Obama makes stop in Danville

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made an unannounced campaign stop at Short Sugar’s Bar-B-Q in Danville on Wednesday, whipping the place into a frenzy shortly after he spent the morning at a town hall meeting in Martinsville.

Short Sugar’s manager Kevin Ainsworth said he was joking with customers that Obama would make a stop at the restaurant on his way to a town hall meeting in Lynchburg, but was surprised when it actually happened.

Ainsworth got the word about 30 minutes before Obama’s bus pulled in the parking lot. It got ecstatic quickly after that.

“Twenty minutes later, all hell broke loose,” he said.

Secret Service agents and U.S. Marshals had to keep people back at a safe distance and keep a path open so officials could get in and out of the restaurant.

“We’ve had all sorts of people stop by here for a campaign appearance,” Ainsworth said. “This was the craziest.”

Campaign officials said they scoped out the joint about a week ago to see if it would work for the Southside swing.

Obama was accompanied by U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner, who suggested Short Sugar’s as a good stop. Obama ordered a chopped sandwich and two pounds of smoked ribs for the crew, while Warner ordered a minced barbecue sandwich and a sweet tea.

It was a curve for the waitresses who had not waited on a major presidential candidate before.

“Who’s gonna pay for the order?” they asked. “Is this to go or is he gonna eat here?”

About this time, Kay Poteat showed up to get a photograph with Obama. She was at Wal-Mart getting some prescriptions filled, but she hightailed it back to Short Sugar’s when she heard he was stopping there.

Customers were thrilled not only to get a glimpse of Obama, but also just to shake hands with him.

Archie and Mary Glass of Danville wore huge Obama for president T-shirts that didn’t go unnoticed by the candidate. Not only did he stop to talk to the couple, he bought their meal.

“I believe if we had been eating chitlins, he would have paid for it,” Glass said.

Angela Fowler couldn’t believe she met Obama. She couldn’t wait to give her mother a call.

“My mother is going to have a cow when she hears I’m hobnobbing with Barack and Mark,” Fowler said.

Cecil Murray of Danville got Obama to sign his bill.

Former City Councilwoman Joyce Glaise was front and center when Obama walked in with Warner. She said history was being made because it has been several years since a major party nominee has stopped in Danville.

“How good can it get?” Glaise said.

When asked what he thought of Obama, Ainsworth said, “I’m a Republican.”

Contact Bernard Baker at bbaker@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7986.