Obama makes stop in Danville
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
By Bernard Baker
Published: August 20, 2008
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made an unannounced campaign stop at Short Sugar’s Bar-B-Q in Danville on Wednesday, whipping the place into a frenzy shortly after he spent the morning at a town hall meeting in Martinsville.
Short Sugar’s manager Kevin Ainsworth said he was joking with customers that Obama would make a stop at the restaurant on his way to a town hall meeting in Lynchburg, but was surprised when it actually happened.
Ainsworth got the word about 30 minutes before Obama’s bus pulled in the parking lot. It got ecstatic quickly after that.
“Twenty minutes later, all hell broke loose,” he said.
Secret Service agents and U.S. Marshals had to keep people back at a safe distance and keep a path open so officials could get in and out of the restaurant.
“We’ve had all sorts of people stop by here for a campaign appearance,” Ainsworth said. “This was the craziest.”
Campaign officials said they scoped out the joint about a week ago to see if it would work for the Southside swing.
Obama was accompanied by U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner, who suggested Short Sugar’s as a good stop. Obama ordered a chopped sandwich and two pounds of smoked ribs for the crew, while Warner ordered a minced barbecue sandwich and a sweet tea.
It was a curve for the waitresses who had not waited on a major presidential candidate before.
“Who’s gonna pay for the order?” they asked. “Is this to go or is he gonna eat here?”
About this time, Kay Poteat showed up to get a photograph with Obama. She was at Wal-Mart getting some prescriptions filled, but she hightailed it back to Short Sugar’s when she heard he was stopping there.
Customers were thrilled not only to get a glimpse of Obama, but also just to shake hands with him.
Archie and Mary Glass of Danville wore huge Obama for president T-shirts that didn’t go unnoticed by the candidate. Not only did he stop to talk to the couple, he bought their meal.
“I believe if we had been eating chitlins, he would have paid for it,” Glass said.
Angela Fowler couldn’t believe she met Obama. She couldn’t wait to give her mother a call.
“My mother is going to have a cow when she hears I’m hobnobbing with Barack and Mark,” Fowler said.
Cecil Murray of Danville got Obama to sign his bill.
Former City Councilwoman Joyce Glaise was front and center when Obama walked in with Warner. She said history was being made because it has been several years since a major party nominee has stopped in Danville.
“How good can it get?” Glaise said.
When asked what he thought of Obama, Ainsworth said, “I’m a Republican.”
Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.
Page 1 of 1
Post a Comment
The commenting period has ended or commenting has been deactivated for this article.
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( car ) on August 24, 2008 at 9:58 pm
I would have much rather seen Hillary Clinton.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( quatar ) on August 23, 2008 at 10:45 am
It is appropriate that he ate a pork sandwich. That is aferall what he pushed in the Senate. I guess he is not a Muslim.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( RAG ) on August 22, 2008 at 10:42 pm
First of all, it was a blessing to us Danvillians to have a presidential canidate to stop by for whatever reason it was. He not only stopped by, but treated people with respect and didn’t act like he was better than nobody else like many people do that are “famous” I know first hand because I had the privilege of getting down to S.S. to see him. Yes you have the freedom to say what you want, but some people are just disgruntle about everything. VOTE OBAMA!!!!
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( JacksonPollock ) on August 22, 2008 at 10:11 pm
TruthBeTold is right. Every fool in the country has freedom of speech. That is a constitutional right like the right of habeas corpus (oops, Bush did away with that), the right to a fair and speedy trial (oops, Bush again did away with that Gitmo), and freedom of religion (oops, Bush and his toadies have inferred that all Muslims are terrorists).
Seems that something needs to be done to make sure that every fool continues to have the right of free speech and other constitutional rights. A retread of Bush (that being Senator McCain) is not the answer. We need change and we need Senator Obama in the White House once the Decider (and the Dividere) vacates and we are, once again, the UNITED States of America. Peace.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( danvillevillander ) on August 21, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Archie and Mary Glass of Danville wore huge Obama for president T-shirts that didn’t go unnoticed by the candidate. Not only did he stop to talk to the couple, he bought their meal.
“I believe if we had been eating chitlins, he would have paid for it,” Glass said.
That quote strikes me as odd.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( TruthBeTold ) on August 21, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Well it appears that I have stepped on a couple of toes because I was not impressed with Obama’s visit to Short Sugars. It was my understanding he stopped to have lunch, not to, and I quote from the previous comment, “...but I must applaud him for taking his time to see first hand what the politics of this nation has done to our area.“ Did he evaluate and propose resolution of the area’s economic problems between bites of his BBQ or is it a forgone conclusion that his rhetoric, just like any other canditate attempting to gain office, has convinced the people of Danville? And I never intended to “belittle” anyone, last time I checked, I have the same right to voice my opinion just like anyone else. I still have Family in Danville and the surrounding area so I still consider Danville my hometown regardless what “path” I choose. And as long as I still have “Freedom of Speech” I will voice my opinion. Truth Be Told, if you can’t stand the heat…
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( christievp ) on August 21, 2008 at 12:56 pm
In reference to the comment made by TruthBeTold. However trivial you may think the appearance by Obama was, you have seemed to miss the point. In an area like Danville, where you have hundreds of people whom lost their jobs do mainly to politics, it does “thrill” us to have someone who could potentially make a huge difference for our economy, take the time to come and meet with the people of this area. I am not a democratic voter but I must applaud him for taking his time to see first hand what the politics of this nation has done to our area. Don’t waste our time or yours belittling the people of Danville. You chose your path in life, which does not include your hometown, continue down that road and leave others alone.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( 1stLadyW ) on August 21, 2008 at 10:10 am
I was reading what the other person wrote about it doesn’t take much to Danville all stirred up. But I that it was the greatest thing that have happened around here in a long long time. I’m 49 and I have never witness anyone running for President to stop by. By the way I live in Caswell County. I heard that he was in Danville, I got off from work hoping that I would just get a glance at him and I missed it by 10 minute. Everybody that was at short Sugars yesterday was very bless. I heard about Martin Luther King coming to Danville back in the sixty but I wasn’t of any age to get to him. You sometimes it is just the little small thing in life that brings us joy. It is a blessing to be alive at this time to just being able to say I know a man by the name of Obama. Don’t get to smell the roses, life is short
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Mssprissa ) on August 21, 2008 at 10:00 am
Well Danville news must still “thrill” you if you come and not only read but comment on every article!
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( TruthBeTold ) on August 21, 2008 at 8:02 am
I use to live in Danville and I understand it does not take much to get Danvillians “thrilled”. Just because Obama stopped at Short Sugars?
“Big Deal”
Report Inappropriate Comment