Obama Says Anheuser-Busch Should Stay in U.S. Hands (Update1)

By Julianna Goldman

July 7 (Bloomberg) -- Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said it would be a ``shame'' if a foreign company purchases Anheuser-Busch Cos.

Obama, responding to a reporter's question in St. Louis, said that while the U.S. shouldn't pass a law to prevent Anheuser-Busch from being sold, it would be a ``shame if Bud is foreign owned.''

``I think we should be able to find an American company that is interested in purchasing Anheuser-Busch if in fact Anheuser- Busch feels that it's necessary to sell,'' said Obama, 46, an Illinois senator.

Belgian brewer InBev NV is seeking to buy St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch for $65 a share, an offer that was rejected by the Budweiser maker.

Anheuser-Busch rose 7 cents to close at $61.74 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.

To contact the reporter on this story: Julianna Goldman with Obama campaign in St. Louis at 4304 or jgoldman6@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: July 7, 2008 16:50 EDT

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