Obama does some 'Small Business Saturday' shopping
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama continued what's become an annual post-Thanksgiving tradition by stopping at a bookstore for Small Business Saturday.
With his two daughters alongside, the President went to Politics and Prose in Washington to pick up a few books, telling reporters he bought a "long list" of titles for every age group, including his own. (Read the full list below)
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The President chatted at length with several customers, while his daughters, Sasha and Malia, browsed.
He went to the cashier to make his purchase after about 20 minutes. As he left the shop, the President wished everyone a "great holiday," and customers applauded.
Started by two people in 1984, Politics and Prose has grown to a staff of 50 employees and is known as a popular spot for book discussions and readings, with daily visits by authors.
First lady Michelle Obama, who was not with the family Saturday, held a book signing at Politics and Prose in May to promote “American Grown,” a book about the White House garden and her campaign against obesity.
Last year, the Obamas shopped at a different bookstore - One More Page Books - in the Washington suburb of Arlington, Virginia.
Small Business Saturday is a tradition started by American Express in 2010.
In 2011, they went to Kramerbooks and Afterwords Café in Washington.
List of books purchased by Obama, according to the White House:
“Half Brother” by Kenneth Oppel
“Heart of a Samurai” by Margi Preus
“Flora and Ulysses” by Kate DiCamillo
“Jinx” by Sage Blackwood
“Lulu and the Brontosaurus” by Judith Viorst and Lane Smith
“Ottoline and the Yellow Cat” by Chris Riddell
“Moonday” by Adam Rex
“Journey” by Aaron Becker
“The Lowland” by Jhumpa Lahiri
“Red Sparrow” by Jason Matthews
“Harold and the Purple Crayon” by Crockett Johnson
“A Constellation of Vital Phenomena” by Anthony Marra
“The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance” by David Epstein
“Collision Low Crossers: A Year Inside the Turbulent World of NFL Football” by Nicholas Dawidoff
“Ballad of the Sad Cafe: And Other Stories” by Carson McCullers
“My Antonia” by Willa Cather
“Ragtime” By E.L. Doctorow
“The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini
“Buddha in the Attic” by Julie Otsuka
“All That Is” by James Salter
“Wild: From Lost to Found On the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed
Obama also encouraged Americans to take part in Small Business Saturday via Twitter on Saturday.
Attorney General Eric Holder, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and other members of the President's Cabinet also promoted shopping at locally-owned stores. The Small Business Administration's chief post, a Cabinet-level position, is currently held by an acting administrator.
A number of Republican lawmakers on Captiol Hill also urged followers to take part in the relatively new tradition.
It's a great thing that government officials are joining the campaign to support Small Business Saturday. When it first started up a few years ago, most, if not all, the marketing was done by AMEX. My business has been part of it for three years now. While my business isn't really what's being targeted here (it's e-commerce, with no storefront, so not as much focus on it), I really can't tell you enough how much I like seeing companies like AMEX and elected officials from the president on down putting the spotlight on small businesses and the important role they play in the community. Hopefully that is at least one non-partisan thing we can all agree on.
He should get "My Pet Goat" for republicans in the house and senate.
staff of 50 employees.. uh oh hope they can afford the health care.
That is cool of President Obama.
To that poster here somewhere on a previous CnN article who inferred that Obama may not be able to "read"... that was rude.
To the poster who hinted here on this site that our president may not be able to read - that was a bit rude.
God bless you Mr. president
I am sure the secret service and press made it a wonderful experience for everybody anywhere near this bookstore. Must have REALLY helped their sales figures for the day.
OK, you Democrat wing nuts: The Clueless One, doesn't waste any opportunity to deflect, deflect, deflect. Don't be an idiot (moron?), you know darn well, Mr Obama DOEST NOT give a rat's butt about small business!
Stop being a Mr. Obama's butt kisser and breathe some fresh/healthy oxygen (air).
I am NOT a Republican, but I will bet Ted Cruz is 5,000% a better and more honest/patriotic man than your sorry butt!
And so far, unlike you, he does NOT stoop down to kissing anyone's butt; weather Republican or Democrat.
You do realize that small business Saturdaupy was started by a huge corporation that lives off the backs of small businesses. This is marketing. Need more evidence? Considr this, most McDonalds and othe fast food restaurants are small businesses, they are owned by a franchisee.
The only way obama could use any of the books would be if he bought some crayons. Did he get a copy of Governing for Darkies?
The only way obama could use any of the books would be if he bought some crayons. Did he get a copy of Governing for Coloreds?
Later that night, Obama and his followers attended a book burning.
What "how to build a website for dummies"
he could have bought twice as many books for half the price on amazon
Gee if I lived in a country where I constantly felt the need to criticize the president I would soon feel like a fool to let people know that I still lived here.
"Presidency For Dummies"?
S L O W news day
To: justagoodcitizen
The primary reasons you can not find work are the business-killing policies of the man you admire, Mr. Obama. All by itself Obamacare has been the cause of millions being reduced in hours, let go, or not hired at all.
If it's work you are looking for, next time vote for someone who will keep out of the way of business, rather than trying to run the economy with no experience even running a lemonade stand.
There is just one thing I have to say after reading all of these comments: "What a country!"
Astonishing how a harmless trip to the bookstore is now fodder for partisan attacks.
We are so polarized in this country, that virtually ANYTHING that someone of the other party does is grounds for impeachment!
How much cotton do they have to pick to avoid those books???
Who gives a rats behind!
The uhbama then told the owners they didn't start their own business, somebody else made that happen.
He was buying a lot of used books on advice of veep Biden. Biden said, "Hey, all the good parts are already highlighted and underlined. Obama replies, "Hey, it could have been a moron who did that." Biden replies, "Na, just a Kennedy." Then Obama yells, "Hey, the books are one me, Shakespeare for ever body."