A flurry of national pols scurrying through Ohio the last 24 hours, including President Obama, has a lot of political-type stuff dominating the headlines. Unfortunately, these little campaign bus tours offer little news, especially when the President totes out almost the exact same speech at every stop in between bites of mom-and-pop diner food and doesn’t even mention the new (lackluster) jobs report.
So what, if any, news is there to be had from these dog-and-pony shows?
How about a guy offering to arm wrestle Obama for his vote?
Obama visited Ziggy’s Pub and Restaurant in Amherst, Ohio, on Thursday, one of several stops left off his public schedule, and New York Times reporter Mark Landler caught the scene.
The president got a round of applause and a barrage of camera flashes as he entered Ziggy’s, a popular nighttime spot where the Wi-Fi code is “DRINKBEER.” One of the large TV screens was showing a CNN report about Mitt Romney’s amazing $100 million fundraising haul in June.
Enter patron Jeff Hawks. Hawks pointed to one of the TVs on the wall and told Obama: “You’re in a building that has Fox News on.”
Obama, whose White House has Fox News on nearly continuously, suggested that Hawks could ask to change the channel. “The customer is always right,” the president said.
“I’ll arm wrestle you for your vote,” Hawks told Obama. (Landler’s report was mum on the relative sizes of the two men). The president demurred. “No,” he said, “I’ll play basketball for your vote.” Annnnd…scene.
We’re not sure we could top the Prez in either arm wrestling or basketball, but if he’s up for a game of beer pong, that’s more our speed.
This article appears in Jul 4-10, 2012.
Dear President Obama: Thank you for stopping in Amherst, Ohio, The Sandstone Center of the World. Had I known, I would have been at Ziggy’s and given you a warmer welcome than it sounds like you got. I was born in Amherst as you well know and I graduated from Amherst — Marion L. Steele in 1968. I still have many friends in Amherst and I do hope if you visit Amherst again you give me a heads-up. Pirate on Yahoo. KEJ 070612–1330pm.
This is what has become of American voters. Money is looked at as leadership. The America voter is the laughing stock of the world. Only Americans could support giving up their freedom for fascism.
Jack: Ya Think?
Old News; New news feel alright on a warm Cleveland Ohio Night.
So instead of selling our votes, now we’re gambling them away on sports? Glad to hear that guy thinks so highly of his vote and the role he plays in the electoral process.