Obama bear-hugger’s pizza shop facing backlash

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Scott Van Duzer, the Florida pizza shop owner made famous for the bear hug he gave President Obama on Sunday, says that people are boycotting his pizza shop because of the affection he showed for Obama.

“People are saying a lot of bad things and boycotting my restaurant,” Scott Van Duzer, 46, told POLITICO. “There’s no middle line any more, and that’s exactly what’s wrong with our country right now.

Van Duzer owns Big Apple Pizza and Pasta Italian Restaurant in Florida and also runs a foundation that helps collect blood donations for the sick. He has received White House commendations for his work.

While on his campaign trail President Obama stopped by Van Duzer’s establishment. The president admired the restauranteur’s biceps saying, “Look at these guns!”

The 46-year-old, 6-foot-3 Republican gave Obama a bear hug that raised the president off of the ground.

“The guy’s just got a big heart, along with big pecs,” said the president.

Follow Similoluwa Ojurongbe on Twitter and simioju.com