Obama’s Symbolic Imagery Tells What Needs Knowing

Barack Obama has created his own non-patriotic image problem. He can blame others, or the rough-and-tumble of politics, all he wants. But, together with his empty record of accomplishments nor experience, his hyper-liberal record during his brief sojurn in the Senate, his anti-Israel advisors, his other suspect associations, his wife’s absurd newfound appreciation of America, the photo of him in Muslim costume symbolically displays a reality about him: Obama hasn’t the political judgment to be trusted with stewardship of America.

In a media age, where more people get their impressions of the news from visual images than from textual or analytical analyses, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama need image advice. Obama’s façade is crumbling.

Compared to Barack Obama’s youth and energy, not to mention his way with phrases (even if vacuous), Hillary Clinton should at least be thankful she doesn’t have Richard Nixon’s five-o’clock shadow problem. (Sorry; couldn’t find any photoshops of Hillary with a Nixonian beard-shadow.) But, she has the rest of Nixon’s image problems-- sans any significant accomplishments, experience or knowledge. She appears aged, stiff, and prickly. Her gold-embroidered collar doesn’t make her look like a commander-in-chief but a wannabe.

Some compare Barack Obama’s presentation of self as modeled on John Kennedy’s, “a John Kennedy for our times” says this paean.

John Kennedy, however, was a real pro at crafting his image, including visual. For example, for those of us who recall when fedoras and hamburgs were de rigor for statesmen and older politicians, John Kennedy refused to wear hats (even a Texas Stetson presented to him, which he said he’d try on in private back at the White House), providing a visual contrast of his youthful appearance and his willingness to break with the past.

Michael Dukakis didn’t get the visual image training, to avoid hats, and foolishly added to his presidential campaign “tanking.”

John Kerry, characteristically going to foolish extremes, saw his self-imagined image not only take on water from the Swiftees but from his NASA dress-up making him look umbilically connected to something strange, or toxic.

This tripping up on one’s costume is nothing new. Calvin Coolidge drew laughter at him for wearing an Indian headdress. (Although, Coolidge’s taciturn manner at least did manage to make him appear not to enjoy it).

So, what are we to make of Barack Obama’s Muslim costume when in Kenya?

Really, not much in and of itself. Curiousity, and courtesy to a host. As the Drudge piece that spread this photo shows, Obama is not the only political notable to don a costume, or receive criticism for it. Hillary’s spokesperson says, “Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely.” She was criticized for the appearance of kowtowing to Islam’s repression of women.

However, together with Obama’s other visual faux pas, he is cementing into the public consciousness an image of someone whose loyalties are suspect. As Politico’s Ben Stein says:

February 24, 2008
CNN's question: Obama's patriotism
Does Barack Obama show the proper patriotism for someone who wants to be president of the United States?
I've got to say, I've never seen a reader poll like this on a mainstream media website (or, to be honest, a right-wing blog). This is currently on CNN.com.

Much has been made of the photo of Obama not putting hand over heart during the singing of the national anthem.

Snopes has a semi-convincing explanation.

Then, we have his refusal to wear an American flag pin in his lapel. There, Obama excuses himself from pride in his nation’s premier symbol because Obama opposes our involvement in Iraq.

“As far as the American flag pin, I mean, when we start getting into those definitions of patriotism, that’s a debate I am happy to have, because what I will come right back to them is: a party that resided over a war which our troops did not get the body armor they needed or were sending troops over who were untrained because of poor planning or not fulfilling the veterans benefits that these troops need when they come home or undermining our constitution with warrantless wiretaps that are unnecessary. That is a debate I am very happy to have.”

Obama loses this debate -- whether unlike his wife’s at least newfound pride in America, Barack lacks even that modicum of pride -- before he even begins.

Unfair to end without mentioning the visual of McCain’s dowdy sweater under his jacket or his jowls. But, his image as a hero with pride in America, alone, stands out when compared to the image Obama has created of himself.