Posted on 06/10/2008 12:37:56 PM PDT by pissant
The debate is on: The widely circulated photograph of Barack Obama on a bicycle this last weekend either did the presidential candidate no favors, or actually helped his cause.
In an article in today's New York Daily News, writer David Saltonstall shows no mercy, declaring: "It wasn't a pretty picture: ill-fitting jeans, a tucked-in golf shirt, black-and-white socks and a helmet that could make Michael Dukakis blush."
A weekend in Chicago spent by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama included a bicycle ride with his family Yet in comments to Saltonstall, some Big Apple fashionistas cut Obama major slack. Simon Doonan, creative director of Barneys New York, says: "I like seeing my politicians in goofy weekend attire. It means they're thinking about more important stuff."
Newsweek's Andrew Romano notes today that when the shot of Obama on the bike as part of an excursion with his family in Chicago "hit the wires, the heavily trafficked right-wing message boards of Free Republic went wild."
Those postings, as you can imagine, weren't complimentary toward Obama (but several were creative).
Romano, though, argues that the "bike moment" will be a plus for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee because it "makes him look like a normal, nerdy American dad."Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts went wind surfing during his 2004 presidential campaign
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
I agree with you guys.
I don’t see anything odd, unusual or out of the ordinary at all.
You’re right on, Flobots!!
Do you like Depeche Mode? If not, I think you’ll like this video anyway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2YhfucachM&feature=related
Does Obama have (gulp) kids? seriesly, I’ve never heard them mentioned.
I know.
hey don’t take it personal. I said it was JMHO and it is. But to each his or her own. By the way just because he wears a helmet around the block is not the reason I wan’t be voting for him . lol
Omama is raising money hand over fist. John McCain is... um, not. Money is having to come from the national party to fund McCain, leaving local and state candidates high and dry. The GOP is saying that if they only lose 8 senate seats, they'll consider it a win.
It is idiocy of the highest order to talk about bike attire, birth certificates or middle names, but that is what we seem bent on doing. So much easier than putting our own house in order. Of course, it is hard to do otherwise when there is no national leadership to speak of in the entire Republican Party
If Obama becomes the next president, a big reason will be because conservatives can't distinguish what's truly important & what's just background nois
Yep. Talking to friends, I have heard about gas prices, food prices, insurance rates, the housing market, and educating their children... but "bike shorts or jeans" and "Obama's middle name" are totally missing from the list.
Actually, it looks OK to me.
The guy wasn’t on some sort of pretentious multi thousand dollar bike, and obviously didn’t feel the need to dress up. Also, I think the Trek’s are made in the USA.
I really cant understand the making fun of this.. we have enough real stuff to assault him with.. an outing on his bike (cutting a nice figure) to me is silly
His helmet is the right size & one of the newer (past 5 years) in design
He looks okay in his jeans but I personally like the biking gear that is worn . In our area men of all ages wear the biking shorts. The baggie type for mountain/cross & the tights for road biking. If you have ever done any distant biking you understand the need for biking shorts & the padding. The shirts are comfortable & have special pockets along the back for stuff. Having good biking shoes with clipless pedals helps one to maximize the effort in pedaling. specialized gloves help immensely for the wrists/hand numbness etc. Again for the occasion biker, not needed. If you do any rides of length & frequently investing in proper clothing & accessories is $$ well spent
His bike seems too small.. when your bottom pedal foot is down it should be almost straight. the frame should be bigger. If he is just an around the block biker on occasion, no problem but if he does any significant biking, knee problems result.
He looks pretty good to me. He seems thin & fit appearing. I think those bike links for a kid tandem are pretty good. usually the kid doesn’t work & just gawks around. Makes a harder workout for mom & dad. Nothing is worse for me than biking & having a kid fly out of noweher & hit you. These are safety for everyone involved on the road & trails
I recall doing the MS150 many times. I was always in awe seeing couples with two kids.. each parent having one of these. I struggled to do the ride alone but towing a heaving kid/tag-a-long?
ROTFLMAO. A classic if I have ever seen one!
It looks like a trailer hitch
This was what I disagreed with. I don't think jeans and short sleeve shirt are "Goofy". LOL
Are you serious? Or was that sarcasm?
If you’ve seen the Will.i.am video for Obama, you’ll like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzrd6eVAsjA
The only thing I see as offensive is the headline of this article, a reference to a fabulous late 1970’s film about college age boys growing up in Indiana ... I’d prefer any of those characters over McCain or Obama,, neither of the candidates measure up to the kids in that film.
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