Ticket pool report: Barack Obama visits N.C. BBQ where not all is friendly

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Cape Fear BBQ and Chicken Restaurant. Some powerful and at times ugly interaction today.

12:33 p.m. Sen. Barack Obama entered the barbecue joint where an older and majority white clientele of dozens was eating lunch after church services. At the other end of the restaurant, Diane Fanning, 54, who works at a discount club, began yelling: “Socialist, socialist, socialist -– get out of here!”

There was a lot of noise and excitement and positive reception as well and it was unclear whether Obama heard her.

The gentleman next to Fanning, Lenox Bramble, 76, flashed an angry look at her. “Be civil, be courteous,” he admonished her.  Another woman, Cecilia Hayslip, 61, yelled back at Fanning (per Reuters), “At least he’s not a warmonger!”

Mr. Bramble told Reuters’ pool reporter that he wasn’t voting for Obama because he didn’t think he had enough experience. Bramble’s wife, Kit, 75, said after meeting Obama, “He was very nice” but added she’d been a conservative Republican since Barry Goldwater’s era and she wouldn’t vote for Obama.

Fanning said (after considerable public Colin Powell discussion) that she’d heard Powell had endorsed Obama but...

...that “Colin Powell is a RINO, R-I-N-O, Republican In Name Only. This is my one day off,” she muttered.

Later, Obama came to the long table where Fanning and other members of a local First Presbyterian church were gathered. He held out his hand to her to shake it and asked, “How are you, ma’am?” but she declined to shake.

He spoke at length with many of the other parishioners at the long banquet table, however, and got a much friendlier reception as he spoke about healthcare, taxes and Social Security. Fanning told the pool reporter, “Some of them are just nicer than I am. I know how some of them think.”

But several of her fellow churchgoers said their support was genuine. Betty Waylett, 76, told him, “You’re doing a great job.” She told the pool reporter she is a Republican but will vote for Obama because she likes the way he speaks and his manner.

Waylett, who is white, said Obama’s race was not a factor. “I never thought about it one way or the other.”

Pastor Randal Bremer, also at the table, said Obama told him, “Whether you vote for me or not I’ll need your prayers.” Bremer told the pool reporter, “I’m very impressed by his ability to meet people on a down-to-earth level” and that he would pray from him but that he planned to vote for John McCain, mostly because he prefers smaller government and McCain’s position on the Iraq war.

He thinks there have been important gains in Iraq and “I don’t want to see that damaged by a premature pullout.”

Bloomberg news quotes Mike Long, 33, a furniture salesman who is a first-time voter, said (per Bloomberg) that after talking with Obama about healthcare, he’d gone from less than 50% likely to vote for him to “98%” likely.

Sheila Evans, 39, who is biracial, told Obama, “I’m so proud of you.” She said Obama had chosen a restaurant frequented more by whites, while one a couple of doors down had predominantly African American diners on Sundays.

But some of the other older white diners looked surprised and slightly uncomfortable as Obama stopped at their tables to shake hands. “I’m surprised, but I’m not going to say anything else,” said diner Pat Smith who was joined by her husband.

A group of six retired women said they were mostly Democrats -– but mostly undecided about how to vote. “I have to pray about it, think about what’s best for our country,” said Dorothy Buie, one of the women.

Obama ordered some food to go for himself and aides. They ordered chicken, collard greens, baked beans, cole slaw and wings. The tab was $13.91. The visit lasted about a half hour.

--Margaret Talev, McClatchy Newspapers

For instant alerts of every new Ticket item flashed secretly to your cellphone, even in BBQ restaurants, go here and register.

Photo: Alex Brandon / Associated Press

Comments

[steve rodriguez]

Did I mention the clientele were white?
Well the Obama camp loves to play with race!!

[paul]

So, the good citizens of North Carolina, who receive far more tax dollars from Washington than they send, are calling Obama a "socialist". As a citizen of New Jersey, I would like my tax dollars that I pay the federal government to be returned to NJ to support education, health care and job creation. North Carolina, like Arizona and Alaska, is a true welfare state - and it and all the other "red" states should pay according to what they receive in revenue from Washington. I am sick a tired of having people call for lower taxes in their states and use my money to subsidize them.

[scootmandubious]

Such a lack of respect...I hope John McCain has gotten what he wanted. Disgusting. Truly disgusting.

It's so bizarre for that one man to speak of Obama's lack of experience, but be willing to vote for a ticket with Sarah Palin on it.

Speaking of Sarah, it's nice to see her connections to the secessionist Alaskan Independence Party finally getting a little press.

If you would like to see a report about it and view the short video of Sarah Palin's address to their 2008 annual convention (yes, this year!), it's posted at:

http://scootmandubious.blogspot.com/2008/10/sarah-palin-secessionists.html

[Thomas Robinson]

I am continue to pray for our nation and for B. Obama because whether he is experienced or qualified to be this nations President ther remains abject racism and prejudice among our nations people. Obviously there will never be 100% objectivity when relates to race in this nation but the hope of all depends on the ability for us to coexist in an environment which our gifts and talents will make room for us all.

[Red, Raleigh, NC]

It amazes me that these Republicans yelling "Socialist" seem to have been living under a rock these past few weeks while the BUSH REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION just SOCIALIZED our entire BANKING and FINANCE industries!! The GOP had control of ALL 3 branches of Govt. from 2000-2006 and look what they did to our country! We have out of control spending and a GIANT government now after BUSH and Co. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black....geez....don't these people read?? Or do they just listen to everything Palin tells them??

[VJ Machiavelli]

I wonder what would happen if McCain or Palin walked into a Upper Westside dinner in Manhattan. I am sure their will be some will tell them were to go.

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[Mitchell in NY]

The McCain organization is playing with fire by throwing around assertions that Obama is a socialist and pals around with terrorists. Really, shame on them.

"McCain’s Latest Desperate Move: Obama’s a Red, a Socialist (who will take all of your money and nationalize your toothbrush)"
http://msa4.wordpress.com/

[Conspiracy2Riot]

That nasty church lady who hollered 'socialist' needs a little more 'salt' and to find a way to shine that light of which Christ speaks.

She is an embarrassment to good Christians everywhere.

[steve rodriguez]

Obama is a Marxist!

[Joe]

I feel sorry for Obama, but this is a scene right out of "Blazing Saddles"...after Sherift Bart (Clevon Little) whio offers "isn't it a lovely morning?" gets rejected but sweet/nasty old lady who calls him the n word, Later, the Waco Kid (Gene Wilder) has to calm him down back at the jail house and says:

"So what did you expect? Have a nice day, Sonny? Marry my daughter?" You've got to remember these are simple farmers, these are people of the land, the common clay of the New West." .....you know.....morons>"

Later on, the sweet/nasty old lady brings Sheriff Bart a pie and an apology, but through the back window of the jailhouse...then he says to Waco: "It looks like I'm rapidly becoming an underground success in this town." And Waco counsels back..."Yeah, and in another 25 years they'll be shaking your hand in broad daylight.."

[EQ]

No matter what side of the fence you are on for this election, you have to admire Obama for walking into a difficult environment and making the most of it. Regrettably, it is impossible to imagine McCain doing the same at a neighborhood coffee shop here in Portland Oregon.

[bill]

Jesus said,

Lord forgive them for they know not what they do.

Barack has transcended the fearmongering, the hate and the lies. He will be "our" President and we will have to see how "they" respond. If they continue their hatred they will suffer. All of us who want to grow and change will leave the hatred behind

[mediamarv]

I notice that the poster here calling himself steve rodriquez (a pseudonym) fits the description of posters who are paid by the McCain campaign to spread lies on blogs. Everything thing he had posted so far is a lie, easily proven and I would bet that he has no clue as to what a Marxist really believes.
Simpletons abound these days and given simplistic talking points by Sarah and Karl, they spout nonsense while patting themselves on the back for having "spoken the truth."

Too bad their mentality won't be thrown out of office when Bush goes and Obama comes in.

[Wade]

"II have to think about it, pray about what's best for our country."

Translation from Southern: "I'm not voting for that boy, but I'm being polite and not coming right out and saying such."

When a Southern person tells you during a discussion that they have to think or "pray about something," if it's in the context of someone trying to persuade them to do X, rest assured that they have no intention of doing X. She will vote for McCain and sleep well doing so.

They're Democrats, but they're undecided. Right. If you're a Democrat, and so is Obama, what is there to think about? Oh. Right.

[Jeri]

Well, Mr. Machi, my mother always taught me that if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all.

I'm sure the restaurant owner would've regretted losing even that tiny $13 dollar sale if Obama had turned and walked out.

[Comrade Bartuzik]

It is clear that Senator Obama is not a socialist; he is a social democrat. He presents a form of progressive Keynesian economics added with Galbraith's social views. Bush is not a socialist either; he is a nationalist. The US Reserve is not socializing, they're nationalizing. Corporatist capitalism may surely collapse under its own weight, but it is clear that it will rob the American taxpayers. Anarcho-capitalism was destroyed in 1929; Friederich Hayek's and Ludwig von Mises' dream are tattered.
True proletarian socialism is only achieved when the workers hold offices of power. As a Freudian-Marxist, I find it offensive that anyone may call Obama a "socialist"; it insults true socialists of which the mainstay of Americans could not tell the difference. For example, mainly right-wing conservatives considered and accused FDR of being a communist conspirator during his presidency. Overall, it is not surprising.

[jonnierae]

BRck Obama has the courgage to confront even those v oters who do not agree with him , or for other reasons, will not vote for him, His courage is admirable.

[CEEMIX]

I live in Fayetteville, NC, and direct me to the money from the government. I pay over 30% of my pay check to the governent. Obama is a socialist.

[EG Collins]

Someone should tell them that McCain's proposed across-the-board budget cuts will affect their socialist welfare check: Medicare. Not to mention their Social Security. How can you get this old in this country and have no comprehension of how things work?

I am so very impressed with how Obama handled this ugly situation. It truly shows his character, temperament, courage and judgment. I can see him dealing with world leaders and domestic opponents in the same manner. There are some days when I am struck all over again about just how great a candidate we have this year. Proud to be an Obama supporter.

[PhilZ]

Obviously the good "Christian" woman has no class and wasn't brought up "right". What is really sad is the millions of ignorant, hate-filled folks out there across America like this one. History will eventually show how wrong they were.

Thankfully there are millions more intelligent adults in this country who will elect Barack Obama president of the United States in two weeks and turn the page on this shameful chapter of our history. A brighter day is coming.

[Kate]

I commend Barack Obama for his courage to walk into a all white diner in the South. I'm sure Barack heard the woman yell 'socialist' but went over to her anyway. And why would you not shake the hand of someone who you think is a socialist? I mean is it so horrific that you wouldn't shake their hand? What she meant to say is your a "N" and get out of here, you're not welcome! All these names 'muslim', 'terrorist', 'socialist', all names coded as the 'N' word. Disgusting! These people are unbeliveable. To base a decision as important as this on the color of someone's skin is sad, really sad. If you were drowning and the person reached out their hand to save you was black would you refuse it and die or would you say, this is a human being who is kind enough to extend out their hand for help? We have got to get past this nonsense and move on to unity of this nation. I'm thankful that majority of people are smart enough to look past race and vote for Barack Obama who will heal this nation and get us back on the right track.

[Judy]

"She began yelling: Socialist, socialist, socialist -– get out of here!”

Well, so much for "southern hospitality." Not only was she wrong, but she was rude too.

[Marlene]

Like my grandfather, (who nearly became a priest) used to say, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".... for a churchgoer, she lacks manners and respect for her fellowman. You don't have to vote for him to show common decency, which I thought Southerns liked to brag on - maybe I misjudged them, they are always saying how rude New Yorkers are - hmmm.

[David in California]

These people just came from Church? It is more like they play Church every Sunday. They are not true Christians and are in danger of hell.

[Neil]

"So Barack Obama is allowed to visit anywhere he wants, even if the people there don't want him there, so the news can create the fantasy that he IS wanted there? Posted by: Alessandro Machi"

We ALL are, it's a free country.

Barack spent 30 minutes talking with people who are conservative and have gotten the idea that he is a socialist that palls around with terrorists. He reasoned with them and apparently, may have won a few over. That's called campaigning. And he didn't call John McCain a cancer infested war-monger with a chesty unqualified fundamentalist Governor who doesn't know the difference between governing and using her office to settle family vendettas.