Obama's "beer summit" ignites debate between two organisations in US

Washington, Aug 5 (ANI): US President Barack Obama's "beer summit" last week has fostered a debate between two organisations in the US, the American Beverage Institute (ABI) and the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

According to reports, the ABI has come out with a press release criticizing the MADD Delaware Chapter President Nancy Raynor for a comment that she made on a radio station that appeared to reprimand Obama for having a bad influence on young people.

"MADD is no longer an organization that opposes drunk driving but an anti-alcohol group that has been hijacked by the modern-day temperance movement," The Poltico quoted Sarah Longwell, ABI's managing director, as saying.

"That someone in a position of leadership at MADD would criticize President Obama for simply drinking beer illustrates the neoprohibitionist mentality that now dominates the group," she added.

Meanwhile, commenting on the press release Raynor said that her comment about the "beer summit" was taken out of context.

"Who am I to say what President Obama should or shouldn't be doing? It is up to adults in young peoples' lives to make sure that they don't drink if they are not 21 years old," said Raynor. (ANI)