypocrits talking the same talk in 2000 when Bush was running?

Bush was doing blow and boozing into his 40's. Not to mention he's a complete idiot from the start. And the moronic mojority voted for him (at least once)

I know a lot of successful people who partied in high school and that would have done better as President than Bush's dumb ass.

Some comments here show that some people don't get the message. It was Obama's choice to stop doing drugs and stop drinking that cleared the path for success. Thats the point he was making to the kids. Stay on the right path and avoid wasting time doing drugs and drinking. You obviously haven't had to talk to teens about this stuff if you can't see that.

Free Country, Free Speech… I believe that America will be seen as a cultured, and progressive country with Obama as president.
What a refreshing thought.

America (North, South, East, West and everything in between), are we ready to shine?
…and be admired again, worldwide? If you are one of those who never travels outside the US and the global opinion doesn't mean much to you; wouldn't you like to know that
what's in it for you is peace of mind right in your back yard. Entertaining ourselves to death and stuff will only give us a false sense of security. President Obama will deliver us more peace, here on our own soil.

All you neigh sayers, suggest something positive! I dare you?

After reading some of these negative comments about what Senator Obama said today, I can now understand why the suicide rate amongst our teenagers in the US is so high. Some people think that good parenting is telling your kids that they have to be perfect and if they make a mistake in life, they are a complete failure. WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH PEOPLE IN AMERICA, HAVE WE BECOME SO DESENSITIZED BY LIES AND DISHONESTY THAT WE CAN NO LONGER EMBRACE SOMEONE ACTUALLY TELLING THE TRUTH! I COMMEND SENATOR OBAMA FOR WHAT HE DID, HE PROBABLY SAVED A FEW LIVES TODAY.

i can see a lot of people love to be lied to. thus what people want, liars, and in the end they criticize politicians of not being honest………BARRACK OBAMA…..I SALUTE YOU!……..AND MAY CHRIST PROTECT YOU. if you dont appreciate his honesty, god does!

No, he's saying he's been where they are. Their current circumstances don't define who they will become. Every one of them has a shot at being President of the Unites States. He's offering them hope. It's a wonderful thing.

Hearing his policy and his explainations of his experience, sounds like he is still on drugs.

OBAMA's got my vote! he owns up to his past and seems even more honest by doing so. i have deep respect for that. we don't need anymore crooked liars in the white house. think bush and clinton. and yes, BJs and WMDs count as lies….

OBAMA 2008!!!

This is what using of drugs is doing to your brain: invoke the bad judgment and illusion about becoming the President of the great country.

Overcoming adversity is one thing, but talking this up in a high school setting is in poor taste. High schoolers need role models, not people who can't show the self respect at a young age not to do such things.

Obama loses my vote.

Born a loser. You took drugs? Good for you, hedonist left-wing loony. Most of America is fiercely anti-drug, responsible, moral, moderate people of moderate means. You do not represent our world.

Posted By Jerry, NY NY : November 20, 2007 4:06 pm
What world are you living in, especially considering where you're from? Do you ever leave your apartment?

If you think most of America is so fiercely anti-drug, have you taken a gander at any statistics regarding the drinking/drug use of teens and 20-somethings? I really couldn't disagree with you more on this one. Really, get out, talk to some people and you'll find that many of the highly successful people around you have histories that you yourself might find deplorable and offensive, but many people consider to be rather normal.

If Senator Obama won the presidential Elections the Heads of Govermant around the World would veiw America differently. I am confident the people of America will get awesome support from around the World. America would be the greatest Country in the World to deal with.

Some of these comments are too funny! Did some of you read the same artical I did? He owned up to doing something wrong "making him human" saying he screwed up and wasted time in his life does not mean he is condoning the act. I was and am still on the fence about who I am voting for but I will tell you if this guy "Obama" is really what he seems I think I might break party lines and vote Democrat. I am tired of the same old thing in the WhiteHouse. Which is do what you can to get re-elected and then spend the next term making good on promises so you can line your pockets after you are gone. Go get em obama you might have just won my vote! Well unless lou dobbs runs

You know what I find really ironic- the fact the the Politics section of CNN is reporting how some Republicans are gaining and losing support, as well as the fact that HRC has lost some support in New Hampshire but it fails to mention that Barack Obama is now beating her on polls in Iowa! That little news tidbit was on the Today show this morning, not to mention in the Washington Post and New York Times, just to name a few. I wish more citizens realized that the media has decided what candidate it wants (for whatever reason), and we shouldn't let them spoon-feed us our decisions! Think for yourself and respect a man who has proven time and time again that he is, if anything else, a virtuous man. He co-authored the bipartisan "Google for Government" resolution- who would do that if he had anything to hide? Don't know what Google for Government is? Try looking it up and not going along with what CNN or whoever else wants you to think…

And?! GW got a DUI in Maine in his earlier years, but no one seemed to care about that in 2000 and 2004.

While I think its great that he's open and honest about this, I for one would rather have a president who never did drugs. I'm not saying I know who that is but if there were two identical candidates and one of them had done drugs in the past and the other had not, I'd vote for the one who hadn't.

I think this is a political move by Senator Obama, more than just an honest moment. With the revelation that Senator Clinton's people have something "scandalous" about him, it is a good political move to talk about his drug use to defuse any scandal related to that.

They are all politicians with numerous advisors coming up with strategies to get votes. And it usually is best to pre-empt your opponent's attack against you.

You said it best Diamond!

Cmon he had no choice but to come out with this. If he didn't someone somewhere along the line would have spoken up about it and that would have been the scandal that ended his campaign. His honesty isn't refreshing, its political strategy. Sorry Obama I'm not buying.

Now, parents should be hands off their high school kids goofing off and taking drugs, as a potential president did those things in high schools.

What an inspiration and role model to our kids!

CNN don't you have no shame. "…Obama drank,took drugs..". Is this the most appropriate title you could come up with or you consistently come up with a negative twist to every positive Obama story?

I hope that he went back and reitterated for the kids that this isn't something they should be doing. As for the earlier comment about it being something we all have done, not everyone has done drugs, I never did and never will.

Well, I wonder if Senator Obama will get the same treatment as then Candidate for President George W. Bush got now that the Senator had casually admitted drinking and doing drugs. My how times change…

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Sun-Times poliical writer Abdon Pallasch reports Republican front-runner Rudy Giuliani praised Obama for being forthright about his drug use, saying, “I respect his honesty in doing that.

"One of the things we need from our people running for office is not this pretense of perfection. The reality is all of us that run for public office…we’re all human beings. If we haven’t made mistakes, don’t vote for us, ’cause we’ve got some big ones that are going to happen in the future.”

"I will confess to you that I was kind of a goof-off in high school as my mom reminded me," said Obama,

NO OBAMA YOU STILL ARE A GOOF

Was this part of his "experience" that he's running on?

Posted By Laura - Tulsa OK : November 20, 2007 2:33 pm

I would say, YES. He made mistakes as a teenager and he is moved on to make a better life for himself an his family.

DEAR BARACK, EVEN THOUGH YOUR THE MOST INTELLIGENT CANIDATE ALONG WITH JOE BIDEN, YOU WILL NOT BE PRESIDENT. HONESTY IN POLITICS IS NOT A WINNING RECIPE. SINCE THE MAJORITY OF THE MASSES CANNOT BE HONEST WITH THEMSELVES, IT IS EASIER TO BE JUDICIAL, BIGGOTED, AND LIED TO. THE POWERFUL FORCES BEHIND THIS PROCESS ARE NOT READY TO ALLOW IT. BUT THANKS THOUGH,…..FOR LOVING THIS COUNTRY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO GIVE US A SHOT IN YOU.

Boy, his campaign has really got his bloggers working overtime trying to hammer home this "honesty" bull.

Sorry. Won't work guys. Not buying it.

I love how neo-cons are going to be in an outrage over Obama admitting he did this, yet the fact that Chimpy did the exact same thing gets completely overlooked.

it's amazing that CNN ran the head line on the mainpage that simply stated he was a "goof off", nothing about the pot or cocaine? and it is equally amazing the comments by CNN readers, who generally lean left - nearly everyone is giving Obama a "pass" for the illicit drugs. If Guiliani or Thompson had done drugs, CNN would have had it on their main page "Republican did cocaine growing up" and all of the comments from readers would have lambasted the guy. Can we all say "obvious bias"?

What a naive man,,,so parents do you tell your children all your bad decisions you made growning up???Heck no you dont and Obama just doesnt get it.

As others have mentioned, this is old news published in Obama's first book. If this is what's mentioned in the Novak article, Clinton is really reaching.

And whether you support Obama's politics or not, I think you have to respect his honesty. Bush and Hillary are eager to tell you what they want you to hear.

Obama says what you need to hear. Drugs are a problem. Our teenagers have access to them. Even good kids or smart kids are susceptible. Instead of fighting a "war" on drugs,it makes the most sense to discuss it with our teenagers and face it head on as a community.

Was thoses stuff the SCANDALOUS MATERIALS everyone was talking about ?
Mr.Obama owes everyone an apology.
whoever was holding those materials was
kind enough to let Mr.Obama to admit these stuff on his own. Why is it taking drug " normal" ? Whoever use drug are the persons of weak self-disciplined.

Born a loser. You took drugs? Good for you, hedonist left-wing loony. Most of America is fiercely anti-drug, responsible, moral, moderate people of moderate means. You do not represent our world.

Posted By Jerry, NY NY : November 20, 2007 4:06 pm

I'm sure you were just as outraged when you learned Bush was an alcoholic and snorted coke.

This further consolidates the fact that he's a man apart in that crowd of lying swarm that peoples Washington. Why are people bashing him because of his honesty? What is your take of "I did not inhale" or "I did not have a sexual relationship with that woman" or Bush's alcohol and drug addictions?
You should all feel blessed that there's finally a politician who is straight up honest.
Now put that in your pipe and smoke it.

No. He is not saying it is okay to do drugs and drink. He was just being candid and honest which alot of other canidates need to do. High school kids are not as naive and stupid as adults would like think they are. I think he was trying to say to those students who are already experimenting with drugs that they are wasting their time and they can start living more rewarding lives right now. Obama was just acknowledging the fact that he was one of the lucky ones.

The comments in here are more fascinating than the blog.

Anyway, I align with the earlier commenter who remarked on how great it is that he talked to kids, some of whom may well be on the brink of being lost, about turning their lives around. That's one of the most important things you can tell a kid.

I suspect that the adult in the classroom who asked about Obama's youthful indiscretions was already familiar with Obama's memoir. I can't help but think he was essentially challenging Obama to answer in a forthcoming way, and Obama met that challenge.

It's nice to see a politico who will admit to past indiscretions. Funny how republicans will jump on this as an example of supposedly liberal degeneracy, ask if this is the sort of person we want running things… but then when one of their politicians gets caught DOING drugs or hiring prostitutes, the community has to rally around this poor, good soul who lost their way. What sort of example does THAT set? Hypocrisy, double standards.

At least Obama found his way before he became a visible figure. Good on him for not running away from his past.

Oh my gosh what will the elite in this country do? I thought you hated GW cause he was a goof in school as well???YOu people are str8 hypocrits.

"I think it is great that he is being honest and made something of himself, but I think back to high school and the kids who drank and took drugs. I think that I will vote for somebody else."

Seth, my friend, I don't know about where you grew up, but the smart, popular kids that smoked marijuana where I grew up, too. I know for a fact that one of them is a Doctor now.

It wasn't just the heshers.

Finally someone who can admit his faults and own up to is as a man! It speaks volumes to his character and to what type of man Mr. Obama will be as the next President of the United States. Geoge Bush, Bill & Hillary Clinton might want to try being so brutally honest for a change!

Honesty in a polition should be applauded in every instance regardless of party or political perspective. We have a government that is supposed to be for and "of the people". Let's start responding to them as though we understnd what that means.

Drugs, pathalogical lying, strategic dishonesty, and methodically focusing the dialog and people on insignificant things at every turn are all constants in our society. We have had 4 straight terms from crack/coke head, alcoholic, sex addict, and pot smoking Presidents… Let's all demand honesty, integrity, and a lazer focus on our needs and real issues from all of them and be immensely better off for it. Bravo Obama!!!!

It's pretty obvious that he goofed off when he should have been listening. There are a lot of holes in his understanding of American Political Theory.

Finally a honest pollitican running for president. I am a republican, and I am tired to the the BS that we have been fed by our govt. I see this man as a refreshing, honest, canidate. I can say that even though I am a republican, he has my vot. Hats off to a person who is brave enough to admit his mistakes. The man has my vote, I think he would be a great president. I am thinking about switching parties, so I can help him get the nomination.

What difference does it make? Hillary acts like she is on drugs every time she is on TV.

What Emily, Washington DC said.

Stop throwing stones and appreciate that for once there is an honest politician in your sights.

Sadly you'll squander your vote on someone who really couldn't any less about you, but you're probably too foolish to realize when you have someone that has you in mind.

.

Wow, Impressive. Honest candidate. This country need one.

Time to say good bye to politician like Mr. Bush (who was alchoalic being governer of Texas and escaped the vietnam war draft)and Mr Cheney(who as more financial interest in Iraq war and who support is gay daugher).

People appreciate his honesty.

I have to say, I think it should be considered that Obama is being honest.
I wonder if he has read the U.S.Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's new book, 'My Grandfather's Son'.
I just finished it, and if Justice Thomas's book isn't a book of truth, I will eat it for dinner, it is a very heart touching and inspiring book to say the least.
No wonder he was nominated and confirmed to our Supreme Court, he is a man of character. And I do believe that Obama is also thus far, haven't made up my mind yet. But he gives Hillary enough of a hard time when he points out her evasiveness, so thats a big plus!
I hope America reads Justice Thomas's book, it may make some think about many things. Its a very honest, brutally honest actually, book.
In time we will see if Obama is that same kind of man.

To those claiming Obama's admission would "encourage kids to do drugs", do you really think the admission of some 40 something Senator is going to have that much more impact than the kids in their school or their older brothers and sisters? Get real.

I think Obama had a lot of guts to be honest, and if you're going to fault him for something he did while underage, then you need to take a look in the mirror.

If these stuff were the so-called scandalous materials,then it is indeed.
so THERE WAS SCANDALOUS STUFF. Whoever possess these materials were kind enough not to release them but wait for Mr.Obama to admit it on his own.

…While I aplaud the honesty of Barack Obama, I think wis admission was unwise; He has, in effect, encouraged school children to experiment with drugs and alcohol: They will be encouraged to think, "If he can do that and still become a United States Senator, and a canidate for President then so can I."….

Don't you just love America. The above blog is an example of how ignorant some of you are. Obama was simply recalling his time in high school and some of you think he is giving kids the "OK" to use drugs …. beautiful. What fools some of you are.

I really respect this man's honesty. I'm glad to see someone can be truthful about their past. You have my vote.

"For the record, I'm a born-again, evangelical Republican For Obama. Posted By Diamond"

WOW!!! That is sooooo awesome! And, perhaps the best news I've heard all day! I am not born-again or evangelical or a Republican, but I will be voting for Obama, too! One of the things about Barack Obama that I love is that he is spiritually inclusive. The fact that folks with Diamond's leanings are inclined to vote for Obama tells me is that he has the ability to unite! And, that, is incredibly powerful!!!

Yeah good job Obama. Now I just can hear the kids now. Mom it's okay if I toke and get drunk maybe someday I can also be stupid enough to run for president of the United States like Obama. He just didn't say this to say it. And, I also agree what was the purpose of his confession to high school students?

Obama, I think I partied with you at Columbia. You were a trip (not acid based, for all I know!!!)
You go, O!

Laura in Tulsa and Jerry in NY?

I don't know what world you two are living in - but, Obama's honest and reflective statement is the REAL world. I am a former Tulsa, Laura and know what world you live in and it is not the real one!

Obama in 2008!

if Mr.Obama did all those stuff, how did he get into a famous university?
what was his SAT score, can anyone tell
me ?

Honesty is lacking in Washington. Out of all candidates, Obama seems to be the most honest. They say he's the most inexperienced but for what? Do they speak of his inability to speak in tongues and sugar coat his past failures? It takes years of experience to be a good liar, like Bush and other politicians. Obama currently will have my vote. We need a change in leadership and a new direction in America. Aren't you tired of the Bush's and Clinton's running the country. If Clinton gets elected, it would be almost 25 years that 2 families ran the country. Do you as an American want that? Things are getting worse in America. Letting someone else in from outside the norm to be President could only make things better.

The timing of this "revelation" on the campaign trail is interesting in that it followed the controversy stirred up by Bob Novak this past weekend. I also thinks it sends the message that it's OK to goof off and experiment with drugs when you're young because, after all, you can still grow up and run for President. I remember that John Edwards is not for legalizing marijuana because it sends the wrong message to young people. I think it's great and good that Obama was "honest" but I, too, think it sends the wrong message to our young people. What was he thinking?

Give me a break…if you honestly think that Barack Obama fessing up about his high school years is going to turn young people into drug users, then you haven't been paying attention to the other 98% of messages kids are bombarded with daily. I can assure you that when a kid is offered pot at a party, he's not gonna be sitting there thinking, "well, Mr. Obama said it was okay!!!" Are you really that naive? I'd rather have an honest president…

I don't understand how experimenting is so horrible, anyway. Why do parents fear someone letting their kids know that you can try drugs/alcohol without becoming a junkie without a future? Most likely, they know this already.

Honesty? Does he have any other card to play?

What other experiments had he done? what kind of experiments he likes? What about a socialist experiment so you can all share one pizza? And he will convince you that you don't even need a whole pizza because thats why you get fat. Perhaps this should be a good experiment for America.. anyway, with so much demagogy, its unlikley to get any other result.

Smart move, putting it out before it could be used against him. And honestly, what person in a high position doesn't have a few skeletons in the closet? Our Founding Fathers were hardly squeaky-clean either. The main point is where Obama is NOW, not what he did as a kid. I'm glad he put it in the context of "it was wasting my life."

Folks, here is a man who is telling a personal account of his youth. Thats it. He's frank and honest. That is a trait foreign to most politicians and I respect him for that. We have to remember, we are not voting for who he WAS, but who he IS. This country needs someone who we can trust. Is he that person? Maybe. But if he isnt, he certainly is the most trustworthy and capable politician we've seen in a very long time. I dont see any hidden agendas or shady dealing with this guy. God bless him.

Wow Jerry NY NY, I'm sure Jesus Christ himself would say the exact same thing about a man who made mistakes then changed. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, right? And as far as your completely flawed assumption about the morality of America, is that why we're number one in the world in divorces and drug abuse. America certainly has flaws and the Republican nutjob you're probably suupporting certainly won't fix those either. The conservatives are the most scandalous hypocritical people I know. They talk a good game, but in reality they all succumb to the same immoral behaviors they rail against (Sen. Craig anyone?) If that wasn't enough, I bet you were a Bush supporter and had no issue with his past indescretions. People like you are too ignorant to vote. By the way, nice comments Diamond.

I agree with John Karsten. The first thought that ran through my head, was OMG! Someone finally told the truth!

This statement reflects some of what he is running on.
Honesty and trustworthy.

I'd like to know how many adults who critisize that behavior actually did the same things he did.
We are all goof offs in high school!

The main point is this. He realized his mistakes, applied himself, did well for himself, and was open about the bad things in his life rather than cover them up.

I REALLY hope he wins the nomination and Presidency.

Bush got killed for this type of behavior. Now the Obamaverts call it honesty, funny how the view changes when it is your guy.

Hypocrisy is the act of condemning another person for an act of which the critic is guilty.

Jerry,

Were you raised in a bubble? Most people at some point in their lives have experimented with drugs or alcohol. If you actually read anything Obama said, he was clearly not condoning drug or alcohol use by high schoolers. He was speaking about some of the bad choices he made in school. It's about time we have a president that can admit that he wasn't born an angel (as George Bush seems to want us to believe), and can speak honestly about the mistakes he has made.

What's the point of running this story and framing it like this, if not an attempt to hurt the man's chances. CNN should do us all a favor and just STOP covering the race. It's obvious who CNN's favorite candidate is, but that doesn't mean the rest of us deserve to have their decision crammed down our throats.

Obama 08!!!!!!

How misleading on CNN's part to use the header "Obama:I was a goof off in school." Yes, he was referring to his high school days in Hawaii, but the man graduated first in his class from Harvard Law School! The least CNN could do is frame his comments so that the average news reader doesn't get the totally wrong impression of the intellectual prowess of Senator Obama. His academic accomplishments rival those of almost any gifted and enterprising student out there.

GASP! an honest politician?!? I guess we'd all rather have our leaders lie and say things like "I didn't inhale". I'm sure Hillary didn't inhale either.

CNN is literally grasping for negative "news" re: Obama after his recent poll surges. Pathetic.

Hillary 08′.
Folks, she will win the primaries, like it or not. I am for her-start to finish. But I like this swinging, it makes it all very excting.
Hillary 08′ and Obama '22===perfect democratic take over.

Better than Bush's only comments about his past drinking and drug use when he used to say only, "Do as I said, not as I did." Atleast Obama's honest and upfront with America about his past.

Born a loser. You took drugs? Good for you, hedonist left-wing loony. Most of America is fiercely anti-drug, responsible, moral, moderate people of moderate means. You do not represent our world.

Posted By Jerry, NY NY :

What world do you live in. Most american's are not "fiercely anti-drug" they are anti-violence it brings. Most american support the legalization of pot. The current president (one i'm sure you support) has dont everything obama said to the extreme. Don't speak for me please, because just like the junkie in the white house you are an IDIOT

If that had been Hillary you guys would have vilified her. the double standard is enough to make you throw up.

Everyone has goofed around sometime in their life. Obama's honesty is unparallel..because it shows honesty and integrity is far superiort to becoming a president by lying and hiding the facts. He has already said, that was the lost time of his life..meaning this was absolutely wrong thing to do.

I applaud..his honesty and integrity.

OMG! He thought about GIRLS?

Well, that means he can't run as a Republican.

Honest or not Obama is not sending the right message to kids. Hillary probably wont use this but you better believe the repubs will. Good bye values voters

Jack, NY, the stats show most of America drinks, smokes, and is on their third marriage. You must be on crack if you think 'most' Americans are straight. For the record, the last three presidents all smoked pot, and our current president had a cocaine addiction. Kids, you can STILL be president.

When you know there are people around who can testify that you drank and did drugs in the past, it would be pretty lame not to admit it. Big deal.

Honest and politician can be in the same sentence, wow! I appreciate him for being honest about his past, meaning he really doesn't have anything to hide and owning up to the mistakes he has made in his life.

To everyone thinking that his story about taking drugs and drinking, you make the presumption that the kids would want to emulate him in every way possible, you don't know what these kids think of him unless you ask them yourself. That's not enough for enabling, sorry. Also, give these kids some credit, they are not mindless drones, they can think for themselves.

I don't agree with Obama on all his policies and stances but I wouldn't mind he ends up being the nominee (if he gets there).