McCain To Be In German Restaurant While Obama Gives Berlin Speech
Not sure what to make of this. While Obama gives his historic speech in Berlin today, John McCain will be lunching in a German restaurant in Ohio.
Farah Hice, a hostess at Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus in Columbus, just confirmed to me by phone that McCain just walked into the restaurant and is staying for lunch.
Perhaps the goal is to mock Obama's speech, just as the RNC is trying to do by running ads in three places in the United States called "Berlin." But doesn't it risk making McCain look a bit small in comparison?
Late Update: In fairness, I should add that I really don't know if the goal here is to mock Obama's speech, so perhaps it's premature to suggest that he may look small in comparison. McCain is mingling with small-business owners today.
Does the German restaurant have lime green walls? If so, it sounds like a perfect place to give a counter-speech.
July 24, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
man, that's a good one.
July 24, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, I defy you to find somewhere better to eat in Columbus that's not a chain! They picked Schmidt's over TGIFriday's.
Schmidt's is quite tasty, btw. Highly recommended that you check it out if you are passing through Columbus.
That said, the optics of going there today are definitely kinda weird, but perhaps the McCain camp could sort of play it for laughs, not that they've shown the necessary light touch with anything else lately. Something like: "We didn't want to miss out on all the fun." It will probably be: "Obama is running for president of Europe, McCain knows you never have to leave the good ole U.S. of A." which will fall flat.
We should check online tonight for local news coverage of the juxtaposition. "Meanwhile, Sen. McCain got a little taste of Germany right here in Columbus, stopping for lunch at Schmidt's Sausage House..."
July 24, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am sure Colbert could help there too.
July 24, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
He'll probably have a wonderfully thought out speech about how the German culture has given us great things, like the Hamburger.
*forced smile*
*uncomfortable chuckle*
July 24, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
My friends, that's not change you can believe in.
July 24, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
When your campaign is grasping at straws, you do petty-ass crap like this.
July 24, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Smaller than when he appeared in front of the cheese case?
July 24, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
But doesn't it risk making McCain look a bit small in comparison?
Smaller than he's looked over the past week? Not really possible.
July 24, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
This campaign just exudes class.
July 24, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain apparently could give a shit about looking small. He's become the Tom Thumb of this presidential race, pulling stunt after stunt for his Republican Barnums.
McCain's running on nothing but envy and resentment. It is kind of sad to see.
July 24, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Will he have Limburger, or American Cheese?
This is very important!!111 Authenticity is really important to German-Americans!1!1123
July 24, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of looking small:
Which one is the older looking guy?
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2008-07-24-golfcart3.jpg
July 24, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
For someone drawing on his Social Security, you'd expect a bit more maturity. Seriously. Does he think he's running for high school student council president?
July 24, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG!!! McCain is the kid feelin unattended, throwing tantrums and trying to mess up the moment.
What a McIdiot.
July 24, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Any day now I expect "the Angry One" to start holding his breath until he turns blue and passes out.
What a little baby.
July 24, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, what amazes me is again, naively on my part, the press. All McCain has done is go on and on droning about Obama this and Obama that. The guy has nothing to say that is positive or informative. And the nighttime news just lets it slide. What is really scary is that anyone could vote for this guy. Just talked to my mom, 82, AZ, she is voting McCain, thank you Fox. Her TV was blaring in the background. I give up.
July 24, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Got kids? Sic them on Grandma.
July 24, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I working on it :)
July 24, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
He really can't help himself. That and the shit-eating grin and ignoramus giggle.
July 24, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
This should do wonders for the enthusiasm gap?
July 24, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's enthusiasm is surging.
Vicki Iseman must be accompanying him.
July 24, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain wandered into the German restaurant because he figured it was the best place to get directions to Czechoslovakia.
July 24, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
"My friends, my commitment to the security of the Sudetenland is unshakeable."
July 24, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
ROFLMAO!!!
July 24, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nicely played. But you owe me a new keyboard. :-)
July 24, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG, that was too funny.
July 24, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
But doesn't it risk making McCain look a bit small in comparison?
At least it's truthful
July 24, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain Quest: The Search for Attention continues....
July 24, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain campaign so classy.
July 24, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Caliph,,,,,,,, Limburger is actually an Ohio cheese. It originated on an Amish farm. So which is it,,,, pandering for the Ohio vote, or the Amish vote?
July 24, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Duchy of Limburg, actually, which comprises parts of the Netherlands, Belgium & Germany.
July 24, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now now Greg, let's be fair. As everyone knows Schmidt’s Restaurant is renowned for making its sausages with a secret ingredient: Surge!
Yes, that's right, they add one part Surge to three parts pig when making their sausages. Their sausages are supposed to have healing properties. They are great for cataracts, pre senile dementia and most importantly for McCain and his wife, irritable bowl syndrome.
July 24, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think saying he is trying to mock Obama is more generous. A "me too" move- "I gotta get in on this German thing"- is far worse. It makes him look even smaller. Obama visits countries, McCain visits restaurants. I can't believe anybody in his campaign thought this was a good idea, no matter *what* their motives are.
July 24, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
This stunt seems like a horribly misguided version of the 'Purple Heart Band-Aids' they used against Kerry.
The band aids were in bad taste, but in Repub circles they were considered brilliantly savage mockery.
It says a lot about the erosion of GOP campaigning style. They haven't faced an opponent like Obama in years - hell, the younger campaign flacks have never come up against someone like O - and like athletes who have become accustomed to competing against inferior opponents, their skills have atrophied.
This is the end of the line for Atwater-Rove style campaigns. The GOP has ridden that horse clean into the ground, and the result is weak-ass campaign stunts like this one.
July 24, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is amazing that with the strategic value of his campaign planning and tight scheduling demands trying to get his positive message out to the masses who are trying to get into his overcrowded events, that mcFuddle could work in this stop for a lunch break today. Can he keep up this horrid pace of events on his 24/7 schedule? Only a superman could outdo him! NOT!!!!!!
July 24, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is disgusting. Our own US embassy people cannot attend Obama's speech. They were ordered not to go, here is link.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/24/obama-berlin-speech-us-fo_n_114752.html
July 24, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think it's an attempt to mock Obama, either. Especially after I glanced at the menu of the place. ...that stuff sounds good.
July 24, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
After a quick glance at the menu, here's what McCain should order:
Appetizer: Sauerkraut-Bratwurst Balls. McCain's going to need at least one more pair to battle Obama in the Fall.
Entree: Bratwurst - Voted "Best Wurst" by Columbus Monthly. McCain excels at being the best worst candidate so far
Dessert: Jumbo Cream Puff. These definitions fit McCain very well.
Dig in!
July 24, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, Schmidt's is a great restaurant.
Been there several times. It's located in the German Village section of Columbus, just south of downtown. Great brats and Bahama Mamas!
This stunt was intended as a snark by the McSame campaign, but other than political junkies like us, no one else is paying any attention to him.
July 24, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
anyone know where on the internets the speech will be streamed live?
July 24, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/24/obamas-berlin-speech-cand_n_114710.html
July 24, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
What I honestly think is that the McLame campaign was trying to belittle Obama's speech in Germany with this lunch. I think it backfired terribly.
Some days it looks to me like McLame is deliberately throwing this election.
That's why the polls going back and forth make me nervous. But I'll put the tin foil away for now...
July 24, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
You crack me up Tena.
July 24, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I imagine he'll have some stupid quip planned, like "Trust me, Senator Obama, you don't need to travel across the Atlantic to get good bratwurst."
July 24, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bumper sticker update:
GOT SURGE?
July 24, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
great idea! i hear Cindy been lookin for a little "surge" herself from McFuddle!
July 24, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe he can take home a bratwurst for her :)
July 24, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
O I bet you not. I bet not a whole hell of a lot.
Amelie, I'm pretty sure she'd rather have the bratwurst. (Pssst - have you seen the size of his hands? They are like a kid's.)
July 24, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
The strategy is as transperant as it is moronic which means the MSM will be talking about it for next three days.
It's about diet.
MCGoo will be photographed sucking on a big kielbasa showing how much or a real man he is compared to Obama's likely more dainty meal.
July 24, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL. That indeed does make him look small and a "me-too!" sort of follower.
July 24, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Considering the last week or so, looking small is not a concern for McCain.
July 24, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
maybe he'll stand in front of the dessert display...
July 24, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know if everyone in the States is already getting coverage of the Berlin event, but you can watch a live stream of it here:
http://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/livestreams2/index.html
The street is packed from the column all the way to the Brandenburger Gate -- Wow!
July 24, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did you see all the people, wow, amazing !!!
July 24, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's the coverage been like over there?
July 24, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm watching on MSNBC.
What a crowd!
July 24, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
MSNBC is already showing pics of the crowd and they are huge.
July 24, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I should point out this stream is supposed to be the one without commentary and translation. I'm thinking there's no audio because it's tied to the mic. (Hoping anyway)
July 24, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/22886841#22886841
MSNBC live coverage speech
July 24, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks Amelie. CNN.COM sucks.
July 24, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I switched kash, they did suck.
July 24, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's more ispiring to see are the children in all shades on the gaurded shoulders anticipating Obama's arrival. B.E.A.UTIFUL pictures, I cannot believe America will squander the oppurtunity to elect a leader who the world seems more than willing to pay attention.
Great scenes.
July 24, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the crowd likes him.
A lot!!!!!!!
July 24, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why is our "friend" sfcwallace strangely absent in this post ?
July 24, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a couple of cheap one liners:
Now McCain can accurately say, "Ich bin ein Berliner," or at least order one.
Five years from now, he'll have an answer to the question, "Where were you when Obama made his speech in Berlin?"
July 24, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
McC:
Ich bin ein dead-ender.
July 24, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
These are the walls we must tear down. Vow!!!
July 24, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's actually a pretty famous restaurant in the city so it's not surprising he would be sent there to eat. Shows a lack of imagination, but that's not surprising either.
July 24, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know what an imaginative choice in Columbus would have been.
July 24, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, any one of the restaurants run by Liz Lessner would be a fine choice, starting with the Surly Girl Saloon:
http://www.surlygirlsaloon.com/
She's built up quite an empire of good joints, with a hot dog joint on the way, and plans for a market catering to local foods and products.
...not that McCain's advance team would ever know about em. Nor would a good progressive woman like her want them to. I'm guessing.
July 24, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
It seems like all he has this week is snarky put-downs of his opponent. He's jealous that Barrack has a positive message.
July 24, 2008 1:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I spent four years in Columbus during school and I can recommend the Schmidt's cream puffs very highly.
July 24, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
This complete lack of GOP enthusiasm will no doubt resolve when the "PawPaw-TPaw '08" ticket is announced.
July 24, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did they just drive right past Arby's?
These people must really hate America to choose Schnitzel over Roast Beef.
July 24, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mr Gorbachev, chow down this slaw!
July 24, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who knew?
McCain's uncircumcised:
http://www.dependablerenegade.com/dependable_renegade/2008/07/his-campaign-di.html
LOL!!!
July 24, 2008 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Years ago, when my grandmother (God rest her soul) visited the Epcot Center, she said that it was just like visiting Europe. I thought (but had the presence of mind not to say), "But Grandma, how would you know? You've never been to Europe?" McCain's visit to the German restaurant strikes me the same way.
He is much more comfortable in a faux world than the real one, and he can't even tell the difference.
July 24, 2008 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
BTW I have had prof. experience with crowd estimates, and nobody knows, truly. In a given case, one source estimates 50,000 and another 250,000 and their not even partisans, they JUST DON'T KNOW. Thus, rowd size estimation is considered extremely difficult and highly unreliable. There may now be a better way w/computers, I don't know.
That said, looking at this crowd, I think it was way, *way* more than the published guestimate of 200,000.
July 25, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink