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The Race for 'Foodie' in Chief

Lots of people have what we would call "an appetite" for presidential politics. That means they're really invested in the 2016 race. But the candidates have shown us that the race for the White House requires a strong stomach too.

And as history shows us, food and politics are linked. Karin Caifa takes a look at the contest to succeed the current "foodie-in-chief."


   --REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS--
PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS -- TAKES A CERTAIN HUNGER.
THE POLITICAL CALENDAR HAS NOW WOUND ITS WAY THROUGH THE FAIR FARE OF IOWA, THE DINERS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, THE DAIRY OF WISCONSIN -- AND BITES IN THE BIG APPLE.
AND THERE'S PLENTY MORE TO COME.
WHY SO MUCH FOOD IN POLITICS? WELL, IT'S SOMETHING CANDIDATES HAVE IN COMMON WITH EVERY SINGLE VOTER -- A CHANCE TO MAKE THEM, A LITTLE MORE HUMAN.
(Hillary Clinton/(D) Presidential Candidate) "I was going to take it to go, but it was like in front of me and I had to start eating it."
AND WHOEVER WINS IN NOVEMBER -- WILL HAVE A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW -- WHEN IT COMES, TO GOOD EATS.
PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE THRIVING, D-C DINING SCENE, OFTEN DESCRIBED AS ASSUMING THE ROLE, OF "FOODIE-IN-CHIEF."
BUT HE'S FAR FROM BEING THE FIRST FOODIE PRESIDENT.
WRITER CICI WILLIAMSON SAYS THAT'S THOMAS JEFFERSON -- WHO FAVORED SOPHISTICATED, EUROPEAN-INSPIRED MENUS.
(Cici Williamson/Food & Travel Writer) "In those days, the president had to pay for all the guests' entertainment. So he had to dig into his own coffers to buy wine and champagne and all the food that he served there."
AND AT MARTIN'S TAVERN IN GEORGETOWN, THE MENU IS LOW-KEY -- BUT THE HISTORY, PRETTY INTENSE -- EVERY PRESIDENT FROM HARRY TRUMAN TO GEORGE W. BUSH -- HAS EATEN HERE AT ONE TIME -- MOST, DURING THEIR PRE-PRESIDENTIAL OBSCURITY.
(Billy Martin/Martin's Tavern Owner) "Sam Rayburn would come down off the Hill, and they would sit in what we call "The Dugout."
LYNDON JOHNSON FREQUENTED THE DUGOUT AS A SENATOR.
RICHARD NIXON PREFERRED MEATLOAF AT BOOTH 2, DURING HIS TIME ON CAPITOL HILL.
AND A SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS LIKED TO PASS TIME ON SUNDAY MORNINGS -- JOHN F. KENNEDY.
(Billy Martin/Martin's Tavern Owner) "We have a little single booth -- it's called the Rumble Seat -- and he loved it. He loved to sit there."
MARTIN SAYS THEY'RE WAITING, FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA.
MAYBE -- THEY SHOULD NAME A BURGER FOR HIM, LIKE GOOD STUFF EATERY ON CAPITOL HILL.
(Max Albano/Good Stuff Eatery Corporate Executive Chef) "It's bacon, red onion marmalade, bleu cheese and horseradish mayonnaise."
IT'S ONE OF MANY PLACES HE'S MADE LUNCH RUNS --- SOMETIMES WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT -- BUT ALWAYS ATTRACTING A LOT OF ATTENTION.
SO TAKE NOTE CANDIDATES --
(Hillary Clinton/(D) Presidential Candidate)
I learned early on not to eat in front of -- all of you.
THOSE EATS ON THE TRAIL ARE JUST A TASTE -- OF WHAT'S TO COME.
IN WASHINGTON, I'M KARIN CAIFA.

Instructional Links

Magazine Article: INFOhio EBSCOhost Explora, American History, Thomas Jefferson, Founding Foodie, April 2011

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mih&AN=58599594&site=src_ic-live&authtype=cookie,ip,custuid&custid=infohio

May Need Password

Website Article: Food Timeline, American Presidents' Food Favorites

http://www.foodtimeline.org/presidents.html

Video: C-SPAN, Tour of the White House Kitchen

http://www.c-span.org/video/?282865-1/tour-white-house-kitchen

Bibliography & Links: Library of Congress, Science Reference Guides, Presidential Food: Selected Resource Guide 

http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/SciRefGuides/presidentialfood.html