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

[rrafiringa]

That dude sounded like the boyfriend who keeps on soliciting sex although the woman says no. It's really annoying. If I were Obama, I'd have punched him.

[Marlyn]

GROW UP!

[Chatto]

It is clear that for some reason, Senator Obama sensed danger. Given that he's spent the last 18 months on the road campaigning, I'd say that he is probably a pretty good judge of when someone isn't right in the head. I agree with previous posters -- the Sec Service needs to do a better job.

[TN]

I think your right. He did sense danger. Where in the hell are these secret service guys. Senator, take some of that campaign money and buy yourself the best security you can get. The people will thank you for it, it is a good investment on their money. Why would anyone trust an agency tied to the bush admin. to protect the next ,opposite party, president of the United States.

[Seattlelite]

Good point TN -- people working for Bush protecting a democrat not healthy.

[HBeachbum]

But it took him over 20 years to realize his pastor was a nutbag?

[Marlyn]

His pastor is NOT a nutbag.

[axt113]

watch more Youtube, his pastor is right about a lot of things

[IllinoisForHillary]

This is simply amazing... That guy as a total jerk and Obama should have refused to pose for a picture...­.That said, if the exact same situation happened to Hillary, Arianna would have had banner headlines screaming " Hillary snubs supporter" or "Evil Hillary acts like a Bitch". This blog use to be great when it gave all iberals a fair shake....N­ow you better toe the Obama line or you get slammed...­... Blogs like this are tearing the party apary....n­ot any of the candidates.

[SFreeborn]

IllinoisforHillary:

If blogs like this are tearing the party apart, what is your moral and ethical responsibility in being here? But then that would show your ethical, moral and honesty levels to be equivalent with the candidate you are supporting. Give me a break and put your thinking cap on. Nobody is tearing the party apart. There is an election. Your candidate is behind. Period. If you want her to win, do something to help her and ratchet down the groundless rhetoric.

[IllinoisForHillary]

Unlike some that are narrow-minded and open- mouthed...­.I believe in listening to all sides and not following a party line or blindly following one candidate. When Obama ran for Senate, I was an avid supporter and if he is the Democratic candidate for President, I will support him. It just amazes me that so many Obama supporters are calling for Hillary to gt out the race, when all the contests haven't been completed and NO ONE has "clinched" the race. If the DNC didn't want all the voters to have a say, why in h*** did they allow them o schedule their primaries so late???? Apparently, to some, once a candidate has a lead.... everyone should throw their hands up and give up. For those who say the primary is too negative, just wait and see what lies and filth the McCain campaign will throw at whever is the Democratic candidate

[eplatypusunum]

My take: Obama looked tired, the dude was rude, and largely it is a non-story.­..

However, I AM beginning to worry about Obama's "coolness" and accessibility getting him too close to potential danger. One never knows when a harmless looking guy with glasses will pull out a gun and shoot at th president because he wants to get Jodie Foster's attention. Seriously. Who'd have imagined that before it actually happened?

Crazy (or just annoying) guy comes up to me on the street and gets in my face (if only for a picture)..­. Who cares? I'm a nobody. Obama could very well be the next President of the United States of America. Draw the line, Secret Service folks. Before some loony gets lucky.

epu

[DebofMD]

I agree. And altough I am not in the public spotlight, I STILL wouldn't want some random, crazy dude running up in my face; not once, but three times. That would really unnerve me. And the man's behavior definitely came off as unstable. I am so pissed at his Secret Service. They did not do a good job handling that annoying nut.

[HBeachbum]

"Coolness"? What, does he have an iPod or wear Croks or something?

[Seattlelite]

I agree someone needs to remind Sen. Obama everyone is not a fan. Good grief he should read some of these posts on this site -- that would scare him.

[gloryoski]

The problem is that he can't be seen as aloof. Look at how the clintonistas are jumping on this one incident. It's a catch 22, and it is scary.

[BDunne]

truthfully, I think he is way too close to President Obama.

[Adagio]

This totally much ado about nothing, but I've got a question. What does ebay have to do with it? It does sound like Obama mentions ebay at the beginning of the clip, but after that there is no connection. Is there really a market for photos of some unknown dude standing next to Obama? It's kind of pathetic if there is.

[moda31]

apparently this is one of those guys that sells forged autographs of the presidential candidates on ebay and gets his picture taken with them as some sort of proof that he's met them and thus the autographed merchandise is authentic.

[JohnCochtosten]

This is a dangerous gaffe by the secret service. Mark David Chapman asked Lennon for an autograph, didn't he?

[gigglechick]

Obama is so condescending to this guy. So what if he allegedly sells stuff on ebay. The guy wanted a photo with himself and Obama (for some ungodly reason.) --- If, for some reason, he becomes the nominee and/or the President, there are going to be a heck of a lot more photo requests. Not for nothing, but, I am pretty offended that he couldn't stop for 3 seconds for a photo. I am floored that when he did "give in" he had the "audacity" to say that he wasn't going to smile and that the guy was rude. The guy was persistent, sure, but, from what I saw on the video, he wasn't rude. He was calling Barack "Senator" --- of course, Obama had the eloquent and Presidential response of "You're wearing me down, Brother." ---- Seriously? He's going with the "brother" comment? How about a little respect for others, maybe calling a potential voter "Sir" rather than "brother" --- I haven't heard Hillary calling anyone "Sister".

[MariaHopeful]

Oh go get a life! Your post doesn't even pass the giggle test.

[gigglechick]

Maria, actually, I wasn't trying to make anyone giggle. Because I don't find Obama's cockiness "funny".

Leota, no, it's not about Hillary. I happened to mention her though in my comment. Not for nothing, the secret service was there - I guess they didn't think that the guy was THAT much of a threat. "Brother" is not a formal term of respect (I don't know what etiquette school you attended..­. maybe the South Side School for Girls. Who knows?)

[Leota2]

This is not about condescension. It's about how he shouldn't have had to fend
the man off. Where was the Secret Service?
Also--where many people come from" Brother " is a term of respect . . .
And this is NOT about Hillary. Can we stay on course?

[robXdion]

*Facetiously laughing at your ridiculous post*

Yeah, how DARE Obama get annoyed when some random jerk tries to jump in line to speak to him ahead of a bunch of 3rd graders. Then Obama had the unmitigated gall to walk away while this guy tried to cause a scene. I mean, the guy just wanted a picture he could sell on EBay. Who is da hell is Obama to think he should have control over his image??? And the "brother" comment...­.....Obama is not his brother, is he? I mean like, why does Obama think men call each other that? Don't black guys use that? Or is it Hulk Hogan? Isn't Obama half white? So they COULD be brothers, right? I'm confused. Anyhoo....­...who is Obama to think he can deny this citizen their due picture? Senators running for President with death threats can't do that, can they?

*You have NO clue about male social interactions. Please remain in your female clique and roll with that.*

[gigglechick]

oh, okay, sweetie... i'll remain in my "female clique". don't mind me calling you "Sweetie" it's a term of respect. *pfffft* give me a farking break. nice to know that you're a sexist dolt who still refers to gender "cliques".

I may not have first-hand­-grab-my-p­enis-and-c­all-someon­e-brother knowledge about "male social interactions" -- but, I do have first hand knowledge about human to human social interactions and what is considered to be "Presidential" --- I don't want a fella in the White House calling other Heads of State "Brother" or Dude or Man or Bro or Chief or Buddy or Gaylord.

[MariaHopeful]

Where was the Secret Service? This guy got way too close too often!

[FollowTheLeader]

Hillary's new song is on Youtube.

Hillary Clinton Ft. Sarah Silverman "I'm F'ng Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skIlZflDs9Y

[DebofMD]

I am REALLY peeved that his Secret Service people kept letting this dude run up on him like that. Really bothered. They are not doing a good job; with this incident anyway.

[sfnative]

Probably works for TMZ! haha

[lovethesinner]

What bothers me is... why wasn't the Secret Service all over this guy? He displayed all the requirements for being isolated, if not arrested and questioned. This reminds me of the lax security in Dallas. What do they need, a training film?

[Mike O.]

Arrested for what? Aren't you the people that called GWB "fascist" for detaining TERORISTS?

You people are unbelievab­le...

[Knowsbetter]

OMG, surprise the "star" was annoyed with having his pic taken, stop the world!
Of course the first thing BO zealots do is accuse Hillary, PATHETIC

[cdhoward21]

OMG, surprise the Hillary "supporter" was annoyed with reading an Obama article, stop the world!

[chery]

Hey, get real! If it'd had been Hillary or Billary, the guy would've had to hand over a $1000 contribution first!

[ruscle]

If either Clinton or Obama posed for EVERY self-centered, pushy photographer that wanted a picture of themselves standing next to the candidate, the candidates would never get anything done. They'd never even make it to the stage.

This is just one more example of how self-obsessed our country has become.
"All I want is a picture of MEEEeeee."

[joeyp404]

It loked like he was going into a deli. The hanging cheeses give it away.