A Burger Run Or A Photo Op?

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

It's not that President Obama can't get a first-rate hamburger from one of the five chefs in the White House kitchens, but we're told he likes getting out of this building he fought so fiercely to occupy.

And so, for the second time this month, Mr. Obama went out for a lunch of burgers and fries. He fired up the motorcade and drove a couple of miles into southeast D.C. to a Five Guys restaurant near Nationals' Stadium.

This time, he didn't take Vice President Biden along. Instead, he was accompanied by NBC News anchor Brian Williams, who was at the White House today taping elements for his two-part hour-long prime time specials on a day-in-the-life the president.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs pooh-poohed a reporter's suggestion that today's burger outing was staged principally for the benefit of NBC's cameras.

"I can assure you it was done simply for the benefit of the appetite of the Commander-in-Chief," he said.

Don't believe it. NBC had its own camera van in the motorcade and another camera on a boom to get a moving high-shot of the president's limo pulling away on the South Lawn.

The visit to the burger joint provided just the kind of pictures the White House wants people to see about the president's life.

"Oh my God," screamed one lunch patron as she saw Mr. Obama pop out of his limo and head into the restaurant. "I can't believe it," said another.

When it was his turn at the counter, he ordered himself a cheeseburger and fries to go. Toppings? You bet. Jalapenos, tomatoes and mustard, he said. "That's it for me," but then added, "plus lettuce on mine too."

He ordered burgers and fries for many of the members of his entourage, including Williams. Taking out his wallet, Mr. Obama peeled off four $20 bills to pay for the sizeable takeout order and then chatted with other patrons as he waited, munching on the free peanuts Five Guys provide. He was warmly received by all the other customers, most of whom couldn't believe he was there.

When his number was called, the president went back to the counter to claim his takeout order, packed in two large brown shopping bags. He posed for a group photo with the guys and gals from Five Guys and headed back to the White House to eat. But it was NBC producers really smacking their lips at getting a fun segment for their day-in-the-life broadcast.

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(CBS)

Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow him on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/markknoller.

[mattcat25]

Unfortunately, our President has been forced to live in a bubble. Since the shooting by a gunman in the street of President Ronald Reagan it seems that the subsequent Presidential seat holders have become increasingly compulsory shut-ins.

I agree it is very dangerous for President Obama to allow himself open to extremist actions, but it is very important that our President doesn't lose sight of actual interaction with common everyday activity with citizens.


"Would you like fries with that?"

[jodyrae4]

photo op

[earlysaid]

TonySerts41 You are repeating the lies that did not work to get McCain elected. We don't like liars like you. Who would? Our country as a whole does not care for liars who say things that are hateful and evil. We are so fortunate that Bush and Cheney made sure that everyone with intelligence knows they were crooks who did everything wrong for eight very long years. Crimes were committed. Prisoners were tortured. A country was illegally attacked. Corporations were given a free ride. Republican hypocrites were caught doing so many illegal activities one right after another one. Most of the republicans in our government are saying the party line of lies just as they did the whole time Bush was in office. They have not realized that we want honesty from our leaders. We have a President who is telling the truth. Hateful lies and hateful things done by republicans have come back to bite them in the rear.

[earlysaid]

If President Obama feels like going out to eat with the real people in the Wasington area that is a good thing. He proves he is not a snob and will continue to want to be with regular people and eat food with people not in the Whitehouse. Obama is very determined to be the man he was before being the president - a regular, nice, good man.

[TPS2]

So many people getting excited about the President grabbing a burger and fries. Sometimes a burger from a greasey spoon just hits the spot.

[Slrman-21001573651763300012869]

Just ask yourself, "could anyone imagine the Bush or Cheney lowering themselves to this even for a photo-op?" Bush would have cordoned off the restaurant and established a "free speech zone" a half mile away to be sure no negative protesters could be seen in pictures with him. The country is fortunate to have evaded a dictatorship under Bush/Cheney.

[vagabundocosmico]

<"Why did'nt you listen in english class??
Posted by stuart2570 at 4:51 AM : May 30, 2009

Why you no capitalize English?

Even I know

Ha Ha stupid American ">

posted by Ioaf17

Ha ha ha, sorry this is just too funny.

Iofa17 has a great sense of humor.

[vagabundocosmico]

"vagabundocosmico, yeah you go on there in your little delusion, thinking "Hey, Obama is just like me!"

I assure you, he's not,

Unless you ALSO are a HArvard graduate, born in Kenya, with no birth certificate, and lacking all your college transcripts, turned Neo-Marxist community organizer and friend of revolutionaries and America haters. Tonyserts41"

Woooooooo easy there Tony.

Geez dude, I didn't know you hated burgers that much.

No french fries for you!

All I said, was that President Obama reflects everyday individuals by catching a burger at the local joint, and doing a little bit of jogging.

What's the harm in that?

Are you anti-burger or what? Just wait till Donald McDonald hears about this.

You anti-Obamites need to cut the guy some slack.

It ain't easy being president. Much less catching a burger and getting some heartburn.

[oiaf17]

Obama, get your lazy Marxixt A*SS back to
Posted by TonySerts41 at 8:53 AM : May 30, 2009

Obama is a failure. Marxist no lazy. Americans lazy. Marxist work hard for future generations. Americans work for big TV. Bye-bye America. Now America go down.

[mrzerato]

Obama, get your lazy Marxixt A*SS back to your office, and have one of your fawning glossy-eyed aides go BRING you your dam*n burger.
Posted by TonySerts41


I guess the the cons have given up the age worn tax and spend liberal for the new Marxist/ socialist name calling. So much for the new civility the 21% party promised