As a former smoker, you have far more insight into it than I have. All I know is that the smoker I was close would periodically have a craving that Could Not Wait. But as you say, with Obama it might or might not have been that. He may just have been totally irked with BC for doing effortlessly what Obama needs a teleprompter to do just so-so...or worse. Put two full blown narcissists together at the White House podium, and anything can happen.
Boy, that's the truth. A totally unpredictable moment.
I can't help contemplate the difference between the decision-making abilities of the common man, such as ourselves, and those in power, in recognizing a potential blunder. I'm no politician, but if I were in that position, seeking assistance, I don't think I would have publicly let everyone know that I was in a quandary, and I certainly wouldn't let BJ-Bill closer than an LD private phone call. It shows a clear lack of situational foresight, given the personality involved.
Secondly, Gibbs totally abandoned his duties of controlling the presser. Inexcusable, really; if he were my press secretary, I'd be tempted to fire him before the weekend was out. But the situation is now hopelessly beyond repair; I don't know what I would advise. Appreciating the past record of incompetence of this executive office, anything may happen. Most likely, they'll simply bury it.
As Tom Wolfe would have said, "He screwed the pooch". Unfortunately, with the current media locked up tight, some pooches can't be screwed, no matter how hard we try.
Pass the popcorn.