The third and final debate between the 2008 U.S. presidential nominees had just ended. Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama and Republican nominee Senator John McCain had just shaken hands moments before and turned away from each other, when Senator McCain suddenly lunged forward with his hands out in front of him and stuck out his tongue.
It appeared to me that McCain was reacting to moderator Bob Schieffer informing him that he was headed the wrong way off the stage, that he was not supposed to be following Senator Obama, but was supposed to be heading towards his own wife and family around the other side of the table.
In any case, when I saw McCain lunge and his hands start to come up I hit the shutter and made two frames before it was over. Some other photographers who were there expressed surprise when they saw my picture and said they had never seen it happen at all and asked when it had occurred. When I saw the television tape of it later on the news I too was surprised at how momentary and fast the move by Senator McCain was. Strangely enough Senator McCain again stuck his tongue out in a similar way 3-4 minutes later while standing between his wife Cindy and Senator Obama at the front of the stage, a moment captured by my colleague Shannon Stapleton and other wire service photographers in attendance and once again shown on national and international television.
The picture, as with all my pictures that night, was remotely edited by an editor off site, viewing my pictures as I shot them over the internet and working with other editors who processed and captioned the pictures along with photos from the other three Reuters photographers shooting the debate. This photo was just one of 40 of my pictures that were transmitted on the Reuters wire from this debate and one of more than 100 from our crew of photographers, which included Gary Hershorn, Shannon Stapleton, Jim Young and Carlos Barria.
By the time I got back to my hotel room that night people were already discussing the photo on the internet and by the next morning my email inbox was filling with messages about the picture. Some people complimented me on the photo while others strongly criticized both myself and Reuters for shooting and transmitting a news photo of a very public moment that had taken place in front of more than 60 million television viewers at the culmination of a major and historic public event.
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Funny photo. A memorable shot. A historic moment. But not in time of the presidential run. We have to consider the fact that during the campaign people are inclined to see a protagonist and the antagonist. The photo, although it makes you laugh and from my POV (Slovenia, Europe) it’s hilarious, at this point in the presidential run still makes McCain an antgonist-like figure.
He’s slouching like a monster behind Obama. 
I don’t know if I’d run the photo. I’d somehow expect people to believe I’m biased. Although it’s a genuine moment, not like the other times the media were biased (deepening shadows on O.J. Simpson etc…). Bottom line, a great capture, and I’d love to publish it, but some other time. And no matter if I agree on McCain’s bad performance or favor Obama, as an editor I still mustn’t show that in the cntent I’m running in press. Well, just my - long-distance - take on the subject. But this sure made me laugh. :))
- Posted by Luka DakskoblerHow is this hideous picture the photographer’s fault? I love you Republican hacks. Blame the guy with the camera, not the clown like political hack who doesn’t know how to handle himself in a respectful manner. McCain is a school-yard punk, a Vietnam veteran, not a hero, and he is angry at the fact Obama is trouncing him in the election. As a politician he should always be aware of the camera’s ever watchful eye. This photo is no one’s fault but John McCain. Welcome to the 21st century Senator.
- Posted by frank brennerWe’re told McCain is an angry man with a short temper who performs irrational acts (selecting Palin as his VP, for instance)– now we have visual confirmation. Presidential material? Not quite. Nice work, Jim.
- Posted by roger vaughanIt’s a great picture, showing that McCain is human. Nothing wrong with it at all.
- Posted by Jason BellHe looks like Lizard Man, forget Joe the Plumber! I think he acted and looked very immature at the debate this just further proves my point.
- Posted by EveI think it’s a great example of good journalism and a keen eye. Nice capture!
- Posted by Suvir Venkataraman@Howard Smith
“To LOL, you list several great editorial photographs, but you miss my point. The McCain photo does not accurately tell the story of what is happening..”
I think YOU miss the point my friend. The only way this situation would have been “unethical” is if Reuters buried the photo because it was unflattering to McCain. That is all. It’s a photo of an event that happened. It wasn’t created, or manufactured, or staged by the fictional pinko-liberal-media that resides only in your head. It happened. A photographer recorded it, newspapers saw it and distributed it because it was easily one of the more interesting photos of the night, no matter how it occurred. And they’d have done the same if it was Obama. This isn’t Germany circa 1939 as much as individuals like yourself would like it to be. You quote Mr. Adams as stating that “photos are only half-truths” well indeed they are, there is no way we can know the WHOLE story unless we step in a persons shoes and walk in them for a long while. Photography will not catch everyone in their best moment but, the moment in itself is relative and subject to interpretation. In your world a photo should be able to, and I quote, “accurately tell the WHOLE story” based on the photographers interpretation on what just occurred. NO picture can accurately tell the entire story and your quote is not only sophomoric but, shows the kind of blatant naivety that is rather sad for someone who claims to have 15 years in the field. In summary, you say its offensive and that the photo is therefore dishonest. That’s simply your interpretation –is your interpretation the only one that matters? Should Reuters clear all of their photos with you from here on in to ensure that the reality of the events depicted all jibe with YOUR interpretations? In your mind however, we should restrict all photos, works of art and literature lest they be defamous according to Howard Smith. Enjoy the fig leaf my friend.
- Posted by LOLIt is very obvious that John McCain was just having a lighthearted moment and I don’t think it was unprofessional or even makes him look bad. I noticed him making that face when I watched the debate live and at the time I thought it made him seem more human and likable. I really hope that people don’t allow one silly picture to sway their opinion one way or the other.
- Posted by EllenTo Eleutheria and several others, a photo can be unmanipulated and still be defamatory. Senator McCain is reacting to the moderator who is out of frame and not to Senator Obama’s posterior. There is no way to look at the photo and tell why Senator McCain is acting the way he is. An editorial photo should be able to stand on it’s own without a caption and accurately tell the story. This one does not, therefore it is not truthful and should not have made it to the wire.
To LOL, you list several great editorial photographs, but you miss my point. The McCain photo does not accurately tell the story of what is happening, the photos you list do. Maybe you should add to your list the Eddie Adams photo of General Nguyễn Ngọc Loan executing Nguyễn Văn Lém that won Eddie Adams the Pulitzer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Adams _(photographer)
Mr. Adams later regretted taking the photo because it was taken out of context and used as part of the anti-war movement. He was quoted in Time magazine
“The general killed the Viet Cong; I killed the general with my camera. Still photographs are the most powerful weapon in the world. People believe them; but photographs do lie, even without manipulation. They are only half-truths.”
While I am not suggesting that the Vietnam execution photo should not have been put out on the wire (or any of the other photos that you have listed), it shows that photographers and editors have a responsibility to carefully chose the photos that are transmitted, and not just transmit a photo because it is a funny moment.
By the way, I do have a life, it is as an editorial photographer and editor for the past 15 years.
- Posted by Howard SmithLet’s be honest here, people. No one’s vote is going to be swung by this picture. Obama supporters will use it to reinforce whatever they already believe about McCain, and McCain supporters will use it as grist for their media-hate mill.
- Posted by Howard Johnson[...] [Jim Bourg's story continues...] [...]
- Posted by Presidential Pose Off 2008 « Robot Pirate NinjaIn contrast to others, I do think that this picture is highly important, and I will treat it with all the seriousness that it deserves. If one of our presidential candidates is actually a brain-eating zombie, the people have a right to know!
- Posted by Eric TolleWhen McCain chose Palin, he disqualified himself as she is in now way up for the job. He is probably very ill and fortunately has little chance of becoming President now.
- Posted by richardThis photo just demonstrates the reality that we choose to ignore: politicians are human. They are not demigods, and are just as prone to awkward moments such as these which are a perfect example of how human and silly, albeit embarrassingly so.
As an Obama supporter I find no reason why this photo should would deter anyone from voting for Senator McCain. He is just reacting to having made a simple mistake and not proving that he is mentally unstable, on meds or any other theories brought forth by other comments.
I think its good that politicians are caught in moments such as these, it proves they are human and can act childish and silly just like the rest of us. I would not want a leader who could not cut loose and be silly but that could be serious and professional as well.
Lighten up guys, this is just a great photo of a decisive moment that just happened to be silly…Henri Cartier Bresson would be proud Jim!
- Posted by JohnAnyone who wouldn’t vote for someone based on a photo is a dumbass and probably shouldn’t vote to begin with.
That said, great shot.
- Posted by CSIs this really any different than the Howard Dean yell? I seem to remeber is played over and over again over the radio and newspapers.
- Posted by MattHe’s probably having a stroke because he is too old to be president. I would never hire a person who has had cancer in their head to make decisions for me. I’m not so sure about Biden’s aneurysm, either. Of course we wouldn’t have to worry about these things if the super insider delegates had gone with “the will of the people” in the Democratic nomination.
- Posted by ClayEven though he was just making a funny face when he was going off stage, I like how your photograph gives an entirely different impression. It makes it look like he is making the face at Obama. Your photo conveys a message that is completely different than reality, something much more exciting and sensational. I’m not surprised your news organization chose this over reality (i.e. the news).
- Posted by BenMcCain’s lurching and uncontrolled tongue is most likely due to profound early symptoms of some very serious health condition where he loses physical control of his body. If he gets elected, I’ll put odds that we get to know President Palin much better, you betcha.
- Posted by richardThank you for taking this photo! I wouldn’t vote for someone who acts this childish.
- Posted by Cyrus