Scenes from a Deli

NPR's Ina Jaffe sent us some observations from Barack Obama's visit to Petersberg, Virginia today...

Irma Henderson, 72, was one of the people packing the Long Street Deli in the historic district of Petersberg when Barack Obama stopped by. Irma, an African-American campaign volunteer, said she wasn't going to try to talk to Obama or get a picture -- she just stood in the back, beaming. "I just want to be in the company of him," she said. In contrast, her friend Evelyn Jamison grabbed Obama's hand and held onto it for a good 3 minutes. I couldn't hear their conversation, but Irma said Evelyn "will be talking about this all night."

Obama stopped to chat with Steve Overgard and Dawn Peterson. They resell foreclosed homes, and business is booming with the mortgage crisis. Inventory about a year ago would've been 10 or 15 houses, Overgard told Obama. Now it's 80 and not slowing down. "We've got to stabilize this situation," Obama said, beginning his foreclosure spiel. Overgard cut him off: "not for ten years so I can retire." Obama replied, "we'll put you in the business of selling new homes."

The place is owned by Heather Takacs and her husband Chris. Heather waits tables on roller skates. "Makes the work easier," she said. "Everyone should wear skates." At one point Obama asked if he could give her a push. She said yes. He was gentle.

Before he left, Obama gave Heather Takacs an autograph. "I'm going to try to win the Presidency, so this'll be worth something," he said as he scribbled. "If I lose, you can sell it on eBay."

-- Evie Stone

4:17 PM ET | 08-21-2008 | permalink

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