Among the many cultural references noted during Barack Obama’s visit to Pueblo yesterday was Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O’Brien’s Western Chef challenge to Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

O’Brien roused the women in the estimated 14,000-member crowd, but somewhat oddly turned her attention to Palin’s publicly stated pride in that Alaskan culinary offering known as the mooseburger. After touting Colorado’s skills in preparing venison and elk burgers, O’Brien threw down a gamey gauntlet:

“I’ll put up our Rocky Mountain oysters versus their mooseburgers any day.”

Allez cuisine!