GMA: The Beatification of Barack Obama

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Is the man running to be president . . . or Saint Barack of Chicago? A bit hard to tell after GMA's hagiography this morning. The segment was a run-up to his planned announcement tomorrow of his presidential intentions.

Obama's own advertising consultants might have balked at the presentation as too over-the-top in its worshipful tone and substance. Here's what we got:

Robin Roberts introduced the segment by saying that while Barack is a presidential front-runner, "he may also be the least well known." Was that Robin's way of disputing HIllary's claim to being "the most famous person you don't know"?

Claire Shipman narrated the segment and began by describing Obama as "calm and charismatic." Explaining that despite all the media attention, "there are some things about Barack Obama you might not know," Shipman began the elucidation with a clip of Obama bagging groceries, as he explained "I used to work as a bagger in a grocery store." Hmm. George H.W. Bush: supposedly unfamiliar with checkout scannners. Barack: worked as a bagger. Check.

Next, Shipman assured us that "he's a listener." To drive home the point, a sash appeared in the corner of the screen flatly stating, yes, "Listener." After mentioning that "he's renowned for his compelling oratory" and treating us to a short sample thereof, Shipman added "insiders say his real talent is hearing people." Not only does he listen, he hears.

Could that be another shot at Hillary -- she of the 'listening tours'? You might suspect so, particularly after we heard from Harvard Law classmate Brad Berenson: "unlike some people who make a show of listening, and announce their own opinion, he always struck me as a person who really was trying to listen, and not just listen, but understand." Got that, Hillary?

As another corner sash, reading "Inspiration," appeared, Shipman informed us that "he found his political inspiration in Chicago. Just out of college, Obama spent three years as a community organizer." As Shipman strolled in front of a boarded-up building, she continued "it was here on the city's troubled South Side that friends say Obama first began to understand the bleak lives of the underprivileged -- and began to ruminate on how he might make a difference." As Shipman explained that he would preach "empowerment even to panhandlers," a community organizer was brought in to tell us of how Obama "would look at the person and say, 'now young man, is this really what you want to be about? I think you're better than that.'"

The next sash read "Family." Cut to Kennedyesque footage of the photogenic Obama family gamboling in a park. And how's this for a tidbit that might endear Barack to women voters?: "here's something you might not now about Obama: he married his boss!" Not afraid of strong women, that Barack! Shipman explained that Michelle, the woman he eventually married, had been his mentor at a Chicago law firm.

Shipman assured us: "she's got plenty of power in that relationship. She was the final sign-off in his decision to run." Cue the family friend: "if she said no, he wouldn't be doing it. There's no doubt in my mind about that."

I suppose every saint should have an endearing fault. Shipman closed by disclosing that Obama is "a stealth smoker." But not to worry: Claire let us know he's quitting cold turkey. Guess that will make him . . . perfect.

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill

[governsleastgovernsbest]

St. Barack ping to Today show list.

[KellyAdmirer]

Since Romney's Mormonism is suddenly such a big "topic of discussion," according to the NY Times, I assume they delved in depth into the fact that he's a Muslim? Right? Because the MSM is so fair and unbiased?

[ilgipper]

There are tons of great orators out there who have zero qualifications to be president. Why is he the only one being singled out. If great speaking abilities is the only qualifications, I know some excellent candidates I'd like to nominate.

[ken5050]

Poor Barak..the Anna Nicole Smith autopsy story will bump his announcement...

[stylin19a]

"insiders say his real talent is hearing people." Not only does he listen, he hears

well DUH...just look at them ears...

[SoFloFreeper]

GOOD THING WE HAD CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, SO BIG MONEY COULDN'T PROMOTE A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE, PARTY AND AGENDA!

McCain is a dolt.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Obama says he is Christian and is active in a Christian church. What do you base your allegation on that he is a Muslim?

[Mr.Unique]

...the fact that he's a Muslim...

Fact?

[hophead]

The fine Senator is holding a press conference Tuesday at the Jefferson Memorial at 10am. He will make a statement and then proceed to walk across the water in the Tidal Basin over to the FDR Memorial. He will at that time feed the hungry of DC with loaves and fishes. News footage at 10 pm.

[hophead]

"I assume they delved in depth into the fact that he's a Muslim?"

He says he is a Christian.

[JennysCool]

Wow, a free campaign informercial -- even with advertising agency-style graphics! My guess is the newsroom is deeply concerned because Obama hasn't been discussed around the water cooler as much as he was a month ago, and they feel it's their duty to keep that "momentum" going.

Problem is, not one of the announced candidates can keep the "Big Mo" going until November, 2008. Just not possible, given the national attention span.

A smart candidate would have held off announcing until at most a year before the election. Giving America more than ample time to get tired of you is a terrible strategy.

[JennysCool]

Not only does he listen, he hears

Cue the "Hearing Tour"!

[Beckwith]

Obama says he is Christian and is active in a Christian church. What do you base your allegation on that he is a Muslim?

Obama was a Muslim for 31 years.

When he converted to Christianity in 1992, he became an apostate in the eyes of Islam.

There is no dispute among either ancient or modern Muslim scholars that under Islamic law, a murtadd, “one who turns his back on Islam,” is an apostate and must be put to death.

Irtidad, apostasy, is committing treason against God, and traitors deserve to be killed.

At a minimum, other Muslims would shun him if not kill him and his mother. The fact they are eagerly welcomed by the Muslim community begs the question, is he the Islamic version of the 'Manchurian' candidate?

At a minimum, Obama should be asked if he will support the efforts of Christian missionaries in Islamic countries to peacefully convert Muslims to Christianity.

[Beckwith]

He says he is a Christian.

Anybody can say anything at any time.

Please see post #14.

[visualops]

He was Muslim, and said he converted. Muslims don't believe in conversion so maybe he better watch out.

[TexasCajun]

When will someone ask Obama why he doesn't correct reporters when they call him 'Black', is he ashamed of his White mother?

[Rummyfan]

Shameless. Nothing less than journalistic fellatio. BHO is a good listener, and speaker, and has a family? Guess that qualifies him to be President!

[Unmarked Package]

Will the secular Left propose that Americans designate time in the eras of BO (Before Obama) and AO (After Obama)?

It's like a bizarre American Idol for politicians to invent the next President, except there isn't any Simon Cowell on the panel of Democrat Media judges who will face reality about Obama.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

"Please see post #14."

I did. It says he's been a Christian for 13 years, and the linked item says he was claiming to be a Christian even as a child.

Evangelicals try to convert people to Christianity. Are you saying it's not possible to convert? Do you have evidence that Obama's conversion, if indeed he was ever Muslim, is not sincere? Since, as has been pointed out, conversion is very severely punished in Islam, doesn't that make his conversion that much more respectworthy?