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

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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.

[Reno]

Looks like the McCain/Palin ticket has a virtual monopoly on the dead-enders, wing nuts, racists, sub-80-IQ , and 85-and-above crowd in this country. Wow.... way to go, GOP - now that you've gotten one out of every eight voters in your back pocket, you'll receive ... exactly one out of every eight votes that'll be casted this coming November.

Carry on!

[QuakerBeach]

A slice of Americana. This is the way it is. He did get some votes out of that diner. That is how it works. So the woman yelled, "Socialist!" She is Palin repeating ignorant. (Remember: "We will fight them over there so we don't fight them over here." Who was them - did we ever ask?).
I admire Obama for going into places that he may not be well received and yet making a difference, even if only with a few people. Every vote counts. And I know that if he can face us in all of our uglines, he can work for us and face the world for us. UNITY - Obama '08

[DEE]

We are too intelligent to fall for McCain and Palin’s tactics! There is too much at stake for us to let the Hate mongers in this country win, not this time! Do not become complacent or overconfident! Barack Obama CAN lose this election! Don’t worry about what anyone says! Don’t pay attention to the polls! People have had big leads in the polls and lost on Election Day! Just get out and VOTE! Vote early! Don’t wait until the last minute! Don’t become overconfident! When you are VOTING there will be extremely long lines, but be determined and vigilant! Obama must win this election! Vote! VOTE! VOTE! The world is watching!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08-12!

[George]

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

is that supposed to make sense? So politicians should only campaign amongst their own race? What about species? Only I haven't see Palin at any Zoos.

Alessandro I'm sorry that Obama beat Hillary, have a nice time spending the rest of your life hating a good man for no reason. and BTW you make no sense. Only a coward would avoid going into difficult situations. As in Palin.

[Gerald Sim]

It is just amazing how he was called names, and heckled at, and still he could bring himself to offer a handshake to that lady (which she rejected). It just shows the character of Obama. I bet if it was McFury, he would have knocked her out cold

[gregrocker]

The rest of the world has completely written us off because of the hopeless ignorance of half of our population. These redneck baboons are ground central for dumb American, people who are too stupid to even climb out of total ruin, because it would mean giving up their prejudices long enough to vote smart.

[tom]

Two points:How could anyone think Palin capable of being Pres/VP and Obama not be capable of being Pres? Who are these folks?Secondly,how can McCain/Palin live with what they are doing in provoking incendiary responses to their rhetoric?Don't they realize someone could get physically hurt?

[Matthew James]

Diane Fanning works at a discount club. Probably a Sams Club which is basically a Wal Mart Club store. It's fair to guess that she makes far less then $250,000 per year. North Carolina is a right to work state and the minimum wage there is $6.55 an hour. I seriously doubt this woman has any real savings or retirement plan. If she wants to vote against her interests (working class) and support John Mccain, God bless her. Odds are she will be greeting people at the front of a Sams Club the rest of her life. Hopefully Sams Club won't lay her off anytime soon. You get what you vote for people. Yell socialist all you want. I doubt she can even define the term. Instead of voicing her concerns in a respectful manner she chose to scream across a diner. That speaks to her level of intellect.

[dave]

Mr. Machi you sound like an ignorant racist.

[Jan Jenkins]

With a Republican government engineering a
$700 000 000 000.00 ($3500.00 for every person in the country) bailout, the word "socialist" is losing its sting.

[alaskan voter]

Interesting that my Governor, Sarah Palin, would mention socialism, refering to Obama. Alaska is the most socialsitic state in the country. Every citizen gets a check from the state each year. we pay no income or sales tax. we receive mjore federal funds than we pay, and this fall, Governor Palin pushed a pull through special session of the legislature to give each person an additional $1,200

[peter]

The very first order of business should Barrack become the next president should be to fumigate the Whitehouse. Complete extermination all of the vile, filthy, disease infested rodents of Rove & Co..... And maybe an exorcism to be on the safe side.

[tom]

Ms. Fanning,southern Presbyterian ladies do not act the way you did. Show some dignity.

[Phil R]

Well as someone who lives in another country (New Zealand) and looks at things objectivly, I have never been tagged as a Republican or a Democrat.

I do however work for a large U.S. Company and have lived in north america, so have an interest in the welfare of the American people (and my salary).

I have been impressed with Mr Obama's depth of character and ability to think intelligently then, articulate his responses in such a way that you gain a glimpse of his mind every time he speaks. His approach of reason and thought is why I personally wish him all the best...

From this side of the world, there appears to be two types of republican's

1)...The humorous ones (to people overseas...unless your based in the middle east...not so humorous) who claim the bible as thier guide (...although, I do not recall anything about US polictics in the psalms) and have a shocking similarity in beliefs to the terrorists they strive to smite. OK they do wear different clothes and read a different bible...but the same religios vigour and blind faith in thier political leaders is helping to prove mr Darwin right.

2)...The proud, nationalistic and fearless supporters of the american flag (oh, and heavily armed). I have as much respect for these individuals as anyone (well deserved...I would be speaking japanese if they hadn't defended our country in the 1940's). What puzzles me though is given the great pride they have in their country, how it is that they still don't realise how embarrasing the other group are to their country and how heavily aligned the Republican leadership is to this ignorant minority. The republican party deserted them and thier interests many years ago, yet still relies on their vote to get through!?

The citizens of the USA need to stop, remove the republican or democrat label from their mind. Then think about what they want. Look for the traits of their greatest leaders and founding fathers (ie charisma and foresight), then vote for the person that will make a great leader. You have one at the moment...and it's not the old man!

Just "Think" about it.

-Phil

P.S. They also need to remember: At McCain's age he is statistically likely to drop dead with excitement if he wins...and unless your think shooting wolves from helecopters is an important part of your life, I would think hard about putting Palin in office!

[Eric]

---"If you were drowning and the person reached out their
hand to save you was black, would you refuse
it and die"-------posted by Kate.

Very good post Kate!

The hillbilly crowd IS dying a slow death because of Republican policies these last 8+ years.
Their IQ is 'WAY' TOO LOW to figure that out.
If they haven't by now they never will.

[Jovan Sam OKullo]

It is my belief that every American should indeed have American ideas. Obama's choice of going into a predominantly white restaurant was not an act of playing with race as Steve Rodriguez seems to point out. First, Obama has the right not just to enter any restaurant he chooses, but to serve the people of America irrespective of race color or creed. Second, Obama who is always referred to as black is not black-if you want to see black people come to Africa. Obama is white as he is black. And to the good presbyterians at the restaurant; you preach a gospel of inclusion, please practice what you learn from the bible.

[Janice]

Socialism?? GW Bush has brought Socialism to a new level, only going to the rich instead of the poor and middle class. Give me a break, people! McCain levels these charges against Obama because he figures Cindy will have to pay more taxes and maybe they might have to sell one of their 13 houses! Let the rich pay their fair share, that is not socialism!! That is called, what is fair!! After all, the greedy rich top 5% are the ones who made a mess of our financial system with their robber baron approaches! With Obama, the country will work in our favor for a change! I wish my grandparents were alive, they would vote for Barack in a heartbeat, without reservations! They knew intelligence and a good heart and spirit when they saw it! Shame on those so called Christians for being so nasty! If McCain gets in, and you find yourself freezing because you can't afford to heat your home and McNasty won't approve subsidies to help older people with the heating bills, but gives socialist tax money to the oil companies just like George Bush did, I hope that these people remember who would never have let them freeze-Barack Obama, that is who!

[Crutnacker]

My experience is that people are holding onto these words (terrorist, socialist, Muslim) because they can no longer use the N word in polite company.

Is there any doubt the woman is racist? I seriously doubt she understands the find points of socialism.

[JD]

That lady did a really good job of representing the hate-filled south. Funny how she screams socialist, I guess she hasn't been awake for the past 8 years. Also turns out this woman works at Wal-Mart, she's a glorified slave and for some reason doesn't mind the fact that she will pay more taxes under McCain than under Obama while giving high-income earners like many of us tax breaks at her expense. Maybe that explains why she works at Wal-mart.

[worriedmom]

Not all rural conservatives are dumb, racists who believe every bit of propagand we read online, see on TV (or have our kids "learn" thanks to Robo calls).

Thanks alot, McCain and Palin. By "riling up the base," you've brought out every stereotype of the right and small town America. I thought you could make the GOP better. You made it worse.

I don't know what decent conservatives are going to do. If you're a registered Republican and proud of it, how do you look your kids in the eye and say you support people who run on lies and insults?

P.S. That woman is the worst Christian I've ever seen. Obama -- "Muslim sounding name" and all -- behaved in a more "Christian" way that she did. You bet those people need to start praying!

[leon]

So sad for a person to attend church but forget to put biblical principals in practice.
So what if Obama were a socialist ? Is that a reason to be plain rude ? He is a Christian and a politician. You can't blame him to go campagning where he goes.
I hope for the US he will be the next president.

[jesselee]

ahhh, the church-goers! as anyone who has ever worked in a restaurant on sunday afternoon can tell you... these people are just full of God's love.

and if you believe that, you'll believe obama is a socialist too.

[imma_wake]

What kind "Christian" is this woman? WWJD?

[Misreal]

Rejecting someones handshake. A man running for President of the United States no less? How absolutely disgusting. That woman SHOULD be horribly ashamed of herself. Most likely however, she isn't.

[Tomcat]

As a North Carolinian, let me appologize for Diane Fanning who represents the "minority of rudeness". I would be the first to stand-up for her right to express her opinion however, for her to address a presidential candidate as to say "get out of here" was over the top and you have to question not only her tact but, that of her sanity.

As a fellow republican, I have never liked the policies of George W. Bush however, I would give him the courtesy regardless of my feelings.....ironically, Diane Fanning is CLUELESS about calling Obama a socialist...apparently she is ignorant to the fact that the 750billion Wall Street bailout under the leadership of the REPUBLICAN GOP could be seen as a "socialist" move........how ironic.