Obama Discusses Drinking, Drugs
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller Reports: Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., spoke candidly Tuesday about experimenting with drugs while he was in high school at surprise stop at Manchester Central High School in New Hampshire.
"I made some bad decisions … You know, got into drinking and experimenting with drugs, there was a whole stretch of time where I didn’t apply myself," Obama confessed to the study hall class.
Obama added that it wasn’t until he went to college that he "started realizing, man, I wasted a lot of time."
Obama said his mother called him a goof-off and he explained how living in Hawaii didn’t help.
"There’s a lot of opportunity to goof off because the weather is really good all the time," Obama said.
Another distraction? "I thought about girls a lot."
Obama said it wasn’t until his junior and senior year in college that he started getting serious.
"I realized if I had spent a little more time readying and studying that I could actually have some influence in the world. I got so serious that my mother told me to lighten up," he said.
The White House contender wrote about his drug experimentation in his book, "Dreams of my Father," but rarely talks about it on the campaign trail.
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Posted by: Pain in the Donkey | November 20, 2007, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
At least he was open and honest, unlike Bush and Clinton. Last time i checked honesty is a good thing.
Posted by: john | November 20, 2007, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm
So is affirmative action, I guess? How did Obama get into Harvard Law school from applying himself the last year or so of college? Hmmmm.
Posted by: Chuck | November 20, 2007, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
it’s called an LSAT Chuck, and I’m sure his scores were off the charts
Posted by: Joe Fetter | November 20, 2007, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
It’s ridiculous to hide or “sugarcoat” a foolish choice made in your younger years. When Clinton made his famous “I didn’t inhale” statement did anyone really believe him? I don’t believe anything that he or his wife says. We’ve all done stupid things when we were younger. Hopefully, you learn from the mistakes and move forward – and Obama is proving this. I only wish my teenage son would have been in the class Obama spoke to. Good choice for ’08!
Posted by: Mel | November 20, 2007, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
Chuck, is it affirmative action to graduate first in your class from Harvard Law School, be president of the Harvard Law Review and end up teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago?
Posted by: Bob | November 20, 2007, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
The moral of the story: stay focused on your goals and don’t waste valuable time in frivolous activities. Good Point. He’s just being real.
Posted by: Gerald | November 20, 2007, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
While Obama might be the better choice over Clinton, it’s just so sad that she’s going to win the nomination anyway. I just think the delegates swoon too easily at the Clinton name.
Posted by: TexBork | November 20, 2007, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
Hillary Clinton is by far the best candidate and will be the next President … but Obama still has many, many opportunities to serve this country if he chooses to.
Posted by: Jackson | November 20, 2007, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Most of us have experimented. At least Obama doesn’t act like a druggie or Alcoholic in recovery.
Posted by: Roy | November 20, 2007, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
Some people feel that you should always go through life never making a mistake.. That’s just plain WRONG.. Everyone makes them, no one is perfect–PEOPLE.. Get over it.. At least he has the guts, as a presidential candidate, to stand up & admit his wrong doings.. I personally am not going to be voting for Obama; however, he has impressed me with speaking the truth about his past..
Posted by: Summer | November 20, 2007, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
Bush admitted to having a drinking problem until age 40 (throughout the 1970′s), but would never answer questions about drug use. Bill Clinton tried to have it both ways by saying he “never inhaled”. Obama is a breath of fresh air compared to those two – like most people he did some dumb things as a young person, but he is honest about it now.
Posted by: D | November 20, 2007, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
BOY, Hillary really SMOKED HIM OUT didn’t she?! With her ‘secret information’ he’s going to squeal like a stuffed pig . such is the life of a Presidential candidate.
Posted by: Rob | November 20, 2007, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
Rob! make sense, obama wrote a book called “dreams from my father” in it he detailed his live, what he did and did not do. It was only a secrete to the handful of people who can not read, I am pointing the finger at you Rob
Posted by: akhinaten | November 20, 2007, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
@joe fetter: why are you sure obama’s LSAT scores were ‘off the charts’ – i see no indication of ‘genius’ in obama -
Posted by: skyz | November 20, 2007, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm
Crack is whack….
.
Posted by: havoc40154 | November 20, 2007, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
dks0442, is that you Karl Rove? Unsuported and unsubstantiated lies and inuendo must at least be a Republican.
Posted by: BooMan | November 20, 2007, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
I apologize to the true Republicans out there. I should have said Bushy.
Posted by: BooMan | November 20, 2007, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
The word “reading” is misspelled in the transcript. Unprofessional.
“I realized if I had spent a little more time readying “
Posted by: Spelling freak | November 20, 2007, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
you people are amazing and probably some of the same people that put bush in office…see what your mistakes get you…open your eyes obama will be a good president
Posted by: tones | November 20, 2007, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
Come on. Get real people… we have all done something rather good/bad, that is truly a part of living and learning in this world. That is what makes you smarter. Denieing it, holes you back from being what you wish you could be. Honestness goes a long way. So many people in this world live a lie and hide behind it to there grave. Now what kind of life is that? We only have one life to live … make the most of it and stay true to yourself and those you love. That is how I live and I feel good about it.
Posted by: TAP3/Realist in this world | November 20, 2007, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
Don’t vote for Obama he is dangerously Honest, he may even tell you the ugly true?
Don’t vote for Obama because his middle name is Hussein (not related to Saddam) and he is related to Cheney.
Don’t vote for Obama because unlike Hillary he has never being the wife of a womanizing president.
Don’t vote for Obama because he is black, by the way your ticket to the year 1930 has expired.
Don’t vote for Obama because if he wins he will surrender the USA to “islamaniya”, because the USA fits in his wallet and could be shop lifted from him.
Don’t vote for Obama because then HOP would defeat FEAR
Posted by: akhinaten | November 20, 2007, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm
Right on for the truth! That being said Mr. Obama still does not have the credentials, at this time, to be president of the United States. That being said he should consider joining the Clinton Ticket to get some experience. I would greatly support such a ticket!
Posted by: Mr. Barrato | November 20, 2007, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm
Barack Obama, wow, what a man of honesty — you got to love him!
Hillary Clinton is not in touch with the average American. All she has been living is politics, corruption and the pursuit of money and power — how sad.
Most American’s see through Hillary’s lies, deceptions and poor judgement. And she is too divisive and polarizing to win the democratic nomination.
Hillary Clinton does not have enough voter base to secure the democratic nomination.
I feel the best candidate among all those running for President is Barack Obama. He can deliver a change from politics as usual in Washington, D.C. He can also restore honesty, integrity and common sense back to the White House. And he can help America gain our respect back in the eyes of the world too!
America we need Barack Obama as our next President. Vote for Barack Obama in your state primary. Our lives and future depends on a President that can work with the leaders from other countries and that can work with both parties in Congress to get important legislation passed. A serious time is here — we need serious change. Barack Obama will help deliver that change.
Obama ’08
Posted by: Andrea Taylor | November 20, 2007, 11:15 pm 11:15 pm
In order to lead the masses, one ought to demonstrate the ability to have a positive development on the corrective activity of their own people of identity. Chaos beyond black realms drenched in political correctness seems to question one black politician’s ability as a leader of his own people. Vote for someone functional, like Senator Edwards.
Posted by: glaswolf | November 20, 2007, 11:31 pm 11:31 pm
To Spelling Freak : the word “reading” is not misspelled, it’s supposed to be “readying” as in “getting ready”… sheesh …
Posted by: JohnWayne | November 21, 2007, 3:08 am 3:08 am
It’s so obvious that all the while we want Politics of Change, why Media is promoting double standard on Senator Clinton?…everytime she says or answers the accusations from her opponents especially Edwards and Obama, Media is projecting her the person with criminal record…she is the most battered candidate …Mr. Obama has been so badly mouthed on Mrs. Clinton attacking her below the belt so with Mr. Edwards, is this the kind of people we want our trust..this is so evident the kind of image we want to give to the world?…and the comments of Mrs. Obama, it’s scary to know how she described the gap between the blacks and other colors?..what happened to what Mr. Obama said about the colors red, blue and whitein his stump speech?
Is it bad for Mrs. Clinton to run as candidate?…why condemned her? ..does she have a criminal record?..are we GOD?
is it wrong to be a Clinton?..With the former President , Bill Clinton’s legacy, America was a GREAT NATION!
With all the attacks on Mrs. Clinton it’s not humane anymore. ..where will she go but to prove to the American people that she can deliver the quality of life all of us deserves!
Why give her the double standard? Who is playing now the gender card? It’s very obvious, it’s definitely NOT Senator Clinton!
Media should SET A GOOD EXAMPLE!
Posted by: GP | November 21, 2007, 3:47 am 3:47 am
While Clinton felt invicinble few months ago,she is not today.The voters are beginning to ask questions.Do we continue like this or do we need drastic change.The answer can only be change and Obama is the only candidate that will bring about this much needed change.
The choice is ours.Obama is definately the man.
Posted by: Eronss | November 21, 2007, 4:04 am 4:04 am
the honesty is appreciated
Posted by: Discipulus04 | November 21, 2007, 5:36 am 5:36 am
We are awake, we know the truth..only one candidate communicate to our hearts..BARACK OBAMA is our choice.
Posted by: Stephen | November 21, 2007, 5:37 am 5:37 am
Obama is a foreign policy lightweight not yet ready for the rigors of the While House.
Posted by: John | November 21, 2007, 8:21 am 8:21 am
I agree with most of the comments, We all have done stupid stuff as kids and young adults, that is part of growing up. I would think that if you polled all of congress, there would be at least half that has done something “stupid” as a child or young adult. I can’t imagine that all the other political people in the government have never experimented with alcohol or any kind of drugs. Lets face it they all grew up in the 60′s and 70′s. Good for Obama for being honest and not trying to sugar coat what he has done in the past. The past is the past unless you cheat on your wife, again and again, or play with little children, take money from large compainies so they can get their vote, or except tickes for plane rides and other games and entertainment.
So far he is the only one that is running for Presidentency that has been upfront about who he is and his past indisgressions. Who wants another Clinton in the white house and do we really want old Bill back there, so he can start sleeping with other interns???
Posted by: flamingobaye | November 21, 2007, 10:51 am 10:51 am
It amazes me to hear the “we all have done stupid stuff as a kid”, do we all make mistakes, of course, but none of my friends where doing cocaine and this is the president of the United States, is it really that much to ask that we have candidates that didn’t do coke? Would you vote fore someone who raped someone as a teenager? Killed someone? Burned down a church? Simply being 20 in my mind does not give you the right to do whatever sounds like fun and then years later say “Hey I was only a kid”, or does it?? I wish I had those years over again. How well does this line work, “Hey I was only 30, everyone does foolish things when they’re 30″
Posted by: Shawn | November 21, 2007, 11:34 am 11:34 am
Obama’s experience: more time in a legislature than Hillary Clinton, even with all her puffery of being First Lady).
More variety of experience, on more levels, than Bill Clinton (before he was president).
More government experience than John Edwards.
The candidate who beats them all with experience is Bill Richardson. So …..
We are picking someone for a job that no one has enough experience for, until they’ve filled it for a while. What matters is: are they smart? Can they pick good people? Are they decent? Can they communicate? Can they lead and inspire? Can they be tough? Can they represent all of us? Can they save us from this mess?
Posted by: Susan | November 21, 2007, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
Hillary Clinton and Political plagiarism ………………experience to take credit for others work.
Hillary has claimed to have an experience in running the nations economy and its foreign relationship lets see whose experience she is steeling. The post of US secretary of states (the face of America to the world) was held under the Bill Clinton administration by two individuals first was Warren M Christopher (1993-1997) and the second person was Madeleine K Albright (1997-1999).
The post of US secretary of treasury the chief financial office of the United States was held by two people under the Clinton administration. The in the first term (1993-1995) it was Lloyd M Bentsen.
Second person to hold the office under the Clinton administration was Robert E Rubin (1995-1999)
What I don’t understand is how the media can allow the type of political plagiarism that Hillary is practicing. Would it be okay in your office for you to claim credit for the work that others have done, especially when you are doing it to get promotion and in competition with others?
Posted by: akhinaten | November 26, 2007, 6:30 am 6:30 am
Once again, Barack Obama delivers. He is the honest, does not tell you what you WANT to hear, tells you what you NEED to hear candidate. Everywhere he goes and everyone he talks to, he tells the TRUTH. He tells Detroit that they have dropped the ball, they have the capability to build cars that deliver a minimum of 40MPH. He tells congregations of African American Churches that they need to not be homophobic and judge others. He is the candidate of CHANGE. He is the one that can propel us out of the quagmire that the Bush administration has gotten into. He can put a new face on America. He will be the one who negotiates with other nations, and spreads hope and peace over the middle east and beyond.
Please get the book “Hopes and Dreams, the Story of Barack Obama”. It is a thin, picture full book. It will teach you the potential in this man. We need to have an Obama administration. Please people do your homework. If you do you will see that why there is such a strong movement, propelling Senator Obama to the nomination and onto the White House.
Posted by: Theresa | November 26, 2007, 7:59 am 7:59 am
go obama,you can do better!
Posted by: Dr | January 7, 2008, 1:29 am 1:29 am
Given the opportunity to receive education at one of the best institutions in the world, he chose to break the norm with hard core drug use. Given the opportunity to run one of the most developed nations in the world, I question what he would do with that privilege. There are some who traveled to the same destinations he did, but they took the high road, keeping the end goal in mind, avoiding vices and weighing out long-term goals and short-term satisfaction. He has not demonstrated that given the opportunity that many of us are not, he would rise to the challenge cleanly and not cop out. President of any color is welcome. But sound judgement and leadership do not point us to Obama.
Posted by: For Affirmative Action Oppose Obama | February 9, 2008, 8:30 am 8:30 am