Monday, November 17, 2008

Media Continues to Market Obama

Obama is Lincoln, according to Newsweek. Obama is FDR, according to Time. The New York Times claims a "Generation O", led by Obama. The New York Post ushers in the age of "BAM-A-LOT." US Weekly proclaims Obama thinks he's a cool dad. The Chicago Tribune says Michelle is "Poised to be the new Oprah and the next Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis --combined!" for the fashion world". All of this nicely put together in an article by Howard Kurtz for the Washington Post. Kurtz is awakening to the fact that the people responsible for media coverage of Barack Obama are marketing him and his family.

Really? Shocker.

From David Axelrod to the press on the plane, it's been non-stop love for Barack Obama for two years now. Very professionally done. Slick. It's creepy. And the worst part? So many Americans buy right into it all. No questions asked. No higher expectations from the press in our country.

Yes, he is the first bi-racial man elected to the presidency. That is a good thing. For those of us born and raised in what is called the Deep South, at a time when signs labeling water fountains according to one skin color or the other's use, it is a fine accomplishment to celebrate. Along with that certain age, though, comes maturity. It is not helpful for our country to continue on with the president as celebrity mode.

Barack Obama is a man with little professional political experience. A thinner resume has never been produced for the highest office in the land. He resigned from his office as a U.S. Senator from Illinois without finishing one term. Only one year into this office, he felt worthy to run for President of the United States. He has much to prove, to his supporters and to 46% of the voting population who didn't vote for him.

Soon enough all of the verbal gaffes will not be laughed off. Whether it is Barack Obama saying he's been to 57 states so far, with one more to go; or Michelle saying she is only now really proud of her country with her husband successful in his campaigning; or even explaining why they'll put their two young daughters into expensive private schools instead of public school in Washington, D.C; eventually the glow will fade.

It will be interesting to watch the swoon spin sputter and be still.

4 comments:

The WordSmith from Nantucket said...

The expectations and hype are so high, the fall is going to be mighty hard.

I reserve judgment until he's in office; but I already see him backing off from campaign promises and statements.

The New York Post ushers in the age of "BAM-A-LOT."

That sounds so wrong.

Anonymous said...

I think it's foolhardy to believe that the MSM will one day wake up from their Obama-coma and see the truth. He'll have to screw up pretty badly for them to not spin it.

And as much as I don't like him and don't trust him, I don't want to see him fail. I want him to succeed in the right way for this country.

Of course, that's quite a qualifier there - the right way. Because we all know the way he has planned will be a nightmare.

The celebworship of Obama and his family will continue for years after his first - and hopefully only - term. We best get used to that now or the long 4 years we are facing will just feel longer.

Lizzi said...

Oh I know - it's just disgusting and a wee bit creepy. Y'know like Dawn of the Dead? All that's missing are the glazed over eyes and trance like dancing in the streets ... oh wait ... never mind.

Anonymous said...

"eventually the glow will fade. It will be interesting to watch the swoon spin sputter and be still."

I disagree. Like the firms we find ourselves bailing out, Obama is Too Big To Fail™. Also Too Black To Fail™.

-Pacific