Reading The Pictures: Preparing For The Second Coming (Of Obama-Mania)

(click for full size)

Back in the cold of January, when photojournalist Alan Chin was up in New Hampshire shooting for my "day job blog," BAGnewsNotes, he and I had absolutely no clue whether, come fall, the Obama story -- still electrified at that moment by the post-Iowa buzz -- was going to play out more like this or this.

Fast forward two months, and Alan (having spent another overnight on the lip of the Ohio primary developing film) sends me the shot above as part of a basket of pictures. Of course, I dismissed it immediately. "And what didn't you like about the Kennedy-esque one?" Alan asked the next morning from a roadside Bob's Big Boy somewhere, I think, between Columbus and Cleveland. And in phrasing it that way, he pegged the source of my problem, knowing that, as dramatic an image as he had recorded, it in no way reflected how a struggling Team Obama had given up the pep rally in favor of the townhall. (And so, this is the "more representative" pic I went with.)

But today, today.

Today, just 24 hours after the results from Indiana and North Carolina, at the moment at which the Democratic race apparently reached its tipping point, I saw as quick and dramatic a flip in the visual tone as I've ever seen before. For the past few week, Obama has been largely portrayed in tandem with his controversial former pastor, or with not the friendliest looking white blue-collar workers, or standing alone on both the literal and metaphorical "other side of the tracks." Looking at the images flying off the wire the past few hours, however, it seems suddenly like none of those other moments and picture were ever made.

So, before turning the focus to the return of Obama-mania and the visual media's tilt-on-the-dime purification, glorification and idolization of the man who just a few days ago was fighting the shadows, I felt (although it's hardly a digitally-appropriate description) like dusting off that Ohio image.

Our Man in Ohio (March 08 - Alan Chin on the campaign trail for BAGnewsNotes
Our Man in New Hampshire (January 08 - Alan Chin on the campaign trail for BAGnewsNotes)

(image: ©Alan Chin. Westerville, Ohio, outside Columbus. March 2, 2008. Used by permission)

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Comments

[mlaiuppa]

It's called "visual literacy".

The choice of picture is as relevant (and influential) as the choice of words in persuading the reader/viewer.

[elascu]

GIVE IT A BREAK PEOPLE, WE'RE ON A NEW PAGE NOW! iT'S TIME TO COME TOGETHER AND BE THE DEMOCRATS THAT WE CLAIM TO BE. WE CAN DO THIS!

[JJeff88]

A few random observations -

1. I agree that the weathervane-like way the media tends to cover the candidates is despicable. I always thought the mission of the news media was to (a) report what happened and (b) explain why - and why it matters. The endless loop of the the Rev. Wright didn't serve that purpose.

2. But I don't think we can expect anything better from the media. They are what they are; and the best we can do is "become our own reporters", ask our own questions and then do our own research to ferret out the answers we seek.

3. A key undiscussed issue is "trust." When a candidate says: "Let me spend part of your tax dollars to reform health care", will he/she follow thru on that commitment? Or will the issue disappear down a "black hole?" When we hear- "stay the course in Iraq; give the surge a another 6 weeks, is this sincere? Or is it merely one more ploy to keep us there in perpetuity?

Trust. Which of the three candidates most deserves ours?

4. Fellow Obama fans - I suggest we follow the old football adage of "don't get too high when your ahead and don't get too low when you're struggling. Chill.

5. Finally, I skimmed thru most of the "tit for tat" throughout this thread and thought for a moment that I had entered a kindergarten classroom.

[dumboldman]

Sure we will give it a break. For two months I've followed the HUFFPOST comments and heard nothing but distain for Clinton supporters; but we are on the same page now. I've yet to hear anything positive from you Obama people. I guess there is only one choice. Ralph Nader for president 2008.

[woody66]

I was cleaning out my attic the other day and ran across an old American History book. (For you younger folks this was a subject that was taught in schools throughout the land in the old days.) Anyway, as I was flipping through the book it occurred to me that every President of the US since the founding of the country was a descendant of immigrants from the British Isles - Great Brittan and Ireland. And I thought, "Not bad leadership for going from an untamed wilderness to becoming the most powerful and prosperous nation on earth where most of the world tries to come to and would love to live." (Also I have not noticed a very long line of people wanting to leave.)
Now we are going into a campaign to elect as President either another of these old white guys or someone that little is known about and can point to no significant accomplishments and whose spiritual mentor for 20 years beseeched God to damn America. There may be an example of someone with such a background to have successfully run a country, large or small, somewhere in the world but I just can't think of one off the top of my head.
Most people will not see this as being a close call.

[timinhi]

Eww Woody, You'd better watch what you write on THIS blog. The spirit of political correctness gone insane will have you tarred & feathered faster than you can say "Obamamania." I agree with what you say, except that in fact, on his mom's side, Obama's forebears came from Ireland, and he's actually distantly related to Dick Cheney. His camp routinely disregards the negative aspects of the fact that he was educated in the finest private schools in America, from grade school at Pounahou in Honolulu through Harvard Law. How's that for an "old white guys" pedigree? Obama is, for better or worse, another typical politician, bought & paid for. I've pondered on this blog several times what will happen with all his rabid disciples-­-er--"supp­orters," when his myth is debunked, the truth comes out, and he's exposed as a mere mortal. Despite whatever the future holds for America, at least that part will be interesting.

[Oldchef]

A mere mortal is what we need. Someone in tune with the wants and needs of everyday
Americans, someone more in line with what Bill Clinton once was, a man of the people from a diverse background, and a person of real intelligence. That spells Obama. none of his supporters think he's some kind of superior being. We think he's a man much like us, and hope and pray he gets the chance to represent us, not the big money interests the republicans have traditionally represented and who seem to have co-opted the Clintons and the rest of the DLC democrats.

[timinhi]

Oops--I meant to type "Punahou School."

[townsurrl]

Your comment suggests a lack of real knowledge. You need to travel to other places besides Florida. How about Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Dubai? Start with Canada.
This country needs a president that looks into the future, lives in the present and closes the door on the past like one closes the coffin. The sad world of the past doesn't have anything in common with this fast changing world of today and tomorrow and that also goes for all the white anglo-saxon leaders of this country.

[STVoyager]

May I ask if anyone knows the exact number of soldiers enlisted now?

Are their numbers sufficient to sustain a war for 100 years?

If not, how will the USA get the needed soldiers? Draft? If so, does that mean it will include women as well? What is the drafting age?

If the number of soldiers now is not enough, then McCain needs to explain how he plans to get the numbers needed.

These are questions that McCain MUST answer!

Patriotism is a noble thing! Blind patriotism only allows the government to pull the wool over the eyes of the citizens and continue its tyranny.

The abortion question is NOT the only thing on the table when electing McCain! Americans NEED to see the coffins to that all the infighting within the Democratic Party can be put into perspective!

Clinton/Obama, whomever you are for, remember no one wants their child to die in a war concocted by a deceitful administration! Please STOP the infighting! PLEASE!!!

[quest44]

Refreshing to hear some truth in the midst of all this other rubbish and fear mongering.

Your absolutely right about abortion not being the only issue on the table when electing McCain . He does not stray that far from Bush's agenda and we all have seen where Bush brough this country in the near 8 years of his reign as king . Bush brought us war with the death of thousands of our men and woman and millions of displaced Iraqi citizens ,Bush brought us torture which is against the geniva convention,he brought a violattion of constitutional rights with his spying on American citizens and McCain agreed with all of these things .Do we want business as usual in our government or do we want change ?

[simplysimon2]

When i was producing a TV news report on Detroit's Palestinians in the late 70's and wanted a still of Arafat to reflect his support, I figured it would take me a few minutes at the library to grab a picture from all of our major news magazines. Then I looked at how he was presented in the MSM-photo division. He was sneering, never clean shaven--he looked like a hood, gangster, low-life, a rat, not the leader of a people. It was a revelation to see how the selection of a photo prejudiced a story and that there was an unconscious conspiracy in all the news magazines to denigrate this man. It took me hours and hours to find a neutral photo where he didn't look like he was in a police line-up.

[mcnairbo]

If you think Obama is going to create Obamamania with any more voters than he already has you're nuts. He's got the gullible among us already and there ain't no more fools to fool.

[TankerRat]

I see that Billary has a forty-three point lead over Obama in W Va. Not in and of itself relevant since I don't think Billary has a prayer anyway. However! Look if you will at the demgraphics of WHO ,these people ARE. They are the average American. The Democratic voter. And they plainly DO NOT like what they see. Any Obamabot who dismisses them as something else does so at his or her great peril. These people are saying that Obama is an effete academic type without a clue as to who real Americans are. I for one happen to agree with them.

W Va. is not an aberration but an actual reflection of a large school of thought. Think about it people. Think about it.

[quest44]

I hope your all aware that not all these posts against your candidate are Democrats .
Rush Limbaughs operation Chaos is still going on folks so don't buy into the baited arguements on either side .

Democrats your job is to chose a candidate of your party and not trash the other Democrat candidate and add fuel to the Repuiblican's fire.

If you want to fight then fight with the Republican's who want to see more of our children killed in this God foresaken war and who want to trash our constitution and take away all your rights.
Look at the how Limbaugh is trying to corrupt Democrats votes by telling his fellow Republican's to vote for Hillary and cause chaos in our party .He should be brought up on voter fraud charges .You want to fight then fight about that and come together for your party and the sake of this country .Should another Republican get in office and completely distroy this country you will only have yourselves to blame .

[julieeiluj]

Let me start by saying i don't care who wins this ridiculous presidency, they all are pitiful politicians in their own right. But what is totally sickening is this Obamamania and Second coming crap. He is a deceitful, bitter politician with a hidden agenda that is going to rock your world if elected. Nothing more, period.

[sebocd]

HOW PROPHETIC. HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE FOR A READING?

[TankerRat]

Pathetic is a better term I think. This isn't some damn football game or rock concert. However! the terms honest and politician are mutually exclusive.

[elbzee]

As opposed to all those good, honest politicians who've taken such good care for us for the past 15 years?

I am COUNTING on Obama rocking our world. That's what we need. Rock the corrupt war mongers crap outta the game.

[Jazzylady26]

Boy, ya'll work those knee pads don'tcha? lol.

[TXfemmom]

I was an Edwards supporter and still think that he is a better candidate and would make a better President than Clinton or Obama. I have been a loyal Democrat, have worked for equal rights, have supported the Southern Poverty Law Center which fights the kKK and white supremacist groups, physically protected abortion clinics, and been progressive and I take great offense at being labeled a racist and a bigot for not liking or respecting Obama for a good many legitimate reasons.

I grew up in WV and have family there, and I can remember passing out Kennedy things in 1960, when WV, the small, poor, white, rural, working class state was the only reason Kennedy was elected.

Most of our family is still there and I can tell you that HIllary Clinton is overwhelmingly supported there because they like her, know her, respect what Bill Clinton achieved. They went BUSH IN 2000 AND 2OO4, but they were ready to OVERWHELMINGLY go Democratic this time. The number of HILLARY SUPPORTERS would carry the state in the fall. Face that folks. Kentucky is the very same story. However, if Obama is the candidate, YOU CAN FORGET THE DEMOCRATS WINNING.

WV is a poor, working-class state with decent peoplewho don't believe that Obama knows or cares about what they need, and this stuff of slinging the racism thing at them has turned them completely off. I fear that Obama shall be the McGovern and Dukakis of 2008.

[tizan]

Why is it that you think that poor people in WV think that somebody who was raised by a single mom and who finished paying his university loans recently will care for them less than somebody who has been shmoozing big corporates, politicians, etc for 20 years or so and have a bank account of over $100millions ?

[egal]

Because people in WV are widely portrayed to be just inbred (read as: stupid, uneducated, unable to form opinions without being told what they are) and out-of-touch enough to buy what she's selling without looking into the matter. Of course, since most people in WV are poor, working-class, and politically involved enough to know, by now, that Obama's a far better choice, she's unlikely to carry as much of the state as hoped.

[elbzee]

When you think about it, who was the last presidential candidate who needed loans to attend college?

[TankerRat]

If someone has to answer that then you are as out of touch as Obama is. May I suggest you reexamine the situation. I don't think it wise to denigrate the people of W Va.Your "Red Herring" comment about single mothers and student loans notwithstanding.

[SGreen]

I did not see anything in your post that suggests you care about liberal values, meaning you are De-publican like Hillary is or a racist like any of her surrogates. Only a racist gets offended for being called one.

[timothe]

Actually, the line is:

People who call others racist are often the most racist.

Just thought I'd clarify that for you.

[elbzee]

You said all you need to TX, " They went BUSH IN 2000 AND 2OO4" demonstrates the decision making skills of your kin in WV. That would explain their beliefs that " They knows or cares about what they need, and this stuff of slinging the racism thing at them." It all makes total sense.

[TankerRat]

And they'll go McCain in November as will Texas. And the Obama zealots are as clueless as their "Messiah" as to why. Care to place a small wager?

[serena1313]

Generally speaking candidates follow an unwritten rule: never destroy your challenger from within the party. Nonetheless Hillary chose the republican's signature strategy to use against Obama. Consequently those rovian tactics split the party into the Obama camp and the Clinton camp. It is fair to assume that Barack Obama is the presumed nominee so can she successfully convince her supporters to vote for him so democrats win the presidency?

Obama followed the rules and won. Include both Michigan and Florida he is still ahead. Theretofore if Hillary tries to reverse the outcome of the nomination by changing the rules it could cost the party the general election.

Many of Hillary's supporters (evidently did not do their research) fell hook-line-­and-sinker for her "talking points" against Obama. So if she says, "Oh never mind -- forget what I said; it was just politics," how will her backers respond? Granted Obama is not entirely innocent, but he never attacked HRC with the vengeance her 'handlers and surrogates' have him.

Now the problem is two-fold: bringing the democratic party back together and getting Obama elected. It will take twice as much energy and it will be difficult. The goal, of course, is to win against McCain. A McCain presidency would be the same as a third Bush term only on steroids! So the last thing party members want is a party divided.

[MA4HRC]

Making general statements like "The Clinton Tactics" and "Race baiting' with no explicit examples is not going to bring the party together. In fact, they need to be repeated over and over in order to remind us of why we shouldn't feel guilty for not supportiing Senator Obama. I advise you to do your research and compare and contrast the pamphlets handed out by Senator Obama and Senator Clinton in IN. Come back and explain to me who you thought ran a more negative campaign? Ask someone from WY why some of their local papers said that "Caucus for Senator Obama Only" and explain to me what voter fraud is. Since we're investigating the intentions of Republicans voting for Senator Clinton, go back to the earlier primary states and ask republicans who voted for Senator Obama why they did so and will they vote for him in the general election. "Operation chaos" started a long time ago and I made that point on the blogs months ago, but according to Obama supporters; Operation chaos could only be effective in the case of Senator Clinton.
My choice to not support Senator Obama has nothing to do with Senator Clinton. I refuse to let republicans, the media, or fanatics choose my candidate. She can take a long vacation and not waste her time trying to get me to support the democratic candidate; nor do they have to make her the VP. My word is bond and the election is over for me.

[elbzee]

So, after you succeed in electing McCain, when will you be enlisting? Obviously, if we're to be at war for another century, we'll need all the good loyal ANYBODY BUT OBAMA democrats to flesh out the military. Suit up, keep your head down, and have fun!

[MA4HRC]

Yes, Hillary made the "unwritten" mistake of questioning and campaigning against the Messiah and now she must be cast away from the Democratic party and publicly stoned. Barack didn't have to open his mouth because he had the media and surrogates do his dirty work for him. All they had to do is whisper that the Clinton's intentions were racial and it spread like wild fire. He doesn't win a state, the people of the state must be racist and not want to vote for the Black candidate. She says that she is the stronger candidate; she must be saying that he can't win because he's black, not because people doubt his experience. He loses in november; it must be because she was too tough on the fragile messiah; it can't be that he just might not be a good candidate.

[knighthowl]

I guess you didn't hear what she said today. Have no fear, you will. She could hardly be more explicit than when she said she had the support of more hard working Americans, white people . . . could she?

[Patrician]

I believe that Barrack should go on using his natural talent to inspire people by his elegant speech. I get goose flesh when I hear the people responding to him. I am thrilled that the young are involved. He can also talk about other issues, but he should not have allowed Hillary to shame him out of his talent. Maureen Dowd noted this, and in this instance I agree with her. In my opinion, Hillary will work her will to try to weaken or diminish him--especially in the areas where he is strong and she is not. I guess all is fair in love and war. But I would like Barack to be Barack, to use his special instincts. If it produces mega crowds, so be it. It it does not, maybe he has something else in mind. I trust him and his political instincts.

[HamletsMill]

Excellent post.

[terriergirl]

What does giving a good speech has to do with being President? If that's all it takes - looking sharp and being good with a telepromter - George Clooney is my man!!!!

[candidpsychiatrist]

Well, let's see:

Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address?
FDR and "We have nothing to fear but fear itself"?
JFK and "Ask not what your country can do for you..."?

Nah, nothing at all I guess.

[marryl]

And did you all see the phalanx of white males walking around and behind Obama today. Oh yes, and a few white women bringing up the rear. All looked prosperous. Where are all the black people who voted for him? Have they outlived their usefulness? Surely one or two of the blacks people now seen on TV as "pundits" should be aloud to trail along. A telling sight--the puppetiers, all taking their cues from the Trilateral Commission and the Council of Foreign Relations. It really does not matter who wins. The endgame is that any and all allowed a hint of so-called power will be sucked in by the true power brokers.

[N8Ma]

Were you Ted Kaczynski's cleaning lady?

[Nezua]

okay, that was kind of funny.

[Krikkit]

He was on the Hill today in the House of Congress. That's a bit more of a white crowd than out on the streets in North Carolina. You draw the crowd where you are, dude.

[bajanyvie]

get over yourself...... he is the candidate for all people ......black white, brown, red, yellow, blue .... so he does not need to choose people simply to make a political statement. He represents us all.

[Passenger57]

What do poor people look like? Is Obama supposed to have a minivan full of "poor folks" that pop out and walk with him wherever he goes?
The Black people who voted for him - maybe they're at work. In fact,MOST of the people who voted for ANY candidate are probably at work.
This has got to be the most bizarre post yet.

[Jazzylady26]

I am going to be so disenfranchised it's not funny. The Obamatons are going to get what they want, and itty bitty babies, who kick, scream, and throw tantrums, just don't care. The precious just must be the nominee, must be their savior, or else. Other voters such as myself, who could never vote for this man, will be disenfranchised, and while they won't care so long as the outcome is one they want, they should. This is the man, who, as a civil rights leader, dissed the victims of Katrina by not going to New Orleans to either offer moral support and encouragement, or support of any kind. This is the same man, who as civil rights leader, and a young black male, did not go to Jena in support of the young black men and what they were going through. This is a man who, as civil rights leader did not go to Memphis, need I say more? This is a man who has put forth no agenda for blacks and women, not have I heard anything about reparations for slavery, which could help so many of my people. Not his. He doesn't claim them. Just the color of his skin. He might have been more gracious, but his butt is up on his shoulders and his head is to high in the rarefied sky for that. So. I am disenfranchised and he will never get my vote.

[PlantGod72]

You offer a skewed and ridiculously self-interested laundry list of Obama's supposed 'slights'.

Most of the country can see through your kind of litmus test for Barack's authenticity as a black man, and effectiveness in addressing issues for people of color (what, you think Hillary Clinton had big plans for a "Reparations strategy"??!!).

Instead, we appreciate the big picture he offers to ALL citizens; we appreciate his keeping his word on the kind of campaign he would and would NOT wage; we look forward to seeing a new and invigorated government that, under Obama's leadership and persuasion, begins to push back against the insidious influence of the corporate lobbyists.

I'm sorry for you that your vision is so short-sighted.

[Excander]

People of all color are losing jobs. People of all color are having problems paying bills. People of all color are sending their children to defunked schools. People of all color are losing their constitutional rights and voice in their Government.

We don't need a leader for Blacks, or Browns, or Whites as our president. We need a leader for the PEOPLE as our president. We need a leader to reinstitute policy in the public interest. A public interest as constituted by the majority interest, not the corporate interest.

The movement rolls on!!!

[Jazzylady26]

Well, I'm going to tell you what you are going to get. You will be getting a man who has only his own self interest at heart. Barack Obama does nothing but look in the mirror and sees his own self image reflected back at him, as he looks in the faces of his rabid supporters and sees his own self image reflected back at him. You did not say one thing that Obama offered to all the people, not one thing. My own self interests are also that of my people, left behind at every turn, and disenfranchised at every turn, something I see you missed as did Obama. This is why dems have lost their way. They have forgotten the people Dr. King so loved, that Bobby Kennedy would not forget, which is why this party is now seen as the party of elitists. Obama has not spoken to the needs of those of our people still left behind to fend for themselves with no voice to speak for them. He has forgotten his own humanity in his race for the throne. As a black woman, a social worker, and someone who loves her people, I cannot vote for this man who doesn't even care. A new order? For whites, the same old order will do. For blacks it will not. But if Obama becomes president that is all we're going to have, the same old order. Nothing new.

[mibm16450]

Jazzylady26 I do feel sorry for you. If you think education is expensive try paying for ignorance

[wendelgee2]

Do you know what disenfranchised means? It doesn't mean "I don't get what I want." If that's what it meant, then we've all been disenfranchised for 8 years, ma'am.

Also:
Here is Barack Obama’s record on rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.

* Sept. 2, 2005: Obama holds press conference urging Illinoisans to contribute to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
* Sept. 5, 2005: Obama goes to Houston to visit evacuees with Presidents Clinton and Bush.
* Sept. 7, 2005: Obama introduces bill to create a national emergency family locator system
* Sept. 8, 2005: Obama introduces bill to create a National Emergency Volunteers Corps.
* Sept. 8, 2005: Obama co-sponsors the Katrina Emergency Relief Act of 2005 introduced by Senator Harry Reid
* Sept. 8, 2005: Obama co-sponsors the Hurricane Katrina Bankruptcy Relief and Community Protection Act of 2005 introduced by Senator Russ Feingold
* Sept. 12, 2005: Obama introduces legislation requiring states to create an emergency evacuation plan for society’s most vulnerable

[wendelgee2]

As you can see (even though the darn comments posted in the wrong order), he's a senator. He legislates. He's not a civil rights leader. Never has been. Never pretended to be. You need to figure out what position you're voting for: Head Civil Rights Leader, or President of the United States...which includes people of all colors, creeds, orientations, and even nationalities. He's not there to represent you personally, nor to represent black people only. He's there to represent the interests of the collective, what is best for the nation. Get over yourself. This isn't about you you you.

[mibm16450]

Jazzylady26 I do feel sorry for you. If you think education is expensive try paying for ignorance!

[in4success]

facts? shame on you!

[wendelgee2]

Continued:

* Sept. 15, 2005: Obama issues public response to President Bush’s speech about Gulf Coast rebuilding.
* Sept. 21, 2005: Obama co-sponsors bill to establish a Katrina commission to investigate response to the disaster introduced by Hillary Clinton
* Sept. 21, 2005: Obama appears on NPR to discuss the role of poverty in Hurricane Katrina.
* Sept. 22, 2005: Obama and Coburn’s Hurricane Katrina financial oversight bill unanimously passes Senate committee.
* Sept. 22, 2005: Obama’s amendment requiring evacuation plans unanimously passes Senate committee.
* Sept. 28, 2005: Obama and Coburn issue statement about the need for a Chief Financial Officer to oversee the financial mismanagement and suspicious contracts occurring in the reconstruction process
* Sept. 29, 2005: Obama and Coburn investigate possible FEMA refusal of free cruise ship offer
* Oct. 6, 2005: Obama and Coburn issue statement on FEMA Decision to re-bid Katrina contracts
* Oct. 6, 2005: Obama co-sponsors Gulf Coast Infrastructure Redevelopment and Recovery Act of 2005.
* Oct. 21, 2005: Obama releases statement decrying the extension of FEMA director, Michael “Brownie” Brown’s contract. Obama calls Brown’s contract extension, “unconscionable.”

[wendelgee2]

Continued:
* Nov. 17, 2005: Obama and Coburn introduce legislation asking FEMA to immediately re-bid all Katrina reconstruction contracts.
* Feb. 1, 2006: Obama gives Senate floor speech on his legislation to help children affected by Hurricane Katrina
* Feb. 2, 2006: Obama introduces legislation to help low-income children affected by Hurricane Katrina
* Feb. 23, 2006: Obama issues statement responding to a White House report on Hurricane Katrina. Obama noted that the top two recommendations that the report had for the federal government were initiatives he had been working on since immediately after the storm hit. Obama called the administration’s response “delinquent.”
* May 2, 2006: Obama gives speech about no-bid contracts in Hurricane Katrina reconstruction
* May 4, 2006: Obama’s legislation to end no-bid contracts for Hurricane Katrina reconstruction passed the Senate.
* June 15, 2006: Obama and Coburn announce legislation to require amendment to create competitive bidding for Hurricane Katrina reconstruction for federal contracts over $500,000. Although it passed previously, the language was stripped in conference.
* June 15, 2006: Obama releases podcast about his pending Katrina reconstruction legislation in the Senate.
* June 16, 2006: Obama and Coburn get no-bid Hurricane Katrina reconstruction amendment into Department of Defense authorization bill.

[wendelgee2]

Continued:
* July 14, 2006: Obama and Coburn’s legislation to end abuse of no-bid contracts passes senate as amendment to Department of Defense authorization bill.
* August 11, 2006: Obama visits Xavier University in New Orleans to give Commencement address
* August 14, 2006: Obama and Coburn ask FEMA to address ballooning no-bid contracts for Gulf Coast reconstruction
* Sept. 29, 2006: Obama and Coburn legislation to prevent abuse of no-bid contracts in the wake of disaster passes Senate to be sent to President’s desk to become law.
* Feb. 2007-Present: As Obama begins his Presidential campaign he references Katrina as a part of his stump speech as he travels around the country in his familiar line, “That we are not a country which preaches compassion and justice to others while we allow bodies to float down the streets of a major American city. That is not who we are.”
* June 20, 2007: Obama co-sponsors Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act of 2007 introduced by Senator Chris Dodd.
* July 27, 2007: Obama and colleagues get a measure in the Homeland Security bill that will investigate FEMA trailers that may contain the toxic chemical, formaldehyde.
* Aug. 26, 2007: Obama outlines a detailed Hurricane Katrina recovery plan.
* December 18, 2007: Obama calls on President Bush to protect affordable housing in New Orleans
* February 16, 2008: Obama releases statement on toxic Gulf Coast trailers

[altohone]

Look, as a supporter, do I need to point out that all the various terms like Obama-mania were put forward by Hillary supporters hoping to diminish his supporters?

Rather than having made an informed choice, we're supposed to be a mindless herd.


The truth is, most Obama supporters never wavered through thick and thin.
Call us what you want, but we aren't "back", because we never went anywhere.

[serena1313]

That is right we never left. Support for Obama is solid.

We stuck with him through thick and thin because Obama is more than worthy of it.

[Krikkit]

Ah, altohome, but don't forget that "Yankee" was a disparaging name given to rebels by the English during the Revolutionary War. We took that name and made it our own. Same goes with Obamamania and the like. If you take it on, you can turn it to advantage.

Also, it's the media he's talking about, not Obama supporters. The media was in love with Obama, then raked him over the coals, and now is in love with him again. It's the nature of the beast.

[nomobull]

once again the media spin was at work but supporters knew better .

[westtexasboy]

Michael Shaw, you and your colleague are providing an excellent service with your work and wit. In this visual age, reading pictures (and video!) is worthy. Thanks!

[Atticus]

LOL! Silly boy ;-)