Pool Report of Obama Following Pittsburgh Speech

Just before 2:30, Obama came out the side door of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, accompanied by retired Pittsburgh Steelers pro football stars Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis (widely known as “The Bus”). Obama had a football in his hand and a royal blue towel with white letters that read “Here We Go America” and his campaign logo. (Exact wording will be provided by the campaign, which has the towels).

“It’s my own terrible towel,” Obama said, twirling it over his head for the benefit of the cameras and a hundred or more people gathered on sidewalks across the street. Terrible towels (yellow gold, the team colors) are a big Steeler thing and fans wave them in the stands at the game.

Along with Sen. Casey, they walked the short distance to Obama’s waiting bus. Bettis and Casey climbed aboard; Harris did not. Obama did not risk either a pass or a handoff to one of the running backs, so, no fumbles. The whole thing lasted about 45 seconds.