[ErikVandeWater]

> If he got a pass, a lot of other people will too.

1. I think presidents tend to get a lot of passes other people don't. It comes with the level of influence they have.

2. Presidents are selected by the typical American voter. Smoking a joint is cool these days with plenty of people (esp. younger), but employers are typically older and more traditional. He didn't get a pass with these people, they just weren't going to vote for him already for other reasons.

Not to say I disagree with your overall point - America is generally becoming more progressive.