• May 27, 2012

Richard Wolffe Has Inside Scoop On Obama Image Machine

by Sara K. Smith  11:33 am April 20, 2009

Photo taken in between virgin sacrifice and gladiatorial combatHave you every wondered how the Obama family manages to look so consistently classy and awesome while the rest of America farts around in terry cloth sweat pants, chewing on their hangnails and just resenting the hell out of anyone who’s fancy enough to shower twice a week? The Obamas owe their squeaky clean and generally adorable public image to … being naturally adorable.

Yes, quite often the photo ops that make Obamatards feel all tingly in their down-theres are not the result of careful plotting, but rather the spontaneous and genuine product of folks saying, “Hell, let’s just show the reporters our new dog.”

According to a senior White House aide, the initial plan was for just a staffer to walk “Bobama” in front of the cameras.

Even when the president and first lady decided to take the lead, there was no plan for their daughters to join them. Malia and Sasha wanted to take part themselves at the last minute. There were certainly no plans for the president to run with his dog across the South Lawn. It turns out that the memorable images came from the Obamas themselves, not their handlers.

Goodness, have the PR experts are all going to faint/cream their shorts/fire themselves once they figure out that the key to looking like a nice family is to actually be a nice family. Scoop!

Inside the Obama Family PR Machine [The Daily Beast]

{ 86 comments }

BillyClubb April 20, 2009 at 11:36 am

…the rest of America farts around in terry cloth sweat pants, chewing on their hangnails and just resenting the hell out of anyone who’s fancy enough to shower twice a week?

We look that way coz we’re unemployed.

Sussemilch April 20, 2009 at 11:38 am

Nice people are nice.

Rosie Scenario April 20, 2009 at 11:40 am

The Obamas’ secret is actually the same as that of Dubya, Laura, Barbara and Jenna. It’s just that the Bushes appeared to be: moronic, catatonic, and drunk and/or vacuous. And without the help of handlers. Also.

Bronkers April 20, 2009 at 11:41 am

Rising waters float all boats…. well, I just hope-hope-hope that the example that the First Family is setting is being absorbed and emulated. Sussemilch, you said it perfectly in four little words.

ChernobylSoup April 20, 2009 at 11:44 am

Yes, but when are we going to see candid photos of the First Family celebrating 4/20 day?

user-of-owls April 20, 2009 at 11:44 am

Richard “Where’s Waldo” Wolffe uncovers the un-secret! Pulitzer, Pulitzer!

Serolf Divad April 20, 2009 at 11:44 am

Face it: the Obamas are an L.L. Bean catalog come to life. The strange thing is that I always gaze at the L.L. Bean catalog with a slightly disdainful sneer, and yet I love the Obamas and all they represent. What can that mean?

heroinmule April 20, 2009 at 11:45 am

So weird. The previous administration consistently felt they had a PR problem when it was actually just that they were all douchebags.

WIld Turkey April 20, 2009 at 11:45 am

What does it say about the last eight years that the press is surprised to learn that the President of the United States can figure out how to take his dog for a walk without the intervention of a svengalian puppet-master?

V572625694 April 20, 2009 at 11:46 am

Can’t wait to see what the wingtards are going to make of this. “Obama cynically manipulates the media by appearing to have a happy family life with his attractive, intelligent, accomplished wife and sweet children. What a monster!”

Roger Williams hates your ways April 20, 2009 at 11:48 am

Obama is holding Where the Wild Things Are. What a good man.

magic titty April 20, 2009 at 11:48 am

But why does Michelle Obama look so angry in that photo??!!

bitchincamaro April 20, 2009 at 11:48 am

Is that “Where The Wild Things Are” BO’s toting? Seems a little “young” for those gals.

DustBowlBlues April 20, 2009 at 11:49 am

[re=294021]Sussemilch[/re]: I used to think nice people were nice, but that was before I realized that God, Jesus or, in light of my poltlergeist experience, most likely the Holy Ghost is a Republican. So the Obamas can be all the nice they can muster, but that ghost will make them suffer.

I was cleaning up the sacristy last night–the little room where we keep the holy shit we use in worship, basically doing the Almighty a solid when a crown of thorns–yes, a fucking crown of thorns–fell off a tall shelf, hit me in the head then bounced onto my bell palsied face and left lacerations on my nose.

Just saying–if you’re a liberal hanging out on wonkette, or that anti-christ guy in the WH–better watch your step before the Holy Spirit zombie attacks you.

ManchuCandidate April 20, 2009 at 11:50 am

I’ve found that the bigger the entourage (especially with PR types and handlers), the bigger the asshole.

Might explain why Barry likes to keep his entourage small and limit exposure to PR types.

gjdodger April 20, 2009 at 11:50 am

It’s enough to make Dubya choke on a pretzel. Or give the female chancellor of Germany an unwanted neck rub. Or call everyone around him by demeaning nicknames. Or…

StripesAndPlaids April 20, 2009 at 11:50 am

[re=294028]Serolf Divad[/re]: Perhaps that actual wholesomeness is better than contrived wholesomeness? It is pretty hard to be cynical with genuine niceness.

Lascauxcaveman April 20, 2009 at 11:51 am

[re=294028]Serolf Divad[/re]: The Obamas aren’t trying to sell you a $45 polo shirt.

ManchuCandidate April 20, 2009 at 11:51 am

[re=294033]magic titty[/re]:
Heh. Yes, why do they ALL look angry in that photo? Damn smiles.

Come here a minute April 20, 2009 at 11:52 am

[re=294021]Sussemilch[/re]: It’s nice to be nice to the nice.

Richard Gozinya April 20, 2009 at 11:53 am

Obviously they’re a family of secret muslim/commies hell bent on destroying all that is good and pure. That photo absolutely oozes malignant evil.

queeraselvis v 2.0 April 20, 2009 at 11:54 am

[re=294028]Serolf Divad[/re]: I think they’re more Lands’ End than L.L. Bean. I mean, Michelle wouldn’t be caught dead wearing Bean Boots.

SayItWithWookies April 20, 2009 at 11:55 am

[re=294036]DustBowlBlues[/re]: You mean every church has a “holy shit” room? And I thought that was just a blasphemous expression.

queeraselvis v 2.0 April 20, 2009 at 11:55 am

Also, CIA dude in background is SO damn white.

President Beeblebrox April 20, 2009 at 11:55 am

What, wut? WAKE UP SHEEPLE, YR. PREZNIT IS AKSHUALLY A SEKRIT BLACK AND IS COMING TO TAKE AWAY ARE LIBERTIES!

The thing I love about Barry is that he makes the nutters froth at the mouth by just being himself, i.e., normal. They make up humorous birth certificate conspiracy theories because they can’t wrap their heads around the fact that a normal black guy is Preznit of this fair land, and that he’s not turned into a lead character from a blaxploitation film …

… although the prospect of a President Dolemite is pretty freaking funny if you think about it.

Mild Midwesterner April 20, 2009 at 11:55 am

Ummm… Why are the Obamas sitting in what appears to be the Brady Bunch’s back yard?

Doglessliberal April 20, 2009 at 11:56 am

[re=294035]bitchincamaro[/re]: he read it to children at the Easter Egg Roll/Hunt.

Texan Bulldoggette April 20, 2009 at 11:57 am

[re=294040]StripesAndPlaids[/re]: But…but he’s a Socialist muslin. He wants to take my AK-47s & give free abortions — to children! He’s not even the valid president. Birth Certificate…Teleprompter…ACORN!!!!1!!!1!!

The new meme dujour is he wants to be BFF with Castro & Chavez. (Did I cover everything?)

SayItWithWookies April 20, 2009 at 11:57 am

[re=294033]magic titty[/re]: And it’s not the good type of anger that we heard so much about on Teabag Day — the anger that drives people to pointlessly rail against nonexistent threats to democracy. It’s the bad liberal anger that makes ‘em want to ban guns and such.

Capricatony April 20, 2009 at 11:58 am

We’re just not used to seeing First Spouses who actually like each other.

smoke10els April 20, 2009 at 11:59 am

[re=294026]ChernobylSoup[/re]: seriously how come theyz aint blaaazin

user-of-owls April 20, 2009 at 12:01 pm

[re=294050]President Beeblebrox[/re]: So’s the prospect of a President Dyno-Mite!

Cape Clod April 20, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Isn’t that a bit of a misleading title? I mean why do you lead with “Inside the Obama Family PR Machine” and then make the substance of your article “Psyche! They don’t have one! They’re all just naturally adorable! Smoochie, smoochie smoochie!”

bored with gravity April 20, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Obama didnt’ just read the book out loud at the Easter Egg Roll – he acted out some of the parts and got real jiggy wit it. Ultra cool.

Carrie_Okie April 20, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Haha, suck it, Bushes.

Buzz Feedback April 20, 2009 at 12:05 pm

Who invited the white guy?

cranky April 20, 2009 at 12:08 pm

[re=294049]queeraselvis v 2.0[/re]: they wanted him to match the rest of the furniture

DustBowlBlues April 20, 2009 at 12:08 pm

That guy in sunglasses standing behind them looks like a meanie to me. He a cousin on Hopey’s mother’s side?

S.Luggo April 20, 2009 at 12:12 pm

Mitch McConnell’s theory is that the Obamas are merely watching their collard greens grow.

freakishlystrong April 20, 2009 at 12:12 pm

Serioisly, who did not adore that picture of Barry and Bo running down the hall in WH, iconic, I tells ya.

Richard Gozinya April 20, 2009 at 12:12 pm

[re=294050]President Beeblebrox[/re]: They call him Boss Nigger.

bitchincamaro April 20, 2009 at 12:14 pm

[re=294052]Doglessliberal[/re]: Gotcha.

Rascalcat April 20, 2009 at 12:16 pm

I wonder which of these the right-wing loons fear worst? That Obama will get credit for saving our economy, that his popularity will remain high and he will easily be re-elected, or that maybe he will not turn out to be the anti-christ after all. Probably too close to call, but one thing is for sure, the GOP is the party of fear. I guess you really do reap what you sow.

Mustang April 20, 2009 at 12:16 pm

They probably don’t fart and burp or get drunk every day. I hate them.

engulfedinflames April 20, 2009 at 12:16 pm

“let the wild rumpus start”…code for revolution?

S.Luggo April 20, 2009 at 12:17 pm

[re=294073]freakishlystrong[/re]: Better: The candids which John Boehner has of Barry & Hugo skipping hand-in-hand on a beach in Trinidad. They’ll be released by the RNC in the middle of 2012.

dave666 April 20, 2009 at 12:17 pm

I heard the bloggerazzi now has a picture of Bush shaking hands with Chavez. Why is it that everytime the nuttards complain about Obama doing some “dispicable act” , in 3 days we get evidence of Bush having done the exact same thing.

lampadadog April 20, 2009 at 12:18 pm

The man lives with his widowed mother-in-law in the White House. It’s almost unnatural–is anyone really that awesome?

rambone April 20, 2009 at 12:20 pm

I notice the conspicuous absence of Trig in that picture. Why is our Muslin president hiding his new babay from the public eye?

freakishlystrong April 20, 2009 at 12:21 pm

[re=294079]S.Luggo[/re]: Jesus, he didn’t kiss him did he? Fuck the “Silent Majority” also.

Dave J. April 20, 2009 at 12:23 pm

The awkward white guy standing in the back is Hopey’s half-brother Phil. They invite him to all the family gatherings, but really nobody talks to him very much.

Rascalcat April 20, 2009 at 12:27 pm

[re=294074]Richard Gozinya[/re]:

The web site you are looking for is “Free Republic”.

Have a nice racist day!

magic titty April 20, 2009 at 12:28 pm

[re=294054]SayItWithWookies[/re]: Mmhmm. I don’t trust anyone who hates firearms and is well-educated. It is un-American. She is so angry she even has angry eyebrows. What is she so mad about? It’s crazy!!

El Pinche April 20, 2009 at 12:32 pm

[re=294076]Rascalcat[/re]:

This clown hates Obama so much that he wants to stick a knife in our president’s eye :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTyFcazpdzU

You hear him babbling on about taxes and spending etc, but he’s really trying not to say n*gger.

Fox News Memo:

“Incite more anger among our own. Our new little Timmy McVeigh is out there. Noobama hates America he’s not from here, he BOWED !! ”

Zadig April 20, 2009 at 12:33 pm

Tomorrow there will probably be a photo of Barry helping an old lady across the street, his smile completely genuine because you know he’d rather be doing that than working on the economy or whatever. In the local news interview, the old lady will say “I had my doubts during the election, but he’s just so nice, you know, for a-*feed immediately cut*

AngryBlakGuy April 20, 2009 at 12:35 pm

…isn’t it ironic how hard the GOP and Sarah Palin tried to make her family into some wholesome all American family and portray the Obama’s as some secret terrorist sleeper cell? Now just to find out that the Palin family is a fukked up combination of the Jackson 5 and the Spears family.

Rush April 20, 2009 at 12:37 pm

Why is there a statue on the right of a white serious looking guy on the White House lawn? Lawn jockey?

FaunceyGardner April 20, 2009 at 12:39 pm

[re=294035]bitchincamaro[/re]: Nevar!! I still love that book.

revbob April 20, 2009 at 12:40 pm

dave666: we remember all the things Bush did too because we have shamefully neglected our drinking. And snuff.

AxmxZ April 20, 2009 at 12:44 pm

[re=294093]Zadig[/re]:

He conquered fear, and he conquered hate,
He turned dark night into day,
He made his blazing saddle
A torch to light the way…

Lazy Media April 20, 2009 at 12:48 pm

[re=294074]Richard Gozinya[/re]: Awesome. Fred Williamson rockin’ the mare’s leg. I wonder if that’s the same one Steve McQueen used.

magic titty April 20, 2009 at 12:51 pm

[re=294095]AngryBlakGuy[/re]: America is still reeling from the fact the most *wholesome* and *normal* family in that election cycle was the black one.

madtowngooner April 20, 2009 at 12:52 pm

[re=294028]Serolf Divad[/re]: No way, there aren’t any blacks in the LL Bean catalog. But this is what they would look like if they did.

hoosiermama April 20, 2009 at 12:53 pm

DustBowlBlues :o hmygosh! I had the not-so-same thing happen this morning, when I was on the clock at work making a Blingee using a photo of Lego Jesus–after putting “Best Friends” across the bottom and Hello Kitty Lady Bug in the corner, the thing started screwing up and totally kicked me out! Jesus hates me, now! Wah!

Fivetree April 20, 2009 at 12:57 pm

[re=294105]AxmxZ[/re]:

When outlaws ruled the West
And fear filled the land
A cry went out
for a man with guts
To take the West in hand

It all just FITS – does that make Joe Biden the Gene Wilder character in this scenario? Is he a lush? Considering some of the things that come out of his mouth, how could he not be?

engulfedinflames April 20, 2009 at 1:05 pm

looks to me like they want more M.F.’n ice tea M.F.ers.

daisy chain April 20, 2009 at 1:15 pm

[re=294053]Texan Bulldoggette[/re]: I’m pretty stoked about the Chavez thing. I could just hear Limbaugh shitting his pants over that one. The more rationally this President behaves, the more oxycotin he has to take. I give him a year.

Min April 20, 2009 at 1:20 pm

[re=294035]bitchincamaro[/re]: There’s a movie coming out.

Loving all the “Blazing Saddles” references. It’s funny, ’cause it’s true.

horned_viper April 20, 2009 at 1:23 pm

So adorable – makes me almost want to have kids of my own. Someone photoshop out the secret service dude.

imissopus April 20, 2009 at 1:28 pm

Goddammit people, this is what happens when you don’t put the uptight alcoholic pill-popping philandering WASPs in the White House…you get this disgusting, perverted wholesomeness. Wait, what?

Can we now refer to Biden as the Waco Kid?

jagorev April 20, 2009 at 1:32 pm

“Nice families” will be a micro-trend demographic identified by Mark Penn in time for the 2016 Clinton campaign (oh yes, you bet they’re going to have another one of those).

Lascauxcaveman April 20, 2009 at 1:35 pm

[re=294155]horned_viper[/re]: Takes a whole lot parenting to get the kids to turn out that good. Enrollment in small private schools can be a help, too, if you don’t mind dumping the extra thousands of dollars/year, and forgoing things like nice vacations and new cars for like, forever. I find the hardest part is always setting the good example, ’cause I’m not nearly as good as I want my kids to be.

But so far, I’m lucky!

Hooray For Anything April 20, 2009 at 1:45 pm

[re=294093]Zadig[/re]: You know what you get when the President helps an old lady across the street? Fascism. In a free country, the old lady would have to help herself across the street and if she couldn’t, she had no right to try.

It’s all about personal responsiblity

McDuff April 20, 2009 at 2:02 pm

[re=294080]dave666[/re]: “3 days”? More like 3 minutes. Today, I’ve seen more pictures of Bush smiling / joking with that Commie Putin than I can shake a fake birth certificate at.

engulfedinflames April 20, 2009 at 2:12 pm

[re=294173]Lascauxcaveman[/re]: lucky? luck has nothing to do with it. you either do your job as a parent or you don’t. and being a good example is a laudable goal but even more important is admitting that you’re human and as such will fuck-up. the important lesson is to learn from mistakes so you don’t repeat them. (i tend to judge people by their childrens behavior). i apologize in advance for my self-righteousness but my daughter just got her report card; all A’s except a B in art (for which she will receive a severe beating) this from a child diagnosed with encephalopathy , in special ed as recently as two years ago. she’s my hero.

horned_viper April 20, 2009 at 3:02 pm

engulfedinflames and Lascauxcaveman – As Yoda says so pithily, “Do or do not- there is no try”. I want kids but am overwhelmed by the thought of being responsible for the life of another human being. I am terrified of being an awful parent.

El Pinche April 20, 2009 at 3:26 pm

HE BOWED!! AND HE SHOOK SHAVEZS’ HAND!!1! ALL THE STATES SHOULD SECEDE FROM THE OBAMA ACORN TRANNY ! GOD DAMN AMERICA!

hobospacejunkie April 20, 2009 at 3:38 pm

[re=294347]horned_viper[/re]: You are not alone. Sort of. We don’t want kids because we are terrified of many things. Mostly the cruel world at there. Also that they might feel pain sometimes. Parents should be able to make sure their kids never feel pain. Ever.

engulfedinflames April 20, 2009 at 3:47 pm

[re=294347]horned_viper[/re]: i wanted a puppy but decided it would be too much responsibility, two weeks later we got a phone call from our doc saying our baby was on the way. my first thought; shit, i’ll have to get a job, my second thought; i’m the luckiest man on earth. you’ll do fine.

June Cleaver 2.0 April 20, 2009 at 4:23 pm

I love the fact that they let everyone see their inexperience in handling a dog. Loved how Michelle tried to keep the dog under control. She walked the dog out first, as if to say, “I got this.” She tried her best, got on the ground (yes, so endearing) then Malia was romped through the grass by the dog, then the President. So, so endearing. I’m sorry, no snark. Then the next day, I heard (didn’t get to see, but looked for it) that Michelle was spotted walking the dog, after kids went to school, and Ward (I mean Barack) went to the office. Soon smart Michelle will be the expert handler in public, and Bo will whine to go into the President’s quarters at night, and not to sleep with the President.

McDuff April 20, 2009 at 4:33 pm

Since the campaign, I have been struck by the thought that Obama really ENJOYS being a father. Hopefully the coming teen years of his daughters won’t change his mind on that score.

Will work for shoes April 20, 2009 at 5:39 pm

[re=294032]Roger Williams hates your ways[/re]: And it ain’t upside down

chascates April 20, 2009 at 6:56 pm

I love the sight the dutiful white Secret Service guy standing politely in the background.

Lascauxcaveman April 21, 2009 at 1:19 am

[re=294227]engulfedinflames[/re]: (i tend to judge people by their childrens behavior)

If that is the case, then you will worship me like a God. And you would be wrong. At least partly. Luck has something to do with it. Or being white in a small town. Or natural musical ability. Or fresh air or something. My kids are a lot better than I made them.

[re=294347]horned_viper[/re]: I am terrified of being an awful parent.

If you’re terrified, then you will be an awful parent. One thing I can honestly say I never taught my kids by word or deed, is to be scared. There’s just no payoff.

policyminx April 21, 2009 at 9:32 am

thank you for employing “cream their shorts” in a sentence

102415 April 21, 2009 at 2:33 pm

[re=294809]Lascauxcaveman[/re]: I’ve got a 31 year old perfectly grown man to show for raising a kid in the poor side of NYC while we did not ever have what you here at Wonkette would call real jobs. He and his beautiful wife are now looking to buy a two bedroom in the pretty nice side of town to house some grand kids. Fear can work in your favor and luck is where you find it. The boy was born goodhearted and independent and we did what was necessary to keep him that way. Nobody needs to have kids you have to want them that’s all and then let them be their own best. Oh, making them pay for stuff they want helps too.

Obama’s are J.Crew. Come on people keep up.

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