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Sen. Dick Durban is expected to drop dropped by the shop early this afternoon as part of a canvassing event in support of Sen. Obama's campaign, which has also been using the shop to register voters the past few weekends. The Mt. Lebanon Headquarters for Obama opened just up the street next to the Municipal Building, and Sen. Durbin is in Pittsburgh for the opening and for some person-to-person campaigning.
Before anyone calls us partisans for a specific candidate, let us
note that no one from the Clinton, McCain or Paul campaigns has ever
asked us to use the shop for similar purposes. We're business people,
not political activists (except when it comes to sustainable coffee
agricultural practices). Any political group that buys coffee and/or
food and acts civilly is welcome here.
The Senator had an iced coffee and a brownie for those keeping
score. Being the good hosts we try to be, we kept the conversation
light, talking about coffee and baseball instead of politics. Sen.
Durbin was familiar with Intelligentsia Coffee, as he's in Chicago
often. He asked if the Steelers really do rule the roost here and was
taken aback when we suggested that the Pirates are not only behind the
Steelers in popularity, but the Penguins as well (when the Pens are
winning.)
Many times people talk about what politician you'd like to have a beer with. We don't know about a beer, but we'd go to a baseball game with the Senator anytime. Although he grew up in Cardinals territory while Stan the Man was still playing, he's long been a huge Cubs fan with a deep and broad knowledge of the game - we talked about Alou's comments that he couldn't have caught the Bartman ball, we talked about Ernie Banks, and Kerry Wood's blown save on opening day. Fun guy to talk to over a cup of coffee. Hope he comes back to see a game at PNC.
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