Reading The Pictures: Nobel Slam Not Enough, Newsweek Tries To Set White House on Fire

Come the first Monday after the Nobel announcement, here's Newsweek jumping on the "he didn't deserve it and who does he think he is, anyway?" bandwagon.

That's the least of it, though. Whereas similar toxicity abounds, Newsweek pivots off the bald and ugly "undeserving" slash in the attempt to drive a high-profile wedge through the White House and in between the President and the V.P.

Given the lead, the relative scale and the anchor text, the suggestion here is that Obama, a more minimal figure, is suffering from an "idea" deficit and that the patriotic Biden not only towers over him from a policy standpoint but can also look you straight in the eye.

Regarding the color scheme, I'm not sure about the red, but the blue-state blue further ostracizes Obama by painting Biden as much more the party's man.

For more visual politics, including our international and domestic argument why Obama deserved the Nobel Prize, visit BAGnewsNotes.com.

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

Comments

[SamEllison]

The FT had a photo the other day of the president
wiping his brow, ala David Dinkins.

[springsm]

These "news" magazines are not anything of the kind. They are sloppy opinion 'rags'. When you can read one of these non entertaining magazines word for word, cover to cover in less that 30 minutes...you know you don't have any thing concrete or substantive. None of them are worth a shilling..imo.

[OneLiberalLady]

Newsweek: Suggesting that Biden is the real brains of the outfit and should be running the show: Good luck with that. For one thing, you'll have to vaporize thousands of hours of footage from The Daily Show, SNL, and all the late night comic programs , from Leno to Ferguson.
And as to dissing Obama for winning a Nobel: give us a break. He didn't nominate himself, you nit-wits.

[LizM]

Actually, when it comes to any number of critically important issues related to foreign policy, national security, the judiciary, congressional relations...I could go on...Vice President Biden is indispensable as President Obama's wisest and most loyal advisor. Unfortunately, so many people have an impression of Biden that has been so severely warped by the comedy shows...not to mention the media/blog­osphere/pu­nditocracy­, speaking of comedy.

There is no small amount of irony here in that the media (including Newsweek) has cultivated an image of Biden that does not comport with his extremely influential role in this administration and so, when Newsweek does a decent job for once and sings his praises...well, that is the straw that broke the camel's back and pushes subscribers to cancel their subscriptions!

The old adage, 'cant' win for losing' comes to mind. Geesh.

[PrincipiaChamp]

Everyone has an opinion about President Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize; I've read them all. There is no consensus. His role, as other presidents, brings with it praise and criticism daily...it's natural and normal.

However, Joe Biden is doing an outstanding job as our Vice President, please give him his due. I've always admired Mr. Biden, but I've watched him even closer since being tapped as Obama's deuce. He's a highly knowledgable and experienced elected official and brilliant in foreign affairs. Simply put, he knows a lot. Biden handily takes on projects and programs with enthusiasm, dedication, and a goal of succeeding. Joe doesn't blink, and truly seems to enjoy working hard and his new role.

As much as he loved and excelled in the Senate, I believe Obama gave Biden an opportunity to grow further, contribute more, discover hidden talents, and be an vital part of the Obama-Biden Administration. He has caught his second wind and it's exhilarating to watch. No normal VP here. I admire Biden's role in foreign policy above all, and like to know he's in the room with the President when such matters are discussed.

Joe Biden just seems to enjoy and appreciate life a little more than the rest of us. Life's tragedies, if they have any positive pupose, should change us. Joe Biden somehow evolved better with each challenge in his life. Admirable. Rare.

I'm glad Joe chose a life of service to this nation. And he's cute to boot.

[LizM]

You have given Michael Shaw something to think about, PC. We can only hope that he will consider it carefully.

[spacecreep]

it makes the republicans feel better to imply that biden is the real one that people have to deal with.....but i thank the republicans, because if they hadn't screwed this country into the ground, it may have taken another 50 years before this country grew up.......

[hypnotoad72]

Wow. The number of media people who say Obama doesn't deserve it, or - worse - congratulate him and then say "now prove it!"... it's almost funny. Shame it isn't... if this were Bush getting the medal, the same detractors would probably be in gitmo or somewhere by now...

[jade7243]

You neglected to point out that Biden's background is "white," while Obama's is "colored."

I think you tried too hard to make a mountain out of a molehill. Sometimes you get it right, sometimes you strike out. This was a strikeout. Back to dugout.

[TommyMcCarthy]

Well, I dont think any disrespect accrues to the President to NOTICE that Joe Biden is highly experienced, highly effective, and Respected on both sides of the asile.

Obama was in sixth grade when Joe Biden was elected to the United States Senate.
When Obama was finishing up at occidental college and preparing to move to N.Y. to pursue his bachelor's degree at columbia (and having those famous photos taken with a "brim" and a Marlboro) Biden was already the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Clearly I could go on.

None of this is in any way disparging to the President,after all he picked him. The jury is still out on what this Administration may accomplish....you can be sure that whatever sucesses this administrtion has...Joe Biden will play an integral role in getting it done.

Obama (and all of us) are lucky to have him.
Give 'em hell Joe!
tm

[LizM]

Absolutely, positively, unequivocally!

[buggey]

Mr. " When I was in Congress" was missing this morning. Maybe upset because Mr. O got the Nobel Prize. Didn't want to talk to Mi-kas' daddy today. President Obamas' ratings are up again, and no one wants to talk about that. I love that handsome President Obama.

[Garybot]

How wonderful for you.

[roguetrader]

I personally think that biden is a sneaky little fellow. Doesn't he just look menacing? jk. But as for Obama, I just can't seem to understand how he can logically be given such an award. "Vision" as Bill Clinton termed it, is not, nor has ever been enough to validate someone for nomination of the Nobel Peace Prize. To be a visionary is in essence to be ideaological. To be a dreamer, if you will. But Im sorry, you don't dream yourself into this honor. It has to be earned. Are we to patronize African Americans by giving Obama the award soley based on his winning of the election by the first black man? No. Let him earn it. If he earns it rightfully, then so be it. If not, just as well.

[dc2nm]

It is an award, not a contest. Obama's only decision is whether to accept or deny the award. He humbly accepted the award on behalf of everyone fighting for peace.

[neocon666]

I think they're hoping Murdock will buy them.

[Factonfact]

The Vice President of the United States is "a voice to be reckoned with" only so long as the President of the United States cares to reckon with it.

That said, Vice President Biden is most always worth a listen.

What we know, for instance, of his suggestion that the United States concentrate its effort along the Afghanista­n-Pakistan border makes a good deal of sense.

IWe fight in Afghanistan, after all, to deny that country as a training ground, staging area and rallying point for terrorists bent on harming our homeland. With Pakistan fighting terrorists on its side of the border (with our help) and with us fighting on the other side this limited mission can be accomplished with the right mix of frontline combat troops, special op forces and intelligence assets and without a major buildup of troops, though an increase undoubtedly is necessary over what we have there now.

If something along this line is what Vice President Biden is suggesting, then he's a serious player. If, on the other hand, the reports that he would limit U.S. operations to drone attacks and the like are accurate, he's not.

And bear in mind that the only reason we have so few troops committed in Afghanistan now is the Bush Administration policy that gave precedence to its Iraq adventure over the mission in Afghanistan. Thus any buildup of troops in Afghanistan should be seen in large part as a corrective to the Bush Administration neglect there.

[LizM]

Several inaccurate media reports have implied that Vice President Biden is advocating for a simple and limited counter-terrorism approach that ignores the rise of Islamist extremism and the dire regional consequences of a strategic policy failure.

This rings very hollow as there is no one on the president’s national security team, including President Obama himself, who understands these valid concerns, and the need to avert them, in a more comprehensive and substantive way than does Vice President Biden.

[TommyMcCarthy]

JoeBiden was "a voice to be reckoned with"... when Richard Nixon was President (and before).

One major reason for that is that you can believe what he says.....and you can count on him not to abandon core principles in the face of a little resistance (or alot),...be it from the right wing, the base, US allies, or US adversaries.

Very smart, very honest, very tough......in a word PRINCIPLED.

I think he's quite funny myself.

B.T.W. Most of the women I know think he's quite handsome....Sexy even

'Cha think Liz? Hoping you are well....It's been some time.

Highest Regards
tm

[motherfather]

Saw this coming doen the pike, didn't think it would happen in under a year! Gotta love the me,di,a in the good OLD USA.

[rose1123]

I cancelled my Time subscription, when they started including commentary by Karl Rove. I refused to spend my money to read what that idoit had to say. All of these guys, Meachem, and others seem to flock to that morning joe mess now days. I have no time for morning joe, time, or newsweek. They all have become Obama bashers, as if any of them could measure up to his intellect. Jealousy of the President is mainly what all this anti-Obama is all about. The President has refused to stoop to their levels. They are in awe that he is not the kind of Black Man they had envisioned. The President is confident,secure in his own skin, and does not need the approval of these white boys.

[propitiousmoment]

Looks to me like the cover was a long-planned one, with the Nobel article a last-minute addition after Obama won. It really does not diminish Obama to give Joe his dues, unless you're just looking for some way to dis both of them.