Obama asked for I.D. at Washington gym

WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, was asked for identification Friday morning at a Washington gym.

Takehia Wheeler, who was at the front desk at a Washington Sports Club branch when Obama entered with his aides and Secret Service agents, told The Hill that he looked familiar. But she could not quite place him so when he walked past her she asked him to come back and identify himself.

Somewhere between Obama's last name and first name the light dawned. Wheeler made amends by saying, "Sorry, Mr. Future President."

Obama usually exercises at the club's Gallery Place/Chinatown branch. On Friday, he decided to use the Columbia Heights gym, which has been open only a month.

Drew McNeil, a trainer at the gym who was working out next to Obama, said he did not recognize the candidate either. But he did think that the man looked remarkably like Barack Obama.

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