The political torch has been passed, and now Mitt Romney is the agent of change, according to one voter who encountered President Obama Tuesday.
It was at the the Gateway Breakfast House in Portland Tuesday morning where Obama made an impromptu stop on his way to a meeting with veterans. Inside he met Marv Self, who had stopped in to avoid the traffic jams Obama’s motorcade had caused.
The two shared some fun banter, but Self said he wasn’t sold. “Not that easy,” he said after explaining: “We’re on a path now. Do we carry on that path or do we go back to change again?” as in voting for Mitt Romney.
Here’s the pool excerpt on the meeting:
We arrived at 12:03 pm local. Pool entered the small establishment from the kitchen, where we encountered the president, sans suit jacket and shirt sleeves rolled up, already glad handing the lunchtime customers.
Difficult to hear much of the banter from pooler’s vantage point but a few stray lines: one patron, who said her name was Susan Bailey, asked what he’d get for breakfast. He said he’d already eaten but would get a cup of coffee. He chatted about landscaping with another patron, who was wearing a T-shirt for a local landscaper.
As he worked his way toward the waiting veterans, POTUS greeted a man named Marv. The president excitedly said, “I’ve got a Marv!” And pointed out [aide] Marvin Nicholson.
“See that tall guy? That’s another Marv.” Local Marv responded, “Starvin’ Marvin,” a reference to a “South Park” character. POTUS: “He’s not starving though, I promise you. You should see him eat.”
Diligent co-pooler Laura Meckler had just interviewed Marv before the encounter. Her readout:
Marv Self said he came to the diner to kill some time and avoid the backed up freeway jam caused by the motorcade, never expecting POTUS to show up there. He said he is undecided on the election.
“We’re on a path now. Do we carry on that path or do we go back to change again?” He said he doesn’t make up his mind ’til the last minute. Has President Obama done a good job? “I think he’s been very dynamic.”
Afterwards, local Marv said it was “very pleasant” to meet Obama.
“Who doesn’t enjoy meeting the president?”
Was it enough to win his vote?
“Not that easy!” he laughed.
