Barack Obama’s history of marijuana and cocaine use offers a potent attack point for Republicans if he ever becomes the Democratic nominee for president.
Although the Obama campaign wants to dismiss the subject as a Clinton campaign tactic, Bill Shaheen, Hillary’s New Hampshire campaign chair, was right to point out Obama’s vulnerability on this issue.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Shaheen warned of the potential political consequences of Obama’s past drug use:
“The Republicans are not going to give up without a fight … and one of the things they’re certainly going to jump on is his drug use,” said Shaheen, the husband of former N.H. governor Jeanne Shaheen, who is planning to run for the Senate next year. Billy Shaheen contrasted Obama’s openness about his past drug use — which Obama mentioned again at a recent campaign appearance in New Hampshire — with the approach taken by George W. Bush in 1999 and 2000, when he ruled out questions about his behavior when he was “young and irresponsible.”
Shaheen said Obama’s candor on the subject would “open the door” to further questions. “It’ll be, ‘When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?’” Shaheen said. “There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It’s hard to overcome.”
As I commented in a recent posting, Obama’s non-response to questions about drugs at a Manchester, NH, high school visit makes me question his moral leadership. Although he again discussed his own past drug use, he had nothing to say to students about the perils of drugs or the options they have if they need help overcoming alcohol or drug addiction. To me, the visit was an opportunity to offer students some important guidance on the issue; instead, Obama passed.
More on Shaheen’s comments can be found at the New York Times.
3 responses so far ↓
Bill Shaheen: it’s about time you spoke up! « A Rake’s Progress // December 12, 2007 at 10:25 pm
[...] Hillary Clinton Quarterly ← Obama’s drug use a potential GOP attack point. [...]
rightwingdog // December 13, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I can’t help but wonder IF Shaheen didn’t “take one for the campaign”. Even with the apology, the resignation etc, the point WAS MADE about Obama’s drug use and even the questions he should be asked.
I look at a campaign who hired Sandy Berger as a national security advisor after his record of stealing top secret papers being convicted and fined (slap on the wrist IMHO) why would they not do this? Look for Shaheen to surface with Hillary in the future.
RWD
Rake Morgan // December 13, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Not that the idea did not cross my mind, but you have to know something about Shaheen to realize he is an opportunist, not a sacrifical lamb. It is not in his character.
Shaheen realized that his management of the campaign has been so inept, this was one way to get out. At least he won’t have to be on the stage with her if she has to give a concession speech. Besides, his real goal is to get his wife, former Governor Shaheen, into the senate. And that might still happen.
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