Obama in Uptown Butte Candidate visits M&M bar

By John Grant Emeigh - 04/06/2008

John Grant Emeigh / The Montana Standard John Grant Emeigh / The Montana Standard

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama sampled a French fry at the M&M Bar and Café Saturday afternoon in Uptown Butte, but politely declined one of Stevie Faulkner’s famous shoe shines.

Faulkner waited impatiently to meet the Democratic presidential candidate who was busy shaking hands, posing for pictures and signing autographs during a stop at Butte’s popular diner-watering hole just after 4 p.m.

“I was gonna ask him (if he wanted a shoe shine), but he’s talking to everybody,” Faulkner said as he waited behind an enthusiastic mob of people crowding around Obama.

Faulkner is just as much a fixture at the M&M as the old Keno board and bar stools. He’s known around the Mining City for his quick and cheap shoe shines.

Armed with worn and pock-marked shine box, Faulkner was determined to get the candidate and ask him if he wanted a new shine on his shoes. A Secret Service agent who thought Faulkner was being a little too eager ordered him to move to the back of the room. Faulkner explained to the agent that he wanted to offer Obama a shine.

“No, no,” the agent said “He don’t need a shoe shine.” Gayla Hess, who came to the M&M to see the candidate, thought it would make a good impression on the people of Butte if Obama got his shoes shined by Faulkner.

“That would be great if he (Obama) let Stevie shine his shoes,” Hess said. “People would love that, because Stevie is Butte.” Faulkner continued to wait as hordes of people snapped photographs of the Obama with digital cameras and cell phones. A contingent of photographers and reporters from the national press followed the candidate’s every move through the tightly packed bar room.

Finally, Faulkner got his chance to meet the candidate faces to faces and pop the question.

“Can I give you a shine?” Obama shook Faulkner’s hand and thanked him for the offer, but declined.

“He said he didn’t have time,” Faulkner said afterward. “Oh, well, I tried.” Reporter John Grant Emeigh may be reached via e-mail john.emeigh@lee.net.