Obama takes political stalker in stride

[Freddie Stubbs]

By John Pattersonand Sara Hooker Daily Herald Staff Writers
Posted Friday, May 21, 2004
SPRINGFIELD - When state Sen. Barack Obama heads to the bathroom, there's Justin Warfel waiting outside with a camcorder.

If he goes for a drive, Warfel is in a car following him.

For the last week, Warfel has camped out in Obama's Senate office waiting to follow him - closely - filming or audio taping every move and word in Springfield.

Warfel, 24, of Decatur, works for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jack Ryan. His sole purpose is to document everything Obama, the Democratic candidate, does in hopes of catching something for a campaign ad.

more: http://www.dailyherald.com/news/illinois_story.asp?intID=38128130

[lovedems]

1. Ewww! Why do republicans have to be such slime balls?

That is just plain creepy. I can understand video taping public events but waiting for Obama to come out of the bathroom and rolling the camera again?

That is just sick.

[davsand]

2. Nothing new--it went this way in the Primary too.

My guess is Obama is used to this kind of crap after the primary. Hull did this same thing to both Hynes and Obama. I was amazed at how pragmatic they both were about it.

We had an Hynes event here for local labor just before the primary, and Hynes came in the hall with his staffers and immediately behind them came the video guy hired by Hull. The same thing happened over in Vermilion County when we were over there a few weeks before.


Laura

Edited for a spelling issue that spell check didn't catch.

[Nailzberg]

4. There's a big difference between

an event and full-time surveillance.

Obama, Hynes and Hull all kept close tabs on each other at rallies, press conferences, and other events.

Ryan's guy is being a stalker. And since he's being obvious about it, the only real purpose is to make Obama uneasy. He's not gonna get any dirt following so closely.

[LoZoccolo]

3. Where do I sign up to tape Ryan?

I'd follow him around for awhile and give him a taste of his own medicine. Where does he hang out? Anyone else wanna sign up for shifts? Maybe we could send people out to block this camera guy too. I am so for putting a stop to this. This is disgusting. Who's with me?

[gatlingforme]

5. It's the "Anything Goes" mentality the Republicans take to a new

lower level. They will do anything.