Obama's Run-In With A Persistent Photo-Seeker

Barack Obama was confronted by a pretty persistent photo-seeker in Philadelphia Wednesday. Turns out the guy was an eBay reseller, but watch an irked Obama handle the pesky Pennsylvanian:

Ben Smith at the Politico has the transcript, via Shailagh Murray of the Washington Post's pool report:

Run in #1: outside the first shop, on the way in

Man: Senator can I have a quick picture with you.

(Obama has his arm on the guys arm in a very nice way, like he does when he shakes peoples hand) but Obama refuses to take a picture and walks away.)
Man: It will take you two seconds. Don't cram me, I'm not doing anything to anybody. Jesus.

Run in #2: after the first shop
Man: "Senator can I get a picture with you?"
Obama: (slightly annoyed) "You are wearing me out, brother."
Man: "I got one with [Clinton] and I got one with McCain, come on Senator that'[s] not right."

Run in #3: in the street
Man: "Senator, can I please, a quick one?
Obama: (very annoyed) No, you know what no.
Man: Can I just say something to you real fast.
Obama: Yeah you can.
Man: I had one with [Clinton] had one with [McCain].
Obama: I am sure you do. Because when I was trying to talk to some kids - and I know look--

Man: No, my wife is a school teacher and she was there, she had to go back and that wasn't right what wont you just take a picture with me, I'm not asking you for a autograph -- its for my family.

Obama: Yea well whatever. Just take it. I won't be smiling. Because you're wearing me out. ....No no, you've been really rude about it. Just take a shot.

Obama and the man did not take a shot, the man was still arguing and the secret service stepped in (non confrontationally), just putting a hand between him and Obama.

Secret service: That's it.
Man: No I'm good. All I want is a picture that's it.

Comments

[hopelessobama]

mr. cool under pressure, who wants to negotiate with tehran, cracks up when a guy asks for a picture. ahahahahhaha

[ForwardtoYesterday]

Wow, if that's cracking up, Obama being calm must be when he was asleep. Being cool doesn't mean you never get irritated when people act like idiots. B

[IAM4CLINTON]

Exactly my thoughts- this is a snap shot of Obama's immaturity - what he will agree to a photo but will not smile !!!!!! Spoken like my elementary school kids

[GBecker]

Time for your meds and a nap, iam4clinton! you are spiraling out of control and the grown ups are trying to have a conversation. Run along now.

[ME08]

Petulance, I think it is called...I mean, what is up with that DUMBASS response of his?

DON'T talk to the guy, AT ALL!...

DON't make eye contact...

Any IDIOT could tell you THAT...

And lastly: motion the Secret Service over, before the guy gets a word out if you feel he is a danger...

Obama, if he is going to ever graduate beyond a back bencher, better learn that one does not engage people who you might perceive as threatening...any New Yorker knows this every day! There are plenty of crazy bag ladies and the like...you don't stare, you don't talk to them, you don't make eye contact...simple rules!

[GoreyFantod]

Why are you trawling for Free Republic? Your screen name gives you away just as much as a personal insult to Senator Clinton would. I bet they'll appreciate your "humour" a lot more over at Pajamas Media or LGF, comrade.

[personalpolitical]

Yeahhh, compared to Hillary the childish mocker, who called Putin "soulless" and Chavez a dictator. Yeah, she would do a GREAT job with diplomacy with tact and maturity like that.

[hopelessobama]

geez look at all the whining about security, obama's not even the nominee and he has more security then bush. mccain refuses secret service protection, because even at 71 he has more stones then barack hussein.

[Axekick]

yeah right, if you ever tried to grab Bush's arm on a public street(which he will never be seen on) you would likely be shot dead instead of given a non-smling photo op. Obama speaks to crowds of tens of thousands and obviously cannot stop for a photograph with everyone. Had it been me I would have shoved the guy to the curb or requested he be removed if I felt he was derranged.

[ME08]

No derangement is evident here...only those who continue to obsess aimlessly about the Secret Service response and this man's harmless behavior...

[geobushono]

remind me....when did dumbya venture into any crowd?

[conservativesoncrack]

Mr. Obama has security based on real threats that were made. And refusing security is not a sign of wisdom, but a sign of stubborness.

Side note: You guys continue to use the Barrack Hussein Obama name as if you think it is something to hang him with. I personally think it is a strength he can exploit in the world that "W" built (cough F'd up). It is just a name. It says nothing negative about the man.

Obama 08!

[hopelessobama]

and this is the guy who wants to negotiate with iran and castro and korea?!?!?!?! he's getting worn out by a guy who wants a photo for his kid?!?!?!? what an arrogant piece of garbage.

[GoreyFantod]

"arrogant piece of garbage"

How dare you. That kind of crap might fly on Little Green Footballs, but not here. I don't believe for a second that you're a Clinton supporter - she'd probably smack you in the mouth if she heard you call Senator Obama that. If you are a Democrat, I'm guessing you supported George Wallace.

[EvoMan]

Hmm. The arrogant piece of garbage has accomplished more than you have or ever will in your sorry life. Guess that makes you sewage.

[ME08]

I also found that stupid comment by Obama ridiculous...aw, the poor guy was wearing him out...isn't that JUST too bad now!

Alot more disturbing people are going to be annoying him if he becomes President...does he have the BALLS to deal with it? Not if he gets worn out by this harmless man...

[ME08]

Arrogance has clearly been an Achilles Heel of Obama's...if McCain needs to curtail his anger, and Hillary needs to curb her laugh (well, to some idiots, maybe), then Obama needs to dial down the smart ass, stupid responses to people who are clearly of no danger...he's gonna get alot more worn down than this. Time to toughen up, son, or you are gonna be back to community organizing.

[hopelessobama]

'i'm the candidate of change.....woa woa white boy, don't touch the suit!'

obama sure is inspirational

[kkhan]

Secret Service did not take actions because thay did not see any harm and the stalker was probably a real fan of Obama. Obama is inspirational & Hillary is tough and intelligent. Either one will be fine for me when I vote in November.

[Seattlelite]

I agree with most of these posts, what is up with his secret service people, this guy should have been on the ground getting cuffed. Michele time for you to have a little one on one with his detail, I would if it were my husband.

[springsm]

Wow...months ago when a man got near enough ti say something to our illustrious vice president Cheney, the guy was cuffed and hauled off to jail. Yikes...does the secret service have two sets of standards? The other one wasn't even in Cheney's face...this one WAS in Obama's. Seems that something has to be done about this homeland security detail. crum.

[lincat]

I hope this guy isn't some loose canon. Scary.

[spiritualized]

freakin' eBayers.

[ME08]

Aren't they the SCARIEST?

Cart them all of to Gitmo!

[adl]

How does the secret service let someone get that close and STAY that close who's obviously being pushy and won't take no for an answer? That didn't seem right.

[jsomerville5]

Scary. We don't want another Mark David Chapman. Secret Service has got to do a better job.

[kennedy]

You want Obama to live in a bubble? Then have him leave the race. It is only going to get worse.

And if this had happened to Hillary none of you would had come to her defense. Then again us Hillary supporters wouldn't be worried about it the way you guys are. It comes with the job. Hillary has the experience to be use to it. And she likes people.

[ME08]

Right...earlier incidents with kooks who bothered her went off without a big drama being made about it...just a post script on news...

Of course Obamabots wouldn't defend her...it is something they cannot ever bring themselves to do, their level of hate is so acute.

If Obama faced a serious threat, I, like all of you, would be deeply upset...but he wasn't facing one here...all water under the bridge...let's worry about more important matters...like Iraq, Zimbabwe, the mortgage debacle...

[batgirlevi]

What a whiny little predator creep.

[ProfessorVP]

Obama wouldn't smile for the photograph? That can only mean one thing: He's a Muslim who hates America. Yet another good reason to vote for Hillary!

[ME08]

Now THAT's funny...

What it revealed was a silly petulance...why even bother engaging the guy? NOT smart.

[trickbunny]

is hillary supplying obama's secret service detail? :)

[ME08]

Obamabot in paranoia mode...and remember, always blame the Clintons...borrow from the right wing troll playbook...always a reliable source, eh?

[kkhan]

I am sure secret service is not very happy either about his “new “ New-Hampshire style campaigning. It is also up to Obama to be somewhat careful. Had he not been so uptight about the picture taking, his supporters would be sleeping in peace tonight instead of being paranoid.

[GoreyFantod]

There's nothing new about it. It's actually pretty darned old-fashioned.

Here's Robert Kennedy being mobbed by fans:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_ReAG6jNVs4&feature=PlayList&p=2EF0C2D93D6C55FF&index=2

Of course, new evidence shows multiple shooters involved in Senator Kennedy's death, so who knows... Here's an NBC report about the Bobby Kennedy mystery:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zl9DIQ-m_f0&feature=PlayList&p=4B1A00A03EE8B545&index=1

[FranklinS]

We're watching the Secret Service 'stand down', just like the military did on 9/11/01.

[kennedy]

This is what the military would look like under Obama. "Do nothing, stand down and be walked on."

[personalpolitical]

Yeah, I'm sure you think we are much better with Bush's wars

[GoreyFantod]

Secret Service stand downs are older than Sept. 11, 2001. What I want to know is, who has the power to get the Secret Service to do so?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XY02Qkuc_f8

[moda31]

i think following someone around to multiple locations and engaging in rather aggressive "conversation" can be considered stalking...way to keep your eye on the ball secret service guys.