Obama Overseas! In Presidential Mode! Back Home, It’s McCain in a Golf Cart.

[Indigo Blue]

Obama Overseas! In Presidential Mode! Back Home, It’s McCain in a Golf Cart.
By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
Published: July 23, 2008


Senator Barack Obama visited Amman, Jordan, on Tuesday.


It wasn’t a television blackout of John McCain; it was worse: split-screen contrasts that at times made it seem as if Barack Obama was on a state visit while back home his opponent chafed at the perks and privileges of an incumbent commander in chief.

On Tuesday, Mr. McCain held a town hall-style meeting in Rochester, N.H. In the shadow of the ancient Temple of Hercules in Amman, Jordan, Mr. Obama solemnly described his vision for peace in the region while standing at a lectern, the Middle East sprawling out behind him. Reporters were cordoned in front of him like the White House press corps — except that an audio snag kept their questions inaudible.

All three cable news networks carried Mr. Obama’s news conference live and in full. They showed only parts of Mr. McCain’s forum and focused mostly on his reaction to Mr. Obama’s statements. Even Fox News broke away from Mr. McCain midevent to cover the rescue of a bear cub wounded in a California fire and nicknamed Lil’ Smokey.

Mr. McCain’s surrogates complained bitterly about the Obama news blitz; on Tuesday the McCain campaign put out a Web video mocking reporters’ doting coverage with a montage of anchors’ gauzy looks and glowing praise set to the tune of the Frankie Valli hit “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”

But it’s not pro-Obama bias in the news media that’s driving the effusion of coverage, it’s the news: Mr. Obama’s weeklong tour of war zones and foreign capitals is noteworthy because it is so unusual to see a presidential candidate act so presidential overseas. Mr. Obama looks supremely confident and at home talking to generals and heads of state, so much so that some viewers may find the pose presumptuous — as if Mr. Obama believes that not only is his official nomination at the Democratic convention in August a mere formality, so is the November election.

More @ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/23/us/politics/23watch.h...

[davidpdx]

1. Damn was hoping to see McCain in a golf cart

maybe mowing down some people with that crazy deranged look on his face.

[CitizenLeft]

2. Matthews did show a photo... he was golfing with Bush I...

...in Kennebunkport. He even pointed out the contrast. Whoa Nellie!

[foo_bar]

10. there was a sign on the golf cart, "Property of #41 Hands off!"

They don't realize what message they're sending out just by being themselves, like when Barbara Bush became transparent even though she used lots of syrup and code speak (and probably thought she was being polite compared to what she'd say or hear at a country club).

[Renew Deal]

18. Bush is not making McCain look any younger

It looks like a couple of overdressed old guys.

[foo_bar]

19. ...

[Eurobabe]

9. that calls for a photoshop, Swampy??

Do what you will with it my friend.

We need Grumpy in a golf cart, mowing down innocent citizens. Thanxbai!

[dkf]

3. Even Fox News broke away from Mr. McCain midevent to cover the rescue of a bear cub

wounded in a California fire and nicknamed Lil’ Smokey.

[RNdaSilva]

6. Now that's sad....

for the bear cub that is.

[Eurobabe]

8. and one lonely reporter was on hand to greet him at Manchester NH

airport.

Yeah, he's generating SOME excitement.

[Egnever]

4. I am starting to feel sorry for Reed and Hagel

They look like backup singers or something. This trip has to feel like a complete waste of time to them. Has anyone talked to them at all this whole trip?

[TwilightGardener]

5. I think they knew exactly what their roles were for the trip:

Lend Obama credibility with their presence and their foreign-policy/military chops, and just generally stay quiet, stay out of the way, and make him look good and Presidential. Which they did. They weren't there to be the story, and they knew it. That's why Obama chose them. Both men have enough experience in the national political arena to know they weren't supposed to steal the spotlight away from Obama, or diminish him, in any way.

[Cha]

23. Exactly..I imagine there are

a lot of people who wouldn't mind being "backdrop" on such an historical event.

They can dine out for months on this or even write a book.

[Pirate Smile]

11. I'm curious what they are going to say about the trip when they get back home.

[dkf]

14. I think this may be their VP/Cabinet audition.

I doubt its a complete waste of time.

[Eurobabe]

7. Wow, what a backdrop!

Was McCain't tooling around with this moron in the cart?

[nc4bo]

13. ^^ Shrub's version of looking presidential. ugh. nt

[EnviroBat]

17. nope, the morons father.

[bklyncowgirl]

12. McCain should sue his campaign staff for malpractice

I mean what the hell were they thinking.

Driving around with Poppy in the golf cart while Obama's tooling around with General Petraeus in a chopper over Baghdad and catching a ride from the King of Jordan. They look like they're auditioning for an off off Broadway remake of "Grumpy Old Men". The sad thing is that Poppy, the World War II vet makes Straght Talk Johnny look like he's ready for the Golden Age home.

You had Dukakis in the tank--now McCain in the golf cart.

Way to go GOP!

[Inuca]

15. "In the shadow of the ancient Temple of Hercules "

I am sure they were secretly praying for at least the shadow of an actual shadow . Gorgeous picture!

[Major Hogwash]

16. Ol' man Bush wouldn't even let McCain drive the golf cart!!

"Nope, sonny, you're not experienced enough to handle one of these things. I better take the wheel."

[polichick]

20. Keith showed a sour pic of McCain after he was met by that lone reporter.

[bdamomma]

21. Wow what a great picture. 93 degrees too.

[badgerpup]

22. Says a lot, don't it...

We've become so inured? hardened?
No, I think the word I want is resigned to the 'presidential' person exhibiting simultaneously the behaviors of a tantrum-throwing six year old and a spoiled drunken frat boy that almost anything would be an improvement.

Almost...

Bush would be an easy act to follow, image-wise...or so they thought...
then along comes Obama, who takes this 'presidential thing' seriously when it comes to responsibility and the realization that he is OUR representative to the rest of the planet.


No wonder McSameCain's surrogates are upset.

[AlinPA]

24. The golf cart photo v the helicopter photo: it was a good contrast -

Obama in cool sunglasses in a helicopter grinning with a general and a senator, in a war zone vs McCain in a golf cart with an 84 year old republican rich guy at a mansion in Kennebunkport.