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Barack and Biden eat breakfast in Boardman
BOARDMAN — Barack Obama had waffles, bacon and two eggs over medium. Joe Biden had the French toast on the advice of Boardman Township Administrator Jason Loree.
And the 50 or so people eating breakfast today at the Yankee Kitchen Family Restaurant in Boardman had a memory that will last a lifetime.
The Democratic presidential nominee and Biden, his vice presidential running mate, along with their wives ate breakfast at the restaurant this morning.
While some — primarily Boardman officials and their families — knew ahead of time that the foursome were making the stop, it came as a surprise to others eating at the Yankee Kitchen.
Robert and Beverly Dixie of Youngstown eat breakfast at a different place every Saturday.
Their meal today at the Yankee Kitchen was their first time there in 25 years, he said.
“It’s divine intervention that we stopped here,” he said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You don’t get to shake the hands of the next president of the United States and the next vice president every day.”
The Obamas and Bidens talked for about 20 minutes with those at the restaurant and shook many hands.
Tomi Beach of Boardman sat at a table with her daughter, Abbey Beach, and Abbey’s fiance, Loree, just a few feet from the Obamas and Bidens.
“It’s surreal to be eating this close to them,” Tomi Beach said. “It’s totally overwhelming. I’m really happy that we came.”
After a quick bite, the foursome spent some time with those at the restaurant.
They had spent the night at the Hampton Inn in Austintown after a Friday rally in Beaver, Pa.
They were on their way to the funeral of U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones in Cleveland that was to start at 11 a.m.
They didn’t get out of the restaurant until 9:15 a.m.
“You need to step it up with Michelle,” Obama told a campaign worker. “She’s always the last one.”
In a brief interview with The Vindicator as he left, Biden said he was “very happy” with the reception he got at the restaurant.
“It’s kind of like home,” he said. “This is like Scranton,” where the Delaware senator was born.
When asked about debating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, selected Friday as Republican John McCain’s vice presidential running mate, Biden said, “Oh, I think she’s going to be awful good, awful good. I’m impressed with her so far.”
For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator or vindy.com