Obama gets picked up (PHOTO) - UPDATED

[Blue Belle]

Last edited Mon Sep 10, 2012, 10:09 PM - Edit history (6)

Source Huffington Post

In Florida for his bus tour on Sunday, President Barack Obama made an unannounced stop at Big Apple Pizza and Pasta in Ft. Pierce. There, the shop's owner, Scott Van Duzer, lifted the president off the ground:


(Photo credit: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

?2

LINK



UPDATE: Since this photo came out yesterday, people have been boycotting Scott VanDuzer's business because he hugged President Obama. There are multiple threads going around about what you can do to show your support to Mr. Van Duzer, but now it seems that he is asking that you donate to his foundation.

http://thevanduzerfoundation.org/

[Wounded Bear]

1. Wow, SS must have really loved that one.....

[etherealtruth]

50. Arghh, as adorable as this is ...

... you are right. I am sure there has been an uptick in the intake of anti hypertensives and nitroglycerin by the SS

[oldbanjo]

53. It was preapproved by the SS.

[gkhouston]

64. LOL, that's the smart way to do it.

Never make the guys with no necks nervous.

[ehrnst]

135. Yes, that photo would have about 20 little laser targets on the guy if he hadn't cleared it. (nt)

[RichardRay]

79. Head of detail said it was OK...

as long as he didn't try to carry him away.

[seabeyond]

2. that is precious. nt

[BlancheSplanchnik]

141. I agree! I feel like that guy, too

I've wanted for years now to give President Obama the biggest, fattest hug he's EVER had, but looks that guy beat me to it!!

I'd clear it with Michelle, first, though!

[nc4bo]

3. LOL OMG!!!

But I can feel the luv!

[warrior1]

4. He ain't heavy, He's my President.

from another poster. I agree!

[calimary]

49. OMG!!! LOVE IT!!!!

[flamingdem]

97. That's very cute

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. I absolutely LOVE it! And the president just went right along with it.

[jsr]

6. Probably a first for a U.S. president

[whistler162]

45. Nope, tused to happen all the time to......

William Howard Taft!

The Secret Service agents just lost a good ten years of life.

[nuxvomica]

54. I heard it happened to Grover Cleveland

On two non-consecutive occasions.

[clydefrand]

83. I will bet that person

broke his back both times if he picked up Cleveland!

[lunatica]

7. Obama seems to be enjoying himself too

I'm happy someone took that photograph.

[otohara]

8. He's so cool

Omg that is hysterical

[AsahinaKimi]

61. I love it..

Who would ever do that to Romney? He would have a fit!

[Bucky]

147. Romney doesn't need the help flipflopping around

[MADem]

9. Would anyone do that to Mitt.....?

Maybe to pick him up and fling him across the room while screaming "You outsourced my job, you baaastid!!!!"....I don't think they'd be smiling....

[Lilyeye]

91. LOL

[Ready4Change]

102. Yah, just imagine.

Imagine stiff Mitt in that situation. He wouldn't know what to do. Probably freeze up, thinking he was being attacked, go all defensive in his posture and back away asap.

Worse, just imagine Bush43 in that position. He had a typical bully mentality. He pulls the jokes on others, and its funny. But no one pulls a joke on him without paying a nasty penalty. This pizza shop owner would have been in serious trouble from one of Bush43's lackeys.

But Obama just seems to natural in this. And he's almost always that way. You can see it in his interactions with his family, and reflected in how crowds react to him. Doesn't speak towards his performance as a PRESIDENT, but as a human being, the guy's alright in my book.

[RichGirl]

105. No one is allowed to pick up Mitt....

It would reveal the big secret....he's just a card board cut out!!

[sagat]

130. He'd probably break at the waist.

.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Now THAT is a bear hug!

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. What a difference between how Obama relates to people vs Romney (Or pretty much any other Repub.) I

also see differences in the body language and facial expressions of his supporters and those of Romney's, which I think just obviously underscores an "enthusiasm gap."

[daleanime]

12. DUzer?

[Shankapotomus]

13. Contrast that with this

&feature=youtube_gdata_player

And you know our President is one of the people.

[Faygo Kid]

14. That is so cool. That's my President!

Would Mitt allow it? No. But it could be worse.

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. Please!!! give a body a warning before showing that pic.

I know I am not the only person who has a stomach turning reaction to that man.

[pink-o]

109. Count me in too!

[jmowreader]

125. If Romney diebolds himself into the White House...

people will be putting "Miss me yet?" stickers with that face on it on their bumpers.

[noiretextatique]

29. who would want to hug Rmoney?

except the koch brothers?

[proud patriot]

15. I just love our President

[southernyankeebelle]

16. It's to bad we didn't get a angle from the other side. I bet he has a hugh smile on his face.

Where O where is that angry black man Fox News keeps talking about?

[treestar]

22. That girl at the table is taking one!

Maybe she'll upload it!

[southernyankeebelle]

73. sure would be nice. Its a great pic.

[speedoo]

18. Gotta put that pizza place on my Yelp list.

For my next visit to Florida, gotta shake Scott's hand!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

19. Faux "News" Headline: Patriot Attempts To Crush Socialist Usurper

[Blue Belle]

28. Nice!

hahahahaha!

[alphafemale]

20. that is adoreable.

[Tx4obama]

21. The man that picked Pres Obama up is a Republican and he is voting for Obama!

See here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120909/us-obama-bear-hug/

[onehandle]

116. I like hearing that. nt

[BlancheSplanchnik]

142. Far out!!!

Love it!

[BattyDem]

23. I LOVE THIS!!!!

I love how the POTUS doesn't seem tense or annoyed ... he just puts his hands out, as if to say, "Look at this - I'm off the floor!" I bet he had a huge smile on his face!

[Poll_Blind]

24. Seriously, the man can still look presidential when lifted off the ground in a bear hug.

Legs-out, stiff as if he were standing straight up. I'm not sure if I could have come up with a protocol for still looking dignified in such a situation but I think the President pulls it off.

PB

[liberalmuse]

25. I'm worried about the lack of enthusiasm, people.

Poor President Obama. Democrats are deserting him in droves! And Republicans...oh, wait...

That is a really touching picture.

[budkin]

26. Such a great photo!

LOL

[Ztolkins]

27. I don't know if anyone caught this

at the RNC, when Romney was walking out & shaking hands, MSNBCs camera picked up a guy yelling at Romney "Don't touch me!"

Quite the difference.

[Blue Belle]

30. I wish I could get that clip...

It would be a nice juxtaposition with this photo.

[paparush]

31. Awesome pic!

Wonder if the Secret Service detail were reaching into their jackets?

[The Wielding Truth]

47. In the link it said that he was the owner of the pizza shop. So he was probably cleared.

[Pirate Smile]

32. The photo after this is really cute to:

Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt)
9/9/12 2:36 PM
yfrog.com/ncc14jj POTUS after the big lift...





I can't post the pic

[LonePirate]

36. This pic?

http://yfrog.com/ncc14jj

[kentauros]

39. Let's see if this works:

Now that's more like it!

[Blue Belle]

48. great photo...

[Botany]

75. Too bad that Obama and Biden are not popular

BTW the one biker does not look happy

[kentauros]

124. Yes, that biker on the right doesn't look too pleased.

And the one on the left seems to be giving him the look of "Now, now! Don't do anything stupid." "rofl:

[jayjayusa]

158. hmmm..

guy on the left looks like the star of the tv show Sons of Anarchy.

[RichGirl]

108. I just fell in love with my president all over again...sigh....

[Tarheel_Dem]

43. Is it this one? The guy's expression, in the background, is priceless.

[Voice for Peace]

58. this makes me think of FDR

I think..
the presidential is in the face, elegance,
the arms, the intelligence
humor kindness & more.

[Tarheel_Dem]

62. You're absolutely right. It shows the president doesn't take himself too seriously.

[Voice for Peace]

66. I must have seen film of FDR being carried, perhaps towards end of his life.

That same sense about him -- of being surrendered physically, while
remaining masterful at the dignified business of being president.

[Blue Belle]

70. FDR proves...

That you have to have an active brain and humility to be a great president.

[A HERETIC I AM]

81. Speaking of FDR, I had an interesting conversation with a like minded co-worker the other day.....

when we were discussing the likability of both candidates and how so many want to refer to Mr. Obama as a "Socialist".

I told him I asked a fellow I met arguing the other side if he thought FDR was a socialist - he said "No".

My co-worker said "Right....we elected him to FOUR TERMS!"

My response?

"Right, and they had to amend the constitution to keep it from happening again!" (the 22nd Amendment)

[Voice for Peace]

98. I know!! 4 times!! that's awfully unpopular.

[burrowowl]

112. I'm flying!

Great pic!

[GoCubsGo]

33. Those small businessmen hate Obama so much, this one tried to crush him to death!

LOL! Mr. Duzer is lucky the Secret Service wasn't all over him.

Queue the whines from the right that the President was behaving unpresidential, or some other such nonsense. Just like they did when that woman weightlifter picked up his wife at the Olympics. Jealous assholes.

[Indpndnt]

55. Bah!

They've got a guy who pokes people in the face with the free hot dogs he's handing out at a NASCAR race, asking them if they want one. How very presidential!

But, yes, they will try to twist it around.

[SaveAmerica]

120. oh noes, did that hot dog thing really happen? Is he worse than Bush?

[ErikJ]

34. Small Businessmen for Obama

And Repubs I talk to say that all businessmen are Republicans for Romney.

[AnneD]

143. Any small business owner ...

Republican or not, should be aware of the fact that the Romney business model was and still is buy 'em, strip 'em, load 'em, and dump 'em. They do a leverage buy out, strip off the assets of the company, load the remaining with loans to make them look good and then dump them on some unsuspecting sucker. Of course they pay themselves handsomely for their 'hard work'.

edited for clarification....this is the business equivalent of flipping a house. And we know how well that worked for Real Estate.

[nadinbrzezinski]

35. Good photo, I am betting that made a few Secret Service guys

VERY NERVOUS though.

[Blue Belle]

37. I was thinking the same thing...

That would be such a hard job...

[bluestateguy]

38. I wonder if Herb Cain would do that

??

[BrainMann1]

40. Mom looks like

"Is this really happening." Bubba don't hurt him, make nice. I'll hug him and squeeze him, cause he's my friend.

[Blue Belle]

46. Reminds me of the Abomniable Snow Man from Bugs Bunny...

"...and I will hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him...". I just hope this guy doesn't call him "George".

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="

?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[TNLib]

41. Awesome Link and that Guy's a registered Republican Business Owner that Supports Obama

nt

[GallopingGhost]

42. With all the hatred and racism President Obama

has to endure on a daily basis, this must have made his day!

Hats off to Mr. Van Duzer. I hope business goes through the roof for him.

[Blue Belle]

44. Another link....

Source: Salon.com
By: Jim Kuhnhenn, Associated Press

Republican knocks Obama off his feet

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — If President Barack Obama was looking for a lift in Florida, he got one from Scott Van Duzer. The 46-year-old, six-foot-three Republican gave Obama a bear hug, raising him off the ground as Obama marveled at the man’s strength — and enthusiasm.

Van Duzer owns the Big Apple Pizza and Pasta Italian Restaurant where Obama stopped on Sunday during a Florida bus swing. He also runs a foundation that helps collect blood for the ill; he has received White House commendations for his work.

As he entered, Obama admired Van Duzer’s biceps, saying “Look at these guns!”

Said Obama: “The guy’s just got a big heart, along with big pecs.”

Of his embrace, Van Duzer said: “I was overwhelmed when I saw him.”

He said Obama had his vote.

READ FULL STORY

[Bernardo de La Paz]

69. Note: Republican gives his vote. nt

[Blue Belle]

84. yep!

let's hope it's a start of a trend.

[WCGreen]

51. Romney would have had this guy taised and arrested....

[Sanity Claws]

52. And Biden had a female biker sit on his lap. I'm not joking.

photographic proof.

http://gothamist.com/2012/09/09/photos_biden_massages_lady_biker_on.php#photo-3

The Onion is going to go out of business.

[gkhouston]

63. She's in a chair. Think about how long Biden's legs would have to be for her to be in his lap.

Great pic, though.

[Tx4obama]

117. The photo on your link PROVES that she is NOT on his lap. She is sitting on her own chair.

Take a closer look at the photo

[Bucky]

148. So she's only grinding him.

Silly Joe, tricks are for Louisiana senators!

[lonestarnot]

56. OMG did he plant one on him too?

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

[polichick]

57. That is one crazy photo!

[cr8tvlde]

60. Ranks up there with the little boy touching his hair in the Oval Office

to see if it was like his. Priceless. Man of the People, as is Michelle and her phtot/famous hugs by kids. I'm sure the privileged class would "look down" on such peasantry/familiarity.

[Botany]

78. This is my fav

?w=655

But just remember Obama is not popular w/ the American people.

[cr8tvlde]

87. Hadn't seen this one.

Someone wrote earlier about putting together a book of Obama and Kids photos. This is a man experienced with babies/children. Super PACs can't buy that!

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

65. I'm envisioning the look of terror on Mitt's face if this happened to him.

I'm also not seeing him or Ryan hanging with bikers in a diner either.

There's definitely a substantial "awesomeness" gap between the tickets.

[flamingdem]

96. Let's hope it catches on and Mitt feels that he has to endure it!

[SunSeeker]

67. I'd do the same thing!

[ann---]

126. Me, too

[skeewee08]

68. Wow love it!!!!

We have coolest President

[Vadem]

71. This is incredible!!! I love it!!!

[surrealAmerican]

72. I'm suspicious.

That man looks way too fit to own a pizza shop.


He's trying to steal our President!

[RockaFowler]

74. Here is his Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/#!/FortPierceBigApple


I love this place. Great pizza and a great guy. He helps the community donating food and having blood donor drives. A real community oriented guy!

[SCVDem]

76. Rmoney would first insult his pizza

Then the place would be closed due to all the right wing bs he spreads.

A hug like that would snap the stick up Rmoney's ass.

[mulsh]

77. there's video of this at the link.

this is my favorite photo of our President. So far.

[greatauntoftriplets]

80. I love it!

[icarusxat]

82. makes me want to hug him too

[Chiyo-chichi]

85. Video!

[flamingdem]

88. That doesn't look pre-approved! n/t

[Chiyo-chichi]

89. No, it doesn't.

He said something like "I gotta give you one of these."

Looked kinda spontaneous to me.

[flamingdem]

90. upthread someone said it was approved by SS

when you think about it ... it probably was because that kind of action could have had them pulling out the REAL GUNS!!

[treestar]

100. They may have frisked everyone there before hand

Thus it would not have been as alarming.

[Indpndnt]

104. Apparently, it was. With link...

From the Yahoo News article:

"So what did the Secret Service think about Van Duzer — a registered Republican who says he'll vote for Obama in November — hoisting the president? "He said I was all right as long as I didn't take him away," Van Duzer told reporters."

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/florida-pizza-shop-owner-powerlifts-obama-195921467--election.html

[Schema Thing]

110. can't tell from that statement if he asked about it before or after the hug took place.

[ehrnst]

136. It was - he'd be full of holes if he hadn't. (nt)

[Blue Belle]

94. Love it!!

Thanks for posting the video!!

[renate]

145. oh that is ADORBS!

[RonTiger]

86. Shop promotion

The shop owner must be doing some promotion for his business by lifting up Obama. He will brag after that.

[flamingdem]

92. That's not the busiest part of the world

but you have a point.

Talking point: Obama is good for small business!

[RonTiger]

93. Obama Getting Close to Strangers is High Risk

But Obama getting close to strangers is high risk because somebody can assault Obama. The Secret service agensts were 20 feet away when the big man picked up Obama. He could have harmed the president.

[flamingdem]

95. Your concern is duly noted!

[Botany]

101. Hey Ron we here at DU are real friendly so make sure to enjoy the free pizza

[ehrnst]

139. In 3...2...1... (nt)

[Indpndnt]

106. Oh, really?

I'm sure the Secret Service knows how to protect the President.

[ehrnst]

138. He cleared it with the SS before he did it. That's why he's not full of holes.

You seem to have a lot of problems with posts here on DU.

[alcibiades_mystery]

111. Whatevah, bro

[Brigid]

153. I am so stealing that pic!

[ehrnst]

137. Yes. So? (nt)

[Nedsdag]

99. Who says white guys hate the President?

Seriously, this is a terrific picture.

[progressivebydesign]

103. Aww.. Love that! The story is great, too. The guy is a republican who is voting for the President.

He said that the Secret Service said he could pick him up, but couldn't take him anywhere. Haha.

Love my President!!

[Swede Atlanta]

107. I can't see any of the fat, old angry white people....

picking up RMoney. I don't think they really like him. They just hate the fact that an African-American is sitting in "their house". End of sentence.

[Liberal_in_LA]

113. Charity work of the guy picking up Obama

He founded the Van Duzer Foundation a few years ago to help families experiencing tough times. He said he was inspired by the experience of helping a childhood friend and St. Lucie County firefighter whose house burned. He started promoting blood donation about four years ago. This year, he said, he took a month to bike more than 1,000 miles to Washington with four kids aged 12 to 17 to raise awareness and discuss the issue with Surgeon General Regina Benjamin.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/pizzeria-owner-on-lifting-up-obama-it-was-just-pur/nR6n8/

[Blue Belle]

144. Thank you for posting the link...

What a great story. I love hearing about people like this.

[Whovian]

114. Am I just getting old or is this making me want to cry just a fluke.

Love this picture.

[tjdee]

115. After that pic was this pic:

Really wonderful.

[FedUpWithIt All]

118. Scott Van Duzer is a Republican who said...

"I don't vote party line, I vote who I feel comfortable with, and I do feel extremely comfortable with him,"

He also voted for Obama in 2008.

This is a good thing. I realize most people here are repelled by anything and all republican, but there really is nothing but good that can come from more people embracing the politics of the left. And this comes even in the midst of a very clear, very firm policy stance at the DNC. I say good!

[flamingdem]

121. He's a good role model for all those like him!

Big Guns for Obama!

[MiddleFingerMom]

119. This photo is going to hurt at least ONE person's feelings.

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[polly7]

122. But .........

[IMG][/IMG]

sorry, I just look for any excuse to use this picture, it still makes me laugh every time I see it.

[ann---]

127. What was that?

[Blue Belle]

129. yikes...

[TlalocW]

123. If I'm ever lucky enough to see President Obama

During his next 4 years in office or after he's out, he's getting a hug from me too. I'm strong enough to lift him off the ground but probably too short to do it without it looking weird so I won't go crazy like this guy, but Barack's getting a hug.

TlalocW

[cecilfirefox]

128. lol, that's a riot. nt

[begin_within]

131. Sorry... to me it really does look like it was planned.

It's still nice and all, shows that men can be affectionate without fear.
But... it really does look like it was planned, and even choreographed.

[Blue Meany]

132. Romney: "I take a lot of credit for bringing pizza to America..." Ryan: "I once ate 30 pizzas in

one hour to win a pizza eating contest. It was just after I climbed Mt. Everest, so I was hungry."

Romney: "I own a pizza chain...somewhere, in China, I think."

[Ian_rd]

133. OMG the Secret Service must have been freaking out! <nt>

[TahitiNut]

134. It's all about TRUST.

Obama clearly trusts people ... and can spot a phoney. People (especially the very young) can immediately identify Obama as trustworthy.

There isn't the slightest molecule of sociopathy in Obama's make-up. He LIKES people and is comfortable in his own skin. He has enormous mental/emotional assets ... probably the most mentally healthy President we've had in a LONG time ... maybe ever.

It's not just that folks want "to have a beer with him" ... it's that we see in him so many personality traits that we'd want in our own families ... that we want in our world.

He's the REAL DEAL.

[heaven05]

140. cleared?????

I'm pissed. This photo is not cute or fucking adorable!

[Jamaal510]

146. Not that it's any of my business,

but since this guy says he's a Republican who plans on voting for Obama again, it would be interesting to see how he votes down the ticket and whether he's one of the people responsible for electing the obstructionists.

[Blue Belle]

150. Please help Van Duzer...

by donating to his foundation. http://www.vanduzerfoundation.org

[Coyotl]

151. Don't hold your breath until the Rmoney campaign gets this real with real people.

I love the woman's expression. It tells all, joy and surprise, big smile behind her too next to flash.

[drm604]

152. That foundation link doesn't work.

[FrenchieCat]

154. That's cause it's posted wrong.....

This is the correct link, as I just donated to it: http://thevanduzerfoundation.org/

[Blue Belle]

155. Thanks for posting...

I fixed the link above.

[drm604]

156. Thanks.

I just donated.

[allan01]

157. re:Obama gets picked up (PHOTO) - UPDATED

too bad the u.s taliban are resorting to this . the guy loves his prez and gave the O man a class 100 bear hug and is suffering for this .