by John McCormick, updated
DAVENPORT, Iowa – The fog is thick and the risks of traveling between states played out here as Sen. Barack Obama disappointed several hundred when his plane could not land this morning.
Obama, en route back to Iowa after spending the last two days campaigning in New Hampshire, was due to appear at 10:45 a.m. local time. But at 11:07 a.m., the mayor-elect of this city told the crowd that Obama was a no show.
“Because of the weather Barack Obama won’t be able to make it here today,” Bill Gluba said, drawing groans from the crowd at the RiverCenter. “I know you are disappointed….But he wanted me to tell you how much he appreciates your coming out here this morning.”
Then, the crowd stood up and walked out, likely realizing that Obama will be back again before the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses.
Obama’s Iowa spokesman Tommy Vietor said the chartered jet was diverted to Chicago and the Illinois Democrat will drive to Washington, Iowa, a trip of roughly four hours.
Obama was also forced to cancel his second public event of the day in Coralville, Iowa, where volunteers were still setting up at 11:15 a.m.