Obama took AIDS test today, but what about his smoking habit?

Marathon Pundit ^ | December 1, 2006 | Marathon Pundit

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Obama-mania has hit the country as hard with full force. Earlier today, in front of members of a California mega-church, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), took an AIDS test alongside Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS).

As I pointed out last month, this is believed to be Obama's third AIDS test. Blogger Anna of A Rose By Any Other Name did point out to me that a second AID test with 90 days--Obama's last AIDS test was in Africa three months ago, I still believe--the importance of AIDS testing among the general public notwithstanding--that Obama's AIDS test today borders on being a publicity stunt.

AIDS is a serious health issue. So are the diseases and deaths that come from smoking cigarettes. Did you know Barack Obama is a smoker?

Yep, and not just on that link, but he smokes in this Maureen Dowd column, as well as on several Democrats Underground threads.

Smoking cigarettes leads to many health problems, as most even semi-intelligent people know. These ailments include various cancers, emphysema (which killed my grandfather), and heart disease. Second hand smoke can cause lung cancer and other respiratory problems for non-smokers. Fires caused by cigarettes, based on who you talk to, cause anywhere from one-quarter to one-third of all fire fatalities in the United States.

So, Senator Obama? In addition to that AIDS test you're taking today, how about vowing in front of that church audience that you're going to quit smoking?

[Zack Nguyen]

I don't especially care whether he smokes or not. What hubris makes a man think that he can be President of the United States when less than three years ago he was arguing water rights (or somesuch) before the Illinois State Legislature?

[bert]

He looks like he is anemic. He has blue gums.

[Ludicrous]

Clearly Obama must be engaging in AIDS-risk behaviors to need repeated testing.
What kind of behaviors could he be engaging in?

Most commonly:
A. non-monogamous, unprotected sex
B. Needle-sharing Intervenous drug use

Will any reporters ask Obama which of these behaviors led to his repeated need for AIDS testing?

[Alter Kaker]

What hubris makes a man think that he can be President of the United States when less than three years ago he was arguing water rights (or somesuch) before the Illinois State Legislature?

I'd never support Obama of course, but couldn't someone have made the exact same argument to Abraham Lincoln?

[Alter Kaker]

FWIW, Lincoln was elected President after a short career in the Illinois legislature, followed by one term in the US House of Representatives, followed by a failed run for US Senate.

[Stone Mountain]

So now we're going after politicians who smoke cigarettes? C'mon, there should be enough legitimate things to attack Obama on without this type of ridiculousness. Besides, unless there aren't any conservative Republicans who also smoke cigarettes, this type of attack is bound to backfire.

[gidget7]

"So now we're going after politicians who smoke cigarettes? "


This article looks to be written in some dem underground type place, it even mentions it. I could care less what politician smokes a legal product. It is curious though, that he has felt the need to repeat his AIDS test for the 3rd time.........WHY?

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Oh he has the right to smoke, although he's foolish to do so. My point is with his serial AIDS tests, the results of which--negative--are as predictable as Hugo Chavez' upcoming re-election. If Obama is going to showboat one health cause, he opens himself to scrutiny about his smoking. Sam Brownback, a conservative, took part in that AIDS test today. I don't believe he smokes. In fact, Brownback sponsored a fire-safe cigarette bill, with Dick Durbin of all people. The bill hasn't gone anywhere, though. Here's something else Obama can be confronted with: Obama on Rezko deal: It was a mistake Rezko's corruption trial won't happen soon, but it's hard to imagine it not taking place after 2008. Rezko was an Obama supporter going back to his state senate days.

[Porterville]

I've taken several HIV test... I never reported it to the press, in fact, they are little more than a par for course.

Unless Obahma is on the receiving end of anal sex... then I guess it is news... kind of like a lottery...

[Stone Mountain]

This article looks to be written in some dem underground type place, it even mentions it. I could care less what politician smokes a legal product.

Word for sure on the legal product thing. Soon we'll be hearing reports about politicians who are eating too many transfats...

It is curious though, that he has felt the need to repeat his AIDS test for the 3rd time.........WHY?

Gotta be honest - his politics may be horrible but I respect him for those AIDS tests. The disease is really bad in Africa and heavily stigmatized - to the point that people won't even take AIDS tests. An Afican man that is a success in America taking a public AIDS test will go a long way towards de-stigmatizing, and hopefully even making "cool," the idea of being tested. And while there, hopefully get observed by a nurse or doctor and possibly given the opportunity to get other diseases diagnosed.

I'm just saying. Now pardon me while I sit back and take a bunch of incoming fire from a bunch of nice folks who will say I'm a DU plant, a flaming Liberal, a naive idiot who falls for obvious political propaganda, etc, etc. Well, I believe that disease eradication is one of those issues that should transcend politics and I really believe that those tests he took will have a positive effect in Africa.

[stainlessbanner]

Both are mediocre politicians. One has to answer for 620,000 deaths.

[Stone Mountain]

Thanks! Hadn't heard about that Rezko thing...

[Zack Nguyen]

I'd never support Obama of course, but couldn't someone have made the exact same argument to Abraham Lincoln?

Sure. However, Lincoln was a fast learner, and the government was much, much smaller in those days. Politics was much less hectic. Lincoln could afford to make a tremendous miscalculation (such as believing that the South could be 'persuaded' to come back into the Union with one victorious battle, that the South was basically 'reasonable' and wanted back in), reconsider a year later, and still turn the war around. Today the President makes policy and then has a tremendous political/national security/bureaucratic movement that switches into gear to support it. It makes it immensely more complicated to make policy and then change your mind midway through.

[PghBaldy]

Obama even compares himself to Lincoln in a column a while back.

[Ditter]

Be careful with that observation, calling someone a "blue gum" is the same as using the n-word.