Obama/Biden Pool Report

Sen. Barack and Michelle Obama and Sen. Joe and Jill Biden ate breakfast this morning at the Yankee Kitchen, a diner in Boardman, Ohio, a suburb of Youngstown, Ohio.

No significant news but both Obama and Biden addressed preparations for Hurricane Gustav in response to reporters' questions. Quotes on Gustav come first, then color from visit to the diner.

Asked about Gustav, Obama said, "We are deeply concerned. I've instructed my senate staff to monitor the situation closely. Make sure we've contacted both FEMA but also private relief organizations just to make sure that whatever happens people are prepared. And, you know, obviously we're going to be each day seeing what happens and we're praying for New Orleans but we want to make sure that people are making all the necessary precautions."

Responding to the question/comment "Evacuation is key?," Obama said, "It wasn't last time, and hopefully we've learned from that tragedy."

Biden also addressed Gustav in a separate encounter with reporters.

"The newscast as I was shaving this morning, it looks like it's heading straight to New Orleans. I've spent a fair amount of time down there, my daughter went down to Tulane down there, Jill was there for a week after when the hurricane hit last time. And it's just, you know, hope to God," Biden said.

Ann Compton of ABC said, "last time they didn't evacuate."

Biden responded: "This is a simple little thing. The governor of Louisiana ordered, as of tomorrow, I'm told, every single highway can only go north. No one can come south. They're being practically, much much much more, much more prepared. The entire national guard is mobilized as I understand. They're bringing helicopters from other guard units.

"Last time when it hit my son's guard unit, he headed up a guard unit in missisippi because delaware was the first ...guard unit to head down into Mississippi.

"When I say headed up, he was first on the ground and because of his rank, he was he was the guy in charge. It looks like this time, theyre not taking any, they're not taking any chances. So say a prayer. Say a prayer it doesn't hit. They've had enough."

Asked how he was adjusting to his new role, Biden said, "I hope I'm adjusting well."

The Obamas and Bidens spent 40 minutes at the Yankee Kitchen, arriving at 8:32 am and departing at 9:12 a.m. Most of that time was spent shaking hands, greeting and posing for photos with the customers, several of whom said they found out the night before that Obama was expected.

Obama was dressed in blue suit pants and a light blue dress shirt rolled up at the sleeves. Obama also was wearing suit pants (dark, don't remember color) and had on a white dress shirt, rolled up at the sleeves. Michelle work a pink striped shirt and black slacks; Jill wore a light green jacket with hints of peach and beige in it and white slacks.

After working the room, the two couples sat down together at a corner booth in the rear of the restaurant to eat breakfast. Obama ordered two eggs over medium, a waffle, bacon and orange juice. Michelle had french toast. Biden had french toast and Jill had scrambled eggs and toast. The Obamas drank orange juice while the Bidens drank coffee. (Some Obama trivia for you: the senator has previously said he long ago gave up caffeine.)

The two couples chatted through the breakfast though their conversation was not audible to your pooler. They spent 17 minutes together in the booth. Obama poured syrup over his waffle and sliced into it, eating portions of every item he ordered while the cameras clicked away. Obama walked over to co-owner Phillip Raptis, age 57, part way through to attempt to pay the bill. Taking a wad of cash out of his pocket, Obama went back and forth with Raptis trying to pay the bill, with Raptis at one point pushing away Obama's hand (and the cash in it.) Raptis never did take the money but Obama later told broadcast pooler Sunlen Miller of ABC that his staff would settle the bill.

Later on, Obama signed the back of Raptis's white shirt, writing in blue pen over the left shoulder blade: "To Phil and Diane & all the kids, God Bless. Barack Obama."

Herb Washington stopped by the Obama-Biden booth while they were eating. He's a Boardman, Ohio, resident and a McDonalds franchise owner who hosted a fundraiser for Obama last June.

Washington was wearing golf clothes. Standing next to him, Biden said "I've got my clubs with me. Guys, I'm sorry, I'm going with him."

Biden said, "I'm playing like an 18 now," apparently talking about his handicap.

Washington later said that Biden wanted shots. He said Biden told him his handicap was in the single digits (he either wasn't sure or didn't want to say the number specifically) and that Biden told him being on the ticket isn't good for the handicap.

Washington said he bought his second McDonalds from Michelle Obama's uncle.
"I think it's a great ticket," he said. "It was always my hope he would pick Senator Biden because of his foreign relations experience and his experience in the Senate. I caution folks, do not underestimate McCain."

Washington said he and Obama talked about holding an event in October.
Biden had french toast and finished first, cleaning his plate. Obama had waffles and eggs.
Youngstown resident Lucy Moreland-Smith, a deputy clerk at Youngstown Municipal Court, rushed down to the diner when she heard Obama would be at the restaurant. She was wearing a "Team Obama 08" T-shirt.

She called her friend from the restaurant and said this to her while watching Obama eat:
"We are looking at the next president of the United States sitting here eating in Youngstown, Ohio. I am beside myself with joy.

They're just eating and talking like normal people. Oh, my god this is absolute history. And look, he is just talking like a normal conversation with his wife while he's sitting there eating and drinking coffee. He stuffed his mouth with eggs. I love him. He's my kind of guy. There's cameras everywhere.

I just wanted to come and stand by the bus. if I could just wave when the bus went by I

Biden introduced himself at one table, saying "sorry to interrupt your breakfast."
"No, good luck," the man told him.
Robert Dixie, an unemployed social worker, asked to get a picture of his wife Beverly with Biden.
"She is drop dead gorgeous," Dixie said of his wife, quoting Biden's line about his wife Jill during his first speech last Saturday as a vice presidential candidate.

"I heard that phrase before," Biden said smiling, posing for a picture.
Biden stopped by the table of Ed Beach, a retired road superintendent for Boland Township. "I was raised across the line in Pennsylvania," he told them.

They talked about football and Biden said his "ultimate dream" was to be a football player.
He said he loves the Steelers, repeating the story he told yesterday about "Old Mister Rooney" sending a football signed by the team to the hospital when his sons were badly injured in a 1972 car accident that killed his wife and daughter.

"What great, great people," he said.
Beach later said, "I think he's a very good pick for vice president. He makes it a very strong ticket for the Democratic party."