by Frank James
Geoff Earle, a New York Post reporter was covering Sen. Barack Obama today as the Democratic presidential nominee visited Roanoke, Va. Earle was in the small pool of journalists covering the senator from Illinois on behalf of the much larger group of reporters following the Obama campaign.
Earle filed the following pool report:
Obama made an OTR stop at the Total Elegance Salon in downtown Roanoke, proving that it's difficult to distance himself from every Rev. Wright.
Obama chatted and posed for photos with customers, many of whom just happened to be relatives of shop owner, Rev. Tim Wright.
He spoke briefly with a young boy named Octavius, who is Wright's grandson. "Are you studying hard?" he asked the boy. "Do you read?"
Obama said something hard to hear about a sign in there door (there was an Obama sign) and said, "God bless you."
The funniest moment came when Obama posed for a photo with the Wright and his whole family, while Francis Thompson, her hair in blue curlers as she sat in the midst of getting her hair done, tried to home in on the shot.
"Lets get the family picture, then we can slide you in," Obama told her when she asked to get in on the photo."That way, they'll get at least one, where nobody in curlers is in the shot."
Wright's mother was also getting her hair done, sporting green curlers. For the record, both ladies looked lovely.
Obama had just spoken with Thompson, who volunteered that she has a daughter serving in Iraq. "We are grateful for her service," Obama said. She said something hard to hear either about how she was rooting for him or praying for him. "You be praying for me now," Obama said. "God bless you."
The shop was on a street with some cute old buildings, and had rows of hair driers. Obama was complimentary. "I like that. It's a nice looking shop, isn't it?"
Your pooler asked whether Colin Powell was going to endorse Obama this Sunday. "I have no idea," he responded, before chatting with a few more patrons on the way out the door.
Your pooler couldn't hear any of that because he was blocked by the cameras.
Barbershops like this are taking part in voter registration efforts for Obama across the country, but the campaign wasn't sure if this shop was taking part.
When Obama left, an enthusiastic crowd cheered at the Emporium shopping center outside. Obama stood in the open door to his SUV so they could see him and gave a wave. An excited woman ran by the poolers asking, "Where's my baby?"
Comments
Much ado about nothing. Obama thinks his being is about adulation to him and of and for him.
His personal touch does not equate to his platforms and what they will not do for his followers and he thinks everyone is his follower just as he was of Rev Wright's.
The little disciple graduated and speaks with eloquence disguised.
What marlarky is this about anyway.
Another racism toolery??
That is not American.
Platforms are what one should keep in mind.
We all go to any salon we want and this is good.
Pigeon holes are for pinheads. But good for Obama in his campaigning for himself.
This is American. Don't twist it.
Posted by: Lulu Zoe West | October 17, 2008 7:26 PM
Birds of a Feather , Flock together
Posted by: LOAM | October 17, 2008 7:55 PM
You write with human kindness, a heart full of love--you are truly humanitarian---Don't let other people filled with distresses of the past get you down and keep you there---It strengthens me to read and find compassion in the writer of the post/article.
actionspeaks--
Posted by: Gloria Keith | October 17, 2008 8:02 PM