There were no John Kerry cheesesteak moments with Barack Obama ordering swiss cheese with his cheeseteak, but we do learn that the Democratic presidential hopeful likes his cheese and imported Spanish ham that retails for $99.99 during a visit to Philadelphia's Italian Market.
Obama spent about 30 minutes in the shops and greeting voters as he walked down 9th Street, according to pool reports that note not one "Rocky" reference.
"This is good stuff," Obama told Sal Auriemma, owner of Claudio Specialty Foods, as he posted for pictures and tasted cheese.
When Auriemma complained that the weak dollar was hurting shops that import their merchandise, Obama told him: "You need a new president, somebody who is going to get the economy in shape."
Obama then paid in cash for some provolone, salami and baked ricotta.
At DiBruno Brothers, where employee Ezekial Ferguson agreed that the declining dollar was hurting imports, Obama tried goat cheese, blue cheese and Jamon Iberico, a Spanish ham that retails for $99.99/pound.
The ham was apparently only recently allowed for sale in the United States because of health and safety standards, staff told the Illinois senator.
"All I know is it tastes good," said Obama, who instead bought some less expensive goat cheese made in West Chester, Pa.