Sen. Barack Obama with diner Trudy Manderfeld at the Sunrise Cafe in South Bend, Ind., today. (AP Photo by Alex Brandon)
by John McCormick
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Sen. Barack Obama did not want any misunderstandings as his phone rang while posing for a few photos with two waitresses and the owner of the Sunrise Café here.
"That's my phone buzzing there," the Illinois Democrat explained, as he leaned in for a picture, touching his leg to one of the older women. "I don't want you to think I'm getting fresh or anything."
It was Obama's first stop today in Indiana, where he is now holding a town hall meeting heavy on an economic message at a high school in Gary.
Earlier, an arts-and-crafts sign behind the counter of the restaurant set the scene, according to the pool report from the event.
“Good Morning,” the sign stated. “Let the Stress Begin.”
Obama's message was economic stress, as he greeted a dozen or so patrons.
“Looks like the breakfast here is pretty good,” he said, gazing over an order of another man’s biscuits and gravy. Then, he took his pre-arranged seat in a booth with three people.
“Would you like some coffee?” a waitress asked the senator.
After pausing for several seconds, he ordered orange juice. No breakfast.
For about 20 minutes, Obama talked with three Hoosiers sitting in the booth: Marvin Kline, 61, of Mishwaka; Lisa Fletcher, 32, of South Bend; Trudy Manderfeld, 60, of Shipshewana. The guests were selected by the campaign.
Kline said he worked at RMG Foundry in nearby Mishwaka until it closed in 2006. After 38 years at the plant, he said, suddenly he was out of work.
“All it is,” Kline said, “is corporate greed – to see how much money you can make off of people.”
“Where’s the bottom line? When is this going to stop?” he added a few moments later. “Why are we letting the Japanese and the Chinese buy our debt from us?”
Obama sat and listened, nodding in agreement. Obama then criticized the White House for failing to “close the gap between the people who are looking for work and the jobs that exist.”
Then, he heard a similar tale from Manderfeld, who worked at a Bayer plant. She, too, lost her job, when the company closed its doors. The economic downturn and loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector, she said, has shattered lives and devastated the way of life in many communities.
Again, Obama listened intently and asked a few questions. He sympathized with their plight, but warned: “The economy is changing. Not all those jobs are going to come back.” He talked, in broad terms, about proposals to retrain workers and create new opportunities in new fields.
“I’m not guaranteeing that we can turn this around overnight,” Obama said.
“I hope people realize that because of the damage that has been done,” Manderfeld said, “it’s going to take to more than one term to even start to turn it around.”
“Yeah, exactly,” he said with a smile, “I’m looking for two.”
“Are ya?” she said.
“I’m going to start on that first one,” he replied.
(Later, she told reporters that she intended to vote for Obama in the Indiana primary on May 6. “I think they’re both capable, but I think he’s maybe more in tuned with real people,” she said.)
As the conversation began to wrap up, Obama talked briefly with Fletcher, who is a waitress. She said the economic slowdown has affected her, too. “People don’t have the money to come out do a full dining experience,” she said.
“People can’t go out and get a steak diner,” Obama said in agreement.
“Absolutely,” she said.
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Comments
Is that a cell phone in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
Posted by: Buzz Buzz | April 10, 2008 1:12 PM
Ask Larry Sinclair, he can tell you about a few days he spent with Obama, that would explain what the buzz in his pocket is!!! Hah
Posted by: AJ | April 10, 2008 1:58 PM
The buzz was his phone? I thought he was just happy to be there.
Posted by: Michael Lawrence | April 10, 2008 2:13 PM
And Mr Obama's prsescriptions for these problems are:
Increased Taxes
Increased costs due to "Global Warming"
If he wins, watch out for more companies closing shop and moving to China to escape Obamanomics.
Posted by: marks | April 10, 2008 2:24 PM
So Obama agrees with McCain. The jobs aren't coming back. Seems like McCain caught a lot of flak for saying that a few months back. Curious.
Posted by: JB | April 10, 2008 2:44 PM
You bet they are happy to see Obama. Its sad yet sobering to hear all of these stories. I am the working poor, but I have to be thankful for that. Of course Obama can relate, because thats what grass-roots campaigning will do. Bill Clinton used to relate like that. But since joining the elite he as long forgotten the struggles of the working poor. And you know what??? I partially understand. You have to get your in this world. But there are consequences in politics when you can no longer relate. People are tired and want something different. Change for the sake of HOPE!
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Southsider | April 10, 2008 2:53 PM
He was ridin' dirty.
Posted by: Obama Nanny State | April 10, 2008 3:38 PM
I find it strange that the issue of reparations for african americans is not being discussed and Senator Obama has not been asked about it. or maybe he has been asked but the press isn't reporting his answer.
Posted by: ejhickey | April 10, 2008 3:44 PM
Obama is just freaking out because Condi may be running for vp
m84v@yahoo.com
Posted by: Mr. Venkas | April 10, 2008 3:48 PM
Obama is a loser and he know it nowb
m84v@yahoo.com
Posted by: Mr. Venkas | April 10, 2008 4:15 PM
After a person leaves the company of a politician and a reporter ask, what candidate are you voting for, they will typically respond they are voting for the canidate at hand.
That is the problem with Americans, which way is the wind blowing. Who is in their company at time, girl friend, coworker, public place but always in agreement with their environment.
Obama is conspiring with criminals (Rezko), zealots (Jeremiaj Wright), terriorist (Ayers and the PLO) what is the next shoe the will drop.
Any one voting for Obama is a fool or they are Anti American.
Posted by: Karen Poole | April 10, 2008 4:36 PM
ejhicky,
Reparations for African Americans is not a serious issue for the majority of Black voters. It is more of a talking point and not a very serious one at that. We like the rest of the American public are more concerned with the economy, the war and the price of gas. I am not concerned about getting paid for work my ancestors perfomed. I am concerned with keeping my job and receiving a fair wage.
Note to Mr. Venkas, Condi is no threat to Obama. Why would she be? Just becuase she is Black does not make her interchangable with him. She is a Republican, Bushes right hand Gal and a power seeker. Sh would be a great choice, let her spend her time on the campaign trail explaing why we went to war and why China now owns us thanks to her boss.
Posted by: gjs | April 10, 2008 4:37 PM
The more Obama talks the less he says! When are people going to wake up?
Posted by: G. McCullough | April 10, 2008 5:17 PM
Its too bad I couldn't get a seat next to Obama at breakfast....but then again, just so he can fool the ignorant people they always pose him with white people.....kind of balances his image against the race hustlers who are really his pals.....
Posted by: Karl G | April 10, 2008 5:36 PM
To gjs:
Are you speaking for Senator Obama? Are you saying that he rejects the idea of Reparations? Does the phrase "talking point" and "not a serious issue" mean that Reparations is still an issue and is going to be used as a bargaining chip to get something else? Actually I was just wondering why no one has asked this question o Senator Obama, but your response is interesting
Posted by: ejhickey | April 10, 2008 5:38 PM
Karen. PROVE IT.
And learn how to spell.
Posted by: Walter | April 10, 2008 5:49 PM
Are we sure it wasn't a 'Thing in a Bag'?? Man, that thing drives my kitty, (the cutest in the world) absolutely nuts!
ChoCho for president!!
Posted by: C.Morris | April 10, 2008 6:12 PM
Are we sure it wasn't a 'Thing in a Bag'?? Man, that thing drives my kitty, (the cutest in the world) absolutely nuts!
ChoCho for president!!
Posted by: C.Morris | April 10, 2008 6:12 PM
Karen, I am not a fool, and I am not anti American. I am a vietnam vet who likes what she hears from Sen. Obama and a person that had help from Sen. Obama and his office when no one else could do a thing. Keith, you are right. Sen Obama does know what the working poor are going through. He was not born into money and have everything he ever wanted. He like all of us had to work for it. My vote will be for Sen Obama if he is the Democratic nominee. Indiana and Pennsylvania and all those states still looking to vote in the primary. Look at which candidate can do for you concerning the economy or concerning our health issues, or one who is concerned about this war in Iraq and what needs to be done to end it.
Posted by: Judi J. | April 10, 2008 7:29 PM
A vibrator joke? He told a vibrator joke? What's next--flatulent jokes?
Posted by: geraldinetoo | April 10, 2008 9:37 PM
Unicycling Fans for Barack Obama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck8bM97Hh3I&feature=related
Posted by: Eagle Clan | April 11, 2008 8:23 AM
Barack Obama is what Americans need. He is on the Pulse and will bring about Change in Washington.
He will be a President for ALL AMERICANS.
Indiana and North Carolina....make a difference...VOTE "Barack Obama" for President.
Posted by: michelle | May 5, 2008 3:20 AM