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

[inthecolour]

What is the Secret Service being payed for if they're not even doing their job?

[jesuswazasocialist]

Lucky it wasn't John Chapman asking for an photo.

[robotfog]

you mean Mark Chapman?

[HippieChick]

I saw that clip on the news, and have got to say it was alarming. That man was acting crazy, and the Secret Service should have been all over him - they are NOT doing their job. Obama was certainly more gracious than I would have been.

[chin075]

I'd give the SS guys some slack, y'all... after all, who in here has worked for the SS or know their tactics? I read a little piece on Obama's site a while back about the SS being fully deployed, securing most major events beforehand, and working with intelligence agencies & local law enforcemen­t... I think those guys know what they're doing. They probably were ready to pounce on the guy any second anyway...

[ME08]

I agree, and I do not detect the same level of danger from this guy as many here do...Obama broke two cardinal rules...do NOT engage or make eye contact. Fundamental street smarts...h­e needs to get them fast if he wants to be President, even if he is surrounded by protection.

[bobdevo]

Obama should hire HIS OWN security folk to create a circle inside the Secret Service. This is the kind of stuff that sends chills up my spine. I keep thinking about Bobby Kennedy in the kitchen of that hotel after winning the California primary.

We cannot afford to lose another progressive leader.

[ME08]

Sorry, he's not progressiv­e...do NOT compare him to RFK...

[bick]

you can't get within a country mile of bush without signing a loyalty oath. i hope there's not more LIHOP about to happen on purpose.

[Oregonian64]

Any candidate shouldn't be imposed upon for a photograph in this manner. If the candidate is rushing from place to place they are on a tight schedule and have very little time for this kind of thing. If they stop to give one guy a photo, then maybe 100 others want one as well. This guy was boorish, pushy, loud and obnoxious in scary sort of way. I think Barak handled himself very well and it must be really draining on him (and the other candidates) to have to put up with this crap. The Secret Service should have sheltered him from this guy after Barak said no the first time.

[magneato]

Can you imagine ANYONE getting this close to Bush,Cheney or McCain? (apart from a donor, lobbyist, wacko right wing preacher, etc) Secret service had better get their shit together!!

[Whinger]

Another heads up job by the Secret Service, what do these guys get paid for!

[robXdion]

Not to be all dramatic, but if a hair on Obama's head comes to harm by someone other than his barber, the US will erupt. The resulting racial animosity and governmental distrust with a crippled President Hillary Clinton or President McCain will insure the US becomes a 3rd world country. After JFK, MLK, RFK, JFK Jr, and anyone else of social and political significance being snuffed out, if Obama follows that path the US will be rocked to the core. The coming recession will be exacerbated with the social crisis.

This would actually be a good Harry J. Turtledove alternate history story.

[Outrageous]

Exact;y what was JFK Jr.'s significance and how was he "snuffed out?" I guess the black folks just won't be able to control themselves, huh?

[robXdion]

Wow, you a phugging idiot. Either you are black and got offended or you are white and like to demonize blacks. Either way you're slow. I am a black man and I call it as I see it.

I'll ignore the JFK Jr. comment because that is debatable, as their are conspiracy theories surrounding his death and his plans to run for the NY Senate seat Hillary has now. But your "black folks" comment was uncalled for. Do you really think ONLY "black folks" riot? What is that about?

But I'll spell it out for you. An entire generation of young people will be in those riots, too. After that is over the depressed mood of the country will ruin any hope for progress for the ensuing 30+ years. So while you're trying to race bait and get pissy, I'm calling it as it WILL be. So please STFU.

[Erdgeist]

I agree. There will be revolution. An old Vietnam vet, I am ready. We actually have inside information as to one person who was asked by his government to assassinate MLK, it was Lt. Col. Daniel Marvin. Anyone who has studied assassinations is aware that they are often false flag operations. The assassin is banking on cognitive dissonance. in the case of MLK, who would have believed that the U.S. assassinated him?

[robXdion]

I was in the Marines for 10 years so I understand. Anyone given such a job would be dead within 18 hrs of completion. And there is strong evidence that points to the CIA in MLKs assassination. Civilians have no idea what happens in their name.

[axt113]

If he were to be killed before the election the fallout would be big, but if he survived he would be certain of winning the oval office

[2belinda]

Sorry, but this guy was too persistent, a bit desperate. Others were taking pictures with no problem. I got a weird feeling watching the whole thing and he got a bit too close for too long. And I would feel the same way if it was Sen Clinton or McCain. I remember JFK, RFK and MLK and it felt creepy watching this guy.

[bobdevo]

Me, too. Creepy. I do not want to read about another "crazed loner . . ."

[4wehttam]

How the hell Secret Service let this loon follow him around like that AND get that close is beyond me. Obama is very generous with ppl taking photos, but this was practically STALKING him from one shop to another! Do your DAMN job, secret service. That's what WE pay you for.

[ME08]

No one was stalked...­and Obama let it escalate by engaging him...neve­r should have done that...bei­ng nice has its time and place, but if he didn't want to deal with him, don't say a word, let alone say an inane comment like the guy was wearing him out...I mean, come on!

[kravitz]

Two days from the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination and another issue with a violation of Obama's security? After the previous lapses in his security detail? This is supposed to be funny? And he was allowed to repeat his questionable behavior with the Secret Service detail? This situation could have been very bad, and should never be allowed to happen again.

[kkhan]

Remember how close this rude Obama supporter was to Bill Clinton in Canton Ohio. Read this: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/17/673670.aspx

[bobdevo]

Clinton is an ex-president. He's not running for office. There's a substantive difference in the level of protection required.

[kkhan]

Presidents get a lifetime protection from the secret service. Didn't you know this?

[plainsman]

“I think the president’s trying hoodwink us, bamboozle us, put us back in the okie doke,”

"Put us back in the OKIE DOKE!" Is this guy the freak from Mayberry? The secret service needs to keep a close eye out for this nut job.

[kishaaann]

Amen. That guy was too close to Obama.

[jstock]

Not that they should get all gestapo about it, but the Secret Service need to do a better job of keeping potential wackos away from Obama. The footage of this stalker is kinda scary.

[robXdion]

Most of the Secret Service are former cops that are kinda soft and virtually still civilians. They should only have former military that would break someone's arm that got within reach.

[ObamaEdwards]

No kidding. And Obama was being nice about it. There were DOZENS of people taking photos. Only this guy had to have his picture WITH Obama. The secret service needs to tighten up.

[jojojo]

He's a little too weird, y'know? Kinda scary, made me think of MLK, RFK, JFK, etc

[gigglechick]

I agree. Obama IS weird.

[axt113]

How old are you?

[TN]

He is special and the republicans know it. They know they can't beat him. There is no low the republicans won't go. Please Senator, buy your own security now! Get 4 different agencys to protect you at once. They will all be competing to be the ones that are doing the better job. Hurry!