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by Frank James
Did Sen. Barack Obama reveal some character flaw yesterday in Philadephia's Italian Market when he showed his irritation at being hounded by a man who wanted to get his photograph taken with the Democratic presidential candidate?
Some apparently have been asking that question.
In the video above you can see Obama rebuff the guy as the senator enters a storefront, although it appears to be a fairly civil brushoff with Obama actually placing his hand on the man's arm in a sorry-but-no-and-excuse-me-as-I-wallk-by-you gesture.
Then, after the senator leaves the establishment and is shaking hands with people, the photograph-seeker badgers Obama again.
"You are wearing me out, brother," says a clearly annoyed Obama who keeps on walking.
That's where our video ends. CBS News and the Washington Post's "The Fix" blog both have a little more video however. Theirs shows Obama politely but directly confronting the man and starting to explain to him that he won't take a photo with him because, as Obama charges, the man interrupted the candidate when he was greeting some children.
Then, realizing that the best way to get past the encounter was just to go-along, Obama relents and says he will pose for a photo but "I won't be smiling."
The Obama campaign explained to reporters that they had clocked the man as an eBay autograph seller who wanted the photo to prove an autograph's authenticity. Sounds plausible.
It seems like a stretch to say that Obama showed a temperament problem in this encounter. He actually handled the situation with the kind of civility you'd expect from a man who knows his every move is being watched and recorded.
Anyway, if you think Obama was unhappy, that was probably nothing compared with how the Secret Service agents felt. The photograph seeker was clearly almost stalking Obama. That raises concerns by itself.
The agents also had to be concerned that he could've been an intentional diversionary tactic.
Fortunately, the worst that happened was Obama took a picture he didn't want to take. And he didn't smile.
Comments
Character Flaw? Are YOU well?
I'd be pissed too if a weirdo was stalking ME! The Press is trying to MAGNIFY human irritation into a "character flaw"?
Give me a break!
Posted by: sue | April 3, 2008 9:21 AM
It's Travis Bickle! Look out for the 'railed' .38, Bama!
You talkin to me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e9CkhBb18E
I think 'Bama! handled it fine.
Posted by: C.Hussein.Morris | April 3, 2008 9:35 AM
I was about to post that the guy was to way too Travis Bickel to let him near the next president. I see someone beat me to it. Great minds think alike.
Posted by: Mike | April 3, 2008 9:45 AM
Once again, this is why I like this guy. Cool as a cucumber with idiots all around him. I know that I do not posses that kind of patience. I'd have either had my SS escort him away or had some very stern words directed at him!
Posted by: Xcellentform | April 3, 2008 10:03 AM
And how about all of those death threats that Obama has gotten??? I TOLD YALL, Clintons and the Republicans/FOX NEWS have an EVIL-ALLIANCE.
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Chicagoan and Southsider | April 3, 2008 10:20 AM
Where were the Secret Service guys while that nut was raving around in the crowd? Surely our presidential candidates deserve better protection!
Posted by: J Thompson | April 3, 2008 10:23 AM
How dare ANYONE question the Obamessiah? Maybe this is why he doesn't take questions from reporters like McCain and even Clinton do.
"C'mon guys, I answered like eight questions." -BHO
p.s. Which network does this Travis Bickle work for? Is he putting hearts on his trapper keeper with the folks at NBC like Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews? Or camping outside Obama's house like Anderson and the boys at CNN?
Posted by: Jeff | April 3, 2008 11:01 AM
I think that 'A' hole should have been arrested. That was unacceptable and plain harassment. The Secret Service better get on the ball 'cause this type of thing is only going to increase.
Posted by: Tim | April 3, 2008 11:05 AM
this is newsworthy?
Posted by: Roberta | April 3, 2008 11:17 AM
Come on the guy wanted a picture, he wasn't even asking for an autograph, how many pictures has Hillary had taken with someone in the crowd. And to say he would allow the picture but would not be smiling is so juvenile. Sounds like something a child would say. I watched the whole thing on CNN last night and thought obama acted like a jerk.
Posted by: RFB | April 3, 2008 11:23 AM
With Obamas awful bowling and brushing off of this man it shows just how "well" he interacts with us commoners. How dare a peasant think he can get a picture with the great messiah. Right Obamabots?
Posted by: Vinny | April 3, 2008 11:35 AM
Maybe it was David Gregory or one of the other reporters who get all nervous whenever they ask the Obamessiah a question in the debates. Being in His presence can make a someone nervous and jumpy.
Posted by: Jeff | April 3, 2008 12:58 PM
Oh, please, the guy didn't just nicely request a picture. He was all up in his face and whining about how unfairly he was being treated.
I think Obama did a good job keeping his cool and telling the guy that he wouldn't be smiling was just a way of pointing out how over the top and annoying his behavior was.
Posted by: Intimidator of Mobs | April 3, 2008 1:06 PM
Y'all are trying too hard. You wanna really see somebody lose it, check McCain and Clinton (either one of em).
I'm like most sound observers. How does a nut like that get through secret service protection?
Give me a big break!
Posted by: Obamabot | April 3, 2008 1:31 PM
What part of this guy was a selfish jerk who interrupted Obama while he was interacting with children don't you racists understand?
Posted by: justsayin | April 3, 2008 1:35 PM
I'd have either had my SS escort him away ...
Posted by: Xcellentform | April 3, 2008 10:03 AM
I wonder if you understand the unintentional humor of talking about Obama's "SS"?
Posted by: MJ | April 3, 2008 2:07 PM
Remember, everyone who dares to criticize the obamessiah is a racist, thanks for reminding me "justsayin." You guys are the best thing that ever happened to the Hillary campaign:
"What part of this guy was a selfish jerk who interrupted Obama while he was interacting with children don't you racists understand?
Posted by: justsayin | April 3, 2008 1:35 PM"
MJ, I thought they were being unironic when referring to "Obama's SS." After all, the vitriol these little brownshirts attack anyone trying to ask Obama a question with is clearly undemocratic. One wonders how far they would go to protect their messiah.
Posted by: Jeff | April 3, 2008 2:22 PM
Obama needs to be cautious; there are a lot of crazy people out there who are psychotic racists. The Secret Service needs to tighten its ranks as we draw closer to the National Dem Convention. We don't want a repeat of the Robert Kennedy episode. Keep in mind Robert Kennedy was well on his way to winning the Presidency from Nixon (a Republican)until his assassination, which gave Nixon the Presidency with Robert out of the way. These are desperate times, and he is dealing with desperate, angry Republicans.
Obama should follow his instincts and not apologize if he feels the wrong vibes from a person. The same goes for his Secret Service detail - they should trust their instincts and be vigilant.
Posted by: the truth | April 3, 2008 2:35 PM
The guy was a typical hustler looking for a pic to prove his autograph(s) are real for his Ebay auctions. His obnoxious, in-your-face Philly attitude was enough to put anyone off. Do you like being approached by people who will not take "no" for an answer like this guy? Think of the people you run into who are asking for change, or are trying to sell you something, and despite the fact you politely say "no" they keep coming at you. How do you like it?
Posted by: Matt | April 3, 2008 3:09 PM
Oh, c'mon! Why even begin the article by citing those who question whether Obama has a character flaw? Why perpetuate that garbage?
Keep in mind that Obama graciously had a photo taken with a 6-year-old girl during his recent St. Thomas vacation, and the girl's mother promptly sent it to Fox News.
Keeping in mind the death threats he's received, I would be wary of this pushy, rude guy, myself.
Posted by: ThinkPlease | April 3, 2008 3:49 PM
This rude intrucer should have been knocked on his ass by an alert secret service agent.
All persons should be allowed to hit any of the paparazzzi with a baseball bat if they do not break stride to do it. In other words you cannot run after them to hit them.
Posted by: c. perry | April 3, 2008 4:40 PM
"Did Sen. Barack Obama reveal some character flaw yesterday in Philadephia's Italian Market when he showed his irritation at being hounded by a man who wanted to get his photograph taken with the Democratic presidential candidate?"
Now he's already the "Democratic presidential candidate?" I think there's still some voters and super delegates that might disagree.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 3, 2008 4:59 PM
"You are wearin' me out, brother".
God, I love this man. So real.
Also, Anonymous @ 4:59pm: Relax, and then check your semantics guide again. "Democratic Presidential Candidate" accurately describes both Obama and Clinton at this point. Democratic Presidential Nominee, on the other hand, is what we all now know Obama is, in fact, but some blind, deaf and dumb individuals (re: you) still have yet to realize it.
Posted by: Jeffrob | April 3, 2008 6:38 PM
Obama won't take a picture with his own brother? Yikes! Oh wait, that's how they talk in the ghetto. My bad.
Posted by: Wake Up | April 3, 2008 10:21 PM