Posted on 06/14/2008 12:53:43 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Obama's quandary: Wear a helmet, look dumb or be a role model?
No image affected Michael Dukakis' 1988 campaign more than his infamous ride in the tank. This image is still funny.
Sure, there's world wars and toxic pollution and corruption and Social Security reform and a few other things like trillions of dollars in debt to worry about.
But before getting to those easy issues, politicians who want to be chief executives must first get elected. And to do that they must decide if they're going to wear funny hats.
It's the bane of most big-time campaigns. And why you don't see candidates so often visiting construction sites; hard-hat zones, where they must don those funny-looking helmets that sit so high on their head. They may save lives, but they scare image-conscious campaigns.
Remember in 1988 Gov. Mike Dukakis driving that tank? It's a lot of fun. Looked good on paper to associate him with defense issues, a traditional Democratic weak spot. But you gotta wear the XL helmet. So he did. He looked like a pretender. And the rest is doofus history.
Long before him, there was the classic headgear disaster, Calvin Coolidge in the Indian headdress. Scroll down for that baby.
So, even though he's a freshman senator and a rookie national campaigner, Sen. Barack Obama faced a quandary last weekend.
Should he wear one of those stupid-looking bicycle helmets that legislators say we must wear but only look good on Tour de France racers? And get mocked? Or should he go without the hapless headgear and get criticized for defying the law? Who does he think he is? Above the rules that apply to everyone else?
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
First, that tube out his butt looks to be attached to another wheeled device or training wheels (what *is* it anyway??).
Second, the seat is too low.
Very dorky.
I forgot about that one.What a pussy.Do you remember his baseball pitch?It dribbled over the plate.Bush at least burned it in.
Wearing a special little helmet for his special little head . . . .
I notice that the pic has been cropped to eliminate the effeminate little trash / kiddy hauling attachment in the rear. Not butch enough for his handlers to release, I guess.
Is this photo a play for the gay vote? Or something else?
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Urkle? Is that you?
I have enough disagreements with Obama on substance to really get caught up in this. It does not equal Kerry’s physical awkwardness or the sperm suit or Tank Gnome. Obama is very good looking and graceful. That is why he does so well in spite of his rabidly Marxist agenda. Sorry folks won’t win this on awkward pics need to let people know what Obama believes in that should be enough. O and we need to re-educate the people on what it means to be conservative. Less taxes, less regulation and interference a gentle brand of federalism and kill pork barrel politics.
The shame of it is nobody wants that anymore. People want their rep to bring home the bacon, heavy handed federalism lots of rules, rules, rules and plenty of gubmt cheese. That includes the brand of conservatism practiced by many here at FR. Hail to the Chief. How do you like your eggs Mr. Obama, fried or scrambled?
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