Obama buys books to promote independent shops
November 25, 2012
By MATTHEW DALY
(ARLINGTON, Va., AP) — President Barack Obama made a quick trip to a Virginia bookstore for some Christmas shopping.
The White House says Obama was promoting an effort called “small business Saturday” to encourage shoppers to patronize mom-and-pop businesses after Thanksgiving.
At the store, Obama held up his BlackBerry, apparently looking up a book title as he spoke with shop owner Eileen McGervey. He said “preparation” was the key to his shopping.
Obama brushed off a reporter’s question about the looming “fiscal cliff,” saying “we’re doing Christmas shopping.”
The White House says Obama bought 15 children’s books that will be given as Christmas gifts to family members.