When you're trying to rebuild the country--and to a greater extent, the world--after the last guy in charge took a wrecking ball to everything and then gaily skipped out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with a pocket full of posies and not even a slap on his wrists, a few coping mechanisms are to be expected. And as far as political leaders go, Obama could do worse than to suck on cancer sticks from time to time. (Spitzer has! Sanford has! Edwards has!)

It'd be fairer to say that many of us--who have been coping with the post-Bush era of American economic bloodletting by hosting moonshine parties where our friends take turns stomping on piles of grapes in the bathtub--would find it suspicious if Obama managed his constantly sunny disposition without slamming a Klonopin with every meal. Considering that he could probably use some harder drugs, I'll happily settle for President Obama the Chimney Smoker. And obviously you don't need to worry about his physical fitness. In fact, lamenting the president's smoking habit is probably the most anti-American you can get--as Obama simply follows in a long line of some of our most distinguished, nicotine addicted leaders.

Here is a photograph of JFK with a cigarette. Where was the outrage?

Here is a photograph of FDR with a cigarette. Where was the outrage?

Here is a portrait of Ulysses S. Grant with a cigarette. Where was the outrage?

Here is a photograph of Bill Clinton with a cigar. Where was the outrage?

With such a prolific history of puffing presidents, Obama is clearly in good company. More importantly, there was never any outrage to be had. Which makes published medical histories like this seem invasive. For parents who are concerned that Obama is setting a bad example for children, a little bit of coddling goes a long way towards rectifying any unwanted behaviors.

It should be noted, however, the real threat to the nation lies with severe substance abuse. We learned this the hard way through George W. Bush's murky past with alcohol and cocaine abuse. Even for Republican voters, hindsight is 20/20.