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02.04.2008
Obama vs. "eBay Guy"

In Philly today Obama had a minor tiff with some dolt trying to get his photo and autograph, apparently so he can sell them on eBay.

Reminds me of the clown I saw in New Hampshire last winter at Rudy Giuliani events. He would show up early to get prime position near the candidate, carrying a backpack filled with September 11 memorabilia--including glossy posters of the World Trade Center--and get Rudy to sign his stuff with a fancy silver autograph pens. That he was cashing in on 9/11 made the guy doubly disgusting, of course.

Incidentally, autographed Obama photos are going for up to $399 on eBay right now. (Giuliani junk is considerably cheaper--except for items also featuring Joe Torre.)

--Michael Crowley

Posted: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 2:25 PM with 10 comment(s)

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teplukhin2you said:

$399? That's getting close to the relief bill's payout. Nice to see the Obama campaign doing their part to ease the sting of the recession on working families.

April 2, 2008 2:48 PM

WoodyBombay said:

So Rudy was gladly and willingly signing the 9/11 stuff? Eewwww ...

If this guy harassed McCain like he harassed Obama, he would be lying face-down in a ditch right now.

April 2, 2008 3:03 PM

ejbenjamin said:

Most politicians would consider Obama's shortness with the man to be a gaffe, but I think it's important for politicians to lead by example and fight the rampant asshole-ism that plagues our society.  Good for Obama.

April 2, 2008 3:06 PM

bcbaird said:

What will a used pair of Hillary's panties fetch?

April 2, 2008 3:08 PM

lymon1 said:

Funny, Obama, Hillary "thank you, it's been real useful talking to myself" Clinton, John "bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran" McCain, Al Gore -- they all are more likeable when their real self comes out.  I like Obama's reaction -- rightfully annoyed with a soupcon of diva/star, but hey, he's earned it!

April 2, 2008 3:14 PM

ejbenjamin said:

lymon, I feel the exact same way.  After I read about Hillary's comment in TNR, I told several friends about it, and pointed out that I'd like her more if she allowed that side of her to show.

April 2, 2008 4:24 PM

Rhubarbs said:

These eBay entrepreneurs might be the nineteenth-century office-seekers of the twenty-first century. The danger being that two presidents were murdered by insane disappointed office-seekers. So note to Obama: If you're going to get into arguments with eBay profiteers, stay out of train stations.

April 2, 2008 4:24 PM

kevincollins said:

Sheesh, it may be disgusting, but the guy's got the kind of eBay record any seller would definitely desire: 4,539 transactions in one year and only ONE negative rating. That's just about unheard of.

April 2, 2008 4:26 PM

blackton said:

well, at least this guy can say he annoyed the hell out of the next President of the United States. The look on Obama's face when he saw him coming up was priceless, he must meet hundreds if not thousands of people a day so you gotta be a real tool to be recognized like that.

April 2, 2008 6:23 PM

tkozal said:

Frankly, I wanted to see the secret service guys throw him to the ground and beat him bloody raw.

I hate this whole cult of ebay-celebrity memorabilia-trash crap. We should tax such transactions at 50% - call it the "you have wayyy too much money if you can spend it on crap like this tax".

April 3, 2008 8:53 AM