Reading The Pictures: McCain's Mouth

This particular guy caught the attention of several newswire photographers on Saturday. He was in the front row during McCain's Iowa appearance waving a hat that matched his shirt. The shot -- since replaced -- accompanied a NYT article detailing GOP anxiety over McCain's increasingly chaotic campaign.

Reverberating into the weekend, it seems McCain and his crew didn't appreciate the pot they'd been stirring in working up their crowds.

In framing this scene, NYT photographer Stephen Crowley offers some brilliant commentary. The singular open mouth is a chilling reference to, and warning of the faceless angry mob. The X'ing out of Obama is more terrifying still. If few dare talk about it, the logical conclusion of all the vilifying -- justified in the name of "Country First" -- is to put Obama in the cross hairs. The inclusion of man at the left, however, and the sidelong, circumspect glance in the direction of "Mouth" is a reminder that people at these rallies mostly know better, and understand there are boundaries one just doesn't cross.

Problem is, you need a candidate who 100% knows the difference, who you can clearly say skews to the guy on the left as opposed to bouncing back-and-forth.

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(image: Stephen Crowley/The New York Times. Davenport, Iowa. October 11, 2008)

Follow Michael Shaw on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bagnewsnotes

Comments

[Busterdawg]

I see the self proclaimed analyst of visual journalism and interpreter of political images is back at it. Maybe Mr. Shaw's Bio needs tweaking. "Left-Wing" interpreter of political images seems a more appropriate description.

Apparently Senator Obama can't take a punch. Or at least his followers think so. Any attack is out of bounds and somehow racially tinged. You're not allowed to hate on Barack Obama or what he stands for.
Consequently I have been put in the position of defending Republicans (something I am normally loath to do). Why? Because I hate hypocrisy more than I hate the Right.

It's been OK for my fellow Lefties to express openly their hate for President Bush and all he stands for. But Republicans are forbidden from expressing the same towards Obama. It automatically becomes hate-mongering and racism. I'm thinking we are just days away from Obama Campaign surrogates and sympathetic MSM types (Campbell Brown anyone?) using the phrase "lynch mob mentality".

If any race card is being played, it's the subtle one that the Obama Campaign has been playing for the past week

[Dunelm]

I wonder where some people are getting the idea that bloggers and supporters ot Obama are left wing? Personally, I think there is nothing wrong with being on the "left." To be liberal after all is to have freedom to think for oneself--a cherished ideal in this country. Increasingly, when I hear McCain, Palin, and their supporters refer to liberals and those on the left, I am left to think that those on the apparent right must not be able to think for themselves, and so must be brainwashed.

And, by the way, I am an Independent who increasingly appreciates liberal aspirations! So, keep using the words "left" and "liberal" because they connote rather admirable qualities.

[Hollyse]

First, tire the herd as the weakened can be shot from an aerial point of view! Sarah Palin's conduct on platform is a ' psychological taxation without representation' of the woman, wife, mother, daughter, aunt, great-aunt , sister, grandmother. niece, godmother, friend, and American citizen to all women she speaks to during her campaigning. Pretense before substance she's mastered well, yet falls short to the REAL WOMEN of a nation, those that tire working and entertain the evening news hoping to have someone like them in their camp for support. Sarah Palin exists to distort and nothing more. High heels or a booty call, hmmm, is their a difference when seduction of men and women is at hand to winning an election?

[cadsuch]

McCain misunderestimated the response to his hate crime campaigning. Consider what this clown could misunderestimate if her were to have a red phone beside his bed!

[littlepuffycloud]

I remember after 'EasyRider' came out, all my Jr Hi guy friends started sewing American Flags on the back of their groovy little jean jackets or green army jackets and all our parents and grandparents were outraged. It was disrespectful to use the flag as clothing...what happened to that sentiment?

[KansasWrangler]

I am always somewhat amused at these guys that wear their flag shirts and hats to these rallies to show their "patriotism". Not too long ago this same guy would have been wearing a confederate flag shirt. And what is all this shouting "USA" at the rallies? I am pretty sure that all those people at the Obama rallies love their country but more interested in how it can recover and advance than in engage in gratuitous chanting. I hope this campaign will spell the end of this type of adolescent behavior. My greatest hope is that an Obama presidency will be successful enough to turn the tables on racial bigotry in this country. As an aside, I have relatives in a southern city with a black mayor who are voting for Obama despite the controversial and corrupt leadership of this mayor...they respect Obama.

[theoriginalfeminazi]

Here's the link to a fact-checking website about the Ayers connection.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/790/

Those of us who lived through the sixties and seventies never heard the word terrorist uttered to describe the radical movements of the time. The Weather Underground never killed anybody (else). They blew themselves up (including Ayers girlfriend) in Greenwich Village trying to make a bomb. Criminal charges were never prosecuted against Ayers for anything whatsoever. Do you really think that he'd be a university professor if he had a criminal record?

I saw a post that explained that any charges against Ayers were dropped because of the misconduct of the investigation by Attorney General John Mitchell and the FBI agent that later became known as Deep Throat, both of Watergate infamy. Figures.

[ProudAmerican23]

What your seeing is the fired up attitude of the typically quiet Right Wing, and its a result of the actions the left took when they attacked Palin. Did you all forget the protests and what was said about Mccain/Palin in Minnesota at the RNC Convention? So now youve P.O.'d the conservative base and that typically quiet right wing started to voice their feelings in retort. Deal with it.

[respectingothers]

typical repug to blame someone else for their behavior. god forbid they should ever hold themselves accountable for anything. one more thing...typically quiet??? seriously???

[pinellas]

'Typically quiet'???
R U kidding???
R-wing is FULL of loudmouth bullying whiners!

& BTW, the photo critique is symbolism, not documentary.....

[siciliabel]

Oh yes. Typically quiet. The ways of delusional thinking are many and wonderful.

[CyrusBeaucephus]

figured a right wing p*ssy like you would not understand this straightforward article

America is tired of your crap, and of the abject failure of the GOP to govern. So they are going to trounce you in November. Deal with it

[lucite]

It's not just about McCain's mouth. It is also the media giving their biased racist opinions on live TV. When will it stop. As and Italian America I was outraged by the three stooges on Fox news this morning. They were quite obvious in their disdain for Columbus. How low can you go? They showed their obvious resentment at the fact that Columbus was credited in the history books as the discoverer of America. In their opionion America was discovered by an Anglo. There next piece was about how ACORN collapsed the market. WTF.. Let's talk about who really collapsed the market.... Just more smoke screens for the American people. Fox should be investigated by the FCC. I for one am urging all people with a brain to boycott FOX NEWS, and the A&&HOLES that they hire.

[respectingothers]

been boycotting them since their inception. that's how they have been since their inception. they've NEVER been about news. they've always been a propaganda machine for the radical right.

[pavroviandog]

FOX = the radical right slavemasters.

FOX viewers= the radical right sheep

[IllinoisTexan43]

Funny how people can continue to watch Faux news until THEY'RE insulted. I'm a AA female and I stopped watching Lou Dobbs after he started ratcheting up his attacks on Hispanics. Remember, when you remain silent as other people are slandered, one day it will be your turn. Faux news is thinly veiled racism, nothing more.

[EddieW]

There's a lot of jumping to conclusions in the article and in people's comments.

Maybe there was footage from the rally or something, but... you can tell this guy is violent *from that photo*?

An "x" has to be a crosshair? He's a domestic terrorist now?

Hugging a black person is a blatant photo op?

I'm a little confused with this. But I understand the point about how McCain's rallys have been going.

[old lady]

These are the faces of the domestic terrorists McCain/Palin are palling around with. Not violence of the past.. violence of the future. Further proof that John warriior McCain would rather wage a war than lose an election

[helloboyd]

They shouldn't misspell That One's middle name.
It's Barack (Who's sane) Obama
The jury's still out on the other guy.

[lemonyashes]

I like it.

[sandrarita]

I second that.

[profounddogs]

I third it. Where can I get a bumper sticker with that on it? Priceless!

[RoseBlue]

Love it! Well done.

[respectingothers]

That's Great!!! I LOVE it!!!

[virtualval2001]

This is what they definitely call "ugly america". Few guys spoil it for everyone.

[naeldwyck]

Can I remind you that in 2004, Bu$h wasn't elected by only a few guys? Campaign, donate, vote if you really think these people (your few guys) need a better education, because they're sure not going to get it from McCa1n.

[profounddogs]

Ignorance is bliss and they've been wallowing in it for 8 years now (still -- remember there are STILL 24% who approve of Bush in this country).

[bevander1]

Maybe I'm just really cynical, but I actually wondered if some of the people to whom Senator McCain responded to in his audience were planted there so that he could have the opportunity to back track on some of the things he had been saying about Obama. I think he started to realize that his numbers were not going up after his attacks on Obama, so he decided he needed some opportunities to back track and sound more like a good guy defending Obama.

[betabeta]

My sister said that to me last night. At first I thought no way.... then after chewing it over a bit I thought hmmm you might be on to something.

[nellie]

I've thought that from the beginning. The timing at both rallies was too coincidental. Too choreographed. And to hear people shout the most outrageous things louder and more clearly than the rest of the crowd. It plays staged to me.

[tedeger]

Inciting to riot is still a felony in fiftty states. What were the cops at the rallies doing? sitting on their thumbs? Or sucking them?

[Strywever]

"To hear people shout the most outrageous things louder and more clearly than the rest of the crowd" is the result of broadcasting technology. They have equipment that can isolate sounds from ambient noise, then amplify those sounds so they stand out more in replay than they did in reality.

[pugzbarbq]

I agree that McCain used the opportunity to back track, and I wouldn't put it past the campaign to use a stooge, but in reality they probably didn't have to plant anyone. Just screen potential questioners on what they would say to McCain given the chance, and then hand the mike to the one who says "Obama is an alien terrorist from planet Socialisma whose armada is waiting behind the moon to drop race changing bombs on the earth and enslave us all." Tin foil hats make the process run much smoother...

[CVale]

waiting behind the moon. i love it.

[profounddogs]

I was even wondering if the old woman with the matty hair was actually staging when she said Obama was an Arab, but then I thought, no, that's too good of an acting/make-up job ...

[jennbeez]

Wow- it is a pleasure to meet someone on this board who is even more cynical than I am. I didn't think you existed.

I couldn't help but notice how weird it was that she referred to Obama as an "Arab." The usual thing they say is that he's Muslim. Also I thought it was telling that McCain didn't come right out and say "No, Obama is in fact NOT an Arab", he didn't dance around the issue quite as much as, say, Clinton did. But dance he did. He just ended up saying that she didn't need to be afraid of him.

I don't think she was a plant because the McCain handlers haven't shown that kind of smarts. He couldn't help but address the issue when she laid it right in his lap that way, and he knew his response would be youtubed to heck and back so he offered up a weak defense of Obama.

[6bd]

Another new low......did you see McCain and Sarah "hug" two of the 4 black participant s in attendance at their rally Sunday. The gentleman apparently a radio host and his wife. It looked like a "see we like black people moment". It appeared to be staged to this observer.

[AlaskanToo]

This guy reminds me of Bocephus. While, I'd like to spit some beachnut in that dude's eye, I wouldn't shoot him with my .45.

I can't imagine I'm the only country folk raised on Hank Jr. that thinks Obama is pretty special. Get a handle folks it's not going to be the end of the world. Even if it is the end of the world as we know it, is that such a bad thing?

I welcome the change.

[rock2casbah]

Those handful of rabble rousing sycophants are getting more media attention from their juvenile stunt pulling than they could have ever garnered in their pathetic lives otherwise.

[jennbeez]

Bocephus couldn't hold a candle to his daddy, so he fits right in with this bunch. Both Bush and McCain have daddy complexes that are playing themselves out messily on the world stage. It's an embarrassment to watch.