Obama Photos Trigger Web Delirium

[BridgeTheGap]

Not perhaps since John F. Kennedy's own beach photos has a nation been so stirred to seek out revealing images of the incoming commander-in-chief. Searches are soaring for "obama pictures" and, in a realm normally reserved for prepubescent idols, "obama shirtless." Yes, the man so far designated to stimulate the economy, restore American dignity abroad, and save the planet from global warming, has inspired lookups more befitting a, dare we say, heartthrob.

Reassuringly, other recent Obama searches do dwell on the more relevant issues at hand ("obama inauguration," "obama cabinet picks"). The photo exposé, however, once again underscores the celebritization of Obama (as a John McCain ad once famously pointed out).

The latest act of online voyeurism comes from a confluence of three recent pictorial events: Two include Barack Obama's return to Time magazine's cover as Man of the Year and the release of never-before-seen college photos, in which the future No. 44 posed in a Panama hat, leather jacket, and occasionally with a cigarette for a hopeful photographer's portfolio. That momentous puff induced a teacup-sized tempest as people zeroed in on the "obama smoking" pic.

The third event is his holiday trip back to his home state. The president-elect did what any red-blooded American would do in a tropical isle: He stripped down to his swimming trunks and dove right into the winter surf. The ABC video showed a fleeting rear view of Obama descending into the water, but that was enough to trigger the buzz for "obama hawaii" (+130%), "obama vacation" (+113%) and, of course, the aforementioned shirtless queries.

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92124?fp=1

[Uzybone]

1. Obama is popular, another reason why we should not support him

At least thats what McCain said.

:sarcasm:

[monmouth]

2. I would love to be a fly on the wall when Michelle, her girlfriends, his

sister, Reggie and others who are close to the Obamas, rib him about these comments. He's walking around without his shirt on at the beach and now the online voyeurism. I think it's a hoot and he gets much teasing about it. Of course, I'm guessing, but Michelle does keep him real I think....

[Median Democrat]

4. Notably, The Picture Was Not By Press Pool, But By Paparazzi

Also, the photos were at a beach, and I think most beaches in Hawaii have public access. So, the President has the choice of avoiding the beach in Hawaii, which is weird in and of itself, or just accepting a few photos as the price of enjoying Hawaii's beaches.

Or, I guess Obama could have gone really old school and wear one of those full length swim suits that cover everything.

Personally, my main concern is that a paparazzi could get close enough to take pictures of Obama. However, I guess the secret service really could not take him out for snapping photos.

[BridgeTheGap]

8. The secret service had evidently checked the guy for weapons and finding none

allowed him access to the adjacent beach. It's estimated that he was 150 feet away when he took the photo.

[leftynyc]

3. First president in my lifetime (I'm 47)

that has made me swoon. And shirtless!!! Oh my.

[NYC_SKP]

5. He's HAWT!!!

Inspires me to lose a few pounds and trim up!

[Phx_Dem]

6. Hopefully, he'll be able to stimulate the economy as well as he stimulates the people

:patriot:

[Pirate Smile]

7. An article up on WAPO: Obama as Gym Rat in Chief

Obama as Gym Rat in Chief

Most American men at the age of 47 do not have what are known, in the body-building trade, as "abs." Indeed, the very anatomical existence of "abs" was unknown until about 20 years ago, when various commercial entities and magazine publishers decided that there was money to be made in persuading men that they needed these things desperately.
Having really good abs was necessary for your mental health, we were told. A man was supposed to be cut, ripped, shredded, lacerated, flayed, eviscerated and so on -- all wonderful things to be in gym-rat speak.

-snip-
For many of us, self-esteem is inextricably connected to our sense of being massive. We want to enter a room and immediately distort the spacetime continuum. We want others to feel the floorboards shuddering and see the hors d'oeuvres running for cover.
All of this explains why these photos of Obama in Hawaii are deeply disturbing. We already knew he was a gym rat, but do we really want a president who has no body fat at all and seems to have been working obsessively on his abs?

Look at him: He may be the new Leader of the Free World, but he doesn't look like a good eater.

-snip-
This isn't jealousy talking. It is good that the man sets a fine example. Indeed, the moment I finish typing this, I'm headiing to the gym (and then on to the House O' Liposuction). This is merely a good-government issue. I'm concerned about Obama's apparent agenda:

1. Rescue American economy and way of life.

2. End Iraq War.

3. Work on quads and delts.

4. End dependence on foreign oil.

5. Moderate global warming.

6. Tighten glutes.

And so on. There's just a lot on his plate, figuratively; now that he's won the election, maybe he should let that be literally true as well.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2008/12/obama_as_gym_rat_in_chief.html#comments

This was from the comments - Ha:

"Describe the Beefcake-in-Chief."
Gene's entry:
"Pitt and Damon ain't got nuffin'
On Mr. President-elect Studmuffin."

:D

[RichGirl]

9. Two early Christmas gifts that I'll never get tired of....

1/ The picture of Obama without his shirt.

2/ The video of Bush, ducking the shoes!!

One makes me laugh, the other makes me lust....two things that promote good health, happiness and a long life.

[TrogL]

10. This thread is useless without pics

[BridgeTheGap]

11. It's not enough to just complain...DO SOMETHING!!! n.t