President Obama Caught on Open Mic, VIDEO; Quit Smoking Because 'Scared of My Wife'
President Obama was caught on live video speaking to a United Nations official Maina Kiai about smoking and admitting his own cigarette-filled past at the General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
The president was heard telling Kiai that he quit smoking six years ago because he was scared of his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama.
"I hope you've quit smoking," the president said to Kiai, not knowing the microphone in front of him was turned on.
The human rights activist and Kenyan representative said he smokes sometimes, and then asked the president if he smoked occasionally.
"No, no I haven't a cigarette in probably six years," President Obama responded. "That's because I am scared of my wife."
Although he said it had been six years, according to reports in 2011, Michelle had given a different date for when the president stopped smoking. She suggested that her husband quit nearly a year earlier.
The president was caught on a live microphone on two previous occasions. In March 2012, his was heard discussing with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev negotiations on issues such as missile defense. Obama told the country leader that if given "space" he would have more flexibility after his election.
"On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved, but it's important for him to give me space," The U.S. leader told Medvedev, who responded, "Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space."
"This is my last election," Obama said. "After my election I have more flexibility."
"I understand," responded Medvedev. "I will transmit this information to [President] Vladimir [Putin]."
In 2011, Obama indulged in bashing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his conversation with France's former President Nicolas Sarkozy.
"I cannot stand [Netanyahu]. He is a liar," Sarkozy said of the Israeli, to which Barack responded, "You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day."
Listen to the conversation between Obama and Kiai:
