Barack Obama and a plunger: He might not want to remember this photo

[firedupdem]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-talk-lawn-19-jan19,0,7332212.story



Take that, Joe the Plumber: Here's evidence that the soon-to-be leader of the free world knows his way around a plunger.

This very unpresidential photo of Barack Obama, blown up to poster size, will be rolling down Pennsylvania Avenue on Tuesday along with the most unorthodox participants of the inaugural parade: the World Famous Lawn Rangers, a 28-year-old Central Illinois-based precision lawn mower drill team.

"We are the whoopee cushion of the parade," declared Ranger veteran Tom Bruno, a member of the Champaign City Council.

Obama met the Rangers in 2003 at Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade when he was just launching his bid for the U.S. Senate. As they joked around, the little-known candidate grabbed one of the plungers that Ranger leaders use in lieu of batons. Ranger Mats Selen, a University of Illinois physics professor, snapped a picture, which everybody promptly forgot about until Obama was elected plunger-carrier-in-chief.

snip

The 48-mower contingent will include one topped with a 5-foot replica of the Washington Monument, another with a well-endowed mannequin wearing a T-shirt declaring "D.C. or bust," and another called "Obama the self-starter." It features two hands emerging from the mower and grabbing the starter rope.

The group, which calls the new president "Mow-Bama," is selling the photo on T-shirts, aprons and the like at www.zazzle.com


**My President hasn't taken a bad picture yet!

[Uzybone]

1. A green plunger at that!

[firedupdem]

2. You know St. Patty's day in Chicago! We even dye the river green!

I talk like I still live there! It will always be my home.

[Deja Q]

8. Dying the river green? That's not a green thing to do!

:spray:

[juno jones]

14. You can take the girl outta IL

but you can't take the IL outta the girl..

;) :hi:

[Cha]

3. O'Bama~ The Irish

Plumber gonna clean this cesspool:bounce:

[Radical Activist]

4. classic

I keep waiting for the pictures to surface of pre-Senate Obama on protest and picket lines. They're out there.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. Here are my favorite parade participants -- and proof that perseverence pays off

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_alaska/story/649714.html

Determination proved worthwhile for the Suurimmaanitchuat Dancers of Barrow, Alaska.

Thanks to the incessant persistence of one of their dancers, the group will have its 15 minutes of fame by marching in the presidential inaugural parade on Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C.

When Rex Okakok first contacted the parade committee to request a formal invitation to march he was told it was too late to apply. But he did it anyway. And he kept being told it was too late.

But Okakok, a former whaling harpooner, didn't give up. He sent requests to several people in the staff hoping one would acquiesce. At last, one person did agree to review the application but told Okakok that it was a long shot. But Okakok still didn't give up.

"I kept calling them and calling them, telling them we are a minority of minorities. Every day I called and e-mailed," Okakok said.

"Finally one day they said they would take it to the committee."

The next morning Okakok got the much desired e-mail - he should expect a formal invitation in the mail in the next few days.

"We found out we are the only AK Native group to participate. We are very honored and very excited and fundraising like mad," Okakok said.

<snip>

There will not be much time for dancing in the parade, but Okakok said the group plans to grab the opportunity to perform, even if for a brief moment, when it's their turn to walk in front of the presidential stand. Their leader is busy thinking of a special song featuring President-elect Barack Obama.

<snip>

The dance group ranges in age from 9 to 81. It sounds like there's going to be tremendous variety and diversity in the parade. I'm looking forward to watching it. :)

[firedupdem]

7. That is going to be great!! I cannot wait until tomorrow! n/t

[EraOfResponsibility]

6. That is awesome!

[bigwillq]

9. Ha! I like that pic!

It shows that Obama can have a little fun.

[WI_DEM]

10. Obama makes anything look cool

[RichGirl]

11. Except maybe...pants with pleats.....

Today when they showed him in jeans... I noticed....very nice butt! Had to say that today, as tomorrow it will be disrespectful to refer to the presidential butt.

[havocmom]

12. Perhaps, but it will be fine to refer to the soon former president as an ass

Hell, it's been OK for years ;)

[Barack_America]

13. The real scandal in that pic isn't the plunger, it's the pleated pants.

But the man seems to love them, so I'll just have to let that gripe go. ;)

Who is holding the plunger with him?

:shrug:

I wonder.

[Starry Messenger]

15. Thank you!

Awesome! :yourock: