A Barack Obama aide pays her dues

The hours can be never-ending and the pay is nothing to write home about. But perhaps it's the minor indignities that offer reminders that toiling in the trenches of a presidential campaign is something short of glamorous.

Just ask Samantha Tubman, a member of Barack Obama's media advance team.

Tubman was on the job Friday when the Democratic presidential contender made an unscheduled stop at a taqueria in the small Oregon town of Woodburn. No doubt she was pleased that Obama -- who sometimes has been mocked for passing on some of the more caloric fare candidates are expected to sample while on the trail -- dug into a hearty plate of chavindeca, a Michoacan dish of chicken and beef with tortillas.

The Times' Robin Abcarian was also on the scene and reports that as patrons and journalists crammed around the table Obama shared with some locals, a waiter holding a tostada above the crowd tripped on a highchair. The tostada went flying -- and splattered Tubman.

"Last time it was the cow," cracked Obama, referring to an encounter Tubman had in a Pennsylvania barn last month when she leaned over and a friendly bovine licked her face.

No word on whether Tubman will be able to expense her cleaning bill.

-- Don Frederick