Opinion: To the people calling that barn in Benton County

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A funny thing happened on the campaign trail just a few minutes ago.

The Times’ Robin Abcarian has called in from the Benton County Fairgrounds in Iowa where Barack Obama is speaking to a good-sized crowd of supporters. He had finished walking main street in nearby Vinton shortly before and was taking questions from the friendly crowd on a variety of issues including health care and China.

Suddenly, one by one several cellphones began ringing throughout the sizeable barn. Obama paused in puzzlement. The crowd looked around.

Someone shouted out, ‘It’s Giuliani’s wife calling.’ The crowd roared.

‘Well, don’t answer it!’ ordered Obama.

--Andrew Malcolm