President Obama declines arm-wrestle challenge

President Barack Obama talks with patrons of Ziggy's Pub and Restaurant in Amherst, Ohio, Thursday, July 5, 2012. Obama is on a two-day bus trip through Ohio and Pennsylvania.

/ AP Photo/Susan Walsh

(CBS News) Before his last public appearance of the day in Ohio, President Obama made a trip to a bar in Amherst.

At Ziggy's, the president drank from a bottle of Bud Light while greeting bar customers.

One customer, Jeff Hawks, challenged the president to a physical duel in exchange for a vote.

"I'll arm-wrestle you for your vote," Hawks offered the president, according to the pool reporter in the room. The president denied but counter-offered with a game the president plays regularly.

"No, I'll play basketball for your vote," Mr. Obama said.

Hawks also pointed out that he visited a bar that is playing Fox News. The president told Hawks he should ask for the channel to be changed. "The customer is always right," he said.

The president is on the first day of his two-day bust tour through Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Mr. Obama also spoke to two couples who work for the Lorain County school system. "That's important work," the president said. "What do I need to know about education?"

During a discussion about No Child Left Behind, the president said that "kids aren't stupid" and that they "know when they're behind."

Art Davis, another bar patron, is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. He talked to the president about the backup of disability claims for veterans at the Veterans Affairs Department.

Mr. Obama promised Davis' concerns would be heard by the appropriate people.

The president then proceeded to his next step in Parma, Ohio where he "couldn't be prouder of the work we have done" in health care.

[RollotheNorman]

Hey lets see if Rush or Hannity will arm wrestle. I'm calling out Rupert Murdoch myself! Is this a dumb article or what?

[TimeToEvolve]

All I have to say is that President Obama is working for me and my family. So why vote a Republicon who has no plans to help American middle class families.

[ObamasGuppies]

Muslim Obama, stick to arm wrestling Girl Scouts.

[cubscout09]

I still want to see President Obama and David Koch shoot baskets.

[ludvig1-2009]

Obama has my vote, got Osama Bin Laden, and many other big Al Quaeda big shots that Bush couldn't find. The economy is improving. I can't see going back to the failed policies of deregulation that started this financial mess. Repuglican money will fail to buy this election, just like Meg Whitman's attempt to buy the California governorship with her millions. Yes I have worked a day in my life. Installed fiberglass insulation in vending machines, fed thick cable into a grinding machine in a recycling operation, worked in a shoe warehouse, worked in a bottling plant digging wasp nests out of bottles being cleaned, dug fish out of liveboxes and sold them, played tenor sax in a Glenn Miller band, washed dishes after graduation from college for $1 an hour plus eats, bagged groceries, Aviation Officer Candidate School, Nuclear Engineer, and Environmental Specialist, Substitute school teacher. Four more years.

[andrewjsacks]

A fine President who can also be a regular guy. He's got my vote--with no physical challenges necessary.

[Jaylay54I00]

A wuss President get's your vote eh.
That's sweet

[Nocults]

Romney had missed much of the tumultuous American anti-Vietnam War movement while away, and was surprised to learn that his father had turned against the war during his unsuccessful 1968 presidential campaign.[31] Regarding the military draft, Romney had initially received a student deferment, then like most other Mormon missionaries a ministerial deferment while in France, then another student deferment.[31][43] When those ran out, his high number in the December 1969 draft lottery (300) ensured he would not be selected.

[gettyleigh]

Go figure! Had it been a contest to saee who lies the best, you know darn well Obama would have bested him. As for Dmoreno84 . . . I took note that you didn't defend the ol'e JEff when Atticus called him a bozo . . . that makes you a hypocrit! BTW, I can think of a lot of worse things to call the big earred boy in the short pants . . . POTUS Ignoramous comes to mind!

[Jaylay54I00]

You are so right.
That's what he excels at.
His lying lips are all pumped up.
LOL!

[andrewjsacks]

Get ready for four more years, my myopic friend.

[42n8]

Why would anybody expect a President to accept that kind of a ludicrous offer / challenge and act so Un-Presidential?

[Jaylay54I00]

When has Obama ever acted presidential?
He behaves more like a spoiled brat little commie dictator.

[Nocults]

He was pretty Presidential when he had your anti American hero bin Laden killed, Jay.

[larry2012]

Golly, he's just a regular guy ain't he? He's got my vote that's for sure...if he'll stand on his head and sing the Mexican National Anthem. What an idiot, just like his supporters. That goes for Mitt and his drooling sycophants too. Neither one of these guys are fit to drive a garbage truck much less lead the country. It's a good thing the unions and the corporations are doing for us.

[holmesmd1]

OK..for all you dim minds out there..here we go. Does it sound like arm wrestling is presidential or like something the leader of the free world should be doing with some random dufus in a bar?! I didn't think so.Why in the world would the POTUS oblige some random goof ball in any such activity? What he should have said is.."I guess I won't have your vote" and turned his back on the idiot. Perhaps the challenger should have proposed a MENSA exam or similar IQ test? He obviously would not did not feel confident doing that! Why does any idiot in today's multimedia culture feel like they are entitled to their 15 minutes of fame and acknowledgement for being stupid? I'm pretty sure that the Secret service would never allow such a thing to have occurred even if BO agreed but I guess when you are just worried about what color to paint your trailer next, such things don't dawn upon you? Is this really what our "news" has been reduced to? God help us!:/

[Jaylay54I00]

Only a dimwit would try to make excuses for a wimp president.
After all Obama challenged him to a play basketball so he must be a dufus as well. The SS would stand down if he ordered them to.

Obama should stay out of Bars pandering for votes if he can't relate to the voters in them.
Just face it, your wuss POTUS punked out like he did as president.
Obama would have to cheat on the MENSA exam like he did in college or he wouldn't be hiding his college transcripts and his IQ is in question considering the blunders he has made.

Nice try at trying to defend Barry and showing us that you also think you are an elitist intellectual snob wannabe like Obama.

[Jaylay54I00]

Don't flatter yourself Benny Boy.
Now stop projecting and please do stay in your closet.
Can you believe the desperation from Benny?