by Mark Silva
There he goes again:
Slipping out of the White House for a cheeseburger.
This time the president, who recently took a hop across the Potomac River for a lunch of Ray's Hell Burgers in Arlington, Va., headed out for Five Guys hamburgers in Southeast Washington. This time, Obama didn't have the vice president with him. But he did have NBC anchorman Brian Williams along for the ride. An NBC News crew was trailing the president for a "day-in-the-life" at the White House documentary airing next week.
This time, he ordered take-out. And despite the stir that the president caused in burger-loving circles with his last outing, he stood by his taste for mustard today.
That day in the life included a motorcade departure a 12:42 p.m., with one NBC camera crew catching the walk to the car and another on the other side of the limo. The burger-cade arrived at Five Guys at 12:51 p.m., a few blocks from Nationals Stadium.
Obama, in shirtsleeves, approached the counter, scanned the posted menu and started ordering. Aides Reggie Love and Marvin Nicholson slipped him various requests. At one point, Obama brought up NBC's Williams, who ordered a cheeseburger with ketchup and fries. Obama peeled out at least four $20 bills.
"I need one cheeseburger and one fries for me. Jalapeno, tomato, mustard,'' the president told his order-taker (see it all here, courtesy of C-SPAN). "That's it for me ... Plus lettuce on mine too."
Obama walked around to greet fellow patrons and pose for photographs. He asked one woman with a distinct accent where she was from, and she said, "Ireland." Obama asked: "What part of Ireland?" Dublin, she replied. "Dublin?'' he said. "Outstanding. I've got to visit Ireland."
When his number was called, Obama claimed his order. He posed for a photo with Five Guys staff and left, carrying two large brown bags. The motorcade left at 1:05 and returned to the White House by 1:15 pm.
Obama, jacket over shoulder, strolled to the Oval Office as the cameras rolled on a day in the life.
(Photos of the president's cheeseburger run, at Five Guys above, returning home below, by Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images)
Comments
Ha Ha Ha!
So far the only thing the very small regional (the South) Republican party has been able to do the last 3 1/2 months is talk about Teleprompters, Birth Certificates, Dijon Mustard....and now I suspect they'll be talking about Obama's "anti-American" Cheeseburgers.
Make sure you tune into the Druggy Rush Show on Monday all you little dittohead locksteppers! He'll be leading you in your Jihad against the Evil Cheeseburgers that Obama is pacifying!
Posted by: Clutch Cargo | May 29, 2009 3:19 PM
WOW, what next, President takes dump?
Posted by: jim | May 29, 2009 3:29 PM
Jalapeno peppers on his hamburger. Must be another nod to the Hispanic Vote.
Posted by: Webjefe | May 29, 2009 3:50 PM
Another media droolfest. If there was any dignity left in the media, the reporters should be embarrassed with this type of story.
Posted by: DebT | May 29, 2009 4:04 PM
Jalapeno peppers on his hamburger. Must be another nod to the Hispanic Vote.
Posted by: Webjefe | May 29, 2009 3:50 PM
Yes but the bun had seeds on it. Obviously courting the nuts on the right.
Posted by: bill r. | May 29, 2009 4:09 PM
Jim, you took the words right out of me. I can see it now:
Obama cuts toe nails!
President shaves!
Obamas Watch TV!
President Actually Wipes His Own (you know what)!
And why is not surprising that the Obama White House TV adjunct, NBC News, is doing the "Day in the Life Of?"
Sheesh, even Leno jokes about how much NBC is in the bag for this White House!
Posted by: John D | May 29, 2009 4:17 PM
I thought Presidents didn't carry around cash...
Posted by: Just Curious | May 29, 2009 4:19 PM
"WOW, what next, President takes dump?"
Sure--why deprive the eager right wing of a chance to examine the results for any traces of un-American arugula?
Posted by: JMK | May 29, 2009 4:22 PM
Never in U.S. history have we had a president who loved himself so much he has to do something, ANYTHING to be noticed.
And the lemming media is following his every action and word.
Posted by: Gina L | May 29, 2009 4:30 PM
Never in U.S. history have we had a president who loved himself so much he has to do something, ANYTHING to be noticed.
And the lemming media is following his every action and word.
Posted by: Gina L | May 29, 2009 4:30 PM
Yes...like eating! Brilliant Gina...Brilliant!
Posted by: bill r. | May 29, 2009 4:41 PM
You know what, it might not be news worthy but I think it's great that he goes and gets his own lunch. I think it's great that he wants to still be out there meeting people. I am sure he could have someone else grab his takeout for him, but he probably enjoys the break.
Posted by: queenj58 | May 29, 2009 4:53 PM
Oh people, PLEASE ! The man appears to like spicy foods; just like a whole lot of US ! If the food doesn't kick your taste buds it is not worth wasting the time to open your mouth.
Posted by: Pat | May 29, 2009 4:57 PM
Never in U.S. history have we had a president who loved himself so much he has to do something, ANYTHING to be noticed.And the lemming media is following his every action and word.
Posted by: Gina L | May 29, 2009 4:30 PM
*****************
Yeah, I remember those day all to well:
.
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/Mission-accomplished.jpg
.
Posted by: Darla | May 29, 2009 5:04 PM
It's hardly a big deal for someone to buy a burger, but typically the President would send a lackey out to get him a burger, if he would even eat something so low-class. If you missed the point they're trying to make, its that Obama is a regular guy. He likes his sports and technology and burgers and fries. Not only does he like them but he wants to get them himself instead of having everyone else do his bidding.
Posted by: Miz | May 29, 2009 5:05 PM
Posted by: John D | May 29, 2009 4:17 PM
John D, were you this upset when NBC followed George W. Bush around for the day?
http://tv.nytimes.com/show/42636/Bush-White-House-Inside-the-Real-West-Wing-NBC-/overview
Posted by: Lou | May 29, 2009 5:09 PM
This is much better than when they report on G.W. Bush clearing out the shrubs and brush on his ranch.
Posted by: Nancy D | May 29, 2009 5:11 PM
Good God, give the guy a break. It's not like he could invite NBC to sit in on a meeting with cabinet members. So he gave them something they could use.
At least we've got a President who's willing to meet all of his constituents. Can you imagine Bush putting himself in a situation where he might have run into someone who didn't agree with his policies? I can't and don't.
Posted by: kevin | May 29, 2009 5:16 PM
"Never in U.S. history have we had a president who loved himself so much he has to do something, ANYTHING to be noticed.
And the lemming media is following his every action and word."
Posted by: Gina L | May 29, 2009 4:30 PM
Response:
The truth is that the only lemmings in this country are the ones who follow the likes of Palin and Limbaugh.
Posted by: Jim Bester | May 29, 2009 5:22 PM
YouTube catches everything today. It was nice to see a president so at home doing what millions of Americans do every day. Where were all the critics when Bush was captured on tape saying stupid things to the public? Dubya and Dick were such useless tools! Most Americans at least like and respect Pres Obama.
Posted by: Jeff | May 29, 2009 5:24 PM
I could say something about some of these comments but I'd better not!
Posted by: lochnessmonster | May 29, 2009 5:35 PM
I didn't vote for him, and I won't when he goes for re-election. I have serious and irreconcilable philosophical differences with him. Those are the points for which he should be criticized, not because he goes out and gets a hamburger with mustard. That is just childish. I did not vote for him, but I believe he is an American patriot who believes he is serving his nation the best he can, as was George Bush, Bill Clinton, and so on. He's just wrong about many things. Acting like a regular citizen and getting lunch is great though. Our Presidents are not kings, they are not aristocrats, and I'm glad that he doesn't try to act like one. I just wish he had better judgment when it comes to policy and executing the office of President.
Posted by: Larry | May 29, 2009 5:57 PM
In today's Pravda:
It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.
Posted by: Mike | May 29, 2009 6:04 PM
"Yeah, I remember those day all to well:
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/Mission-accomplished.jpg"
The mission was to oust Saddam because he rejected UN Resolution 1441. That's why is was "mission accomplished" at that time. Hater.
Posted by: Hugh Idiot | May 29, 2009 6:43 PM
Wow. This is a very liberal swamp. The swamp is swamped with liberals. The liberals enjoy wallowing in the swamp. The liberals have fallen into the swamp and can't get up.
Posted by: Hugh Idiot | May 29, 2009 6:46 PM
Think I'll try jalapeno peppers on my next bluecheese burger. Sounds interesting.
I'm begining to like this Obama guy.
But I ain't gay for him.
Posted by: TurtleMouth | May 29, 2009 7:10 PM
i think its great that the president is down to earth and enjoys the simple things in life. More power to him :)
Posted by: daisy | May 29, 2009 7:17 PM
Mustapha Mond likes mustard.
Who knew.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | May 29, 2009 7:44 PM
"Never in U.S. history have we had a president who loved himself so much he has to do something, ANYTHING to be noticed.
And the lemming media is following his every action and word.
Posted by: Gina L | May 29, 2009 4:30 PM"
Truly spoken like someone that believed the Republicans had a permanent ruling majority.
Hey Gina, here's your boy taking a bike ride for god sake.
http://www.truveo.com/WEB-EXTRA-President-Bush-Goes-For-A-Bike-Ride/id/2006105953
Posted by: C.Morris | May 29, 2009 9:23 PM
I thought Obama was a into healthy food and herbal teas and such. I guess as a politician he has to act like he is the common man. So here he is ordering all this greasey food and tomorrow he is off to the gym.
Posted by: Bernito | May 29, 2009 11:18 PM
In the past, European kings bribed journalists in order to get favorable coverage.
Today, our American monarch only has to buy them cheeseburgers.
Posted by: Bill Douglas | May 30, 2009 8:07 AM
I'm hungry.
Posted by: Amused | May 30, 2009 11:19 PM
Bill Douglas,
You really have forgotten about the paid 'journalists' Prez. Dimwit used to ask planted questions? The male prostitute guy? The 'unbiased' opinion talking heads used to cheerlead torture and the vanity war in Iraq?
Sheeesh!!
Posted by: C.Morris | May 31, 2009 11:28 AM