Obama’s Vacation Optics – Axelrod and Co. Fail to Protect President’s Image
by Kristinn TaylorRichard Nixon had advertising executive H.R. Haldeman; Ronald Reagan had image master Mike Deaver; Barack Obama has public relations guru David Axelrod.
(The Oval Office, December 29, 2009. Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
All three men understood the power of visuals in communicating the strengths of the presidents they served on the campaign trail and in the office of the presidency.
I don’t know where David Axelrod has been since President Obama began his ten-day Christmas vacation in Hawaii, but it is safe to say he is goofing off as much as his boss.
(AFP Photo by Jewell Samad, December 27, 2009)
(AP Photo by Chris Carlson, December 31, 2009)
Since the Christmas Day terror attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on approach to Detroit, Axelrod and Team Obama have failed in their most basic duty of reassuring the American public that the president is on the job. It took four days, from when the attack occurred Friday morning Hawaii time to Monday afternoon Washington time, for Obama to be seen ‘on the job’ when he made a statement before the media about the terror attack.
Over that time span, the administration failed to update the White House web site with any mention of the attack.
AFP/ABC News December 28, 2009
In Obama’s absence, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano were sent out on the Sunday talk shows (except for Fox) to spin the administration line that “the system worked.”
That PR strategy was mocked across the boards, forcing the administration to put Obama in front of the cameras for the first time since he went on vacation.
Obama’s presentation Monday was emotionless in delivery and casual in its presentation. Wearing an open collar shirt, Obama looked like a man who showed up at a formal club without the required attire and was forced to don the club jacket hanging in the closet to get in.
Obama also seemed painfully uncomfortable without his TelePrompter security blanket. He struggled with the text at times and reflexively swiveled his head from side-to-side even as he stared down at the the printed remarks laid out on the podium before him.
That Obama went golfing right after he told the American people he “will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable” undermined whatever seriousness of purpose the administration was trying to convey.
When internal reviews by the administration started to show that the government had enough information to stop the terror attack before it happened but failed to act, Obama was hustled back before the cameras the next day to get in front of the bad news–standard PR disaster strategy. However, Obama was hustled in front of the cameras so fast the satellite feeds weren’t ready so the cable networks went live with only a ghostly audio address by a ticked-off sounding Obama. Video of the speech was shown later in the day but the damage was done. Team Obama was flailing.
Worse still was the failure of Team Obama to distribute still photos of Obama taking meetings and briefings on the terror attack.
The White House told the media that Obama was getting briefed several times a day and was participating in meetings and conference calls in between gym workouts, golf, tennis and beach outings, picnicking, snorkeling, fine dining and taking over a movie theater.
However, it was only yesterday–a full week since the terror attack–that the administration released a photo of a hard(ly)-working Obama on the telephone. But the photo is not featured on the White House Web site, instead it was posted to the White House’s Flickr account.
(Official White House photo by Pete Souza, December 31, 2009)
What is on the White House Web site’s front page for the third day in a row is the White House ‘photo of the day’ that features an empty Oval Office save for a cleaning woman running a vacuum in front of the president’s vacated desk. A more telling image could not be presented to the public of an absent leader, yet that is the message Team Obama has conveyed to the world for the past three days.
It is a time-honored public relations technique to release photos of the president taking meetings and otherwise appearing to be focused on the nation’s business while on vacation or away from the White House when a crisis strikes. While Team Obama focused on keeping the prying eyes of media cameramen out of sight of Obama for most of his vacation activities, they failed to provide a countering image of Obama at work behind the scenes.
Yesterday, in addition to releasing the one photo of Obama at work, Team Obama allowed the media to photograph Obama at his movie outing and golf game.
The photos of Obama on the golf course show him playing with a passion that was sorely lacking in his initial speech to the nation about the Christmas Day terror attack.
David Axelrod used public imagery to create an air of inevitability of an Obama presidency months before the election. He created the aura of a co-presidency between Obama and President George W. Bush in the two months between Obama’s election and inauguration.
The whereabouts of Axelrod and his magic touch are unknown. But in their absence Obama, who has been living like an aloof king at his $4000 per night $8.9 million Hawaiian vacation estate, is looking more and more like an emperor with no clothes.
The optics of this are not pretty.
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389 Comments
Will someone please get this impostor out of OUR White House? He's a puppet and this past week proves it beyond a doubt.
You can’t polish a turd!
I like the picture of the woman with the vacuum cleaner. It's probably the only honest work that's been done in the Oval Office since Obama took office.
he is awful.
Is that vacuum a socialist vacuum?
The man has no idea what he's doing.
I am reminded that Ronald Reagan refused to take off his jacket while in the Oval Office, understanding the enormity of his position and that he always comported himself in a professional manner both in and out of the White House. I get sick on my stomach every time I see this clown speak before the American people dressed like he's the shift manager at Denny's. There are not enough words to describe how little this man understands about carrying the Office of the President. He might not care, but the world is watching.
maybe it's all code for the jihidist that the time is ripe, do what you intend to do NOW.
I feel so confident in his governing~ He bows to other leaders~goes on apology tours~takes forever to decide whether to send troops as his General recommends~stifles small businesses which is the economic engine of this country~hands out big money to big companies~bails out fanny and freddie which are a joke~how he is so transparent~lets us read legislation for five days before it is voted on~takes four days to address the nation after a terrorist attack~flies to Copenhagen to try and get the Olympics for the ole home town~flies to Copenhagen for the climate change conference cause the earth has a fever~wins a Nobel Peace prize because he talks about peace so well~has Team Obama put a picture of the empty Oval Office being vacuumed~Yeah I get that warm and fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach that he is just waiting for Rome to burn so he can play the fiddle!
~=not
Obama and his posse are so in over their head they need SCUBA gear.
The Obama Presidency is a Public Relations Catastrophe.
His approval rating is below 50% for good reasons.
Americans are losing confidence.
He looks so skinny, I am wondering what illness he has. He should release his medical records, so we could learn what is wrong with him. He travels all over the world, eats fabulous meals, and in a situation like that, people gain weight – not lose it. Why doesn't he gain a little weight? Something is wrong, and he is hiding whatever it is.
I don't know what you are talking about. Didn't his flunkies hurriedly look for possible similar flubs by the previous adminstration? That's gonna take a lot of work!! Come on, can't the Pres have 10 WHOLE FREAKIN' DAYS for his vacation. He's tired he needs a break.
And before any of you trolls try to agree with me (except my 2nd sentence) if you can't smell the sarcasm, well…
What image this Dude is cellophane. Maybe you meant to use the word Mirage.
The Picture of him 'working' —there is that finger –again!
Actually, Myth Busters did an episode proving you could polish a turd but no matter how high a gloss you put on it, it's still looks & smells like a turd.
The is the best article I've read to underscore the incredible hubris and arrogance of the Obama Presidency. His "let them eat cake" attitude while Rome burns is symbolic of the elitist pride he represents!
A few days ago, I read a Time article about how Obama didn't go to Church in Hawaii. The truth is that he spends all his Sundays worshiping on the golf links rather than in the pews. I would feel much more confident in a president humble enough to pray TO God… instead of one that believes that he IS god!
High school kids with adult responsibilities. Not a good combination.
It is telling when a poster has a foreign-flag as an avatar. The foreign flag flown by those who murdered 34 Americans on the USS Liberty.
Oh good the oval office is now as vacuous as his head.
Positively delicious watching Barry fumbling about without his tele-prompter. Soaring orator my ass. If this wasn't so damn serious, it would be a hoot. Please, someone wake me up and tell me it's all been a dream.
Wookie is "carrying"it for him. Rumor has it that she recently hired Omar the Tentmaker to be her clothes designer.
Figurehead vs. Leader. Has it ever been more apparent?
The Rev-run Jerimy-yuh had to stay behind in Illinois.
Can't wait for the revolution to start. It will last another 250 years and my children, their children, and their childrens children will be safe from these tyrants again.
20 yrs and a pension for life she says
Is that RACHEL MADDOW pushing that vacuum?????
Muslims cannot betray other muslims – enough said ….
But you can sugarcoat one…..alas,once you suck off the creamy outside, you are still left with a piece of s**t.
LOL
obama AND HIS WHOLE CHICAGO BUNCH IS IN A VACUUM.
BO is Just another government party member enjoying the wealth and power of government. The only things the republicans are crying about is their cut is smaller. The real people getting screwed are my fellow serfs that are stuck with the bill and a real mess to clean up.
Be wary of a politician’s gift, there always a bill attached to it.
When Reagan stumbled a little or hesitated in his speech they said he had Alzheimer Disease. Wonder if Obama has "early onset" of same???
Is that Janet Napolitano with the vacuum?
Pres. Obama came into office with little international experience. Many Presidents come to office elected to implement a domestic agenda, only to have those darn foreigners intrude and use up all the President's time, energy, and political capitol. The left accused Sarah Palin of inexperience internationally and I have to admit they were probably right. The only difference is that Sister Sarah has the brains, values, and instincts to learn. Obama is learning on the job and it ain't pretty.
He is practicing affirmative action.
Has Obummer ever been in the Oval Office? Seems he spends all his time on the plane.
Maybe not but is it in the union?
Good point. Maybe the picture of the vacuum is to symbolize how bad his performance sucks?
I personally feel much better when all the jokers leave Washington. Potus and congress, at least we can have a break from all the dismantling of the country that is going on. They do not sign laws while playing golf.
I really did expect at least one photo of Obama at the beach or performing feats of strength Putin style.
You probably loved the photo of Obama with his feet on the desk.
Maybe there are no mosques on the island?
Maybe he's fasting for Ramadan.
Ah another troll, my favorite~
na, she would be sniff'n his chair….
Yes, the video is out now.
Barry's Hawaii 00000
That's right, five zeroes.
http://mcnorman.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/barrys-h...
Possibly.
I was thinking the same thing. At least their idle…
Page 59 HC Bill lines 21-24: Govt will have DIRECT ACCESS to your bank accounts for ELECTIVE funds transfer.
Page 65 Sec 164: Is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions & community organizations: (ACORN).
Page 84 Sec 203 HC bill: Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private HC plans in the ‘Exchange.’
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans–The Govt WILL ration your health care!
Page 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill: Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services. (Translation: illegal aliens.)
Page 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18: The Govt will use groups (i.e. ACORN & Americorps) to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan.
You have said it all, except: ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!
OMG I had to scroll up and check and you are right!!!
The Conservative Edge
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans.
(AARP members – your health care WILL be rationed!)
Page 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill: Medicaid eligible individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. ( NO choice.)
Page 12 4 lines 24-25 HC: No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No “judicial review” against Govt monopoly.
Page 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill: Doctors/American Medical Association – The Govt WILL TELL YOU what salary you can make.
Page 145 Line 15-17: An Employer MUST auto-enroll employees into public option plan. (NO choice!)
Page 126 Lines 22-25: Employers MUST pay for HC for part-time employees AND their families. (Employees shouldn’t get excited about this employers will be forced to reduce its work force, benefits, and wages/salaries to cover such a huge expense) UNSUSTAINABLE.
Page 149 Lines 16-24: ANY Employer with payroll 401k & above who does not provide public option will pay 8% tax on all payroll!
(See the last comment in parenthesis.)
Page 150 Lines 9-13:A business with payroll between $251K & $401K who doesn’t provide public option will pay 2-6% tax on all payroll.
Page 167 Lines 18-23: ANY individual who doesn’t have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.
Page 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill: Any NONRESIDENT Alien is EXEMPT from individual taxes.
(Americans will pay.)
Page 195 HC Bill: Officers & employees of the GOVT HC Admin.. WILL HAVE ACCESS to ALL Americans’ finances and personal records
LOOKS LIKE IT
Page 203 Line 14-15 HC: “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax.”
(Yes, it really says that!) Page 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill: Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid Seniors.
(Low-income and the poor are affected.)
Page 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill: Doctors: It doesn’t matter what specialty you have trained yourself in – you will all be paid the same! (Just TRY to tell me that’s not Socialism!)
Page 253 Line 10-18: The Govt sets the value of a doctor’s time, profession, judgment, etc. (Literally — the value of humans.)
Page 265 Sec 1131: The Govt mandates and controls productivity for “private” HC industries.
Page 268 Sec 1141: The federal Govt regulates the rental and purchase of power driven wheelchairs.
YEA RIGHT
Page 272 SEC. 1145: TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS – Cancer patients – welcome to rationing!
Page 280 Sec 1151: The Govt will penalize hospitals for whatever the Govt deems preventable (i.e… re-admissions).
Page 298 Lines 9-11: Doctors: If you treat a patient during initial admission that results in a re-admission — the Govt will penalize you.
Page 317 L 13-20: PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. (The Govt tells doctors what and how much they can own!)
Page 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion. (The Govt is mandating that hospitals cannot expand.)
Page 321 2-13: Hospitals have the opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input is required. (Can you say ACORN?)
Page 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339: The Govt mandates establishment of 2 outcome-based measures… (HC the way they want — rationing.)
Page 341 Lines 3-9: The Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advance Plans, HMOs, etc. (Forcing people into the Govt plan)
Page 354 Sec 1177: The Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of ’special needs people!’ Unbelievable!
Page 379 Sec 1191: The Govt creates more bureaucracy via a “Tele-Health Advisory Committee.” (Can you say HC by phone?)
Page 425 Lines 4-12: The Govt mandates “Advance-Care Planning Consult.” (Think senior citizens end-of-life patients.)
Page 425 Lines 17-19: The Govt will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. (And it’s mandatory!)
Page 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3: The Govt provides an “approved” list of end-of-life resources; guiding you in death. (Also called ‘assisted suicide.’)
Page 427 Lines 15-24: The Govt mandates a program for orders on “end-of-life.” (The Govt has a say in how your life ends!)
Page 429 Lines 1-9: An “advanced-care planning consultant” will be used frequently as a patient’s health deteriorates.
Page 429 Lines 10-12: An “advanced care consultation” may include an ORDER for end-of-life plans.. (AN ORDER TO DIE FROM THE GOVERNMENT?!?)
Page 429 Lines 13-25: The GOVT will specify which doctors can write an end-of-life order. (I wouldn’t want to stand before God after getting paid for THAT job!)
Page 430 Lines 11-15: The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end-of-life! (Again — no choice!)
Hey everyone all the above will be taken care of in Conference I'm sure that Nancy will look out for all of us peons so have no fear!!!
The Conservative Edge
Page 469: Community-Based Home Medical Services = Non-Profit Organizations. (Hello? ACORN Medical Services here!?!)
Page 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover marriage and family therapy.
(Which means Govt will insert itself into your marriage even.)
Page 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, and rationing those services.
Senator, I guarantee that I personally will do everything possible to inform patients and my fellow physicians about the dangers of the proposed bills you and your colleagues are debating.
Furthermore, if you vote for a bill that enforces socialized medicine on the countryPage 469: Community-Based Home Medical Services = Non-Profit Organizations. (Hello? ACORN Medical Services here!?!)
Page 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover marriage and family therapy.
(Which means Govt will insert itself into your marriage even.)
Page 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, and rationing those services.
and destroys the doctor-patient relationship, I will do everything in my power to make sure you lose your job in the next election.
Respectfully,
Stephen E. Fraser, MD
Dear Reader, I urge you to use the power that you were born with (and the power that may soon be taken away) and circulate this letter to as many people as you can reach. The “Power of the People” can stop this from happening to us, our parents, our grandparents, our children, and to following generations.
Pure politics, This reminds me of similar criticisms of W. I used to just gnash my teeth when it came to this kind of thing, it put me off then and it pretty much does now, despite my own admitted anti BO view.
Whatever is really going on, the bottom line is that it looks really really bad, it's political exposure where/when BO doesn't need it, he could have ditched his holiday and put forth the reverse image, like a guy with one priority who took it seriously, but no. It puzzles the hell out of me. That other piece on how quickly his admin. responds to freaking Dick Cheney compared to things like the nad-bomber further supports this.
I'm still rather taken aback with the way BO and his party have squandered such a politically superior position, so quickly, and so foolishly. It's always been the typical partisan fare right? — "OMG them dems are commies!!!" along with "OMG THOSE RETHUGS ARE TEH HATE11!1" — You KNOW the two sides are going to duke it out, but this latest crop of dems man, it's they like they set out to behave exactly as the opposing partisans accuse them of, and out do it even, which is really rather disturbing overall. Health Care, Foreign Police, and National Security, this generation of Democrats has really screwed the dawg, these aren't my Pops Democrats, no way.
[...] Read the complete article here. [...]
Obama is learning on the job and it ain't pretty.
Jimmy,
I keep trying to find anything that he has "learned" since being on the job. You're giving him too much credit here.
Yo Fonz, you widdle Bwarney Fwanker…
You're still jumping the shark!
Are you for real? This photo exists?!?!? Not that I'm surprised, honestly.
Are we a closet Nazi Fwonzy? Do you like to bash Jews you little Nazi?
You wanna bash me Nazi? Did you get the directions where to find me Goebbles?
Be sure to bring your "A" game Nazi-boy! LOL! Better start "working out"!
Is she with SEIU too?
Libs believe you can pick it up by the clean end though!!!!
Standing with you Lorben, standing with you…Israel is the last gasp of sanity in the Middle East.
I hope to live to see the Temple Mount cleared of the abomination that is
Islam is evil and liberals LOVE Muslims and the mysogynistic and repressive tenents of Islam.
They want to import that model to America – liberals seek to silence free speech and civil liberties.
Obama wishes he were Tiger!!! More perks fewer hassles.
Rachel does not suck,,,,she blows
Thanks Jamesb, it will definitely be an interesting time when it does happen. It amazes me the Liberal mindset and their so called 'tolerance' which manifests itself in intolerance. I don't get it…never will.
That was my first thought!! I sure looks like him…uhh her.
My pleasure Lorben, perhaps it's because I'm a Catholic named Jude, but there are a few million reasons (also know as people!) why I stand with Israel.
That and I love how a small country with a small population just wails the crap out of much larger countries that make the mistake of messing with Israel. It's inspiring. I can read the story of the 6 Days War over and over and over ….
I'm left with the impression that we have a B actor here, attempting the role of a grifting radical who somehow finds himself elected President. Possibly amusing on the Big Screen, but quickly becoming a boor on the Big, Big Screen.
Absolutely – Reagan had tremendous respect for the office and the people.
In contrast – Obama hates the middle class and is just sucking up the perqs of the office. Another vacation anyone?
And save the Bush vaction prattle trolls – Central Texas ain't Hawaii and he was WORKING while he was there.
Obama's seeming disconnect from Americans is deliberate – this is the phase during which we are supposed to feel hopeless and defeated. Look for more examples of the finger being given to the public, more spending excess as they tank the dollar, and more insults to our troops and our allies.
If you haven;t yet, start buying non-perishables, bottled water and consumables like fuel and ammoi.
Not all of us are dumb to this fact, John. There are a great many who will fight to the death to preserve our Constitution.
I am not a Jew myself. My husband is of Jewish decent but is a Christian. We admire the country of our Savior and adore God's people. I chose the avatar because it speaks of who I am in my thoughts and spiritual being, we study a lot of the Old Testament and Jewish traditions to understand our faith in a deeper way. I am sure many would rail against me for it, but it is interesting how it attracts the anti-semites. It is becoming a weekly event for some idiots to make a racial comment.
Love the name Jude by the way, I hope maybe I will have a grandson someday named Jude.
The vacuum that you did not see in the piucture is the bureaocracy that all of our lives will soon be sucked into. There is a limit to how much impoverishment the American people can take. These people are mostly supported by their victims. They impoverish Americans by massive over taxation, & then say, "let's help the poor with more over taxation of all". & the "poor" actually think that they will get something out of it, so they support the parasites. Problem is, nothing ever get's down to the bottom. Once they take our lives from us, they run away, & are mysteriously rich themselves. Feeling the downward spiral yet? Not to much to look forward to, but more theft for political gain, from obama & the dems. America is wasted by them.
ObaMao doesn't have enough experience to be the shift manager at Denny's.
What bothers me is that he acts like someone who doesn't care about his image, that he's not concerned with that sort of thing, as if he's got something all wrapped up and doesn't have to worry about it anymore. To me, that's the scariest part………….
I am still waiting for him to show up on the MTV Cribs show at the White House
Bush OWNED his ranch in TX. The taxpayers weren't shelling out $4,000 per night for his vacations. Also, he refused to dine out, even in Georgetown, because he didn't want to inconvenience other diners or impede the flow of traffic, preferring to dine at the home of friends. With Obie and his wife, not only does it cost a few hundred thousand, but it's used as a photo op.
he is an absolute disgrace without an ounce of class. but some of us knew this long before he was elected. it's about F*king time this fraud is exposed for what he is. unfortunately he still has far too many under his spell. great work BG, keep it up!
ObaMao didn't have any domestic experience either.
They are the self-appointed ruling elite and are doing everything in their power to subvert the Constitution, employing draconian measures to create a submissive society in as short a period of time as possible because they know we've figured it out. If they can get away with it and steal the 2010 elections, they're in for the long haul and will do as much damage as possible. If they lose, they'll go on their merry way creating havoc in their wake, but loaded with our money. Our Treasury is being looted by this bunch.
Yeah, that just gave me the warm freaking fuzzies.
Unfortunately. Here is one of several links to it: http://www.floppingaces.net/2009/06/10/obama-puts...
And yes, that's in the Oval Office (while talking to Netanyahu).
What was I thinking? You're right – my bad.
Obama is making it REAL easy for whoever beats him in 2012 to shine by comparison. (That's my version of turning lemons into lemonade.)
Please don't give them any ideas. Please. I'm beggin' ya.
We have a moron and a team of idiots running the country, God help us.
[...] Working hard to find the murderers . Yep. [...]
let the man finish his waffle
I sure she would not be pushing a vacuum around without her union card!
That's just ghetto tacky!!!
I thought about that…sad situation!
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