Man with Press Credentials Heckles Obama (Creepy!)

This is almost a scene out of a movie. Am I the only one that finds this a tad creepy?

man who wore press credentials and took photographs from a platform interrupted Barack Obama's town-hall meeting Tuesday by shouting complaints that the Democratic presidential candidate had not called for the audience to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Campaign officials said they did not know who the man was, and no effort was made to remove him. He continued taking photographs throughout Obama's appearance.

Full Article Here

I don't find it creepy at all. What's creepy about it?

On a side note I think Osama, I mean, Obama is an anit-American, islamic apologist/supporter and will ultimately be worse for the country than anyone can possibly imagine.

-Euclid

Oh, and I forgot to mention, the man spoke with reporters after the event and asked to be addressed as John Q. Public.

I can't believe no one is biting on this.

Originally posted by euclid
I don't find it creepy at all. What's creepy about it?

On a side note I think Osama, I mean, Obama is an anit-American, islamic apologist/supporter and will ultimately be worse for the country than anyone can possibly imagine.

-Euclid

How does that have anything to do with the original post? I didn't ask you what you thought of Obama. But I bet if this happened to your candidate of choice you'd be a little alarmed.

The guy in question was being a jerk. Plain and simple.

By referring to himself as John Q. Public, he is attempting to be a self-annointed spokesperson for the American people. That, in and of itself, is lame.

Well, I guess he'll get his 2-1/2 minutes of fame.

I think Obama handled it pretty well. Besides that it was Obama event and he is free to organize the agenda anyway he sees fit. The man was definitely out of line.

I don't think it's "creepy" in the sense that I get the willies. I think the guy was probably a creep. So if that's what you mean, yeah, he's a creep. For heckling and then identifying himself as some sort of voice for the public...

I think Obama handled it with class! He can really think on his feet. Most candidates would have had him thrown out. That's probably what the creep was hoping for.

OP, if what sense do you mean "creepy"? Just curious.

If the guy was wearing press credential, and then spoke with the press afterwards, why can no one provide a name? It sounds staged to me..

A man who wore press credentials and took photographs from a platform interrupted Barack Obama's town-hall meeting Tuesday by shouting complaints that the Democratic presidential candidate had not called for the audience to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Speaking with reporters afterward, he identified himself only as "John Q. Public" and declined to say which news organization, if any, he represented.

It does appear to be staged. I'm inclined to believe that it was probably a cheap tactic to give the appearance that Obama is not patriotic.

The fact that the heckler chose not to properly identify himself, or which organization he prepresented speaks volumes as to his true intentions. To act in a disruptive manner, and distract from Obama's message.

reply to post by LLoyd45


You might have a point. Someone staged it to "test" Obama's patriotism (how lame!) or make a news event (Obama refused to say the Pledge at a Town Hall meeting!) LOL They would have had a field day with that!

Imagine how this would have read in the news if Obama hadn't handled it so gracefully...

So, yeah, it could very well have been staged. Hmmm... now I really wonder who the guy was.

Originally posted by maria_stardust

Speaking with reporters afterward, he identified himself only as "John Q. Public" and declined to say which news organization, if any, he represented.

It does appear to be staged. I'm inclined to believe that it was probably a cheap tactic to give the appearance that Obama is not patriotic.

The fact that the heckler chose not to properly identify himself, or which organization he prepresented speaks volumes as to his true intentions. To act in a disruptive manner, and distract from Obama's message.

I'm inclined Maria to believe it was staged by the Obama campaign myself, in an attempt to make Obama look more patriotic by allowing this shill to lead the pledge. It also serves the purpose of being a counterpunch to show Obama is much more tolerant than John McCain since his security people didn't throw the agitator out..

If this was anything but a staged event, the security detail and the reporters would have been all over this guy like flypaper.

Hey, you asked if anyone thought it was creepy so I answered. I don't find it creepy or alarming because my candidate of choice was Ron Paul. And a whole bunch of people on this board and in the media were saying just downright "nasty" things about him... was what they said creepy or did what they say alarm me? No. Because everyone has an opinion just like everyone has that particular part of the human anatomy that I'm not allowed to "write" on this board (so I don't lose any points). Whatever.... I replied and was courteous and posted an tangential bit of info about what I thought of him as candidate. whatever....

-Euclid

Originally posted by slicely

Originally posted by euclid
I don't find it creepy at all. What's creepy about it?

On a side note I think Osama, I mean, Obama is an anit-American, islamic apologist/supporter and will ultimately be worse for the country than anyone can possibly imagine.

-Euclid

How does that have anything to do with the original post? I didn't ask you what you thought of Obama. But I bet if this happened to your candidate of choice you'd be a little alarmed.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
So, yeah, it could very well have been staged. Hmmm... now I really wonder who the guy was.

Why don't you e-mail Obama's headquarters and get his name for us? LOL Just kidding BH! Honestly, it could have been staged by either side. These guys are desparate for votes.

reply to post by LLoyd45


Lloyd, if I didn't know any better, it sounds like there is a conspiracy afoot!

Honestly, when it comes to politics and spin, nothing surprises me.

Originally posted by maria_stardust
Lloyd, if I didn't know any better, it sounds like there is a conspiracy afoot!

Honestly, when it comes to politics and spin, nothing surprises me.

I don't know if I'd recognize the truth anymore if they were telling it to me.

I think politics just has a way of bringing the worst out in both the candidates, and their supporters.

Well, Supposedly Obama also scripted what happened with the prayer wall in Jerusalem.

There have been several acts in the past, filled with inconsistencies that would make you think twice. Of course its not really covered because of the Obama love fest.


It would not amaze me if Lloyd was right, but even then I thought Obama was trying to make the guy seem more like an idiot with a sarcastic tone to his vote.


I really don't understand how I used to support Obama......

reply to post by AndrewTB


I don't either with the perspective that you appear to have.

All ofthe Obama supporters I know have a political agenda. Obama represents this agenda very well for us.


An earlier poster said that Obama handled it with class, yet you thought it was done snidely.

I'm not really sure why you supported him before either; unless it was just the thing to do. Some might call that a flip flop, but I would say you just changed your mind.



[edit on 5-8-2008 by Quazga]

reply to post by AndrewTB

Or how about just recently when his campaign found out they couldn't use his visiting of US troops for media photo ops so they cancelled...

-Euclid

[edit on 5-8-2008 by euclid]

Originally posted by LLoyd45

Originally posted by maria_stardust
Lloyd, if I didn't know any better, it sounds like there is a conspiracy afoot!

Honestly, when it comes to politics and spin, nothing surprises me.

I don't know if I'd recognize the truth anymore if they were telling it to me.

I think politics just has a way of bringing the worst out in both the candidates, and their supporters.

You know what Lloyd. I think you might be right.

If you loook at the photos in the AP Article It looks like the perfect photo op for Obama leading the pledge.

Although, I would say his camp could easily just had him go to a school and lead the pledge, unless that would "seem too staged".

I haven't seen video yet, but hope I do. It's always easier to form a more self convincing opinion after having seen a video.

Even if it was a campaign tactic, I'd have to say it was a positive one. Much better than mudslinging.


[edit on 5-8-2008 by Quazga]

Originally posted by euclid
Or how about just recently when his campaign found out they couldn't use his visiting of US troops for media photo ops so they cancelled...

That incident has been dismissed as false. Seriously, there is more to a politician than kissing babies and posing for photo ops.

That said, let's get this thread back on topic.