Who’s that man?: Obama asked for ID at gym

[Ichingcarpenter]

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) may have one of the best-known faces in the world, but that doesn’t mean he is recognized everywhere, even in Washington.

Washington Sports Club employee Takehia Wheeler was manning the front desk to scan members’ identification cards Friday morning when the presidential candidate walked in with his entourage. The gym opened a month ago in the Columbia Heights district.

“He came in and walked past me,” Wheeler told In The Know. “I was like, ‘Sir, you need to come back.’ ”

Wheeler said Obama looked familiar, but she didn’t recognize him. So she asked for his ID card.

“I said, ‘What’s your last name?’ He said ‘Obama,’ ” Wheeler explained. “I said, ‘So what’s your first name?”

Then she laughed because it was at that point that Wheeler realized who she was talking to. How did she make amends? By saying, “Sorry, Mr. Future President!”

She wasn’t alone in not recognizing Obama. Trainer Drew McNeil wasn’t sure either.

“I was training right next to him, and I was like, ‘That looks like Obama,’ ” he said.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/whos-that-man-obama-asked-for-id-at-gym-2008-06-27.html

[Cha]

1. Well, that's funny..and humbling

I dare say:) I would have recognized him.. as much as I look at his mug on DU.

[MikeE]

2. I don't know

A lot of times you see people that look like other people. A couple of years ago I was on the Hill working and this guy and I were chatting. He looked really familiar and kept smiling. All I could think was "Damn, he's handsome", and it was Derek Luke, (Antwone Fisher, Definitely,Maybe, Biker Boyz, Pieces of April, Glory Road, etc.). Here is one of my favorite actors standing in front of me and I didn't realize it till I read in the Post that he was on the Hill the same day.

[Cha]

5. Yeah? I've never had an experience

like that..I always recognize the famous people I come in contact with over the years.

But, it's cool you got to talk to one of your favorite actors, Derek Luke, even though you didn't know it at the time.. I have "Definetly Maybe" in from Netflix today..I'll keep an eye out:)

I've been looking at so many pics of Obama from flpoljunkie's threads on The Campaign Trail that he's more in my sub-conscious than say Takehia Wheeler'sB-)

[pop goes the weasel]

3. Good for her!

In my work, we ask everyone everytime for their ID no matter how well we know them. To do anything else is favoritism.

[1Hippiechick]

4. Wouldn't expect to run into him

[CK_John]

6. If this was Oct, we would be in big trouble, but now it is a great object lesson for Obama. He needs

to do more "meet and greet" and get in GE mode, the primaries are over.

I suggest a lapel sticker.

"My name is Barack Obama and I want your vote"

He needs to reach the 30% who vote but don't do the internet.

[quakerboy]

7. Ok. I get egalitarianism

I get "ID everyone". I get that you may not recognize someone if you are not really up on current events.

But the man has secret service. Or at least, I would strongly assume they accompany him even into the gym. How hard is it to miss the secret service guys?

[briv1016]

8. She was probably a college student.

And I say this as a college student. I'm willing to bet a good portion of my school would not know who Obama and McCain are.