Obama's Dallas Escapades
President Obama doesn't let pouty Gov. Rick Perry ruin his Dallas fun
President Barack Obama's visit to Dallas on July 8, part of a three-city fundraiser tour, included parties, meetings with local politicians and a speech about the economy. But the lingering takeaway of his visit is a photo showing a scowling Gov. Rick Perry that has become a caption contest across Facebook.
Highlights of the president's trip included a sit-down with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and a fundraiser dinner in Preston Hollow featuring some of the best barbecue in Texas.
Gov. Perry demanded one-on-one time with Obama, ostensibly to talk about border issues related to the wave of unaccompanied children from Central America who've crossed the border in the past few months. Dissatisfied with the president's initial offer to meet at the airport, Perry refused to meet the President on the tarmac.
President Obama relented and agreed to let Perry sit at the adults' table in a meeting with Rawlings, Judge Clay Jenkins, Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia and Democratic Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas to discuss the 2,000 children being taken in Dallas County.
The photo from that meeting, tweeted by New York Times reporter Doug Mills, speaks volumes. It shows the president and others at the table laughing, while Gov. Perry sits off to the side, his bottom lip gripped in a pout that makes him look about 5 years old.
Mills added the diplomatic caption, "President Obama shares a light moment Mayor Mike Rawlings, with Gov. Rick Perry at the end of the table." Yahoo describes it as a "photo for the ages."
The photo has drawn nearly 700 caption suggestions on Democratic blog Burnt Orange Report's Facebook page. Sample: "The cool kids are teasing me again."
On Wednesday night, Obama attended a fundraiser dinner for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee at the Preston Hollow home of attorney Marc Stanley, near Northhaven and Hillcrest. Street closures began at 2 pm, and by 4:30 pm, police cars were stationed in every driveway along Walnut Hill.
The dinner, which was limited to 50 people and cost a minimum of $10,000 a person, was catered by John Mueller, who prepared ribs, brisket, sausage, turkey, beans, potato salad and coleslaw.
Late-night commuters on the Tollway suffered an hour-long clogging until 9 pm, when the presidential entourage headed to Love Field and Austin for a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee. Continuing the barbecue theme, the President made a surprise visit to Franklin Barbecue, where he got to cut in line.
