'Just let me eat my waffle'

Posted: Monday, April 21, 2008 1:41 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
SCRANTON, PA -- Chomping down on sausage and waffles at Glider's Diner in Scranton today, with his Pennsylvania BFF (Sen. Bob Casey) at his side, Obama avoided commenting on former President Jimmy Carter's meeting with Hamas.

Asked by a reporter if he had heard that Carter reported a positive outcome from the meeting, Obama looked sternly at the reporter in question and said, "Why can't I just eat my waffle?"

Asked again by the reporter, Obama bit -- not at the question but into a butter covered bite of Glider's specialty over-size Belgian waffles. With a wink this time he said, "Just let me eat my waffle."

VIDEO: Sen. Barack Obama refuses to answer a question about former President Jimmy Carter's meeting with Hamas.

Since Carter announced he was meeting with Hamas, Obama has criticized him for meeting with a terrorist organization. He has also been attacked by McCain for not condemning Carter's visit more sternly.

At a meeting with Jewish leaders in Philadelphia last week, Obama told the audience there that while he thought it was appropriate to meet with countries like Syria and Iran because they were states, despite their hostilities towards Israel. However, he said, Hamas was a terrorist organization and so did not justify a meeting.

He repeated those reasons at a town hall in Reading yesterday, when asked by a voter about his thoughts on Carter's trip.

"I think it's very hard for us to be able to broker a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians if a certain portion of their actors or the people who are representing the Palestinians don't even recognize the people on the other side of the table as being able to say there," he said.

Obama's trip to Glider's included glad-handing with voters and listening to a trumpet solo by a 17-year-old high school student. Obama tapped his foot as the kid riffed a jazzy tune on his trumpet.

The Scranton diner stop is part of the campaign's final push for voters in Pennsylvania before tomorrow's primary. Obama will also hold a town hall in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh suburbs and a rally in Pittsburgh today.

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Comments

Todd, tell me again why Obama should have allowed his waffle to get cold and reply to a reporter's question, the substance of which had not been, ahem, vetted? I pray God Obama does not step on an ant. I can see it now: BREAKING NEWS! OBAMA SQUASHED AN ANT. HE CLAIMS HE DIDN'T SEE IT BECAUSE HE WAS IN CONVERSATION WITH A REPORTER OVER A BITE OF WAFFLE. BUT HOW CAN HE CLAIM TO CARE ABOUT LITTLE PEOPLE, IF HE WOULD STEP ON A LOWLY ANT? AFTER ALL, "AS YOU DO UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU DO ALSO UNTO ME." Please, get a grip. I can't tell whether the media are having coniptions or in the theroes of a complete nervous collapse.

Vivian Fauntleroy, Largo, Maryland (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:19 PM)

These candidates are on the run from early morning to late at night, usually surrounded not just by voters but a crowd of paparazzi (oops serious political jouralists) and he gets dissed because he DARES to mildly grumble when he isn't even allowed to eat his morning meal in peace? Media get a life.

Susan Erickson, North Branch, MN (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:19 PM)

How can Obama disagree with what Carter is doing with Hamas? Obama is on record as being ready to meet with pretty much any so called leader or group in the world, Hamas included. Remember Carter's track record in foreign affairs, he's an 'F' student. He got took a few dozen times by Iran in the '70's, North Korea took him and Madeline NotSoBright to the cleaners in the '90s, now it's Hamas. At least Carter is consistent, he's wrong every time. Obama seems to be following in Carter's tracks.

Joey Pauls, KY (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:20 PM)

Just what you would expect out of snotty, elitist,
out of touch, doesn't have a clue Obama. However, he wants your votes anyway.

Just tell Obama NO like he told those folks. (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:20 PM)

I guess my question is why the reporter is insisting on repeating questions that, as you already said, he addressed YESTERDAY. Why not just walk up to Hillary and ask her whether she feels she's ready to lead the country on day one? It would be about as productive.

Doug, Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:21 PM)

This is so retarded!
Hillary and McCain supporters getting on Obama for trying to eat!??
Give me a break.
You guys are just looking for something bad to say about the man, and in return you just make yourselves look pitiful.
He held about 3 events yesterday, and about 6 the day before, back to back! Let the man breathe! DANG!

And he already opposed Carter's meeting. End of story. Will someone tell old man McCain to move on. Carter is not Obama, and Obama doesn't need to speak or answer for Carter. Move on!

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=8464923602139974671&hl=en

LeAnn (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:21 PM)

Having a bad day were you, Barry? Remember a while back when he complained to reporters he'd already answered "eight questions." How many questions a day do you think the President gets? And, those might not all be questions he WANTS to answer. Is this how he will behave? The media has MADE Barry and this is how he treats them? Just one more example of this man's character. And, folks, character DOES matter. Borrowing from my typical white person, small town, midwesterner background, I can only say Barry is lower than a snake's belly.

NObama (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:22 PM)

Obama then turned to the other reporter, and said, "eat the cake anna mae, just eat the cake!" right before he pushed her face in the cake!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:22 PM)

I've never heard of a half black person being so racist considering he was raised by his white grandma because his mother was out turning tricks for

Howdy (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:22 PM)

You Clinton dweebs from NY are all a bit looney! No wonder clinton is you Goddess. Do you pray to a statue of her every night before you got o bed?

Not a Clinton Dweeb (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:22 PM)

Hope he left a good tip....
Unlike a certain New York Senator in Iowa......

I have never seen a woman that is so mean, nasty and willing to destroy the liberals just to take a $400,000 a year job. If she ends up getting the nomination, despite being behind, Denver deserves to be burned to the ground by the far left.

Hillary Clinton
A Liar for all seasons

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:23 PM)

Really guys... Let the man eat his breakfast in peace.

Ringo in Irvine, California (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:23 PM)

Dear Pat,
What an extreme exaggeration! We all get testy when we are hungry. How in the world does "nasty to the core" qualify? It does not. Can't rude reporters tell when someone is trying to eat? What a severe misapplication of the facts.

Obama is a good man running a good campaign.

Obama for President (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:23 PM)

j fl -

You certainly have some problems there. There aren't any Democrats then that you would accept. We are still waiting for Hillary's answer about the conflict of interest issue regarding her profiting personally to the tune of $800,000 from lobbyists supporting the Colombian FTA. Or how about the fraud trial beginning Friday? It doesn't bother you that Hillary will lie to you again and again.

You should vote for McCain. Hillary prefers him and he doesn't really lie that much. He tells you like it is. If he gets elected, we stay in Iraq.

MBM Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:25 PM)

"Told y'all that Obama was nasty to the core!"
Pat Huntington NY

I agree, a person's core nastiness is directly related to the level of desire to eat a waffle. I have been an Obama supporter up to this point, but Pat's undeniable logic has won me over. Rather than voting for a waffle lover, I will instead be voting for the Queen of Establishment Politics. Thank you Pat for opening my eyes. I really dodged the bullet there.

Clinton/Pancakes 08

AC, Carpinteria CA (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:25 PM)

Let the man eat, he answered your q's already!
Obama will win!
Go to Hillary's gingerbread house in the woods and she will surely be angry that you interrupted dinner ("You're letting the children get cold...in the oven")!
Obama is a man of reason and grace. He will the greatest president of our generation and bring back dignity to the office.
Obama '08 & '12!

Ames in Anaheim, CA (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:25 PM)

Peaseeees... Nothing better to write about? How about a different kind of leader. One that doesn't tear everyone down, mobilizes the youth? What is wrong with the older women in our country-of which I am one? We need the best person not just a woman?? Also, not a very nice person. GOBAMA

CherieJ KCMO (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:25 PM)

Let the man eat in peace. I'll bet his over-sized Belgian waffles were more sensational the reporter's bruised ego.
Also Carter's action's is just as important to note... that after the Million Man March, crime has gone down significantly. Minister Louis Farrakhan was seated at the White House with Ronald Reagan and recognized for using his influence in the Muslim world to secure the release of Lt. Robert O. Goodman on January 4, 1984. He was invited to Philadelphia by then Mayor Rendell to speak and help heal the racial divide; holding hands, singing and lavishing praise on April 15, 1997.

On May 5, 2005, former President BILL CLINTON praised Minister Farrakhan and the Millions More Movement describing it as a positive idea.

I have a few letters for Hillary from the alphabet President L—I---A---R
Ughh, so despicable and such hypocrisy!

Beverly, Chicago (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:26 PM)

Mr Priss Obama would rather stuff his face than comment at all on the fact that somebody (Carter) has gone out of his way to try and negotiate peace in any part of the Middle East? And he ewants to be President? Not in my book! And Kudo's to Mr. Carter. I truly don't care who you have to talk with, if it will sove the worlds problems,we should all be talking and listening! Why isn't Obama? My vote is for Hillary, she's not afraid to answer!

MF in CT (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:26 PM)

To : Pat from Huntington....... Since when is trying to eat your breakfast "nasty to the core"??? I've had the opportunity to see many of your posts and my response has usually been ....ooh...how "nasty" .....
People often project their own character defects on others. Is this what is happening here, Pay from NY.

Thanks...........

garyd, amherst, nh (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:26 PM)

Carter just did more for middle east peace in one trip then the Bush Administration has done in 7+ years. Carter is an experienced negotiator who knows that all the parties must be represented at the table (even if they may be reprehensible)if one hopes to forge an enduring agreement. The Bush administration black and white good guy bad guy has done nothing except to inflame the whole region from Israel to Pakistan and creating an us against them situation, Christians/Jews against Muslims. This is not diplomacy its madness which leads to a much less safe world.

larry albany ny (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:26 PM)

Enjoy that waffle, Barry. It will taste better than the crow you'll be eating tomorrow when Hilary slams you in PA even with all the MILLIONs you've spent on your nasty mailers and ads. It's really confusing that somebody who's denigrated others re: old style politics that you would now stoop to that. But, what would I know, Professor Obama, you've called me a typical white person, Bible thumping, gun-toting, bigot from small town mid-America...Face it, you don't "us" from jack!

NObama (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:26 PM)

To j fl - Let the man eat. If you don't like Obama, Fine but relax. It's obvious you won't vote for him in the first place so there's no point in insulting him. Instead, why don't you give a reason to vote hor Hillary as opposed to why you won't vote for Obama.

NP, Laramie, WY (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:26 PM)

He is certainly not nasty .. in fact, he has been extremely polite through all the nonsense. He cannot comment "off the cuff" on a situation he does not know thoroughly ... especially a situation certainly charged with potential problems. I would have lost my patience long ago. The criticism is baseless when you weren't there ... you have no idea of the lead-up to the question, or the circumstances, and you are obviously against him to start with so this is just ammunition for you. Let's hope our leaders DO resist feeling obligated to answer "on the spot", especially regarding such very serious issues.
You have no intent to be fair. In which case, it is useless to argue with you.

Inez, Seattle (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:26 PM)

OMG Please.... I would not comment on it either... Those people cannot be trusted. They are terrorist....

becky Iowa (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:27 PM)

Let the man eat his waffle!

Obama '08

Colleen, Ithaca NY (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:27 PM)

This actually passes as news. The Media has almost 24/7 access to the canidates and they can't let him finish a Waffle without asking a question. If this was an average Joe I would be more concerned, but it was not.

Sean, STL (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:27 PM)

PLEASE HAVE THE COURAGE TO SHOW THIS CLIP...FIRST READ! EVERYONE VOTING TOMORROW NEEDS TO SEE THIS IT IS URGENT AND RELATIVE INFORMATION.THANKS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXum_-8I1TA

MR (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:27 PM)

Obviously ticked-off Aswini Anburajan for some reason.
That wink should have told the reporters something. Like yes, but I really do not have much say.

Hell, I heard about it on NPR this morning at 4:30 am - while the next earthquake hit Illinois/Indiana. Did you hear about that?

OBwan, IN (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:28 PM)

Why no mention of Hillary bashing Democratic activists? STILL?!!!

Fed up (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:28 PM)

"Why can't I just raise your taxes?"

"Just let me raise your taxes."

Obama circa 2009

I love liberals, NC (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:28 PM)

Why is no one commenting on the fact that the reporter wouldn't even wait for Senator Obama to finish eating. How rude to interrupt.

I so want this to be over soon, please PA vote for Obama so that the fighting will stop and the Democratic Party can start preparing for the General Election.

Thank you.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:28 PM)

Ha ha ha, believe me, showing love to the press won't get you any love here in PA. Relax, fellow O-bots, the morons will be silenced tomorrow. Say a prayer tonight!

squintz, philly, pa (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:28 PM)

Interrupt ME while I am eating MY waffle and I might just whip yer ass! Reporters are worse than attorneys!

Obama was WAY too gracious to the stubborn fool of a reporter. No better than the SLIME paparazzi scum bags.

Jason, Rochester Hills, MI (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:30 PM)

I was always taught that it was bad manners to interrupt someone while they were eating.

Keith, DC (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:31 PM)

let's have proper analysis: Carter has not endorsed anyone. What is he endorses clinton, what will you say? As it is Carter can endorse either Obama or Clinton.

Sem, VA (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:31 PM)

We live in interesting times. What was never news before some how makes the news and/or blog. Funny how Hillary brought up Farrakan in the debate and was not asked about Mark Penn and Colombia---Her sniper fire incident was her single "character" question.

Mike, OKC (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:32 PM)

I suppose he is trying to compose his thoughts before answering (Carter had said his family supports Obama although he had not endorsed him officially - yet) the question. How do you deal with not losing the ex President's endorsement while trying not to dis please people - tricky. It required buying sometime - therefore - let me eat my waffle moment.

I hate to say this but it is ironic that Carter might endorse him. Obama will be Carter, Jr. should he get elected. All signs point to that.

voice of reason, PA (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:32 PM)

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