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Before Skeptical Crowd in Iowa, Obama Works It, Promises to Eat Fattening Local Specialty
August 25, 2008 3:21 PM
At the Mississippi Valley fairgrounds in Davenport, Iowa, today, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, faced a rather unenthusiastic crowd including 200 undecided Republican and independent voters.
Obama was introduced by a Randy Wehrman, a Republican insurance salesman from Le Claire, Iowa, whose first vote for president was for Richard Nixon and whose last two votes were for George W. Bush. Wehrman is now supporting Obama, who reminded the crowd that this evening former Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, co-chair of "Republicans for Obama," will speak at the Democratic convention in Denver.
Illustrating just how eager Obama was to win over the crowd, Obama at one point reached out to a voter's skeptical husband via telephone.
Cynthia Freidhof, who with her husband Ron owns Ross's restaurant in Bettendorf, Iowa, stood to invite Obama -- known as a healthy, if not finnicky, eater -- to eat a "Magic Mountain" sandwich at Ross's.
The Magic Mountain is Texas toast grilled, loose steamed hamburger meat, homemade hash browns, and french fries, all topped with cheddar cheese sauce (A volcano version includes chili and jalapenos).
"Whoooo!” Obama said after she described the dish, asking if it came with antacids.
Freidhof said her husband is on the fence about whom to support, concerned as he is about Obama's positions on small business.
“Let’s call him," Obama said. "No, I’m not kidding. I’ll answer the question and then we’ll talk to him on the phone."
Obama talked about his position on small business while Freidhof called her husband, who was on his lunch hour.
“Hey Ron, I’ve got Barack on the phone," she said.
Obama took the phone., “Hey Ron? Your wife told me that you might vote for me but I’ve gotta do a little work because you’re concerned whether I’ve got good plans for small business," he said.
"Well, I know it’s in the middle of lunch hour so I don’t want to interrupt you too much, but I’m gonna give your wife all the answers to (her) questions and then if we need to follow up, you and I can talk later, alright?" Obama continued. "How’s lunch hour? Alright, I gotta try out one of these Magic Mountains, that’s what I was told. OK, talk to you soon. Bye bye.”
Friedhof later said she was sold on Obama but her husband, who has almost always voted Republican, likely had more questions.
She doubted Obama would ever eat a Magic Mountain, she said. "I know the guy doesn't like to eat that," she said.
- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
August 25, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (31)
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tbone, I sure would if he were running for President.
Posted by: Sammy | Aug 25, 2008 3:58:41 PM
" I respect that he comes into enemy territory, and he did address all of the questions asked because my husband was there"
Just like Ron's question was "answered" I'll bet.
Posted by: Sammy | Aug 25, 2008 3:57:38 PM
Hey Sammy...Are you holding Bush to that same scrutiny?
Posted by: tbone | Aug 25, 2008 3:55:57 PM
as an independent republican not for Obama yet I respect that he comes into enemy territory, and he did address all of the questions asked because my husband was there
Posted by: Nancy | Aug 25, 2008 3:51:27 PM
Healthy eating is what will make Obama's presidency a unique one, a healthier one and one which will help fight against obesity and all chronic non-communicable diseases. Leading by example that is what Obama will do. To the contrary, McSame is having all types of cancers and his presidency will be a sick presidency in many ways. God save America from McSame.
Posted by: BKMC | Aug 25, 2008 3:49:41 PM
LOL! Yet another example how this Faustian Obama will do and say, and now eat, anything to get what he wants. I would have loved to see O's face in front of this "unenthusiastic" crowd; the poor guy is so used to his followers fawning and fainting about him, it must have busted his mammoth ego to see them all tepid. Go back to Denver Obama, where you bussed in all your supporters to fill Invesco and keep the real voters out. He is so afraid of anyone chanting Hillary when he is up on stage!
Posted by: decentAmerican | Aug 25, 2008 3:42:49 PM
Love to see Obama groveling! "A rather unenthusiastic crowd" indeed.
Posted by: marylou | Aug 25, 2008 3:40:44 PM
Sammy Good Point, there is no answer to the question? Got to love this con-mans work.
He will not eat the food either, see it is not good enough for an elitist!!
Remember Kerry who would not eat in a restaurant he visited, but went to his bus and ate Fillet Mignon.
Same for Obama - Elitist through and through!
Posted by: spock | Aug 25, 2008 3:38:00 PM
The "Biden" sandwich: old stale bread you temporarily "revive" with the microwave. Top with hormel (working class) olive loaf, cool whip and mustard. Serve with Obama brand no-flavor non-cheese-cheese puffs.
Posted by: Sammy | Aug 25, 2008 3:36:36 PM
The "Magic Mountain" sounds like a variation of the famous "Horseshoe" open-faced sandwich served in and around Springfield, IL: it's comprised of toast, your choice of meat on top(hamburger, sliced ham, or roast beef being three popular selections), French fries scattered over the meat, and everything smothered in cheddar cheese sauce. It's a great sandwich, but definitely not low-cal!
Posted by: chuck | Aug 25, 2008 3:30:42 PM
Even one-on-one Obama can't find a way to actually SAY anything. Does he EVER actually voice a concrete opinion or position?
Posted by: Sammy | Aug 25, 2008 3:27:30 PM
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