Obama on the Auto Industry: ‘I Got the Corned Beef’
EmailABC News’ Matt Jaffe Reports from Chicago:
Taking a break from a week full of private meetings at his transition headquarters in Chicago, President-elect Barack Obama went out to lunch Friday at Manny’s, a famous Windy City deli, greeting locals and basking in the cheers of hometown supporters.
In the crowded eatery, one reporter asked him about the troubled auto industry, just days after Detroit executives went to Washington in hopes of $25 billion in federal aid.
"I got the corned beef," replied a smiling Obama.
Minutes later, he saw some diners dressed in suits.
"You look like smart guys — give me some advice on the economy," Obama joked as the gentlemen laughed.
Patrons of the packed restaurant ditched their lunches of corned beef, mac & cheese, blueberry pie, and chocolate-chip cheesecake to get a glimpse of the President-elect, accompanied by senior advisor Valerie Jarrett.
"I love you," one supporter told Obama.
"I love you back," he reciprocated.
At the counter, Obama greeted Ken Raskin, the restaurant’s owner and son of its founder, and signed a photo of himself with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley taken after the Illinois senator’s election victory in 2006.
After just over a quarter of an hour, Obama left the popular eatery with three corned beef sandwiches and two cherry pies, at a cost of $48.34 paid in cash.
The President-elect took the grub back to his Chicago headquarters, where he spent about most of the morning and afternoon.
– Matt Jaffe
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Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
but did he have ‘kraut on his sandwich? America needs to know the important details … you can’t tease us with dietary details without full condiment coverage.
And your WI readers will want to know if he smothered it with Swiss Cheese.
Don’t half tell the story, ABC!
Posted by: OneObservation | November 21, 2008, 7:59 pm 7:59 pm
Oh well, slow news day (even though our economy is collapsing). Sorry Jake.
Posted by: w_roos | November 21, 2008, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm
“after the Illinois senator’s election victory in 2006.”
It would have been nice if your ‘gotcha journalism’ were accompanied by facts, Jake. Btw, how did you forget to mention that Obama was repeating what he had just said moments earlier when he said ‘i got corned beef”?
Posted by: Question | November 21, 2008, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm
I just saw the hunger reports from Third World countries and one of the quotations was “Every time an American bites down on a burger or steak he’s contributing to global hunger.”
sigh.
Posted by: Lane | November 21, 2008, 8:18 pm 8:18 pm
“You look like smart guys — give me some advice on the economy,”…here’s some socialism doesn’t work…just ask Europe.
“I got”…nice English.
Jake, why don’t you ask him why his nominee for AG had clients who were part of the Weather Underground…you sorry excuse for a reporter.
Posted by: MBNA Joe | November 21, 2008, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
MBNA Joe,
what Jake doesn’t tell you is that somebody had just asked Obama what he ‘got’ for food. He responded with ‘i got…” Normally I would have defended Jake from allegations of bad reporting. but i’m inclined to agree with you today.
Posted by: Question | November 21, 2008, 8:40 pm 8:40 pm
one reporter asked him about the troubled auto industry, just days after Detroit executives went to Washington in hopes of $25 billion in federal aid.
“I got the corned beef,” replied a smiling Obama.
“You look like smart guys — give me some advice on the economy,” Obama joked as the gentlemen laughed.
==========================
Unbelievable!
We got it too! You, our Greatest Smartest Changest Leader got the corned beef, while millions American workers a facing the prospect of losing their jobs.
What a pity for the rest of Americans to suffer from what it is means “presence” that his Southside is so proud of!
Posted by: fat cat | November 21, 2008, 8:45 pm 8:45 pm
MBNA Joe,
Obama graduated Harvard Law. Former President of Harvard Law Review. Wrote two books.
I’m sure he can speak English?
What are you’re accomplishments?
Get use to President Obama. He was elected… elected by a landslide. As I predicted.
Posted by: Vanessa | November 21, 2008, 8:45 pm 8:45 pm
President-elect Obama showed his consummate leadership skills and did the absolutely correct thing in ordering the corned beef sandwich at Manny’s, a Chicago institution famous for them. It’s been said that their corned beef sandwiches rival those of the famous NYC delis!
Posted by: chuck | November 21, 2008, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
What to do about the troubled big three auto makers is something on which even the experts cannot agree, so we might as well talk about corned beef sammiches. I personally am not pro-corned beef, but some of my best friends are. Cherry pies are ok if there is no chocolate around. Dark chocolate will buy my vote every time.
Posted by: Shockolit | November 21, 2008, 9:01 pm 9:01 pm
This corned beef article may have explained Mr. Obama’s many “present” votes.
Posted by: young_voter | November 21, 2008, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm
Vanessa,
Sorry, it wasn’t a landslide. He got 52.8% of the vote. A landslide would be 60+%. I’m surprised you want to continue your diviseness post-election. Do you work for Acorn? By the way, guess who is going to be Secretary of State? You guessed it – Not the Bill Richardson. Hmmm, I guess Obama figured out she would be the best to deliver the 3 AM phone call. Won’t be long before he has Bill answering the call. All those Clintonistas for Mr. Change. How come you aren’t explaining that? Obama is clearly a delegator-in-chief. What’s going to be left for him to do? Simple, it’s Obama’s turn to get paid. By the way, I voted for Obama so I’m free to criticize, that’s the kind of change I’m bringing to the table.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | November 21, 2008, 10:12 pm 10:12 pm
This corned beef article may have explained Mr. Obama’s many “present” votes.
Posted by: young_voter | Nov 21, 2008 9:25:49 PM
——-
You are absolutely correct. The economy is tanking seemingly as if no bottom in sight. There is absolutely no leadership, anywhere, to be seen.
You certainly cannot expect George W. Bush to come up with a great idea; after all, he is incompetent and a lameduck. The Congress of Pelosi and Reid has done nothing for two freeking years, except promoting their Affirmative Action candidate, ridiculing and ignoring correct solutions by people like Hillary Clinton.
Our Greatest Smartest Changest Leader, Pres. 0bama, took his first “present”,
to have got his corned beef, rather than taking an future leadership role and telling the american people what he is going to do.
Does he know?
We are f…ed.
Posted by: fat cat | November 21, 2008, 10:14 pm 10:14 pm
By the way, our Greatest Leader took him off even a “present” from the Senate, leaving the good Illinoians only half represented in the US Senate.
Mr. Biden has no intention of coming to the Senate floor, yet for a political game, he is not going to resign until the new Governor is sworn in.
I am not surprised of our Greatest Leader in view of his past, “present”, but I am disappointed in Mr. Biden.
Mr. Biden, come down to the Senate and fulfill your obligation and duties to your constituents, if not the country.
Posted by: fat cat | November 21, 2008, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
What a measured response…from a deep
thinking leader! Hope there are many
more examples of his brilliance in the
coming years. But if he ordered the corned beef, what does that make Hillary
……………chopped liver ?
Posted by: grizzly bare | November 21, 2008, 10:28 pm 10:28 pm
Obama’s Senate election victory was in 2004, not 2006.
Posted by: Steve | November 21, 2008, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm
PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA.
GET USED TO IT!!!
AMERICA – LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT.
Posted by: R Mutt | November 21, 2008, 10:33 pm 10:33 pm
As if someone is going to make major policy statements while picking up take-out food.
What’s the matter with your brains?
The ‘right wing’ brain seems to have atrophied due to lack of intelligent use over the past 8 years.
Posted by: pefros | November 21, 2008, 10:53 pm 10:53 pm
Jake’s blog devolves into a bitter Repub Friday night circle.
IT’S GONNA BE A LOOOONNNG EIGHT YEARS FOR YOU.
WELCOME TO REAL AMERICA.
Posted by: R Mutt | November 21, 2008, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
Now that Obama has Hillary will she
be able to help the economy by
getting great investment like White Water.
Posted by: Petey | November 21, 2008, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm
well if we had had bush back in the
old days we would still have the
Horse and Buggy….
NO check that they would have went
broke too ………….lol.
Iraq 50 make it 100 years…. what a joke
The Big three Auto makers … just one
more BAILOUT IS ALL WE NEED …. BIGGER
JOKE…………
I DO LIKE their company jets..
what kind of fuel mileage they get
on those………..
Posted by: Anita Yova | November 21, 2008, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm
Welcome to America
Real word of Obama
Posted by: Bob | November 21, 2008, 11:43 pm 11:43 pm
This is it folks ! This is what the 21st century media looks Like ! They think this is an article with meat!
Posted by: disgusted in Ohio | November 22, 2008, 12:27 am 12:27 am
It’s amazing that so many people say ‘I love you’ to Obama.
I wonder if anyone ever said ‘I love you’ to Bush.
Posted by: iml | November 22, 2008, 12:30 am 12:30 am
This all reminds me so much of GW Bush! This is exactly the kind of situation Bush loved where he evaded reporters’ questions by joking around with the clientele in some restaurant or other public place. Same thing.
But that’s OK since Obama’s administration will be run by serious and experienced people like Hillary.
Posted by: cappamore | November 22, 2008, 12:45 am 12:45 am
ABC News should be ashamed that the depth of coverage for today on a looming domestic auto industry crisis that will turn 3 million workers out on the streets, is about what the next president had for lunch. I would think that the huge impact to the economy if the Big 3 go belly up would make a very interesting new story in itself. A story that might allow Americans to see for themselves why the loans to the auto industry is necessary to avoid an economic depression that will effect everyone. Please take the lead and put forth real news instead of this trivial garbage about corporate jets and corned beef.
Posted by: Steve | November 22, 2008, 12:59 am 12:59 am
meanwhile….. in Iraq and Afghanistan brave Americans are still dying…..
meanwhile….. in America thousands go hungry, do without medical care and can’t heat their homes
meanwhile….. in America, no one seems to know what to do about the economy as people lose their homes, jobs and the rich get more corporate welfare
but hey, everyone’s priorities are different….
some people need to complain about the president elect getting a sandwich
Posted by: no justice, no peace | November 22, 2008, 1:07 am 1:07 am
For all those who voted for “”Hope instead of the Reality of Experience. I hope you won’t find out you got aObummer!
Posted by: disgusted in Ohio | November 22, 2008, 1:35 am 1:35 am
Concerned in Ohio
maybe instead of ‘venting’ about workers you should try the top management…..
“An ABC News investigation reveals that the top three automakers have together spent several hundred million dollars to buy, maintain, and operate a fleet of top-of-the-line private jets for their top executives. “
Posted by: Blue | November 22, 2008, 1:39 am 1:39 am
I’m going to go a little off topic here and just say one thing to all those people that use a screen name to make a comment if your going to comment at least have the back bone to sign your name to it. That’s like not voting and then complaining about the election, you don’t have a complaint coming!!!!
Posted by: Donald R.Harris | November 22, 2008, 1:59 am 1:59 am
I DRIVE A TOYOTA ANYWAY
Posted by: JOHN S. THOMAS | November 22, 2008, 2:18 am 2:18 am
THE MAN JUST WENT TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT.
THE REAL QUESTION IS WHAT IS BUSH DOING ABOUT IT! “HE IS STILL IN OFFICE” COME OUT OF HIDING AND SAY SOMETHING! OH, I FORGOT, HE KNEW ALL OF THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN YEARS IN ADVANCE AND DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP THE PROLBEM!
Posted by: DONNIE | November 22, 2008, 2:30 am 2:30 am
Jail for Paulson. Jail for Cox. That’s if you really want to see the market bounce back.
Posted by: Common Sense | November 22, 2008, 7:28 am 7:28 am
DETROIT NEEDS TO CLEAN UP THE ACT—MORE EFFICIENT CARS—AND SOMETHING THAT DONT FALL APART—WANT TO BUY A TRAILBLAZER ANYONE.–A TRUE PIECE OF AMERICAN CRAP.
Posted by: rodney | November 22, 2008, 7:47 am 7:47 am
The media gets chafed because the President-Elect (he’s not the prez yet, Jake) thinks it is inappropriate to discuss complex economic issues while getting a sandwich at a deli.
Sorry, you’ll just have to wait until Monday like the rest of us.
Posted by: MIguy | November 22, 2008, 8:11 am 8:11 am
Donald R.Harris
well, run for office, … start yer own blog….
run on the “no screen names on the blog’ ticket,,
yeah,..or maybe the ‘tell everyone else what to do’ party….. ‘Donald’..
Posted by: dewde | November 22, 2008, 10:22 am 10:22 am
OBAMA does not know how to make a joke!
he never had a sense of humor and for sure does not know that you dont make a joke about economy like that when most of us want him to lead.
Posted by: frieda | November 22, 2008, 11:38 am 11:38 am
“In the crowded eatery, one reporter asked him about the troubled auto industry, just days after Detroit executives went to Washington in hopes of $25 billion in federal aid.
“I got the corned beef,” replied a smiling Obama.”
He did this 129 times in the Il State Senate. Get used to it!
Posted by: drjohn | November 22, 2008, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
It appears that barry is acting ‘present’ over the past couple of days. If he wanted to help the economy, it wouldn’t hurt for him to go out and give the political/market watchers some idea as to what his detailed plans are. It didn’t go unnoticed that when palosi, reed and franks were gabbing it up last week that the DOW dropped like barry’s senate race opponents.
Posted by: sbirdog | November 22, 2008, 9:15 pm 9:15 pm
He should not tell more untill after 20th of January.
So, do not place Your proposals before the that time.
Posted by: Linda | November 23, 2008, 2:11 am 2:11 am
The auto industry is asking for a bridge loan, something to tide them over until they can pay back. Yet the media repeatedly frames a loan request as a bail out. I’m not against the preconditions at all for submitting a more green manufacturing plan, though it’s doubtful that a thorough proposal could be realistically worked out within a two week deadline. If only the financial giants in their 700 billion could have had a modicum of the preconditions expected from the auto industries at 25 billion.
Posted by: kat | November 23, 2008, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
The auto industry’s EGO’s need to be replaced with Japanese Know-How, go charter 13 or 11 and reorganize with the Japanese cut-the-fat no nonsense business approach and so be it.
Posted by: MissClarity | November 23, 2008, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
The Big Three croneys are working the Congress, the Senate and the American people. Boo hoo on us when it should be boo hoo on them. They have no shame. They have had 30 years to solve the problem and still refuse to consider a REAL solution. Sorry workers but it’s better for them to go Chapter 11 or 13 or whatever so they don’t rape the American people anymore. We don’t want their damn cars because everytime we go for their cars we screw ourselves and stupid is as stupid does. DON’T GIVE THEM ANOTHER DIME. Why should we be screwed over and over again. You know they are working on a solution and that solution in their minds is how can we find an acceptable “stroke” for the Congress and Senate. Make those guys walk to Washington because that’s what the rest of us are doing to cut corners. Go away so-called Big Three your days are done and so is you doing us. I will never buy American cars again because I will not support or encourage the robbery of this Nation done by FORD/GM/CHRYSLER. Just stop them NOW.
Posted by: MissClarity | November 23, 2008, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm
Listen up. Obama is mass bright. It’s not his administration yet and so he’s not saying a word where Bush Jr. should be. So easy on the sarcasm. Obama’s a classy guy and you GOP types don’t get it yet because you’ve had 8 years of poor example of class. But, hey, you’ll get your stomachs full of class and choke on it for a long while and start wishing it was corned beef instead ’cause shallow is as shallow does’. You betcha
Posted by: MissClarity | November 23, 2008, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm