Obama Barks Back at Gay Rights Heckler

Says to 'buy a ticket' to heckle someone who disagrees with him
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 26, 2010 6:52 AM CDT
Updated May 26, 2010 7:20 AM CDT
Obama Barks Back at Gay Rights Heckler
President Barack Obama reaches to shake hands after speaking at a fundraiser for Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., in San Francisco Tuesday, May 25, 2010.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Barack Obama got a little testy yesterday when a heckler interrupted his speech at a Barbara Boxer fundraiser to shout, “Move faster on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell!'” As the crowd started to boo, Obama fired back. “Maybe he didn't read the newspapers, because we are working with congress as we speak to roll back 'don't ask, don't tell,'” he said. “I actually think he does read the newspapers, because his heart wasn't in it—he said, 'Do it faster.' C'mon man...”

Obama rarely gets in protesters' faces, but his retort could be because they're getting more aggressive with him. The heckler, Obama noted, had interrupted his LA fundraiser, as well. He's the co-founder of a new group called GetEQUAL, the Huffington Post reports, which is also affiliated with a man who recently chained himself to the White House fence. He's also probably annoyed about being heckled on DADT just a day after announcing major progress toward its repeal. (More Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal stories.)

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