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Photo on Obama Web Site Raises Questions
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by BMCWrites | February 11, 2008 at 09:03 am
1594 views | 20 Recommendations | 7 comments
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A long-time political junkie and public relations practitioner, I spend time each day surfing the web sites of presidential candidates. Visiting the Barack Obama photo gallery today, I found the photo above as the eighth of 11 available for viewing.*
On the surface, it seems innocent enough. The tired Democrat presidential candidate. Seated. Alone. Contemplating his future. Above him, the world champion boxer, Muhammad Ali, stands above another defeated opponent, exuding strength and confidence — the kind of strength-by-association stuff a political campaign manager wants the photo to convey to potential voters.
On the flip side, however, the photo is troubling in that it brings attention to a man who, in 1964, cited his Muslim faith as a reason to claim “conscientious objector” status and refuse to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
If I’m reading this obviously-staged photo correctly, Obama wants to be associated with a four-times-married Muslim draft dodger who made millions by beating people up inside a boxing ring.
Puzzling to say the least.
*To see a photo screenshot showing the photo in the context of how it appeared on the Barack Obama campaign web site, click here.
-- Originally published at Bob McCarty Writes Oct. 16, 2007
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (7)
at 14:16 on February 11th, 2008
BMCWrites, I really enjoyed this story! Good stuff. But you also have to wonder if the 'average' American is going to follow your train of thought when viewing the same picture on Obama's website? I think most people will equate Ali with Black power, and therefore Obama the same way. I think it's a really smart political move on his part. Who's going to argue with the next Ali?
at 14:29 on February 11th, 2008
BMCWrites, your as bad as me! reading into the secondary gain and the intended message of whatever is put out there.
I am working on a story about the campagin manager switch. Email me with you insights and I will put it into the story.
GOOD STUFF MAN!
at 16:05 on February 11th, 2008
No- I can't agree with this analysis. Muhammad Ali was and still is an icon and a hero, and his critique of the Vietnamese war, combined with the repercussions he faced and the message it sent, was a historic and dare I say enlightening event.
To put a negative spin on this event, and to cast Ali in a negative light, is ludicrous- It looks to me as though your argument are bringing against Barack Obama the alleged 'faults' of Ali, which, according to your article, include:
- fighting
- draft dodging (why fighting and draft dodging are BOTH negative things somehow escapes me however...)
- being muslim
- marrying multiple times
So to conclude, making the statement that it is in fact a NEGATIVE thing to use such a picture in your campaign, is equal to stating that the above claims are, as a matter of fact, negative aspects.
I don't buy it, sorry
at 16:56 on February 11th, 2008
How about Ali's posture in the photo indicates, at that point in time, he's whipping/beating his opponent, a projected, hoped for outcome, on Senator Obama's part?
at 17:33 on February 11th, 2008
Karen, He is whipping his opponent you have a good point there.
at 18:25 on February 11th, 2008
I see your point...it's a bit of a mixed message. For someone who wants peace, he is identifying himself with a violent boxer--and an arrogant one at that.
However, I think your average person will view it as it was meant: he is pondering his future and won't stop until he beats his opponents and is declared the Winner. From an artistic point of view I think it's well done, just not sure about the overall message.
at 19:00 on September 14th, 2008
Sometimes people read into things to deeply.
Its like trying to find out what the kid from the wrong side of the track meant when he said "Thank You" to his teacher. Was he genuine? Or was he being sarcastic?
Freud: "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar"