Struggle to Quench Obama's Thirst For Honest Tea

Seth Goldman, who did not request anonymity to speak because it is good forbusiness, said the company became aware of the candidate's tasteswhen Obama's staff called to locate some drinks shortly after hecame to Washington as a senator.

"He's liked our product for quite a while," Goldman said.

Obama used to like Community Green Tea, then moved on to GreenDragon Tea.

The revelation about Honest Tea, a Bethesda organic beverage maker,doesn't threaten to derail Obama's presidential hopes, but it doesillustrate the lengths a presidential candidate's staff will go toact as enablers. The matter is particularly noteworthy because itwas not always easy to get organic products where Obama campaigned-- in, say, Jackson, Miss.

Once Obama hit the campaign trail full time, getting Honest Teainto his hands became more difficult. The matter escalated inJanuary, when after the South Carolina primary an Obama aide, whocalled after the candidate's staff had just driven two hours toprocure the goods for her boss, contacted Honest Tea Products spokesman DaleCrowell.

The aide wanted to know whether the company would help her moreeasily find Honest Tea in far-flung places. Also, did Honest Teahave any drinks without caffeine? The senator wanted to stayhealthy on the road.

Crowell suggested Black Forest Berry. A few days later, the Obamaaide e-mailed Crowell: "We tried this last night. He liked it."

It's been all Black Forest Berry since then. Crowell has directedcampaign officials to natural food stores in Utah, Idaho,Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania and places in between.

After the campaign visited Pittsburgh, Crowell said the aideinformed him that the staff had just cleaned out the Whole Foods there.

Goldman said the difficulty Obama's campaign has had tracking downhis products has helped reassure him that selling 40 percent of thecompany to Coca-Cola earlier this year was the right move. Coke 's distribution network will soon start carrying Honest Teaproducts, significantly widening their reach into mainstreamstores.

"Hopefully the campaign won't have this problem in the future,"Goldman said.