Obama looks at the flowers at the Greensboro Farmer's Curb Market in Greensboro, N.C., Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
by John McCormick
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Sen. Barack Obama spent some time shopping at an indoor farmer's market today, but declined to say whether he had finished his shopping for a running mate.
After spending about 20 minutes at the Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market, Obama was asked about his thinking on the topic as he was about to leave for an event in Martinsville, Va.
"John, how long did it take you to think up that question?" he responded.
The indoor market, which dates back to 1874, was under a barn-like structure with all kinds of food and flowers for sale. The senator entered the building to applause. He first held a baby and then proceeded to the produce.
Obama had apparently heard that the market had good biscuits for sale and asked if he could try one, as he posed for photos, signed autographs and shook hands.
"This is a tasty biscuit," Obama said, as he sampled one.
But something wasn't quite right.
"Can we warm these up?" the senator inquired, as he asked about the availability of a microwave.
A pound cake had also caught his eye, and he pulled out a $20 bill to make what were the first of several purchases. A seller initially refused the money, but ended up taking $5 after Obama insisted.
A few moments later, a young girl handed him a large sunflower, which body man Reggie Love quickly took possession of.
"Reggie, did you get my biscuits?" Obama asked during the handoff, apparently still looking for his warmed bread.
Next up, what looked like a zucchini muffin. He decided to sample it on the spot, after a woman suggested that he looked hungry.
"I kind of look skinny, don't I," Obama asked.
"That's tasty zucchini bread," he added after taking a bite.
One woman asked for a photo with him and he said there was no time to pose for individual photos.
A man then asked him about his agricultural policies.
"I've got a whole ag policy," he said, pointing the man to the campaign web site. "I come from an ag state."
Obama told the man his main interest is making sure family farmers get the "support they need,"' before adding, "family farmers are getting screwed."
The senator then explained how Japan requires its inspectors to look at food imported from China. "We don't do that same thing," he said.
Moving down the food aisle, Obama then asked a seller to pick out "a couple nice tomatoes," prompting another $2 from his pocket.
A woman asked about his wife, Michelle. "I hope she misses me," Obama said with a smile.
Adding still more healthy food to his diet, Obama next hit the peaches. "That's a nice looking peach," he said, as he eyed one and then bit into it.
When a women brought him a bag of peaches, the senator said he had to pay for them. She refused to take the money and whispered into his ear, and then he whispered back.
A discussion on gas prices with two men came next. Obama said he expects gas prices will not drop back down to the level where they were before this year's spike in prices and said the nation was going to have to start "changing our habits."
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Comments
Let's see how well the Republicans convert this to a covert operation, by Senator Obama. An operation, in which, Senator Obama declares how great America is, but that isn't quite the way the Republicans will tell it. They will make his statements seem not enthusiastic enough, not wearing his pin on the right lapel. They will find many stupid reasons to disagree with Senator Obama's statements about the greatness of America, when, in fact, they are the ones, denigrating our great nation. They just hope that you, the voter, do not catch on to their constant duplicity !! That is all the Republicans can offer America, deceit and incompetence !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | August 20, 2008 11:36 AM
More hard hitting coverage from teh swamp.
Posted by: Vinny | August 20, 2008 11:49 AM
Obama Drips Mustard on His Tie
By Ferd Berfle
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- This morning while snacking on a corndog, Sen. Barak Obama dripped mustard on his favorite tie. As aides and securiy rushed to wrestle the corndog to the ground, the senator quickly regained his composure and quipped "Must be a Republican corndog."
While talking to reporters later, the senator grew sombre and noted, "This is a serious loss. It's not just that the tie was expensive and a hand made one-of-kind -- heck I have a lot of those -- this one was a gift from Tony Rezko, so it's irreplacable."
Posted by: Ferd Berfle | August 20, 2008 11:51 AM
Wow, really earning that salary for being a journalist today. . . . Was Obama campaign headquarters hungry for a creampuff this am?
Posted by: Bob | August 20, 2008 11:58 AM
At least it's not more speculation about the potential VP . . . .
http://www.politicswithagrin.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Kristen | August 20, 2008 12:03 PM
Journalism at its finest. I can see why the republicans are upset at all the media coverage towards Obama. McBush wishes he to could have a few articles intitled McCain spots a tree, or McCain goes for a drive, or McCain ties his shoe. With out that type of indepth read...how will he ever win?
GEEEEEEEEEZ!
Posted by: bill r. | August 20, 2008 12:14 PM
The most convincing argument Republicans have against Obama that doesn't involve lies, smears or personal attacks is:
Obama knows what arugula is!!
;
The RNC is in deep trouble. Why don't they tell us what McCain will do in his first 100 days in office? Are they silent on that because the 100 day plan would be to continue George W. Bush policies?
Posted by: jackson | August 20, 2008 12:25 PM
Why don't they tell us what McCain will do in his first 100 days in office?
Posted by: jackson | August 20, 2008 12:25 PM
NAP !!!!
Posted by: bill r. | August 20, 2008 12:30 PM
Bill R.,
Bad news, good news - in that order.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 20, 2008 1:09 PM
When asked about gas prices, the best he could say is we have to "change our habits"? I guess he will need to tell that to those farmers from his "ag state" who are getting as he says "screwed" (that's eloquent phrasing). All I see from this photo op is he walked away with some freebies, refused to have his picture taken and came off as sort of a smart mouth little twit.
It's so trying to mingle with the little people isn't it?
Posted by: vla | August 20, 2008 1:43 PM
And I thought the "Obamna sneezes" article was as low as the Swamp could sink on the fawning-over-Obama scale.
Posted by: Bruce | August 20, 2008 3:30 PM
I love how his people grab that flower from him before he can reach for it....you darn well know they don't want any photo ops of him holding a giant flower ha.
His comment about gas prices is that he's sorry to see that they rose so fast. Not that it's a problem that they slowly go out of reach. That's what all ENVIRO-NUTS want, for it to be so high none of us can use it and it just disappears....forget that there's no proven solution to take it's place....that's just a small glitch in the plan, not to worry.
Posted by: Some of these post are so funny! | August 20, 2008 4:24 PM
"Where's the arugula?" asked the perplexed BO.
I wonder if Obama took down the muffin salesman name so he can make sure he pays the appropriate tax on the transaction.
Posted by: Terry | August 20, 2008 9:54 PM
barack means "peaches" in hungarian
Posted by: christie | September 27, 2008 2:09 PM