President Obama Urged To Continue Drinking A Little Alcohol

by Steve Krakauer | 4:58 pm, March 1st, 2010

» 13 comments

One of the takeaways from President Barack Obama‘s physical over the weekend was that he’s still struggling to quit smoking.

But there was another vice mentioned as well: alcohol. And the characterization of his imbibing is a point of contention right now on several media outlets.

In the actual exam report, this is how it was phrased:

Continue smoking cessation efforts, a daily exercise program, healthy diet, moderation in alcohol intake, periodic dental care and remain up-to-date with recommended immunizations.

Now, here’s what Drudge is highlighting:

The link is to a Guardian write-up of the exam, which has this line, “The doctors also recommended “moderation of alcohol intake.’”

So here’s the takeaway: the doctor isn’t recommending the President cut down on his alcohol intake any more than he’s recommending he cut down on his exercising. He’s suggesting the President continue his moderate alcohol intake. We’ll let the National Review explain further:

In other words, Obama’s doctors are recommending that he continue his moderate drinking.

Alas, something as simple as excessive drinking is not the explanation for all of Obama’s actual excesses.

NBC White House Correspondent Chuck Todd called out the characterization by Drudge in a tweet: “Folks, some media outlets are pushing a totally misleading story regarding the president and drinking. Good grief folks, READ THE DOC note.”

So crisis averted…Pres. Obama’s alcohol consumption is just fine, according to his doctor. But does he smoke when he drinks?

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ImNotBlue

Eh, this is Drudge’s usual style… he’ll pick a quote to interest the reader. You could argue it’s misleading, but to do that you’d have to assume most people don’t actually read the article linked to.

Criticized headlines… Steve, that’s your specialty! ;)

(For those who don’t get the joke, Steve writes the ratings wrap ups, and often tries be clever in his headlines. “FNC wins again,” is boring over and over and over again. So he gets a little clever, and some -wrongly- have taken offense. An ironic parallel… no?)
http://mediaite.com Steve Krakauer

A couple things (after I got called out!)

I don’t know if Drudge is so much to blame, because the headline he used is the line from the Guardian, which is where the characterization began.

And yes…sometimes have to try to be creative with my ratings headlines! But other times, like today (about Thursday), they definitely come easier.
Grammie

Let he who has NO vices of his own throw the first stone at BHO re his vices!

IMHO, there are plenty enough legitimate reasons to attack him that makes one wonder why even bring (not Mediaite) this up.
writer

He should limit himself to no more than President Grant used to have.
Grammie

Good idea, Writer.

Maybe if he emulated Winston he might get a clue or two along with the brandy and cigars!
http://trickletown.vox.com/ Trickletown

Drudge sucks in viewers with misleading headline. That’s a given. Mediaite pulled the same stunt the other day with ” Killer whale video”. Very misleading, also.
http://www.nukethefridge.com MartiniShark

Good Grief, Chuck Todd, Try re-reading the link on Drudge — he quoted the Guardian piece, and the doctor’s report, verbatim. I wonder how that is pushing a misleading story. It was in the report, it was on the link in quotes. Get a grip.
imnotyourkind

Saw it this morning and thought it was extremely misleading. Typical right wing media bias.
marcus.lewis

MartiniShark: Try reading Chuck Todd’s twitter. He never called out Drudge, he called out some media who were pushing a totally false story.
libra blue

How could Wolf Blitzer call Obama, a chain smoker, the fittest president we ever had?
http://www.nukethefridge.com MartiniShark

All right, fair enough on that on that marcus.

But he had called out Drudge specifically on the MSNBCpage, declaring the photo as provocative, (as shown above). I’m just having a hard time buying into the spin from the National Review. So they are saying the doctor was actually suggesting drinking?
marcus.lewis

Ah, I tend to avoid tv news websites.

As for National Review, they were clarifying that Obama is not deemed to consume excessive alcohol and the potus should continue consuming alcohol in moderation.
http://twitter.com/Amusing_Bunni Amusing Bunni

A little, not a WHOLE LIQUOR stores worth during his vacay!