Face the State

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's staff sure know how to play hardball. Face The State reported Friday the U.S. Secret Service and Obama campaign staff had informed business owners along Pueblo's Union Avenue they must close shop during Sen. Obama's Saturday visit to the city.

Sheila Conlee/Special to FTS

Sheila Conlee, proprietor of Amore Antiques & More, is one such aggrieved business owner. She tells us this weekend is typically one of her busiest, as Pueblo plays host to a twice-annual antiques fair. The only problem is, she had no choice but to shutter her shop for the day.

So, as any good patriot is wont to do, Conlee exercised her First Amendment rights in protest. She adorned the front windows of her shop with signs exclaiming, "I am Sheila the Shop Owner and I lost my wages today thanks to you Obama", "Socialism is not Democratic," and "I am Proud of my Country."

The Obama campaign didn't take the criticism lightly. Event setup crews parked two porta-potties in front of Conlee's store, using them to anchor a white tarp hung to obscure the storefront from view.

"I guess this is a sign of things to come if he is elected," wrote Conlee in a Sunday e-mail to FTS.

Sheila Conlee/Special to FTS

"Not only was I not allowed to operate my business yesterday, and basically was forced to give him a donation, even though I am supporting McCain, but he also took away my right to free speech by covering my windows. They also put a tarp up across the street to block the beauty salon's McCain's signs."

You'd expect better treatment for Conlee, especially considering her three children are active Obama campaign staffers. Colorado political blogger Ross Kaminsky has more on that unique family dynamic at the Denver Post's "Gang of Four" blog.

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