Posted on 08/16/2012 11:16:22 PM PDT by grundle
RADFORD An Ohio mans interaction with candidate Barack Obama in 2008 gave rise to Joe the Plumber.
Now, a Radford businessmans decision not to host an unscheduled campaign event with Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday has sparked a news story thats gone viral and led to a surge in business.
Just call him, Chris the Baker.
Chris McMurray had just opened his bakery, Crumb and Get It, Wednesday morning when he received a visit from Bidens advance team asking if hed host the vice president for a media event on the way to his scheduled speech at Virginia Tech.
McMurray politely declined out of a difference in politics, and Biden instead went up the street to the River Street Grill instead.
Later that day, WDBJ (Channel 7) reporter Orlando Salinas received a tip about Crumb and Get It via text message. The resulting story was picked up by the Drudge Report and a series of conservative blogs, leading to an outpouring of support online and at the store on Thursday.
At noon, McMurray turned down an interview request because he was too busy fielding a steady stream of orders, both from customers at the store and out-of-state patrons. A little more than an hour later, he closed the store because it had run out of cookie dough. It reopened a few minutes later, but with a sign in the window noting that only ice cream was being sold.
Its been a great day, a lot of great support, McMurray said when he had a moment to talk. A lot of folks are calling orders from out of state for local businesses and charities. Thats what weve got to catch up on.
McMurray said the exchange with the Biden advance team had taken place just after he opened the store at 10 a.m.
They said, This is a place that weve identified for Mr. Bidens stop, and they asked permission, if that would be OK, McMurray said. After much thought, I respectively declined. The exchange was very kind. It wasnt at all heated. It was not at all hoarse. Even when she departed, it wasnt at all ill-mannered. They were very nice. I told her no offense to the vice president, and she received that. We just had a difference of opinion politically.
McMurray said that convictions about my faith factored into his decision not to host Biden. On a wall at the back of the bakery is painted this slogan, Family: One of Gods masterpieces.
The other reason that McMurray declined was President Obamas attitude toward business.
Very simply, You didnt build that [Obama] speaking of small businesses and entrepreneurs all across the country, McMurray told WDBJs Salinas on Wednesday evening.
Obama made the remark during his July appearance in downtown Roanoke. Republicans seized on the comment as an example of the president's disdain for small business; Obama and his Democratic Party defenders say he was speaking about public infrastructure and his comment has been taken out of context. At least three nonpartisan campaign fact-checking organizations have come to similar conclusions. Still, the political reaction was so strong that Obama filmed a TV commercial within days further explaining his support for small business.
After the WDBJ story aired, McMurray said, It just went bananas. Great support. Its been wonderful. Of course weve had a few people whove been very critical, but by far the vast majority has been supportive and encouraging.
At one point during the lunch hour on Thursday, two dozen people stood in line waiting to order cookies.
Jackie Moore of Radford said hed before never visited Crumb and Get It, but he ordered a dozen cookies after seeing McMurrays story.
I stand with them, Moore said. I dont believe you should be pushed into entertaining the vice president if you dont agree with him.
Many others felt the same.
Gary Harris, a Vietnam War veteran and commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 776 who lives in Radford, said he picked up some freedom cookies to support Crumb and Get It. Like Moore, it was his first visit to the bakery.
He spoke up for what he believed in, Harris said. I heard somewhere that it may help or hurt his business. He shouldnt be penalized for speaking his opinion, Im going to help him out all I can.
Ron Witt, an insurance agent from Pearisburg, said, I saw the story on television and I thought, I have to stop by and support these people ... Its not political at all. Its more a matter of principle. He just stood up for himself. It doesnt have anything to do with the current administration or politics, at least for me.
Eddie Boes of Blacksburg got the last batch of cookies before Crumb and Get It ran out of dough. Like Witt, Boes said he wanted to support a local businessmans right to speak his mind.
Its a matter of not being afraid of the pressure, Boes said. A lot of people arent going to say what they think because theyre worried about retribution.
But Boes said that because McMurray took a stand for his beliefs, hes being rewarded with much more support from customers than he would have if hed agreed to play host to Biden for a photo opportunity.
Oh Nooo...
More intolerance.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/CrumbGetItCookieCompany
“Like” them, make a comment and offer to buy cookies and have them sent to a local charity! I sent a check today and told them to take the cookies to a local charity or even better yet, the local ROMNEY/RYAN campaign office for the volunteers
Me thinks that the local Romney office workers are going to need to go on a diet after the election from all of the cookies.
In 08 we had a numerous restaurants and individuals that would drop food off for those making phone calls and working the precincts.
While “Crumb and get it” is a humorous name it fits the Dems better
I often think both party’s are playing “Crumb and get it”
Then they retire to private well appointed chambers, slap each other on the back, while they smoke Cuban Cigars and sip Cognac, and declaring “Boy! we sure put one over on the rubes today”!!
lol. This is great! Need to start a website about this kinda thing.
I often think both party’s are playing “Crumb and get it”
Then they retire to private well appointed chambers, slap each other on the back, while they smoke Cuban Cigars and sip Cognac, and declaring “Boy! we sure put one over on the rubes today”!!
These are great news stories. We need more of this!! This could be a great weapon against Obama.. Story after story of businesses telling these bums to take a hike. Stories like this really can effect weak Obama voters who don’t follow issues real closely but “go with the crowd”.
There are three best parts of this story.
First, and foremost, is that he stood his ground, and kept to his principles.
The absolute best is that his business is much better than if he had allowed Biden stop in.
The second best is that the secret service went by later, thanked him for standing up to Biden, and bought many cookies and cupcakes.
I love those guys!
Concur.
Great story. I didn’t know that Orlando Salinas, the reporter, had left Fox News in Miami and is now working for a Roanoke, Va TV station in Blacksburg, Va.
Lord, how I wish they’d stop at our motorcycle shop so we could tell them to go get bent.
I *guarantee* you we’re the only trike company who would do that.
The people have spoken, and their hungry...*smiles*
I just love the American response to the individuals and small businesses that have stood their ground against the 0ne. From Crumb and get it to Chick-Fil-A, Americans are sending strong messages of support and unity. It is a sight to behold and such a breath of fresh air after the last four years.
USA!USA!USA!USA!USA!USA!USA!USA!USA!
I did. What a fantastic idea. I think I’ll order some for the local Romney/Ryan HQ in my county.
I love AMERICA!!!
>> I love AMERICA!!!
Me too!
The American voice is finally beginning to sound off.
Even better was the Secret Service thanking Chris for not allowing Biden to appear in his store.
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