As a teacher, I must applaud Mr. Obama's honesty as I must abhor Mr. Romney's lack thereof. If Mr. Romney is willing to keep silent on this issue, then I must agree with those who wonder what is in his past that he hopes to hide and what things are in the present that he will not address?

My students are not going to be led into drug use by ANY adult. They are pressured by their peers and, often, by the sadness of lives they wish to escape. Those who come through the horror of addiction emphasize the importance of honesty and are often willing to address their peers and younger youth about the path they followed down into darkness and back into light.

To refrain from discussing one's past is like a country's refusing to acknowledge its history. I'm not talking about the idea of history's repeating itself but about the idea that if we, individually and as a country, don't know and cannot state where we've been, we can't really know where we're going.

I just really hate this man, and I can't explain why. Add me to the unreasonable, can't discuss issues, left-wing, religious bigots list. — LOL.

Isn't it better to admit an indiscretion yourself, rather than have the media take you by surprise and use it as a smear tactic, thus making you look like you were hiding something?

The old "don't tell" line is quite outdated, Mr. Romney.

I only have one thing to say. Romney's full of it! I resent his assumption that us youth are stupid, as if being completely truthful is a bad thing. It does wonders to know that Obama's human. Obama did not encourage drug use, in fact he refered to that time in his life as "wasted time". And it's good for those youth who are experimenting and goofing off to know that it's not too late to turn it around! Would you prefer they had no source of hope, Rom? What are you hiding Romney!

I agree with Mitt. It is very easy for a kid to think when pressured to try drugs or alcohol, well Pres. Clinton or Sen. Obama did it, and look how they turned out, so it probably won't hurt to just try it once. It sends the wrong message, because of the potential for substance abuse or addiction.
I want a President who not only leads, but sets an example for our youth.
Mitt is the only candidate that I think will set a good example for our yout.

Amen to that Bill Fitzgerald. Well said!

What purpose does it serve to go into excessive detail about past alcohol or drug abuse when you are a Presidential candidate???!!!

How many kids NEVER made it past drug or alcohol abuse and are now adults stuck with habits they can't shed?? Stating in detail an persons youthfull exesses gives the firm impression that "I can do it and beat it like him!."

Admitting to the mistakes and firmly stating the dangers associated with such abuse should be sufficeint in itself.

And what does it matter if Mitt was raidsed Mormon or Baptist anyway? We all come from differing upbringing, rich and poor…..faith, values and morality isn't OWNED by any of the candidates, and I don't hear Mitt professing to have the corner on the market in that regard.

Why aren't we judging our candidates for what kind of lives they lead, not what they have done as kids.

While not Mormon, I HATE reading from uninformed bloggers who demonstrate that they are way beyong stupid - to the point of blind IGNORANCE when using faith, mistakes 20 years ago, or family values as weapons.

Stick to the facts, remove blind emotion or bias from your comments and let's discuss ISSUES which will impact our future as the greatest country in the world.

Obama becomes the victim here? Am I missing something. We are talking about the future president of the United States of America. Here is a candidate who never smoked anything or drank alcohol or tried harmful drugs and somehow we have sympathy for one who did and think it is something good that he is honest about it. I'll take the one who refrained from and had self control and still does. His countenance radiates clean living. But in the last days people will call good evil and evil good.

In other words Romney also used drugs as a kid, but he wants to lie about it. Great. Typical GOP

It's only "underage drinking" because the state says so. Are you all just a bunch of tools because you're scared of the big bad arbitrary law? Kids should get wasted at 17 and ride the bus home! Scared yet?

Mitt Romney, you are such a tool. You want to have it both ways, but wake up! The country you claim you want to lead IS, in fact, a nation full of goof offs who do drugs and alcohol. At least many of them are. So shut up and lighten up, man! Presidents don't resolve family life, and they never will.

Beware of those Jim Baker smarmy-smile types!!!

Yeah, let's be sure to keep lying to our kids, Romney, you Republicans are good at that. They're too stupid to know when they're being lied to anyway aren't they big fella?

Say, what are you guys telling the kids about all the graft, corruption, sexual dalliances, and just plain lying your party is so bad at hiding? And how about those war *facts* - keep the glamor coming big guy, those stupid kids really buy into that.

This Romney guy is a Bush look-a-like.

This nation doesn't need four more years of stay the course.

To refrain from discussing indiscretions?? More secrecy?! Just another politician seeking to steal more freedom as they celebrate patriotism. What a phony! A conservative who wants nothing conserved; rather a reformer who wants to change everything into his christian image. What's next? Mandatory prayers before dinner with the family?

Elect this man at your own peril, America!

While the war on drugs was a joke back in Nixon's day, the point is missed by the plastic man entirely. Once dishonesty sets root it is a hard habit to break. Any the first step of curing any addiction, such as Bush's to lies, is to admit the problem. Bush never got over his youthful lack of judgement or moral failing. It led to a war of choice for his owners in the oil lobby. If some one else comes foreward and is open and honest, admits being wrong and shows that they have grown from the error, then the error is of lesser importance than the growth. That is why Bush remains a juvenile. He never grew up. Has Romney? Maybe the law should lighten up on this bogus war on drugs some what too. Regulate the DUI and such, just like with drinking, tax the product, pay off the Bush war and may be save a few livers along the way.

If a Presidential candidate thinks keeping their youthful indiscretions secret or private may answer the question as to why the Bush administration has keep everything secret. Perhaps if the public new more of the secret energy policy meetings with Cheney and Enron we might not have $ 3.50 gasoline, or perhaps we would not have been told of weapons of mass destruction if there were none, and thus no Iraq war sucking the life from our military and our economy. Maybe this world would be a better place if the President did not hide the truth. What is this nation becoming?

Bush was not YOUNG when he was irresponsible. In fact his presidential administration is best described by the adjective, irresponsible. Does Romney forget Bush's remark about his drinking days in New Orleans while inspecting the devestation after Katrina? The thing that turned off most people was not Bush's disclosure but its flippant tone and its inappropriate timeing. Mit needs to add "The Confessions of ST. Augustine" to his Christmas wish list.

Once again, as one reads these mixed responses, there are many with anti-Mormon responses. If the name Mormon was substituted with a name like Jewish or Catholic, I think there would be more outrage. I'm so disgusted with the hypocrisy of both the right wing religious bigots and the left wing secularists. They both come full circle and meet together in their intolerance.

I guess this means no stories about Romey and Vidal Sasoon.

Sounds like Larry Flynt needs to put out another $1M offer to anyone who comes forward with dirt on these dirtbag Republicans.

One more thing: Why do Ron Paul's supporters stick his name into every hole possible? I don't get it.

Read Romney's comments carefully. He said: "if we're running for president, I think it's important for us not to go into details about the weaknesses and our own failings as … we open kids thinking that it's ok for them." Romney clearly was referring to situations when one is running for a higher office, someone that would be a representative of either it is a city, a state, or a country.

How would we be perceived internationally if our president "was a goof off in high school and had experimented with drugs and alcohol?" I don't think we'd be the country taken by international community to a certain degree of seriousness.

For those that mention "recovering addicts" and "nephews" in their comments - it has nothing to do with someone running for president. It is a responsibility and duty of every one of us to help and encourage those that may be in need of our support.

Some call Obama's "experiment with drugs and alcohol" (to put it nicely) as honesty - I call it plain ignorance. Can he be 100% certain that no children understood him that it's ok to use drugs and drink alcohol - I still have a great chance to run for the president in the future? That was a very poor judgement on Obama's behalf!

I can already see Headlines one of these days "Teen arrested for DUI who plans to run for president". Great headline, isn't it?

Come on people, use your noggin sometimes.

I like that the president of the US should be held out as a leader, not a coke snorting drunk who broke the law in his earlier years. Sure people make mistakes, but I don't need to hear about a candidates poor choices. What is next, are we going to dig up the candidates old elementary school report cards? How silly!

I agree with Mitt. What is the message we are sending to America (and America's youth)? It is okay to dabble in illegal drugs? Do a little underage drinking? Obama is in a position to be heard by young people. Instead of fessing up to drugs, he should encourage them to follow the law, avoid drugs and make something of themselves. I find it weird that Obama wants to talk about his mistakes. I think most people by nature would hold poor personal choices very close.

To all you posters that are being disrespectful to Mitt's religion, you really need to get a life. Talking about possible homosexual encounters and his magic underwear shows your intelligence (or lack thereof). Grow up.

I'm an adult and I still love indiscretions. I see it as just as useful as paying back big debt to Ancient Philosophical Warmonger posing as Lord God Lord. Somewhere in the crossover the Explication "Do not gather where moth and rust consume" is making my back ache and where are the kids? They come around for Christmas.

You're all a bunch of dummies. Totally.

http://www.golden-lamp.com

joseph,austin,tx :

Heh, heh. I bet that Romney, in his youth, maybe drank a little cider that had fermented in the back of his mom's fridge. Probably doesn't even have any indiscretions to come clean about.

This proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Romney does not have the wisdom and leadership skills to be President…though I think that was already apparent with his "double Guantanamo" comment and the fact that he has switched his position on every major issue out of expediency.

If Obama's previous drug use was anybody's secret weapon that they are waiting swift boat him, then its a dead issue now.
Otherwise, will Romney say that we ought to have glossed over the AIDS issue rather than tell the truth to our youth and let them make informed choices. Truth if used well will always bring out the best from mankind. America does not need a Romney president who will cover up the truth.
Obama is right!

I think we have missed the point here. It is the way it was presented that was in error. It was one thing to say you have tried drugs, and recovered from them. However, what was not said or presented is I tried drugs, It was the absolutely the wrong thing to do, recovering from it was exptremely hard. Having gone down that road, I encourage you first to not experiment, and second to stop now.

I don't think Romney wants people to be dishonest. He just does not want people in leadership positons to present to young people that experimentation is OK, everyone tries it even Presidental Candidates. For many people it is deadly, and for those that recover, it was extremely hard, and they were lucky.

The younger generations in this elecronic world identify and follow the leaders they see. Their parents have much less of an impact on them, than in the 1800s. Britney, Obama, and many others are providing wrong powerful examples and images that we as a society should not encourage.

Of course we cannot go back to prohibition. However, we can encourage the electronic examples to present this in a healthier way.

We don't need, I have tried them with the indication that everyone does, I turned my life around, and now I want to be President. He should have said, I was young and foolish, I should have never experiemented with drugs, and I suggest you don't or stop now. I feel extreme fortunate that I survive that, as so many have not, and infact it has lead to disastorous lives, even death.

I humble stand here before you, amazed that I am here to run for this great office.

take it easy on mitt…he had 7 mothers to help raise him…

Mitt Romney is grasping for straws looking for issues to highlight his "family values" over other candidates. There are families, individual people and children living a vastly different existence in America than the one that the "Ken Doll" has experience dealing with. This is the problem with people like Romney. While he may overall be a decent guy, this is a non issue that did not deserve his making a public statement. Perhaps if we saw these flawed humans for what they are, we would all be better able to analyze them as potential lears. One's evolution as a human being says alot about their character. Regardless of whether one intends to vote for Senator Obama, it is refreshing that someone could have Obama's background and rise up to a run for the Presidency. It says that the American Dream is alive and well.

Mitt Romney's response is an undefined argument that looked for and found a purpose.

If Obama had not mentioned his past, Romney would have complained that he should have used it as an oppotunity to say 'something'. The revelations of his past 'youthful indiscretion' is already out there.

1.November 24th,
2007
2:47 pm The issues of judgment and experience are being pushed by Barack Obama in the effort of his campaign to catch up to Hillary Clinton.

Obama has a point.

And he made it recently at Manchester, N.H., Central High School in front of an audience of 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls and a sprinkling of adults.

In response to a question put to him from the audience, Obama told the young folks of his abuse of alcohol and drugs, including cocaine, while in school. His point appeared to be that he had “wasted a lot of time.” It should be noted that Obama did not go so far as to warn his young audience about the dangers to them of alcohol and drug abuse, beyond this notion that it was a waste of time.

Of course, as has been pointed out by others, Obama’s point was one thing; his implicit message was another: You can always quit. To be fair to Obama, he did not say exactly when he had quit; but it seemed clear that it was sometime after he had left high school.

So there you have it.

As for judgment and experience vis a vis Mrs. Clinton:

Obama, by his own admission, has more experience with alcohol abuse than does Mrs. Clinton. (She has none.)

Obama has more experience smoking marijuana than does Mrs. Clinton. (She has none).

Obama has more experience snorting cocaine that does Mrs. Clinton. (She has none.)

Thus, it seems abundantly clear that Obama’s admitted experience makes him a better judge of boozing, smoking marijuana and snorting cocaine than Mrs. Clinton.

So folks, if you seek a presidential candidate with experience in boozing, pot smoking and cocaine snorting, then Obama obviously is your man, no doubt about it.

And if it’s judgment you want in a presidential candidate, consider Obama, too, on the basis of his bragging about his alcohol and drug abuse in front of an impressionable audience of high school kids who just now may be forgiven for figuring that it’s O.K. to booze and do drugs because you can always quit — just like Mr. Obama.

Mrs. Clinton can’t hold a candle to Obama on those matters, true enough. Think on it.

http://tinyurl.com/2ztaaw

so when someone asks you a direct question about drug use, you're supposed to evade the question, then campaign on a get-tough-on-drugs and throw-money-at-the-war-on-drugs stance? Bush didn't disclose the details of his "youthful indiscretions" because they were so extensive and lasted so long into his adulthood that if he had told the truth, he'd never have been elected. He wasn't protecting young people, he — and everyone who abetted him — did it to protect him.

"I like Obama, but I got the same impression. That telling them about his drug days, etc. was a message that it was OK for them because look how Obama turned out….Problem is MOST kids that engage in that kind of behavior don't recover from it. Some do, but they are the exception. I think he was trying a little to hard to "fit in" and relate to these kids and really, they don't need another buddy that is doing what they are doing, they need a role model. It justifies complacency more than it inspires.

Posted By Shawnie - Grants Pass, OR : November 24, 2007 6:16 pm "

I generally share the above view too. Most of us have used drugs recreationally and have slacked off at some point during school. Chances are good that most school-children today will have these experiences.

That said, why emphasize bad habits. Most of us realize the dangers of recreational use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana that some people could be getting into.

It should be one of those things we don't talk about, because it is not good behavior that we should encourage. Obama telling these kids he did drugs and slacked off in school, just reinforces that behavior as more acceptable and less dangerous than we want to communicate to these impressionable minds.

By all accounts, Obama chose to say this himself. That says to me that his moral compass is a bit off.

"Ask Mitt Anything" …. that he wants you to know

The standard Mormon fare is probably incest of some kind. That, of course , is much better than smoking dope (which should be legalized anyway). Oh yes, GWB did leave it at that so only a few million people know he was doing lines at his father's innaugural ball.

Thats okay. Romney now has his magic Mormon underpants to protect him from his indiscretions.

Absolutely agree. Presidential candidates and in fact, all adults, must never tell the truth about youthful indiscretions. Our youth might think that we are all just human. Prone to the same temptations where making the wrong choice leads to bad consequence. They may feel that, they, after having made the wrong decision about a temptation, may have a chance to redeem themselves and all is not lost. How dare our youth come to know this while still young. God forbid our youth understand that the adult teachers, parents, bosses, and yes, Presidential candidates, they may encounter were once just young people similar to them. Our youngsters must believe all adults running for President have made nothing but perfect choices in life since birth. Not being candid about past indiscretions, and our media not caring enough to print them when found, enabled us to vote in George W. Bush as President not once, but twice. 'nuf sed.

What a stupid thing to say! Let's not be honest about our mistakes; let's just pretend that "mistakes were made". How Nixonian, how Bush like!

So, it's fine to indulge in indiscretions…as long as politicians don't discuss their indiscretions.

Hurray for positive change!

Romney had homosexual indiscretions in great detail when he was young and irresponsible, so I think I will too!!! Oh noes, the power of suggestion wins again!

I don't often agress with Mr. Romney, but I think he is right on this one. I am told, by presented an image that you were just like them at one time, justifies what they are doing, and even encourages them to try it. Some people can experiment with things and not become addicted. However, addicted personnalities will go from a minor drug to a mainline drug. These people should never try any sort of drugs or be encourage to. Who know the personalities in tha audiance and the harm done.

Therefore I think that Mr. Obama showed a lack of experience and very poor judgement on his part in his words to this very young group of people.

Maybe we were wrong about his being Presidental Material.

Its the kids that are talking about Bill Clinton's indecreation not the adults.

Amen to all you sane people realizing the stupidity of Obama's comments.

First, it's very poor judgment to, unpromted, start trying to be cool and regailing kids about all the "drinking and drugs" you experimented with in school. The obvious message is that you can experiment away and still become president of the United States. This is a page out of the books of parents who try to be their kid's friend and be cool, instead of setting an example and getting respect.

Second, this is just plain dumb politics. There's a reason politicians don't go around saying things like this. It shows Obama's total lack of experience and will not be something that middle-of-the-road voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin like to hear about. Dumb move.

Ask Mitt Romney, now that President Bush is old and irresponsible is this the best possible strategy?

Being irresponsible is not about age.

As being human and recognizing that we all make mistakes. It is each one's to learn from our mistakes when young.

Some learn from them some don't. Ask the President.;x$#@@$%$

I totally agree with Romney on this. There was NO reason for Obama to mention drug use at a children's school and think he was just trying to be too cute by half/

Obama has more concern for those kids then Romney by far!

Romney will do or say whatever it takes to win! I see right through him and wouldn't even consider voting for him.
He's a slick phony!

So let's see, we can have a choice between candor and honesty or deception and the continuance of hiding facts from us to lead our country. Boy, that is a tough choice allright! Whatever will we do?

Of course a GOP candidate would say something like this, so that he could use opposition research to dig up his opponent's indescretions at a later date in the campaign and use the information for his own political gain.

The reason modern candidates reveal their past foibles voluntarily and early is that they have learned that past mistakes will be used against them by their opponents if they are not mentioned. It's a matter of pre-emption.

I agree with Romney. Most of us have things in our past we are not proud of and would not want to have made public. Unfortunately, Romney has held himself up to be such a paragon of virtue that anything he has ever done is fair game. What's he hiding? Did he snort a little? Did he, horror of Mormon horrors, have a drink or two. Or was it something more sinister? It doesn't matter, of course. After this, he is raw meat. Let the feeding frenzy begin.

Bush's unwillingness to cop to the exact depths of his previous 'indiscretions' plays out in Bush's unwillingness to cop to the intellectual and emotional failings that led to his disastrous presidency. A man who is so ashamed of admitting bad judgement in his personal past is a man who won't admit to bad judgement in his current situation as well. Sorry Mitt, but we've all had enough of politicians who believe that the American people are so stupid or so incapable of processing complex information that they should be kept in the dark when it comes to knowing who the men and women running for office REALLY are. If you're afraid of people knowing too much about you, that's YOUR problem, not ours.

Who believe Mitt Romney. He is closely following what Obama is saying and trying to belittle him. I don't think saying that in New Hemsphire where Obama told those Kids his life as a young person was a good idea. I think he is confusing those youths who felt encouraged not to waste time drinking alot and going after girls alot. I think it was a message that was very good to kids that have felt left out.
Romney always try to fit in in anything when is politically convinient….Not suprised.

I prefer Senator Obama's openess any day over Mitt's "glossing over" the truth. Mitt really is doing a great disservice to the young people of this country, by implying that they "can't handle the truth." No, Mitt, I belive it's you and the majority of the GOP who are incapable of facing matters head-on and that's a definite attribute one should possess in running for the highest office in the land. Go home, Mitt…you're not prepared for this gargantuan undertaking!

You protest to much, are you afraid that you might be asked what you did in your youth?
I guess you want people to believe that your as pure as the driven snow.

I'm not sure about the Bush strategy - now he is just old and irresponsible.

To be serious though, today's kids look for honesty. Admitting past mistakes are far better than finding them in the news later on. I think the message needs to be that everyone makes mistakes but they come with risks and should be avoided.

My sons, ages 30 and 26 were concerned about the path that my nephew, age 18, was taking with alcohol and drugs. They shared their views, including talking about some of their mistakes at that age. They explained how those indiscretions set them back. My sons are college grads and very successful businessmen now. My nephew, who has completely turned himself around for the better credits my sons for "saving his life". Kids respond best to honesty and real life examples from people they love and admire. I agree with Obama's approach with youth.

Sorry Mitt, most of us didn't have perfect little wealthy Mormon upbringings like you did. Some of us actually experienced real life at some point.

Excuse me? We live in a country where opposition researchers work 25/8 to ferret out every real and perceived indiscretions of every candidate. Why? In order to blindside and humiliate them. I call Obama's revelations pre-emptive strikes against the Republican attack machine. And, to be fair, the Dems are likely poking around for the same kind of dirt about Republicans. It's American as pumpkin pie.

Ron Paul makes them both look like second choices, at best. Libertarianism is Freedom at its' best, and Ron Paul believes it. He's the only one I can honestly say that I trust completely!

It is possible to go threw adolescence with out using/”experimenting” will illegal drugs. It’s important for would be roll models to use discretion when approaching the topic of drugs and alcohol use. Good for Mitt Romney.

When I was in sixth grade, my catholic school arranged for some recovering addicts to come and speak with my class in an effort to encourage us from going down a path that we would regret. It had a lasting impact on me, and I think that it did so because it was honest, and even graphic.

Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" program failed. You can't be vague with young people and expect them to get your message.

Mitt Romney is wrong about this, and the American people have learned that honesty and integrity are the most important characteristics that we can hope for in our leaders. Add to that, the ability to learn from past mistakes, and you have someone with the potential to make a great president.

Interestingly, as I type this, I realize that Hillary does not have honesty, integrity or the ability to learn from past mistakes (healthcare reform, Iraq). Unfortunately for her, these are not qualities that you can learn or spin or project in a 30 second debate soundbite.

Let's wake up America. We have a once in a generation opportunity in front of us.

I like Obama, but I got the same impression. That telling them about his drug days, etc. was a message that it was OK for them because look how Obama turned out….Problem is MOST kids that engage in that kind of behavior don't recover from it. Some do, but they are the exception. I think he was trying a little to hard to "fit in" and relate to these kids and really, they don't need another buddy that is doing what they are doing, they need a role model. It justifies complacency more than it inspires.

Look at that man's head/hair/smile. It is as plastic as a Ken Doll.

Keep on covering up your past "indiscretions," Mitt, like being in favor of gay marriage and abortion rights. Maybe you can head over to "Paradise" with Freddie and pick yourself up a purty gun and shoot anyone who dare suggest you be as transparent and honest as Barack. Horrors!

And who cares what Romney thinks?
Oh please…

Soooooooooooooo Mitt what did you do, that so bad that you're hiding form us?

Turns out that whether you admit your youthful indiscretions or not, the youth engage in youthful indiscretions. It is the daily exposure to our culture vs parental and family love that matters, not what some presidential candidates say, that influence what kids do.