ALBUQUERQUE - Barack Obama’s presidential campaign is retiring a presidential seal that made its debut at a Chicago event last week.
“It was a one-time seal for a one-time use,” Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. The seal, which resembled the official presidential seal, had a picture of a bald eagle on it. A phrase inscribed above it read “Vero Possumus,” a Latin expression that roughly translates to the campaign’s slogan, “Yes, we can.”
The seal helped complete a presidential-looking setting as Obama sat at the head of a U-shaped table with Democratic governors in a stately hall of a Chicago museum. In addition to the seal on the podium, blue curtains adorned the backdrop along with a row of flags.
Our earlier blog post on the Obama seal posted on Friday prompted mixed reviews from readers. Some liked the seal and thought the Latin expression was clever. Others thought it conveyed a penchant for image over substance.
Marc Ambinder of the Atlantic.com said there were second thoughts about the blog at Obama’s campaign headquarters.
“The worry for Obama’s image managers is that it gives the press a pretext to call Obama arrogant, an example for them to add to a list of arrogant moments, and a way to distract them from what Obama is saying,” Ambinder wrote in his blog.
Photo credit: Reuters/Carlos Barria (Obama delivers speech)
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Why is this non-issue an issue? What if a Republican presumtive nominee were to have made us such a sign? Would it still be a non-issue then? I think not.
M
- Posted by MMr. Obama is treating this like a movie script. I don’t think he’s really serious about what being president is all about. It’s begining to sound like a “Animal House II” movie. Perhaps he’s too young to run for this office.
- Posted by eloise lanumHe is the de facto President of the US. I liked the Obama seal. It was classy!
- Posted by E. ElderHas anyone here so upset by a picture noticed that McCain’s web site is a copy of the Obama logo?
Won’t be long before Johnny copies the seal idea.
Obama ‘08, ‘12
- Posted by Jim LyonsGas is at $4 gallon. We are in a war over oil. Haliburton is still getting no bid contracts. Our energy policy was designed by the companies reaping record profits. The current administration got 80% of its campaign funds from oil and gas companies. We have no future energy policy other than to keep buying oil.
And you loathe a plaque? Hmmm.
Stupid is as stupid does.
- Posted by DaveObama Arrogant? Obama? He’s too busy ordering around people like he thinks he is President Now…Better Wake Up America He Is A Front For The Arabs, Where You THink He Is gettin HIS MONEY>>>OIL YOU ARE PAYING FOR IT>>>jerry wayne
- Posted by JERRY WAYNEI’m suprised a cresant moon was not in the “Seal” , Obama being the Son of a Muslim.
- Posted by Jim ChurchAnother non issue brought to you by the fine people at barackisntwearingaflagpin.com. It would be very interesting to see what issues shape your decision in the election in November. You know, i watched McCain speak in front of a bright green background not too long ago, and i wasn’t pouting on message boards calling McCain “envious” because of it. Why don’t we analyze what these people are saying instead of their clothing, accessories, and set designs.
- Posted by dan browneI agree with most of the comments that Obama is desplaying signs we may wish we never saw if he wins the election. I think his agressiveness will give us all some real “I wish we hadn’t” after the election. He doesn’t understand how the public operates and how the government functions. Three years as a Senator and two of them campaigning, rather than doing the job he is paid for, doesn’t really qualify him for the highest office in the nation. He talks the talk but can’t walk the walk.
- Posted by tom c.Official talking points team memo #157: How to discuss “Sealgate”
This is going to be another arrogant imagery vehicle. Be sure to emphasis the terms “arrogant” and “arrogance” in your writing, while stressing how a little more “humility” is needed.
Other good euphemisms we would like to implant are “Superior” and “offensive.”
Be sure to come across as a self respecting patriotic American who cares more about imagery than any campaign issues. Adding a democrat is a nice touch too, a voter reconsidering his support over this outrage is a powerful weapon that must be exploited in ANY comment section take-over.
Remember, you are DEEPLY OFFENDED at this egregious outrage against our nation! Nobody cares if nobody is angry. Just don’t go overboard like people did in the “Obama/Osama” campaign, which violates tenet 47: Excess means no access. A tempered and tacit outrage is the current best practice on your posting tone.
Use several accounts if you must, it is important that we give the appearance of a massive outpouring of anger to get this issue traction with the press. As we all know the most effective way is to flood any channels of reaction to the story that you can find so POST POST POST!
P.S. Be sure to sign up for our voter registrar class!
- Posted by Jwho cares? it’s just a picture. people get riled over the stupidest things. Vote for Mickey Mouse. He has better qualities than any of these ?? running for prez.
- Posted by monkeyIt seem like Obama guy is easy to manipulates, someone created a seal for him to used and he went for it, no point’s taken at all. After $#!^ hit the fan, and there is excuse –go figured. Well, maybe I (as tax payer) can create my own seal too, how pitiful. Only in U.S.A
- Posted by akiraArrogance bespeaks of Insecurity. As does the need for blind support, fanaticism, and constant reassurance that You Are THE ONE and We Are Who We Have Been Waiting For.
What a window not only into the man but into his campaign. I have been uneasy all along by the campaign tactics and this, among other things since he finally has the Hillary Thorn removed from his side, has confirmed my impressions.
It is unfortunate and a tragedy that, perhaps the most well adjusted and well prepared and well equipped person to lead the country is out of the race. We are left with one who can whip people in to a fanatical frenzy and nothing much else and one who stumbles along in a campaign and whose party base cannot get excited enough because he is not “churchey” or fanatic enough. At least the latter has a level of maturity and I have not noticed an enlarged ego or gross insecurities. He has an uncanny knack of calling a spade a spade and I do believe he will not have a problem seeking advise and consent in office. I hate to see him “pandering” but, you know what, I want him in office so badly that I can live with it. I believe once in office he will seek consensus and lead effectively for 4 years. Yes, it boils down to 1)experience, record, competence and 2)personality, mental health, authenticity, relationships, what has formed the person. To the argument that a Hillary supporter cannot possibly find anything comparable in John McCain I say this: there is nothing more critical to me than voting rights and fair elections. All else comes from that. And that has been tossed aside by the Democratic Party, so, I must choose from what is left and, of the two, though he does not come close to my chosen candidate, he is the safer of the two.
- Posted by nanaNext week, we will be introduced to the Obama salute….
I thought we still had an election to run? The last time I checked we could not just crown a president. We kind of fought a long hard war back in the day to ensure we got a voice. Then a while latter an other one to ensure all people of all races got a say. I think the Senator forgot this ideal some place. While it is not the real presidential seal it looks convicing enough to be offensive to those of us who would still like a chance to vote. A little humility in a canidate might be nice. I am thinking maybe I might just reconsider my vote. We had enough of arrogance in a President. Eight years of it was more enough. We do not need a repeat. Senator Obama is as arrogaunt as the current office holder. Enough already.
Respectfully
Fire
- Posted by FireThat was a display of presumpsion that tells a lot about a person.
- Posted by BuckarooEverybody talks about how dirty and negative politics and Washington has become. But it seems that it’s not just Washington, but the whole of America. Here we are in a critical election year, and people are arguing over irrelevant crap like this? Not ‘evil Washington,’ but average American people are constantly focusing on made-up character issues that have nothing to do with what the person will do as President. It’s not fair for either candidate. Too much attention is being placed on little things like this. When did America forget about the important issues?
- Posted by jbdsmCreating this “mock” presidential seal is just one more look into obama’s arrogance and sense of superiority.
- Posted by miriamBetter be careful, barack, your real personality you work so hard to keep covered up is showing!
Arrogant? Obama? He’s too busy ordering around people like the Secretary of Defense to be arrogant!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/article s/2008/06/cocky_ignorance.html
- Posted by Jim AWhen it was so prominately displayed for the first time on his website, there was no mention of it being intended for a “one time use”. If it hadn’t received so much negative attention, he’d have used it all the way to election day.
- Posted by KathleenWell, well — when I saw that Obama changed an official government seal into a cartoon ad, I predicted that he would drop it in three days. After bloggers Left and Right, told him it was offensive, he dropped it in one day. He never should have used it at all. Has this guy no common sense? Will he change the American flag into a cartoon? Isn’t it enough that he says things that show he has no understanding of American history? He is so scary.
- Posted by Lyn