Jun 23, 2008 6:50pm
On Seals and Barking
EmailWe’ve all had some fun at Sen. Barack Obama’s "Audacity of Hype" ersatz presidential seal from last week. And apparently the folks at Obama HQ got the message. Today Obama campaign communications director Robert Gibbs told CNN "that was a one time thing for a one time event." So since the Republicans have been beating the drum on Obama’s alleged presumptuousness and lack of respect for the seal of the President, when’s the GOP going to take down its seals for the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s Republican Presidential Task Force, Republican Senatorial Inner Circle, and Republican Presidential Roundtable? Also offensive, no? -jpt
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I am an Obama supporter but that seal was HORRIBLE…LOL!
Posted by: Sandy | June 23, 2008, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
The difference between the republican seals and Obama’s is theirs are general, about all candidates, while Obama’s was specific to him. As if he’s an entity all to his own. It was so cocky. I am a democrat, but it made me cringe.
Posted by: A reader in Georgia | June 23, 2008, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm
Can you imagine what you and the media folks what have done to Hillary if she had trotted out that kind of pseudo presidential seal? Whew…You wouldn’t have “had fun with it” and then pivoted to attacking the GOP I know that much.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | June 23, 2008, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
What next his potrait on a wooden nickel?
Posted by: Mack | June 23, 2008, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm
no now that they have your attention of looking at the seal it will soon have eyes like this: @@-that spin around and around, and they will tell you to “just keep looking at the seal”
Posted by: what a country | June 23, 2008, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm
I don’t think I ever laughed as hard as I did when I saw this silly picture with this silly looking seal, with O POSSUM in the middle of it. Now everytime I see Obama, to me he’ll be grinning like one(possum). Sorry but that’s ALL I see. It it’s soooo prezidental.
Posted by: Texas Lil | June 23, 2008, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm
Posted by: what a country
Funny you should say that I saw a pic on a website that had that on it….lol.
Posted by: J | June 23, 2008, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
So glad to see the media is really focusing on critical issues and not just getting hung up on soundbites and pithy commentary…
Posted by: jhw539 | June 23, 2008, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
So glad to see the media is really focusing on critical issues and not just getting hung up on soundbites and pithy commentary…
____________________
But it’s sooooo hard to concentrate on issues when this kind of silly stuff gets in the way…don’t blame us, blame Opossum!
Posted by: Texas Lil | June 23, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm
Texas lil.
Possums are cute…lol. That seal was pathetic and arrogant of him as well..
Posted by: J | June 23, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm
Say what you want. I like possums!
The eagle is a scavenger that preys also on other, weaker birds. It eats the young.
We need to cahnge. I want a marsupial as the emblem of our nation.
Posted by: GO POSSUMS! | June 23, 2008, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm
Gone but never forgotten! It is way too much fun.
And the Obama camp really expects us to believe it was a one time thing?
The seal would still be around if it hadn’t caused such a comical and critical reaction.
Will Obama ever realize that not everyone thinks he is wonderful?
Posted by: riley | June 23, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm
I don’t want it to go away.
I’ll have to get a copy to keep when I need a good laugh.
The seal is on T-Shirts too.
You guys are too funny on this blog–with the opposum jokes!
Posted by: cindy in nc | June 23, 2008, 8:12 pm 8:12 pm
We need to figure out a way to get the vote out for the Possum. It’s a good alternative to the two candidates we have now.
________________
You got that right!
Posted by: Texas Lil | June 23, 2008, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
Maybe Obama could stamped his likeness on a two cent coin.
Posted by: Mary | June 23, 2008, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
Dean
I contributed 50.00 to her campaign just a few days ago.
Posted by: J | June 23, 2008, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
BTW,
No possums were hurt during that incident. I was happy and so was she…lol
Posted by: J | June 23, 2008, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm
LEE LEE,
LOL….Thanks for the laughs. I’ll ponder the thought while I am at work tonight. Take care and have a wonderful night!
Posted by: J | June 23, 2008, 9:03 pm 9:03 pm
@J – Your posts were pretty funny too! Have a great night!
A Proud, Black, Hillary Supporter
Hillary/McCain’08
Posted by: LeeLee07 | June 23, 2008, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm
Arrogance and stupidity go hand in hand, Obama.
Posted by: Mai | June 23, 2008, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm
–Texas Lil–Please don’t get Obama and the possum mixed up too much. Remember that Obama has bigger teeth, nose and ears.
Posted by: Mary | June 23, 2008, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm
tried to post earlier, but somehow i got tagged as a potential spammer???
it is just fascinating to me how much play the obama “seal” got, and yet when it is discovered that the republicans have been doing the same thing, not only does it get virtually no media coverage, but when you do find a blog like this that mentions it, the rabid republicans are still coming out of the woodwork to criticize obama…
~shaking head~
Posted by: justsane | June 23, 2008, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
O-Possum in 2008!? Will Charlie Brown be watching for The Great O-pposum this fall? Maybe McCain’s new catch-phrase should be “O-ppose ‘em!”
Posted by: Charlie35 | June 23, 2008, 10:00 pm 10:00 pm
These types of attacks only apply to Obama – everyone else is immune – didn’t you get the memo Jake? :)
Posted by: Nobodys fool | June 23, 2008, 10:20 pm 10:20 pm
This has been one of the funniest blogs I’ve seen. Thanks for the laughs!
Posted by: Texas Lil | June 23, 2008, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm
By the time this story got to AFP, “Obama campaign communications director Robert Gibbs” was no longer talking to the press, and Brother Divine — after inflicting the abomination on the governors’ meeting –was (whatta notta surprise!) blaming it all on unnamed others, presumably under-bus-bound, not so serious as he:
“One Obama aide told Fox News that the widely panned seal was intended as a one-off for Friday’s event. But Atlantic.com reported that the candidate himself felt the image had been a “silly mistake.”
“An Obama spokesman could not be reached for comment.”
Posted by: Ma Belle | June 24, 2008, 12:28 am 12:28 am
This is the biggest joke of the whole election season. It is OK for the repubs top use it, but not for Obama? The last time I checked Laws and rules were made for everyone.
I am sure most of the people who were outraged at Obama for using this stuff didn’t know about republicans doing the same thing.
Posted by: tony | June 24, 2008, 2:42 am 2:42 am
I have to admit that my Latin speaking wife and son liked the seal and understood it but when I first saw it I thought it was something like “In possums we trust.”
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | June 24, 2008, 3:32 am 3:32 am
This is the biggest joke of the whole election season. It is OK for the repubs top use it, but not for Obama? The last time I checked Laws and rules were made for everyone.
I am sure most of the people who were outraged at Obama for using this stuff didn’t know about republicans doing the same thing.
Posted by: tony | Jun 24, 2008 2:42:59 AM
READ the post below your post Tony. It clearly proves this article was wrong on the republicans, for a sitting president helped to create those groups and seals. And by law that president can legally use those seals.
Posted by: Doug | June 24, 2008, 4:34 am 4:34 am
You guys are kidding me… right?
There’s a HUGE difference between a “Presidential task force” using the presidential seal, and a candidate running for president PUTTING HIS MOTTO ON THE PRESIDENTIAL SEAL ALONG WITH HIS WEBSITE ADDRESS. The former is logical and fitting. The latter is using the presidential seal as a form of advertising. Its tacky and arrogant.
-John
Posted by: John | June 24, 2008, 4:52 am 4:52 am
Thanks Doug and John. You’ve perfectly pointed out the difference in the seals and why this is an apples to oranges comparison.
And does anyone really believe the part about this being a one time thing? As others pointed out yesterday, that seal has been on Obama’s web site for some time now.
Posted by: HoosierSue | June 24, 2008, 5:58 am 5:58 am
The above examples have to do with specific group responsibilities and functions. Obama’s has only to do with him and his ego.
That’s a world of difference.
It’s all about Obama.
It’s all about the Messiah.
Posted by: drjohn | June 24, 2008, 9:07 am 9:07 am
Somehow I get the feeling that this was a talking point of the Obama campaign and sent to all the press outlets. Sadly the press are so willingly to oblige and redirect the attention away for him and towrds the GOP.
The difference – this seal was only for Obama and used as campaign propaganda to give him the appearance of being presidential. In the end, he looked like a kid playing dress up, which ironically, isn’t too far from the truth.
BTW: Why do you people in the press have such a reluctance to call BO out on all his BS? What is in it for you?
Posted by: Nikki | June 24, 2008, 10:17 am 10:17 am
“Why do you people in the press have such a reluctance to call BO out on all his BS? What is in it for you?”
Barky’s a CHICAGO phenomenon: speak softly and carry a strong-arm.
I expect the better question is what are press people in for if they DON’T go along.
Posted by: Ma Belle | June 24, 2008, 11:41 am 11:41 am
It’s a freakin’ seal, people!
Be outraged about our planet, the middle east, poverty, ignorance, illiteracy. Something besides this nonsense.
Posted by: cybergal619 | June 24, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
I can’t believe the guy had the arrogance to use a fake seal. I think I also saw an American flag in the room. The nerve of him thinking he can have an American flag. If McCain, who really is arrogant, had done this we never would have heard a peep from the media.
Note how the press is harping on Obama’s public financing reversal, which was legal, while totally ignoring McCain’s which was not.
Can’t find an issue so blast the black guy for being arrogant and uppity. Republicans are pathetic.
Posted by: mordoormat | June 24, 2008, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
this isn’t one single presidential candidate presumptuously putting his name on the seal. rather than the flag armor, it is his campaign logo. come on. his is a bit more tasteless than this.
Posted by: rachel | June 24, 2008, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
I’m sorry to say that we have to go back to that word, JUDGEMENT, or rather LACK OF. Didn’t anyone hint to Obama that using the phony seal could be considered inappropriate, tacky and disrespectful? So far into Obama’s campaign we have been treated to a host of JUDGEMENT ISSUES (LACK OF). IS THERE ANY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THAT CHARACTER DEFECT WILL NOT FOLLOW WITH HIM INTO THE PRESIDENCY?
Posted by: Jimbo | June 24, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm
Republicans in general enjoy their glass houses. The question is how often do they receive stones for their incongruent memories and actions?
Posted by: Genna | June 25, 2008, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
The Republican Presidental Task Force Seal was created by a President.
The Obama Presidential Seal was not.
Posted by: Roy Mustang | June 26, 2008, 12:33 am 12:33 am
This was as tacky as the video of Bush searching for the WMDs under the couch.
Posted by: Dennis | June 27, 2008, 9:14 am 9:14 am
The seals look a lot like the unofficial seals of the US senate.
Which kinda makes sense for the senatorial fundraising committees to use an unofficial seal. Doesn’t it Jake?
-John
Posted by: John Abbott | June 29, 2008, 6:27 am 6:27 am