Chicago woman hopes life-size Barack Obama cutout will catch president's eye

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Wednesday, January 4, 2017
#BarackingAround on State Street in Chicago.
#BarackingAround at the Chicago Marathon.
#BarackingAround in Central Park in New York.
#BarackingAround in Times Square in New York City.
#BarackingAround with a group of activists on their way to deliver a petition for clean air to Governor Rauner.
#BarackingAround with new friends in Chicago.
#BarackingAround with Amir Gray of "Empire".
#BarackingAround at the Green Tie Ball.
#BarackingAround at a Facebook event in Chicago.
#BarackingAround at a luncheon at ABC 7 Chicago.
#BarackingAround at the Sara Center.
#BarackingAround on the CTA Red Line.
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Chicago woman hopes life-size Barack Obama cutout will catch president's eye #BarackingAround on State Street in Chicago.
Ximena N. Larkin

CHICAGO -- A Chicago woman is hoping to gain the president's attention with her unusual hobby: carrying around a cardboard cutout of him.

Ximena N. Larkin said she purchased the life-size Barack Obama earlier this year with the hope of one day meeting the president before his time in office ran out.

Larkin dutifully carried the Obama cut-out with her to the Chicago Marathon, a charity gala, two trips to New York City, and numerous adventures in between. She photographed her adventures and shared them on social media using the hashtag #BarackingAround.

While she's still waiting on a call from the White House, Larkin said Flat Barry never failed to start a conversation and helped her connect with people who would have otherwise remained strangers.

If you see Larkin and Obama around the city, take a minute to Barack around!