[Washington Post-The Trail]
Apparently the stress of the extended Democratic primary is taking its toll—and not just on Bill Clinton.
WaPo is reporting that during Sen. Barack Obama's visit to the Italian Market in Philadelphia this morning, Obama and his security detail continually rebuffed 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.
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."
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