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

[Lakrosse]

hey at least they aren't Fred Thompson's Guccis, anyone remember?

[Knowitall]

Or McCain's $550 shoes. Remember that. There are other priorities. I don't care much for men who are alway "prissing up" anyway. Obama will get his shoes resoled when he has time.

[lede3957]

Michelle, Oprah, Somebody, Anybody....please buy that man some shoes. Pleazzzzzz...

[MSMSucksCom]

No, he only needs those resoled. That can be done at a shoe shop while he waits.

He can have someone run them over to the shop and get them done. Should be about $50.

[thepoliticalcat]

In one interview, Obama admitted that he buys his suits off the rack and has them patched as needed. There's an old New England saying: Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. It's something we might need to remember as Bush's hard times descend upon us. I'd rather have a president who knows how to stretch his dollars than one who can throw away half my monthly disposable income on a single pair of shoes.

[KathieKH]

And more importantly, he knows how to stretch a budget and save money. The fact that he has had his shoes resoled reminds me of my parents. Living in good times but not finacially successful - at that time and with 7 kids. Go figure.

[acanuckwhocares]

Barack Obama:

talks the talk
AND
walks the walk

[archimede]

amen my friend.....a pair of well worn shoes....go get a new pair barack, you deserve it

[BosieO]

True to that...my ex- in the 6yrs we were together only bought one pair of shoes...and still went back to his old ones....WHY? you may ask...in his own words "Because, they are comfortable" AND now....I have a pair of converse all rip, smelly and dirty....and they are my favorite pair in my closet.....I'm with you Obama....

[hopeca]

For interesting background details of the Adlai Stevenson photo, check out NPR's recent "Radio Diaries" story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95731817

And to make sure the great reporting HuffPost has been doing doesn't devolve into too many "Obama is the annointed one" stories (which unfortunately, seems to be happening), keep sharing stories from the other side. Consider today's AP Poll that shows Obama and McCain running virtually even: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081022/D93VPI9O0.html

Now is the time to be extra vigilant... and to remind everyone that a landslide is the only kind of victory that can withstand the predictable charges of voter fraud and vote rigging that will come with a closer margin.

Get out the vote for Obama - Biden. The Change We Need!

[JustSteve]

Absolutely!!

The polls actually don't mean anything if the people who got measured actually vote!!!

[Asmodeus]

You know, one of the few things about men that the checkout magazines have gotten right, is that a man who can't stand to part with old and comfortable, (even though ragged) clothing is more sentimental and loyal. Moreover, I would state my personal belief that it shows a patience and determination to make the clothing comfortable in the first place.

[MIVOTE]

You are right! I can't get my husband or my son to toss those old ugly worn out shoes that have been around for years so thanks for the reminder, although after November 4, I do hope Barack goes to find a few more pair that he can wear down. ;-)

[dct1999]

The checkout magazines are deadasswrong, as usual.

[obamavoter08]

me too :)

[luvangelHussein330]

Those are definantly not ferragamo Loafers

[latina1]

This is why I like this man, more and more everyday! Material things are not the most important thing his in life, but caring for others is. OBAMA/BIDEN '08*

[DrFrescas]

I totally have holes in my All Star Chucks. Eh, so what? Not everybody has the RNC buying clothes for them!

[1Smartchik]

Michelle says that he hates shopping.

[darker]

Repub McCain's Sarah Palin is there only as EYE CANDY, TROPY V-P candidate WITHOUT substance.

NO MORE YEARS for out of control rightwingnut Republican SOCIAL & ECONOMIC CRIMINALS.

vote Obama-Biden '08.

[realtalker]

This is what happens to your pair of shoes when you are campaigning in 49 states for almost 2 years, walking the rope line shaking hands with supporters, and walking in neighbourhoods speaking to people on the streets about his solutions to the issues the country faces. (And I am sure that Obama did not expect anyone to be taking a picture of the bottom of his shoes)

PLUS: I don't think anyone expects Obama to be out shopping for new shoes, Obama's focus is on the campaign, and the people in this country who he wants to be working for as president , if he wins this election.

[MSMSucksCom]

Plus new shoes run the risk of getting blisters should they not fit just right. He has had no time over the past two years to break in new shoes.

That's all he needs is to start limping due to new shoes. Gotta stick with what's in the closet.

[SheriChardonnay]

but yet they try and peg obama as the elitist!

[kid5rivers2]

Of course he's elitist! Non-elites have holes in only one side of shoe. He hadda show off by having holes in both! lol

[VivaMariaElena]

I understand Obama,I have Manny shoes but there is one shoes that i have for 10 years now ,i can lett them go they walk so fine.NON of the other shoes that i have walk so fine like my 10 years old shoes