Get ready for the attacks: Obama’s No Fan of British Food

[TeamJordan23]

But, does enjoy their good Indian food

Obama’s No Fan of British Food
By Mark Leibovich

EXETER, N.H. — Senator Barack Obama is running for president on a platform of breaking old stereotypes and improving America’s relations with the rest of the world.
But the Illinois senator might have some international relations of his own to repair after deriding British cuisine Thursday during a campaign stop in Exeter.

Between spoonfuls of chili at the Loaf and Ladle Café, Mr. Obama was chatting up a group of voters on a number of topics, including books, snow and the derivation of his name.
When one brought up what she believed to be the improved quality of food in England, Mr. Obama looked at her quizzically, shook his head and dismissed this improvement as a product of “all those good Indian restaurants they have there now.”

And he went on to differentiate Indian food with “traditional British food,” which he said with an exaggerated cringe, scrunching up his nose and shaking his hands in the air for good measure.
Mr. Obama then returned to his chili while a voter named “Corky” ruminated on his own love of scallops wrapped in bacon.


http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/obamas-no-fan-of-british-food/

[DavidDvorkin]

1. What a jerk

[JackORoses]

5. are you a big Spotted Dick fan, Dave?

[DavidDvorkin]

20. I've had excellent food in England

And inferior food in France.

I hate that stereotype and hearing it thoughtlessly repeated angers me. That was a jerky thing for Obama to say.

[cali]

37. england is now a food destination place

and has been for years, and it's not just London, which is often rated as the best restaurant city in the world. And it's been that way for close to 20 year now. It's just ignorant to think it's all about Indian restaurants. Not a big deal, but kind of ignorant.

[ClarkUSA]

7. Why?

:shrug:

[DavidDvorkin]

26. See #20

[Bitwit1234]

65. Well I don't care for it either. BUT I like Bubble and Squeak

cause I like cabbage.

[Catherine Vincent]

2. What attacks?

Are you thinking of Obama supporters?

[ClarkUSA]

9. See #1 (attack by a Hillaryworlder)

As predicted.

[rinsd]

14. DavidD is an Edwards supporter.

Guess there's no answer key for you to rely on there.

[DavidDvorkin]

19. Show me where I've attacked Obama before

My being an Edwards supporter is irrelevant. I'll attack anyone -- yes, including Edwards -- who repeats those stupid stereotypes about British food.

[rinsd]

27. Sorry DavidD.

ClarkUSA has a habit of accusing anyone of saying bad things about Obama as a Hillary supporter and I sought to correct the record. I did not mean to imply that Edwards fans are going on the attack.

I understand now that your love of Edwards and love of British food are mutually exclusive for the purpose of this thread.

On Edit: I accidently accused Clark2008 of the above.

[Clark2008]

49. No I don't.

I've never said anything of the sort. I think you have your Clarkies mixed up.

The only candidate I loathe is Edwards, but I don't attack his fans (other than to wonder why they're fans after his abysmal voting record).

[rinsd]

53. Sorry about that. I did get you guys confused.

[ClarkUSA]

31. A quick look at the archives will suffice.

Obama is entitled to his opinions. And what "stupid stereotypes did he repeat, pray tell?

[ClarkUSA]

24. Sure he is...

He's awfully quick when it comes to trashing Obama. This thread is not the first one I've seen him in action. I'm still waiting for him
to answer my question, unless you'd like to do it for him?

[rinsd]

34. yes everyone is a secret Hillary fan out to get Obama!

DavidD was just lying in the weeds so to speak posting a graph charting Rasmussen's daily tracking poll everyday and occasionally showing up in Edwards threads.

That is until he could spring this devastating attack on Obama's hateful comments about British food!

:sarcasm:

This is hysterical!

[ClarkUSA]

38. What were Obama's "hateful comments about British food"? Please quote him.

*crickets*

[rinsd]

51. Umm did you notice the sarcasm tag?

By the way this symbol *crickets* is for when someone ignores your question and does not reply for some time.

[ClarkUSA]

55. No examples, eh? Thought so...

Just wanted to make that clear.

[rinsd]

Whoooooshhhh

That would be the sound of that post flying over your head.

Perhaps you can look up the word satire.

[ClarkUSA]

60. Is that the sound of hot air going your alleged "satire"?

Or is it the sound of air coming out of the empty space between your ears?

[rinsd]

66. What's a matter? Did I make you look silly?

Again?

Let's take a lokk at that post again

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3868794&mesg_id=3868885

Subject headline: yes everyone is a secret Hillary fan out to get Obama!

DavidD was just lying in the weeds so to speak posting a graph charting Rasmussen's daily tracking poll everyday and occasionally showing up in Edwards threads.

That is until he could spring this devastating attack on Obama's hateful comments about British food!

:sarcasm:

Obviously I was very serious about the hateful comments.

:rofl:

[ClarkUSA]

73. No, you're the one who looks rather silly, in light of your "rabies shot" attack below thread.

Keep stalking me on the threads, rinsd... be aware that is against DU rules.

[rinsd]

81. You flipped out at a compliment directed to a friend of mine on the Obama side.

You really should take a fews days off from GDP, clear your head.

[ClarkUSA]

91. Um, point out when I "flipped out"? And how?

Swing and a miss!

[rinsd]

93. Here ya go

"And you know that because you're an editor at the NYT now? Hillary is the national frontrunner.

And the race in Iowa is a coin toss, so stop trying to lower expectations for Hillary in Iowa in anticipation of a loss there on Jan. 3."

[ClarkUSA]

97. That's what you call "flipping out"??? rofl

:rofl:

[Renew Deal]

32. lol

Prescient

[rinsd]

35. Except DavidD is not a Hillary supporter and seems genuinely annoyed at Obama's comments.

Ya know, those pesky things that happen in reality vs ClarkUSA's mind.

[ClarkUSA]

42. He sure is quick to attack Obama... and why are you his spokesman all of a sudden?

I'm still waiting for you to give me examples of what you called Obama's "hateful comments about British food"...

*crickets*

[rinsd]

56. Because there are decent DUers that should be defended.

Especially when overzealous Billy Goat's gruff villains say things that are untrue about them.

"I'm still waiting for you to give me examples of what you called Obama's "hateful comments about British food"..."

You seem lost at the meaning of sarcasm, satire & hyperbole. Strange because that last one seems a favorite of yours.

[Renew Deal]

46. I don't know who he supports.

I just find it funny.

[aquart]

89. "Hillaryworld" is a paranoid designation implying vast conspiracy

Of orchestrated attacks on pure and truthful Obama.

He has obviously never obtained comfort from Tea and Sympathy, Greenwich Avenue, NY or feasted on deep fried anything whatsoever at Assault and Battery, right next door.

[tech3149]

3. Even the British aren't fans of British food! n/t

[cali]

48. er, when was the last time you were there?

You couldn't be more wrong. The brits are very proud of british food these days, and I'll take a Marks & Sparks or Tesco over any American Supermarket chain. Not to mention that there is nothing even remotely close in this country to the food halls at Harrod's or Peter Nichols. My mother lives in London much of the year, and I've been over there many, many times in the past couple of decades.

[Sultana]

4. .

waiting for the Hill44s :popcorn:



Isn't Indian food the most popular food in Britain?

[NMMNG]

6. Aye caramba

He's so trod upon. :cry:

[Kucinich4America]

8. I've never been to the UK

But I've heard the food really isn't that great, from friends who have been. I guess you can't really go wrong with fish & chips, but the kidney pie and things like that don't sound too appealing.

[Adelante]

17. It's improved in recent years, actually

Historically it was considered really bad in terms of world cuisine.

[rinsd]

18. WesDem, a story like this means the media take him as the frontrunner.

[ClarkUSA]

36. And you know that because you're an editor at the NYT now? Hillary is the national frontrunner.

And the race in Iowa is a coin toss, so stop trying to lower expectations for Hillary in Iowa in anticipation of a loss there on Jan. 3.

[rinsd]

40. Get that rabies shot because your frothing is growing out of control.

That was a compliment for crissakes.

Little stupid stories like the one in the OP are written about the frontrunner.

[ClarkUSA]

45. You're full of nasty ad hominem attacks, aren't you, rinsd? How typical of your ilk.

You are trying to lower expectations in Iowa in anticipation for a Hillary loss. Given your background of partisan attacks against Obama and his
supporters, your "compliment" is as phony as Bob Kerrey's.

[rinsd]

77. LOL.

I shouldn't but I just can't resist poking the bear.

"You are trying to lower expectations in Iowa in anticipation for a Hillary loss."

No, I still think she has a real shot at winning IA as evidenced by the last 3 polls out showing her leading.

As I said, stupid little stories about supposed candidate gaffes like the one in the OP are usually directed at the frontrunner.

Sorry there's no fact check which could explain that to you.

"Given your background of partisan attacks against Obama and his supporters, your "compliment" is as phony as Bob Kerrey's."

Gee if my "background" discounts nice things I have said about Obama to you, that is your private problem unfortunately shared with the rest of DU.

[rinsd]

10. Welcome to frontrunner status Obama.

Moronic little stories always cast in the worst light are a badge of honor in that regard.

[MADem]

11. Traditional British food, cooked properly, is not bad at all. The problem is that

they had so many lousy chefs in their restaurants. You got great meals in the homes, though. They know how to do the traditional joints and roasts and the veg; and when they do it well, they do it brilliantly. It's an unfair stereotype, really.

Now, there's not just the standby Indian food they brought back from the days of the Raj, but delicious Italian and French food available as well. And fast food is everywhere--Burger King, The Colonel, Pizza Hut...

There's New Cuisine, fusion cuisine, and you really CAN find a great meal in the UK.

He hasn't visited there recently, I guess. He's working off an old paradigm. His wife was there a while ago, maybe she got a bad meal....

[BeyondGeography]

21. His grandfather was a servant for the old colonials

it could be deeper than the food.

The good news is he won't assume Engalnd always has our best interests at heart.

[MADem]

75. Well, I'm sure he likes poi, being from Hawaii and all. I think it tastes a bit like

purple colored library paste, myself, but I'm not gonna crucify all Hawaiian food based on one dish I don't like. I think the pig roasts they do are fabulous, and I am a pineapple fan, too...!

I'll bet if he read this stupid little NYT blurb, he'd bite his tongue if he could go back in time. It was a silly remark, but it's hard to find substantive remarks to cover, because the candidates are so scripted.

I don't think the English are fearing the fate of our "Special Relationship" because Obama isn't a fan of mushy peas or steak and kidney pie.

I also would be very worried if what you aver is true--that he'd actually hold a grudge because of his father's treatment by long-dead colonial assholes--especially since his father took a powder when he was just a tyke.

That 'family vengeance' thing ISN'T the quality I'd look for in a Presidential candidate, frankly. I don't think it IS true, though. I think he's just repeating bullshit he's heard elsewhere. A lot of people do think the English food sucks--I was one of them who thought so, until I was lucky enough to live there for a few years. Then, I wised up.

[ElizabethDC]

12. I really like English food

but I realize that that's not a popular opinion. The only thing I would critizice Barack for on this is not being very diplomatic.

[Deep13]

13. Jesus! Who is?

[MADem]

23. That shit's actually quite tasty!!! nt

[Happyhippychick]

39. I thought this was the description used to describe Larry Craig's penis n/t

[Enrique]

52. self-delete

joke was in bad taste, so to speak. :blush:

[truebrit71]

62. Spotted Dick is an acquired taste....I haven't ever be able to acquire it myself...

...but that's what I've heard...

[MADem]

79. It's fattening, that's for sure!

http://coffeeworks.blogs.com/coffee_and_tea/2005/06/i_want_my_spott.html

[Happyhippychick]

15. I haven't yet met anyone who is a fan of British food

He's right! The Indian restaurants in England are the best in the world but unless you are a fan of bland, high calorie food then there isn't much to like about British cuisine.

They do have great tea and smoked salmon, though.

[cali]

54. aargh. I don't know why this drives me so nuts and it has nothing to do with Obama

but the food in England these days is very, very good and it's not just the Indian restaurants. London has more starred restaurants than Paris, and it's not just the starred restaurants or London. The English bad food thing is ancient history.

[MADem]

57. It's fine, if it is well prepared. Like any food, pretty much.

The Devon cream is especially nice. They do a great job on salmon, and the traditional fish and chips is just swell too, when it's properly prepared. It's basic cooking--big roasts, joints, and vegetables. Years ago, they used to overcook the veg. They've gotten over that, and they're better at seasoning than they used to be.

There are occasionally lousy Indian takeaways, too. And brilliant Italian restaurants--some of the best Italian food I have ever had outside of Italy was in London, in fact. The meal would have been perfect except the bread was to Brit standard (they like a softer texture to their bread). When I noted that to the waiter (who was Italian) he got me some decent bread which made the meal perfect. If I didn't hear the diners around me, I would have sworn I was in Italy.

It's an old paradigm he's working under. That's not the crime of the century, but he's out of date on the English Food Score!

[truebrit71]

83. You have now...I'm a fan of British Food...

:hi:

[Happyhippychick]

92. Woo hoo! I'm no longer a "never met a British Food Fan" virgin!

My best friend is British and we often have hilarious discussions of who has worse food - Americans or Brits. I say that Spam is the winner but she's named a few things that rival it.

[bunnies]

16. Bangers n' Mash! yummmmmmmmmmm. nt

[MADem]

44. IF you use good bangers, properly seasoned, and not those overfat things...

Same deal with Toad in the Hole!!!

And a well seasoned faggot is a grand treat! A bit of mash and peas, and you've a meal!!!




Of course, you might look askance at this beverage, wanting to know if it was descriptive of its tastiness, or representative of its ingredients!!!

[bunnies]

59. I totally agree! We have a british pub close to us ...

that serves a plethora of super tasty, well prepared yummyness. They serve their Toad in the Hole with this incredibly gravy. Making my mouth water just thinking about it.

Next time Im there, which might be tonight at this rate, :) I'll be sure to order me a Dogs Bollocks! Thats hysterical. :rofl:

[oasis]

22. Ah yes! We're being treated to a sample of Obama's foreign policy "experience".

:rofl:

[Bluebear]

41. ...

OK that was funny :)

[mtnsnake]

76. self delete, posted to wrong post

[mtnsnake]

78. LOL

Good one, oasis!

:toast:

[sniffa]

25. not even bangers and mash?

:eyes:



he experimented as a child with a yard of ale, so that may work in his favor.

[youthere]

28. Well that's it then...

I can't vote for that anti-bubble and squeak reactionary!
:crazy:

[William769]

29. Well thats one thing me and Obama have in common.

But then again I like blokes, not birds.

[Occam Bandage]

30. Christ, who is?

[truebrit71]

61. Um...I am...

...

[ElizabethDC]

63. Me too. n/t

[Elidor]

33. At least he didn't get started about their teeth.

:hide:

[goodgd_yall]

72. lol!

[jefferson_dem]

43. NOOooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Why does he hate the Queen?!

That's it. I'm done with him...

[William769]

47. Good!

Because I have a doozy to your response.

[Kucinich4America]

58. Obama hates Queen?

Fuck it, that's a dealbreaker :mad:

[Enrique]

50. no kippers for breakfast?

[ghostsofgiants]

64. What's the deal with American politics?

Why does it matter what kind of food Obama likes? How does that have any bearing on politics whatsoever?

[LSK]

70. dude!!! this is means Obama will lower taxes for Corporations

Its SO OBVIOUS!!!

:popcorn:

[ghostsofgiants]

71. Maybe I'm just a jaded outsider, but stuff like this just gives me a sense that...

American political culture is fucked.

[LSK]

80. wait till they find out that John Edwards was at a Wendys

Wow, look out for the firestorm that will create!!!

[LSK]

67. QUICK!!! GET THE MAN SOME HAGGIS!!!

[truedelphi]

68. Oh mi gawd. Now PC has extended to praising British food??

Let's all have a toast with Hard Cider, approved by the Queen. One of my all time favorite ways to get slooshed.

But first it was that only Don Rickles could comment on someone's ethnicity.

or the occasional (might I be allowed to say it) black or Korean comedian.

Now we have to pretend we have recently been to London and noticed how good the restaurants are there?

Please people lighten up. Please.

Unless you personally OWN a restaurant in London, what difference does it make?

[MADem]

82. Well, I used to live in the UK, so I am not "pretending." I'm just stating what I know.

I've never owned a restaurant in London, but I've been in a ton of restaurants over that way, from England to Wales to Scotland, and enjoyed the chow.

I've also enjoyed some great meals in Ireland--fantastic fish in Galway--I went back to that restaurant several times, the fish was so good.

It's silly for people to get upset because others are correcting an error in fact, too. Obama misspoke, and he based his comments on an outdated paradigm, or maybe because his wife got a lousy meal while there recently.

It ain't the end of the world.

[truedelphi]

87. I've heard from thsoe who in the know, that the food can be awesome -

And if someone would like to send me there as a reviewer all expenses paid, I'll be on the first plane out. (Or maybe not, I am probably on a no fly list by now)

But the thing is, like you say, It ain't the end of the world.

[truebrit71]

84. It's an insult to my Mum, and British Mum's everywhere...

...I don't give a shit what he thinks about British food, but if he can insure that all American brewers have to make proper bloody beer, then I hope he becomes President for life!!!

[truedelphi]

86. Proper bloody beer! I'm in your camp on that.

Do you like Samuel Adams?

What is your favorite brew?

[truebrit71]

88. Not a big Sam Adams fan..tastes too 'perfumey' for my liking...

...I like Boddington's, Tetley's, Old Speckled Hen, Bishop's Finger if I can find 'em..

[truedelphi]

90. There is probably no where in this rural county

To go and get any of those.

We had a wonderful British pub just up the road a piece (like Two miles or so) and I think they had Tetleys. ANd probably several of the others.

But they sold to an owner who made it an Italian place. <sigh>

[goodgd_yall]

69. Traditional British food doesn't have a good reputation

I suppose Obama should have been more polite and held in his real feelings.

Personally, I've had a few good experiences with a Fish n Chip shop over there. The Carvery was a bit heavy for my taste though. The breakfasts in the B & Bs can run the range from OK to yuck.

But he's right about the Indian food. It has been said the best in the world can be found in London.

[zulchzulu]

74. Holy Shit! Hillary! Attack! Attack! Attack! He mentioned India!

Obama likes Indian food, which is a subtle way for him to mention the Punjab Jab...

:sarcasm:

[cloudbase]

85. Come Christmas Day,

no sprouts and pudding for Obama, then.

[HuffleClaw]

94. british... erm, cuisine?

really though, this is one silly 'news' story. i'm reminded of the elder bush's infamous 'broccoli statement'

[Hippo_Tron]

95. It really bothers me that DUers even give this bullshit the time of day

The reason that the Republicans have a base is because of people like Rush Limbaugh who get a certain percentage of the population riled up about how John Kerry asked for swiss cheese on his Philly and therefore that makes him an elitist.

Can we grow up and realize that it doesn't fucking matter what kind of food a candidate likes?

[JerseygirlCT]

96. I lived on cheese sandwiches there, myself

Traditional English cuisine is not to my liking, either.

[varelse]

98. This thread has made me feel

very hungry, for some reason.

yummmm... Indian food and mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm chili <3

[Cass]

99. Some stuff like black puddings and haggis are pretty gross but

there is some really good food to be found in the UK, too.

We have some really nasty stuff here also - SPAM comes to mind. :puke:

[HughMoran]

100. Who is?

I didn't like the food when there either - lol.