The Bare Knuckled Pundit
Grand Inquisitor
As the Obama Magical Media World Tour and Intercontinental Lovefest winds its way thru the Middle East and prepares for a whirlwind European leg, a number of questions come to mind that deserve serious consideration.
- How appropriate is it to use active duty military personnel in what is still classified as a combat environment as campaign props?
- Why can’t Senator Obama acknowledge the success of the Surge in creating an environment that allows for serious discussion of major troop withdrawals from Iraq?
- As president, would Senator Obama be as tolerant of a presidential candidate interjecting themselves into the national security and foreign policy decision-making process as the Bush administration has of his own foray into these crucial policy areas on his current trip?
- As president, will Senator Obama be willing to host foreign political figures for what is primarily a campaign photo op as kings, prime ministers and presidents have been willing to do for him?
- With the anchors of the old guard Big Three evening newscasts following Obama on his trek like fawning groupies, can they maintain any serious credibility or the slightest impression of objectivity?
- How appropriate is it to post campaign banners at the most sacred site in Judaism; the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem? Would the Vatican or the Great Mosque in Mecca be similarly appropriate locales in the eyes of the Obama campaign?
- While the first half of his tour has provided his campaign with ample video footage and photos of the Senator being the center of attention in exotic locales among foreign dignitaries and US military personnel, how will the images of adoring European throngs play in Middle America where Obama already has a problem with an elitist image?
The intentions of the Obama campaign are transparent. They seek to create the impression of gravitas and a command of military and foreign affairs. This is fair enough and standard when a candidate has such a meager resume and limited experience as Senator Obama. Look for him to further bolster his gravitas and policy bona fides with his vice presidential pick.
Furthermore, enunciating the principals and proposals one will pursue once in office is a fundamental part of political campaigns. Voters should have a clear understanding of the positions of those who seek public office; particularly the highest office in the land.
However, to travel abroad and engage in what appears to be a series of combination campaign photo-ops and long term negotiation sessions borders dangerously on hubris, arrogance and irresponsibility. This says nothing of the flagrant politization of the holy ground of one the world's major monotheistic religions.
Though lost in the heady abandon and narrow focus of a presidential campaign, perhaps the Obama team should take a step back, if for only a brief moment. Beyond the cherished images and footage, serious consideration must be given to the future impact on politics and policy development by the Senator’s trip.
Not only is the old adage that politics stops at the water's edge forever shattered, but presidential campaigns have now become global events. What does it say about the state of our electorate when our presidential candidates seek thousands of foreign supporters as the backdrop for their campaign and media events? Is the good Senator from Illinois running for President of the United States or Secretary General of the United Nations?
In addition to this, the media must engage in intense soul-searching regarding its clear lack of objectivity in its coverage of the two candidates. While the Big Three anchors follow in Obama’s wake like love-struck teens, a similar tour of South America by McCain barely merited mention.
As McCain’s latest campaign ad clearly demonstrates, there is significant bias bordering on blatant pandering towards the Obama campaign. If it hopes to regain it’s credibility it must objectively cover both candidates and cease towing the Obama party line. Given its recent actions there is little surprise its reputation has descended to little more than that of a well-funded and glossy partisan blogger.
Watch closely as the doe-eyed sophomores pass notes to the candidate between tour stops, faithful readers. Stay tuned for further updates as developments warrant and Senator O’Dreamy mesmerizes the media with his pearls of wisdom and superhuman charm.
- How appropriate is it to use active duty military personnel in what is still classified as a combat environment as campaign props?
- Why can’t Senator Obama acknowledge the success of the Surge in creating an environment that allows for serious discussion of major troop withdrawals from Iraq?
- As president, would Senator Obama be as tolerant of a presidential candidate interjecting themselves into the national security and foreign policy decision-making process as the Bush administration has of his own foray into these crucial policy areas on his current trip?
- As president, will Senator Obama be willing to host foreign political figures for what is primarily a campaign photo op as kings, prime ministers and presidents have been willing to do for him?
- With the anchors of the old guard Big Three evening newscasts following Obama on his trek like fawning groupies, can they maintain any serious credibility or the slightest impression of objectivity?
- How appropriate is it to post campaign banners at the most sacred site in Judaism; the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem? Would the Vatican or the Great Mosque in Mecca be similarly appropriate locales in the eyes of the Obama campaign?
- While the first half of his tour has provided his campaign with ample video footage and photos of the Senator being the center of attention in exotic locales among foreign dignitaries and US military personnel, how will the images of adoring European throngs play in Middle America where Obama already has a problem with an elitist image?
The intentions of the Obama campaign are transparent. They seek to create the impression of gravitas and a command of military and foreign affairs. This is fair enough and standard when a candidate has such a meager resume and limited experience as Senator Obama. Look for him to further bolster his gravitas and policy bona fides with his vice presidential pick.
Furthermore, enunciating the principals and proposals one will pursue once in office is a fundamental part of political campaigns. Voters should have a clear understanding of the positions of those who seek public office; particularly the highest office in the land.
However, to travel abroad and engage in what appears to be a series of combination campaign photo-ops and long term negotiation sessions borders dangerously on hubris, arrogance and irresponsibility. This says nothing of the flagrant politization of the holy ground of one the world's major monotheistic religions.
Though lost in the heady abandon and narrow focus of a presidential campaign, perhaps the Obama team should take a step back, if for only a brief moment. Beyond the cherished images and footage, serious consideration must be given to the future impact on politics and policy development by the Senator’s trip.
Not only is the old adage that politics stops at the water's edge forever shattered, but presidential campaigns have now become global events. What does it say about the state of our electorate when our presidential candidates seek thousands of foreign supporters as the backdrop for their campaign and media events? Is the good Senator from Illinois running for President of the United States or Secretary General of the United Nations?
In addition to this, the media must engage in intense soul-searching regarding its clear lack of objectivity in its coverage of the two candidates. While the Big Three anchors follow in Obama’s wake like love-struck teens, a similar tour of South America by McCain barely merited mention.
As McCain’s latest campaign ad clearly demonstrates, there is significant bias bordering on blatant pandering towards the Obama campaign. If it hopes to regain it’s credibility it must objectively cover both candidates and cease towing the Obama party line. Given its recent actions there is little surprise its reputation has descended to little more than that of a well-funded and glossy partisan blogger.
Watch closely as the doe-eyed sophomores pass notes to the candidate between tour stops, faithful readers. Stay tuned for further updates as developments warrant and Senator O’Dreamy mesmerizes the media with his pearls of wisdom and superhuman charm.
