It all began here.
As a graphic designer I am particularly sensitive to the kinds of subtexts that a design may include in an effort to tell a story. The book cover for Obama's Audacity of Hope is a very good example of messaging beyond the surface. Some of the messaging is pretty standard stuff that we would expect of any good art and photo direction.
The gray suit establishes authority. The open collar with no tie establishes his accessibility--makes him a 'regular guy.' The sitting pose with hands folded together communicate that this is a contemplative guy. The hands are not posed in an aggressive fashion, suggesting that he is not a threat.
But what fascinates me the most is the way the cover overtly and covertly seeks to establish Barack Obama as the 'Golden Child". The gold in of his name and the gold bar at the bottom work are obvious in their symbolism. His skin tones have had the yellow increased to give him an overall golden glow.
But either by serendipity (I doubt it) or designer intent, the reversal of the letters "AU" out of the dark field of his suit provides the most amazing subliminal messaging. For those of you who have forgotten your high-school chemistry, the letters "AU" represent gold, on the periodic table of the elements.
We can carry this analysis even further (and perhaps beyond designer intent) to suggest that the title layout also gives us a near Augustinian reference--"City of Hope" (similar to St. Augustine's "City of God.") Maybe I should avoid suggesting that there is an ebonic tone to "DA" CITY.
Clearly all of the design surrounding this guy's campaign is intended to elevate his image to something beyond mere mortal. I have to say that it is the best campaign brand imagery I have ever seen even though I disagree with it's messaging and I definitely am not fooled into voting for Obama. But there is no doubt this very sophisticated branding has an impact on the average voter.