When you're back in your old neighborhood, the cigarettes taste so good

I like to think we can all agree, no matter your worldview, that there are more pressing issues than our president smoking. In between his two active wars, sinking economy, health care reform and pulling this country with all his might toward socialism, I don't mind if Obama sneaks outside for a cigarette.

So no, I don't understand why we're still pressing this topic. This question has come up when Obama signed a law making light cigarettes harder to market as well as just the other day during an interview on health care reform. Not only is it a stretch, but the answer doesn't matter.

Here's Dr. Nancy Snyderman, NBC News' chief medical editor, not missing the opportunity to ask a question no one cares about and has repeatedly produced a non-answer. How'd it go? You be the judge.

---
Snyderman: Mr. President, I know you hate this, but really, is the battle with the cigarettes going OK? I'd be remiss as a cancer surgeon not to ask you how you're doing.

Obama: I'm doing quite well, thank you.
---

That's it.

Perhaps the media do have the right to inquire about the president's health, but no more than how he did in a physical. Sure he and his office are funded by taxpayers' money, it just doesn't matter if he dies in 20 years from emphysema. Health is supposed to be a private matter, even for the president. If anything, I'm happy he has a vice in between some heavy stress.

-30-
NBC Nightly News interview with Barack Obama