Access to the White House The tobacco issue has been very difficult to confront in the past because of the bottomless resources of the industry. But President Clinton was finally convinced to confront the industry and take this on as a national issue. FRONTLINE has learned that Clinton was primarily convinced by Al Gore, Dick Morris, David Kessler and Matt Myers that this issue would help him politically and would be the "right thing to do." His support of the FDA's regulation of nicotine has been critical in the ongoing debate.