US President Barack Obama made an unannounced stop at a popular apparel store and shopped for wife Michelle and his two daughters in New York, preferring modest round-neck sweaters for Malia and Sasha.
Obama, a dedicated family man, yesterday drove down to the popular GAP store in mid-town Manhattan, taking time-off between two Democratic Party fund raisers to shop for the First Lady and his daughters and paid from his credit card.
According to a White House pool report, upon arriving at the nearly empty Gap store at East 42nd and Third Avenue, Obama told a sales associate that he was doing some shopping for his family.
The employee offered a quick tour of some of the options, pointing out stacks of sweaters and some new spring arrivals.
The employee recommended a V-neck sweater, but the president gravitated toward the slightly more modest round-neck options, saying, "I'm worried the V-neck is going to slip."
Eventually, he settled on a grey and white striped sweater and a bright coral sweater for his daughters, the report said.
The sales associate suggested that perhaps the first lady might like a hoodie, but the president said she seldom wears hoodies.
He said she would like athletic gear and quickly picked out a blue workout jacket. "I think the ladies will be impressed by my style sense," Obama said.
Although the employees tried to sell Obama on signing up for a Gap card -- which would have made him eligible for a discount -- the President declined. "I've got one card," he said as he presented his credit card.
The President spoke about the importance of raising the minimum wage, and said he would continue to push Congress to take action, but Gap already was helping thousands of employees by raising salaries.
"It's not only good for them and their families, it's also good for the entire economy," he said, adding, "I want to congratulate Gap for doing the right thing.
