The Washington Post carries a column by Howard Kurtz this morning in which he takes the media to task for seemingly crossing the line into myth making over Barack Obama. Several major news organizations have books, DVD's and documentaries coming out, all with titles glorifying the man. For example MSNBC's promo for their offering: "Barack Obama, America's 44th president. Watch as a leader renews America's promise."
The journalistic world is not alone in this. While flipping through the tv channels last night I stopped at the Home Shopping Network for a bit because of one item up for sale: The Barack Obama Change Collection. Yes, this is just what it sounds like, commemorative coins with his face on them.
"Featuring a Washington Presidential Dollar, Kennedy Half Dollar, Illinois State Quarter and Hawaii State Quarter, each coin in this set holds a special connection to our 44th President and is exquisitely colorized with a unique and inspiring image of Barack Obama. It's the perfect way to commemorate a historic American event and the promise of change that comes with it! "
I found this segment on HSN mesmerizing...for about 2 minutes. As I moved on to another channel, another channel selling things, there he was again on coins, this time in honor of his inagural. That at least makes some kind of sense and isn't all that uncommon.
Maybe after January 20th, all this adoration will be brought back to mere likeability which will certainly be a healthier situation for everyone.
I hope they come out with that Obama pill to make all the aches and pains go away.
I am also, looking for all those troops in Iraq to be out by July 20, 2009.
Posted by: Ron | November 17, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Sounds like sour grapes. Let's not forget it was Obama's opponents that made him out to be the celebrity, not Obama. It was a campaign tactic, nothing more.
Posted by: Wayne | November 17, 2008 at 09:37 AM
His opponents!!? A campaign tactic and nothing more? How do you explain the aftermath of the campaign then? The gushing is still going on.
Posted by: Diane | November 17, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Can anyone say: "MEDIA"? Their golden boy is in the golden seat in the golden towers. End of story...at least, until the golden boy becomes the humpty dumpty of the media. They've built him up so much that he is where he is; now let's see what happens when the honeymoon is over and reality hits not only Obama, but the media as well. Will his fall be as great as his rise? Only time will tell.
Posted by: Cindy | November 17, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Does anybody remember McCain's ad that compared the President-Elect to Paris Hilton? Yes, this was a campaign tactic. Now we're seeing the expectations game being played. The new president must fix everything & be perfect or the new GOP talking points will be, "see, we told you so".
As a Huckabee supporter I'm curious to read his new book. Hopefully he says these games are a waste of time and more common sense should be used.
Posted by: Wayne | November 17, 2008 at 11:46 AM