The White House is hedging the question of whether President Obama has kicked the habit.

Ordinarily, I’d be zealous about a man with two sweet little girls, and about a leader I admire and still believe in– I’d be nagging for him to quit.

But the present situation reminds me of a story I heard about American soldiers on the battlefield in Vietnam. They’d hold up their pack of cigs, look at each other sternly and say, “Warning– cigarette smoking can be hazardous to your health”.

So, Mr. President, if you don’t feel like you need a smoke, then good for you. I hope that when you are no longer serving in this office that you will quit tobacco for good. But given the situation we’re in now– I don’t think it’s the right time to be jonesing for a cigarette. I think you’re better off smoking without guilt. Do it for your country.