Images like this win a nation’s heart.
To ensure that McCain and the Republicans won’t succeed at defining Barack Obama negatively – namely, as the out-of-touch elitist – Obama needs to constantly project himself not only as a populist, but as a humble man of the people, caught up in something bigger than himself. A President should be powerful, constantly projecting power and intelligence – that’s what’s been lacking the last couple years – but the power needs to derive from the masses, not from somewhere above the masses. The above picture (from the New York Times) shows the simple family man swallowed by the crowd and the moment, and drives home just that message. This is a baseline image to which everyone can relate.
If I were Barack Obama, this picture would be on my campaign website’s front page, and in a couple ads, too. It underlines a broader campaign theme that Obama needs to start hitting: his own personal story. His history didn’t just begin last year. Before that, he struggled from humble beginnings, worked for the poor, and turned down a Supreme Court clerkship to do so… although that’s not the part of the story that I’d be stressing. Obama needs to show this softer side, and expose himself a little more. It’s only in seeing the big picture that any scandals of the moment will disappear.
You’re so right.
Posted by Dana Hunter | May 20, 2008, 5:58 amI agree! More family photos! How about these?
http://www.foxnews.com/photo_essay/photoessay_203_images/bush_family_450.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/nixon1997/nixon.gif
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/27/us/27mccain-450.jpg
http://www.medaloffreedom.com/RonaldReaganFamily.gif
Posted by Progressive Conservative | May 20, 2008, 8:37 amObama has a big job ahead of him if he wants to prove he isn’t an elitist and trying to pretend to be a populist is going to be pretty unconvincing. Those ‘bitter’ remarks are going to come back to hurt him in middle America.
Posted by Progressive Conservative | May 20, 2008, 8:39 amI love family photos! How about these?
Photo #1
Photo #2
Photo #3
Photo #4
Posted by Progressive Conservative | May 20, 2008, 8:42 amNah – the positioning against the backdrop is what makes it special.
Posted by Ames | May 20, 2008, 5:45 pmReally? You guys are trying too hard.
Posted by Progressive Conservative | May 20, 2008, 7:01 pmThe only thing that makes him different from other recent candidates, is that he’s well educated, well spoken, and literate. Which isn’t something to be scared of in a president.
Besides that he’s been one of the “poorest” candidates in recent history, both recently and growing up. On top of that, I think his work with disadvantaged persons in Chicago and his community work is closer to the people than most candidates get either.
Posted by oneiroi | May 20, 2008, 7:53 pmIf Punahou – Columbia – Harvard Law is “humble beginnings,” I should be getting welfare.
Posted by James Brown | May 23, 2008, 5:00 pmAlso, to oneiroi,
Being the poorest presidential candidate is really like being the skinniest kid at fat camp.
Posted by James Brown | May 24, 2008, 12:51 pmThat’s true. But the reality of presidential wealth and origins is more often than not – in fact, always – obscured by the myth. Look at President Bush, the Southern cowboy from Maine, the country Yalie. Obama has more of a claim to fame in the “humble origins” department – at least there’s a grain of truth to it – and it’s easily spinnable.
Posted by Ames | May 24, 2008, 1:10 pmI agree, but I also wouldn’t say that Obama grew up with a silver spoon like most of these people.
He didn’t grew up from a rich family dynasty.
Posted by oneiroi | May 24, 2008, 2:45 pm