Many people wanted to have their picture taken with Graves, including Eric Goeller, an environmental consultant from Arizona.

"I sent this picture of myself and Mr. Obama [Graves, the look-alike] back home and I’ve gotten about 25 text messages regarding my meeting with the president," said an amused Goeller.

Environmentalist Sean Fitzgerald spoke at length with Graves about the dangers of asbestos, which is known to cause cancer.

"I was thinking what it would be like if this was the real president," Fitzgerald articulated.

Graves is amazed that people approach him like that, even knowing he’s not the president.

"I find it slightly incredulous that people come up to me with reverence, respect and awe," Graves said.

Graves says it took time to master Obama’s speech pattern. He uses makeup to enhance his appearance as the president by darkening his eyebrows, deepening his lip color, and adding Obama’s prominent mole. He also colors his thinning hair and combs it forward to look like the president.

Besides facial similarities, Graves said he and the president have other things in common. "We’re both the same body size. We’re both left-handed and we both like basketball."

He hasn’t met President Obama but hopes to one day, and to challenge him to a pick-up basketball game. "I don’t think Obama could beat me in a game of basketball," Graves declared.