It must be quite nice to be king.  Or at least think of yourself as king.  Dear Leader Barack Obama exhibited that behavior while at a "working lunch" hosted by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) last Wednesday (March 13).  The food consisted of Maine lobster salad, Fox Family Potato Chips (from Maine), wild blueberry pie, and Gifford's Ice Cream (made in Maine) for the pie.

But, Obama could not partake of any of the food because (seriously) his personal taster was not present.  Collins pointed out

"... directly to him that all present in the room were 'tasters', and if it was poisoned or something they'd have all already 'keeled over'... yet - after stating 'you have better food than the Democrats do' - he STILL refused to eat a single bite without his own food taster...[.]" 

So, according to Collins, Obama

"... looked longingly at it [the food].  He honestly did look longingly at it, but apparently he has to have essentially a taster,...[.]'

This audio has Collins' complete description of what occurred.

The US Secret Service, according to their policy of discretion on all security related issues, refused to confirm that US presidents travel with a food 'taster'.  But Obama's actions at the lunch certainly did not help keep Secret Service's policies secret.  And, when Obama eats away from the White House, he's accompanied by a military chef from the White House's Navy Mess.   The chef doesn't always taste the food, but always oversees the preparation.  Accompanied by a chef?  It must be quite nice to be king.

This meal declination came after the March 6 meal at Washington D.C.'s The Jefferson Hotel's Plume restaurant.  Obama and twelve moderate Republican senators dined while trying to determine ways to reduce the federal budget.  The menu, prepared by executive chef Chris Jakubiec, consisted of lobster (no mention of origin) thermidor prepared with white wine and saffron glaçage, Dijon mustard and herbed butter potatoes.  Maryland crab risotto and filet of prime beef were also on the menu.  At least Obama (meaning us taxpayers) paid for the meals.  I wonder if his personal taster was present for that meal?

I wonder if sequestration will cause Obama's personal food taster to be cut? After all, he (and his health) are much more important than lowly White House tours.

But that's just my opinion

Dr. Warren Beatty (not the liberal actor) earned a Ph.D. in quantitative management and statistics from Florida State University. He was a (very conservative) professor of quantitative management specializing in using statistics to assist/support decision-making. He has been a consultant to many small businesses and is now retired. Dr. Beatty is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 22 years. He blogs at rwno.limewebs.com.