View Full Version : Obama and the Ebay Guy
rimrocker
04-02-2008, 09:00 PM
This is disturbing... not just because the wingnuts are saying this shows Obama is aloof and elitist, but primarily because this guy was able to get close to Obama more than once.
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http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/04/02/persistent_pictureseeker_irks.html
PHILADELPHIA -- During Sen. Barack Obama's visit to the Italian Market here this morning, he was harassed repeatedly by a middle-aged man trying to get a photo with the Illinois senator. The extended contact was unusual, given the heavy security surrounding the candidate, and Obama was sufficiently frazzled that he lost his cool.
It turned out the man was an e-Bay seller, according to campaign spokesman Robert Gibbs. He had been spotted by campaign staff at Obama's hotel earlier in the morning, and was seeking an autograph -- presumably for sale -- as well as a photograph to authenticate the transaction.
Apparently the man had previously approached Obama while he was speaking to several children. When the man surfaced at the Italian Market for another try, Obama walked away. The man nudged his way to Obama again, after the senator walked out of a shop. "Senator can I get a picture with you?" Slightly annoyed, Obama responded, "You are wearing me out, brother."
A bit later, the man was back. "Senator, can I please, a quick one?" A very annoyed Obama responded, "No, you know what, no." The man asserted, "Can I just say something to you real fast? I had one with Clinton, I had one with Sen. McCain."
Obama said, "I am sure you do. Because when I was trying to talk to some kids...." The man interrupted, "No, my wife is a schoolteacher, and she was there, she had to go back and that wasn't right... I'm not asking you for an autograph, it's for my family."
"Yeah, well, whatever. Just take it," Obama said. "I won't be smiling. Because you're wearing me out... you've been really rude about it. Just take a shot."
But no picture was taken. Obama and the man were still arguing when a Secret Service agent stepped in and put a hand between the man and Obama. "That's it," the agent said.
"No, I'm good," the man protested. "All I want is a picture, that's it."
Refman
04-02-2008, 09:24 PM
No s*** Obama is going to be aloof of a guy like this. You never know what some whackjob is going to do these days. Obama, like all politicians, has to view a good number of people as a potential danger.
I would have come unhinged too.
Deckard
04-02-2008, 09:27 PM
Obama needs better protection than this. It's pretty disturbing. I've seen too many tragedies to think it couldn't happen again. :(
Impeach Bush. Yesterday.
bigtexxx
04-02-2008, 09:34 PM
Obama looked like a jackazz in those videos
Rule0001
04-02-2008, 10:03 PM
Obama really needs to get better protection. lol
bucket
04-02-2008, 11:12 PM
Obama looked like a jackazz in those videos
You never turn it off, do you?
Refman
04-02-2008, 11:22 PM
Obama looked like a jackazz in those videos
If you were in the public eye like that, you'd be a little touchy too. This would be especially true if this guy popped up everywhere you were. It's a little creepy.
wizkid83
04-02-2008, 11:31 PM
Maybe it's because I just watched Bobby, but seriously we need better protection for our future leaders. This scare the crap out of me.
Air Langhi
04-03-2008, 12:04 AM
Maybe it's because I just watched Bobby, but seriously we need better protection for our future leaders. This scare the crap out of me.
Why would you expect SS service to protect Obama. How do you know the gov't isn't trying to take him out?
Trader_Jorge
04-03-2008, 12:14 AM
Obama looks like he needed some smokes!
He was crankier than a hungover and sleep-deprived Batman Jones watching Ohio be called for Bush.
Mr. Brightside
04-03-2008, 02:05 AM
I hate those idiots who need to take pictures of everything. Why can't you just have a memory in your mind and that's it.
WarioMillie
04-03-2008, 03:55 AM
I hate those idiots who need to take pictures of everything. Why can't you just have a memory in your mind and that's it.
Because that video doesn't show their FIRST encounter, so you don't know the whole story. That "ebay guy" was doing nothing more than STANDING there, yeah staring at obama as he walked by, but nothing else. Then when obama noticed him he got kind of mad and said in a real sarcastic tone, "Why don't you take a picture, it'll last longer"! Then it was on.
newplayer
04-03-2008, 04:55 AM
why doesn't obama just take a picture with the guy? it would've taken 10 seconds and the guy would be happy and run out of excuses to stalk him.
FranchiseBlade
04-03-2008, 06:58 AM
why doesn't obama just take a picture with the guy? it would've taken 10 seconds and the guy would be happy and run out of excuses to stalk him.
According to the article Obama offered to take a picture with the guy. But the guy didn't snap a picture and kept arguing with Obama.
rocket3forlife2
04-03-2008, 07:13 AM
damn!! the secret service are pussies!
If this guy was already screened for weapons, I think it is ok to let him approach. If not, then something is seriously wrong with the SS.
I do think Obama has a high probability of getting attacked because usually highly charismic persons more likely to make crazy people obsessed about them. In a way, this is a blessing and a curse.
bucket
04-03-2008, 07:42 AM
why doesn't obama just take a picture with the guy? it would've taken 10 seconds and the guy would be happy and run out of excuses to stalk him.
This is from the article posted above:
"It turned out the man was an e-Bay seller, according to campaign spokesman Robert Gibbs. He had been spotted by campaign staff at Obama's hotel earlier in the morning, and was seeking an autograph -- presumably for sale -- as well as a photograph to authenticate the transaction.It turned out the man was an e-Bay seller, according to campaign spokesman Robert Gibbs. He had been spotted by campaign staff at Obama's hotel earlier in the morning, and was seeking an autograph -- presumably for sale -- as well as a photograph to authenticate the transaction."
In the video, Obama says "You're an eBay guy" and later tells the guy he's annoyed because he interrupted him while Obama was "talking to some kids". Under those circumstances, I think Obama acted rightly in denying the guy. The article does say that Obama eventually agreed to the picture, but that the Secret Service finally pushed the guy away at that point.
newplayer
04-03-2008, 07:47 AM
According to the article Obama offered to take a picture with the guy. But the guy didn't snap a picture and kept arguing with Obama.
yeah, but that was at the end. the ebay guy asked obama several times before that and got rejected. obama was basically shaking hands with everyone on the street, i don't see what he would have lost by taking a picture with the guy, even though the picture is going to be sold for money -- that's still publicity, isn't it?
bucket
04-03-2008, 07:54 AM
yeah, but that was at the end. the ebay guy asked obama several times before that and got rejected. obama was basically shaking hands with everyone on the street, i don't see what he would have lost by taking a picture with the guy, even though the picture is going to be sold for money -- that's still publicity, isn't it?
Do you know what happens if you feed a stray animal?
How does he know this guy is an eBay guy? If they only met in the same day, this is quite a sequence of events. Maybe Obama knew this guy for a long time?
DonnyMost
04-03-2008, 08:39 AM
what a parasite.
good for president obama, shoot that bloodsucker down.
Obama looks like he needed some smokes!
He was crankier than a hungover and sleep-deprived Batman Jones watching Ohio be called for Bush.
Seriously what is with you and texx? How many times does someone have to say no to having a picture taken? You're a no means yes guy, right? You would actually be happy if this guy had shot Barack, huh? That's the christian patriotism shown by your party??
JayZ750
04-03-2008, 09:24 AM
Obama looked like a jackazz in those videos
why?
.
bucket
04-03-2008, 12:43 PM
^Because it's a negative remark about Obama, whose election BigTex opposes.
Rocket River
04-03-2008, 02:14 PM
why doesn't obama just take a picture with the guy? it would've taken 10 seconds and the guy would be happy and run out of excuses to stalk him.
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
. . . . .and the next pushy jerky guy
Rocket River
Nolen
04-03-2008, 02:22 PM
I've never heard a presidential candidate say "brotha, you are wearin' me out." That was kind of cool. :)
I've never heard a presidential candidate say "brotha, you are wearin' me out." That was kind of cool. :)
Agreed.
Would have been even cooler if he'd decked him.
In the words of Ali G -- respect.
B-Bob
04-03-2008, 02:52 PM
I've never heard a presidential candidate say "brotha, you are wearin' me out." That was kind of cool. :)
I actually think people like this footage in general.
While his opponents want it to make him aloof, it may be having the "he's a real guy" effect, much like Hillary's "crying" moment in New Hampshire made her seem briefly more human.
Lil Pun
04-03-2008, 02:52 PM
^Because it's a negative remark about Obama, whose election BigTex opposes.
Basically sums it up.....
Mulder
04-03-2008, 04:11 PM
What is with the white haired guy in the background saying:
"Don't let that genie out of the bottle.."
WTF does THAT ***** mean?
Whole scene reminded me of this: "You got to be a spirit! You can't be no ghost."
Rockets1616
04-03-2008, 08:24 PM
Obama looked like a jackazz in those videos
shut up jesus. Do you have a life or do you just search the internet with Basso and Trader Jorge 24/7 looking for new things to make threads on the D&D section of clutchfans?
wizkid83
04-03-2008, 10:11 PM
Why would you expect SS service to protect Obama. How do you know the gov't isn't trying to take him out?
I don't but I'd like to think our government isn't doing things like that. However, at the end of the day, something like this still makes me nervous along with secret service asking local police to stop checking for weapons during Obama's speaking event.
http://www.star-telegram.com/dallas_news/story/486413.html
At the end of the day, I like to believe that our current system, though with it's flaws) are ultimately good. But that doesen't me I don't get concerned from time to time.
CometsWin
04-03-2008, 11:14 PM
Actually this is a common thing with the primaries. Autograph seekers hit events over and over and over again especially in New Hampshire, small state and lots of events, to get items autographed, then try to get pictures with the person so they have "proof" that the autograph is genuine. They can make a few hundred bucks an autograph depending on what is signed. They're slime. Barack has probably seen these guys for months in every state he campaigns, I'm shocked he didn't go off on the guy. The secret service looked inept.
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