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

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:11 PM EDT

Article Source: The New York Times

This is one of the best analysis pieces on Obama's trip, confirming - but explaining more eloquently - some of the thoughts I raised over at this discussion

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Scott (Scoop) Butki's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: 2008: John McCain, ObamaVine, Political Analysis, The Big 2008 Election
Regions: New York

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Scott (Scoop) Butki

She nails it here in the second paragraph:

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.

All three network anchors traveled overseas for one-on-one interviews with Mr. Obama, and that, too, irked the McCain campaign. The CBS anchor, Katie Couric, who had the first encounter on Tuesday, appeared to take the Republican criticism to heart. She interviewed both candidates on her newscast. First

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2 votes

#1 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:13 PM EDT

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Miss Dev

I don't know why, but this brought to mind the cover of one of the major news magazines (TIME? Newsweek?) that showed Bill Clinton surrounded by people, with one woman hugging him around the torso. My friend's mother was the woman hugging him, and I remember seeing it hung up on her wall every time I would visit their house. That image of a president interacting so intimately with citizens and the pure elation and love that is being expressed for him is incredible. The image of President Bush that comes to mind when I try to compare the two is of him getting back into his motorcade to finish the traditional "walk" to the White House after inauguration. A striking difference.

I feel the same way about this: the image that sticks with me this week is Obama speaking to reporters in Amman. And McCain with former President Bush, speaking to reporters on the golf course. Again, striking, just in a different way.

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#2 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:43 PM EDT

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Scott (Scoop) Butki

speaking to reporters in Amman. And McCain with former President Bush, speaking to reporters on the golf course. Again, striking, just in a different way.

Not, I'm guessing, in a way that you like as much. Clinton was famous for his charisma and charm well described in the story Primary Colors.

I always thought that it was hilarious for the Clintons to complain about the media loving Obama when it was media love for Bill (due to said charisma and charm) that got Bill elected.

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#2.1 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:07 PM EDT

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SCOTT (SCOOP) BUTKI

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

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