Obama shops at small businesses

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is doing his part to support small businesses.

Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha dropped in Saturday at Washington’s Politics and Prose bookstore and purchased what he said was a “long list” of books that included “The Kite Runner,” “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” and “The Sports Gene.”

The president bought 21 books in about 30 minutes, most of which was dedicated to chatting with other customers.

Obama didn’t say which of the books he intended to read and which were gifts. He said he bought a reader for every age, from 5 to 52 – his age.

The president sent a tweet earlier Saturday about the importance of supporting small businesses: “When our small businesses do well, our communities do well. Join me and visit a small business near you today to celebrate.”

The Saturday after Thanksgiving has become known as “Small Business Saturday.” It’s designed to drive business to mom-and-pop shops between the whirlwind of Black Friday sales offered by large retailers and Cyber Monday deals from online sellers.

Associated Press