Thursday, April 03, 2008

Obama gets snippy with overzealous man trying to score a photo

Subtitled: Dreams From My Father Part II: How To Deal With A Nobody White Guy

"He wanted a snapshot - instead, he got snapped at by Barack Obama.

A man hellbent on getting a photo with the Democratic front-runner caused a scene Wednesday in Philadelphia's Italian Market, prompting the usually unflappable Obama to lose his patience with the pushy picture-seeker.

"You are wearing me out, brother," an irritated Obama barked.

Secret Service agents lost their patience, too, yanking the man at one point and getting in front of him at another - but never hauling him away.

Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren said the agents handled it "appropriately and didn't overreact to the situation."

"Had they considered him an immediate security risk, they would have taken action," Zahren said.

The incident unfolded as Obama tried to schmooze with voters at the South Ninth St. Curb Market, an area featuring Italian shops.

"I just want a photograph. I'm not looking for anything to sign," the man said as Obama entered a meat-and-cheese shop. "It will take you two seconds, senator."

The Illinois senator glided past him, refusing to stop for the photograph.

"You're an eBay guy, and I know it," Obama said.

Obama's campaign said it was apparent by his persistence that the man was gathering campaign paraphernalia to hawk online.

As the Secret Service agents shuffled into the shop behind Obama, an agent yanked the man out of the way."

What was apparent is that they were in PHILLY fer chrissake. Brotherly-Lovers are world renowned for not taking no for an answer and maybe Hillary has something there with those 3:00 AM commercials.

Obo answering the hot line and hanging up on Philadelphia wouldn't be cool.

No comments: