Obama's Shoes: A Historical Comparison

DailyKos has an image up, pulled from a collection of photos by Callie Shell, of Barack Obama reclining at a table, wearing shoes with holes in the soles. Naturally, the left-leaning blog makes a broad comparison to the RNC-funded fashion show that Sarah Palin has been putting on as she travels the campaign trail. Of course, the first comparison that springs to my mind is probably one that the Obama campaign would liken to the old theatrical superstition of saying the name "Macbeth" in a theatre - fellow Illinois political figure Adlai Stevenson.

Stevenson was the subject of a photograph taken by Bill Gallagher of the Flint Journal, in which the presidential contender was captured with similar holes in his shoes. That photograph earned Gallager a Pulitzer Prize in 1953, and Stevenson got himself a statue with the iconic shoe-holes at the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. But it didn't translate into an electoral win for Stevenson, a historical note that I'm guessing Obama would prefer not to repeat.

Comments

[PhDiva]

Are those holes or is that gum?

[PhDiva]

Our Barack is so handsome, it doesn't matter what he wears. He could walk around barefoot and women would just say what a cute barefooted candidate he is. But you know when he's at home with Michelle, she makes sure his shoes are in good shape. Those are some campaign shoes. He's working hard for us.

[moodigirl]

Here, here. He is indeed quite handsome!

[aWatchmanOnTheWalls]

Obvoiusly, these were undeleted worn-out price tags left on the shoe and NEVER holes as very wrongly imagined by the Press or whatever.

[PhDiva]

Actually, I think it may be gum.

[UnknownSoldier]

gum in the same spot on both shoes, yup, you betcha

[AnAmericanWoman]

Those are HOLES. Do you not realize that the photographer , who had a CLOSE UP shot at the shoes would know the difference? Geez...

[LeftCoastLefthandedLefty]

Gum would never remain on that portion of a shoe sole for very long without being noticed by the wearer, or wearing off from normal walking.

Also we are to be led to beleive that he has gum on the sole of both his shoes in almost the exact same spot?

Trust me, as someone who has worn out a pair or two of wingtips. The spot shown in the pictures is the exact spot you will wear out a pair of dress shoes.

[stargazer13]

I have never met Mr Obama but love his courage for even wanting to try to fix the mess we find our country in today .God bless and protect this man from harm

good luck America for we go to the polls to cast our vote may every vote count this time around

may the great spirit protect us all and may we all remember to take care of each other and show the world
how Americans take care of there own in need for there are many who will need a couch before this is all over

[obiterdicta]

Those shoes are quality leather shoes with leather soles. He has had the soles covered with rubber (lol... shows how thrifty he is!) and he was worn out certain sections of the rubber.

[Glenn1441]

Looks like gum or some other such substance stuck to the soles... The marks do not look like holes.

[LongreachAU]

well they are well worn no matter how you flip it.

[grumpygranny66]

Ignore Glenn1441; He's a jerk! Anyone can see those shoes are well worn, look at the heels and the toes you will see the same worn pattern.

Just shows who connects with the people more. The one who wears $500.00 loafers or the one with the holes in his shoes.

[Aurin]

Yes. These are holes in the souls of his shoes. I am sure that the majority of people in this country; of all colors, religions and ethnicities would recognize that those are indeed holes in Barak Obama's shoes. In my opinion, if a person ever had to be in the circumstance that one would have to wear the same shoes everyday, we would know what having holes in the souls of your shoes looks like. This is because it is a sign of hardship and struggle.

If one stops and thinks about the hard times we've gone through in their lives, no matter who it is because every one of us has had hard times, we have all had times where we've worn the same shoe over and over that a hole wears into the soul of our shoes...

[mjtaylor22]

yes indeed, some of my favorite shoes i wore down in the same place. they were the most comfortable, so i wore them until they could be worn no more.
i think it shows character.
and a certain frugal ness that our govt has been lacking the lat 8 years.

[Fran1972]

My DH is the same way about shoes. He's had the same pair for about 8 years. Aged soles get worn very thin, they dry out and crack. Tiny pieces start breaking off.

It gets uncomfortable because he feels rocks through the thin part and then it's off to the shoe repair shop for new soles. He wears his bike shoes for a few days while he waits.

I ask, "Why not new shoes?" DH says the shoes know his feet.

[LeftCoastLefthandedLefty]

DH speaks the truth.

If you have a quality pair of broken in shoes, wearing them until the sole wears thin/out and replacing them is smarter (and more economical) than buying a new pair every 6 months. No blisters or barking dogs for the first two weeks while breaking in a new pair.

A good pair of shoes (quality leather uppers, soles) is actually designed to have the soles replaced periodically. That being the case a good cobbler (sadly a dying artform) is worth his/her weight in gold.

[dlinguist]

"Hey young man, get your feet off the table!" - my dad, a million times.

That aside, kinda deflates the elitism argument just a tad. Besides, what Harvard elitist goes on to a job as a community organizer? As BlackDemfromNH said.. Lincoln does come to mind... and with the flack he's honorably endured these long months on campaign.. so does Jackie Robinson

[pokemon]

Just shows he is busting his A$$ on the trail.. maybe Michelle will take him shopping after the election.

[realityczech4u]

Yeah, baby. No, that scene wasn't staged. His people didn't snag those shoes for him at a shoe repair, Notice that white cloth draped over his left shoulder? A towel to mop the sweat from his brow. The great man is wearing himself down to the nub and he's doing it all for US!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dottedvoile]

Can't judge a shoe by it's cover. He's got diamonds on the soles' of his shoes.

obama 08!

[hortonhearsawho]

Shoeless Joe votes for Obama...

[Bitsko]

Senator 0bama dancing! Senator 0bama talks about clothing budgets with his kids! Senator 0bama's shoes! C'mon, HuffP0, you're making a mint on your web site. How's about spending some more of it on the Senator's serious proposals on serious issues?

[pokemon]

People like their stars, just because he is going to be the president does not mean Americans cannot love him. After 8 years of Bush and Company this breath of fresh air is invigorating.

[vegangoddess]

How's about going to visit barackobama.com where you'll find reams of material on his issues. You can even print out PDF's and see videos of his stump speeches and immerse yourself. How's about you educate yourself by broadening your scope!

[Hopeington]

It is serious. It reflects on his character and decision making. He is working hard and making the package pretty isn't a priority, giving us hope that, no matter what the issues and proposals are , they will be executed with conscious forethought and integrity.

[lamarguerite]

Great metaphor. Please pass this 'Don't tell anyone' Obama video around:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgKQTSqxbkw

and then go volunteer at your local Obama office. Only 11 more days to make a difference!

[Krikkit]

OMG. I can understand not wanting to get rid of a pair of shoes that are broken in and no doubt comfortable, but PLEASE somebody steal them from him long enough to get the soles replaced!

[Finchy13]

I will support a man with holes in his shoes, who has earned the honestly

- rather than a man who arrogantly wears $450 Ferragomo hand-made Italian leather shoes

- and thinks he is entitled to do so -

- and has no holes.

[ToddPalin]

he has plenty of holes

[LongreachAU]

so does your wife.

[qxav949]

Those are the shoes of a community organizer.

[M1]

Yea, walking with his feet flat on the street trying to get some jobs for the nonelite. Michelle is right....H­e is sooo cute!!!!!

[Cuulmann]

Obama is more like Jesus!!

With 7 homes and 13 cars, McCain is more like a Roman Emperor !!!

[Danigirl65]

Amen!!