They are the ultimate distraction, providing a sense of--dare I say it-- hope to the American people. The same way Americans turned to movies in the 1930's, we are now watching Barack at the Bulls game and Michelle as she invites influential woman over to her new home.
This family is perceived to have gone from the average debted home to the White House. There is a general feeling of kinship with the first family and many feel like they're just like them.
Keeping all this in mind, the Obama's are our escape.
"During the Depression, when the spirit of the people is lower than at any other time, it is a splendid thing that for just 15 cents an American can go to a movie and look at the smiling face of a baby and forget his troubles," said the much compared President Franklin Roosevelt of his constituents.In Rachel Swarns' article "Could It Really Be Him? Yeah, Probably"she discusses the Obama family's interaction with the American people.
"Like basketball? There was Mr. Obama sitting courtside recently alongside astonished fans at the Verizon Center as he cheered on the Chicago Bulls in a losing battle against the Washington Wizards.Enjoy the performing arts? The Obamas have been to the Kennedy Center twice, once to see the Alvin Ailey dance troupe — with daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7 — and once for a musical tribute to Senator Edward M. Kennedy," she wrote.
He's a Steeler fan, he holds his own Superbowl parties at the White House, he predicts the future in college football and he has won the approval of the American public--no matter who they root for.
Just ask Miles Rawls, the rawty Wizards fan who sat behind the president at the Bulls game. "We were up by 15," Rawls said in a Washington Post interview.
"I told [Obama], 'You can tell them to warm up the limo, Sir, because this is a wrap here.' "
"We was just going back and forth," Rawls said. "Once Chicago started coming back, he told me, 'Now I think you need to sit down.' When Tyrus Thomas dunked on somebody, he turned around, was talking smack. Then JaVale McGee had that alley-oop, and he gave me the high five. We was just supporting each others' team, having a good time."
Obama was said to have also commented about the sweet seats he and the 5-year-old sitting next to him had.
Yep, we're growing so comfortable with our president that we can talk smack to him if we find ourselves on opposing sides of a game.
"We was just going back and forth," Rawls said. "Once Chicago started coming back, he told me, 'Now I think you need to sit down.' When Tyrus Thomas dunked on somebody, he turned around, was talking smack. Then JaVale McGee had that alley-oop, and he gave me the high five. We was just supporting each others' team, having a good time."
Obama was said to have also commented about the sweet seats he and the 5-year-old sitting next to him had.
Meanwhile Michelle is picking up where Jackie Kennedy left off, rebirthing the idea of a strong, intelligent and stylish leading lady. She graced the cover of March's Vogue and has been a style icon for a while. She is both graceful and powerful. He top-notch education makes her an idol to young women aspiring to become leaders and her strong sense of motherhood makes mothers across the nation reclaim their position of homemaker as a significant role.
I love what Obama symbolizes. But it does scare me at the same time. I can't help that feel that maybe the escape we find in his family as you described causes people to not properly evaluate his legislation and the actions that he is taking as our President.
ReplyDeleteI really like him, but it scares me that i like him too much.
PERFECT. You got it exactly right with this post. Back during the Depression, directors, writers, and actors used to make movies with the Depression in mind... trying at times to take mind's off the gloomy time. I praise Obama for trying to be a normal citizen while holding the highest office in this country. Going to games, appearing on Jay Leno, etc... U.S. citizens are seeing more of their President then ever before and they should all be enjoying it. Who knows if Obama is paving the way for a new type of President or if this is something we will never see again. Either way, I'm not taking it for granted.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt President Obama's personality does resonate with that of President Kennedy. It is also clear that the Obama staff have made it a priority for Obama to be very visible to the American people. I think the game attendance and the parties are great and only keep America sick with Obama fever. However, this plan only works as long as he actually makes good accomplishments too. If the economy doesn't pick up, or the conflicts abroad don't get better, then people are going to start to ask why he is out drinking at the game instead of solving our problems. A President only has so much time in any given day.
ReplyDeleteThis is too funny/coincidental because I was about to start a post on the Hollywoodization of Obama along the lines of this post. However, (along the thematic lines of my blog) I was going to be a tad (meaning a lot) more critical of such Kennedy/Obama parallels. I do not think it is a President's business (especially within 3 months of swearing in) to publicize himself and attend such social events, like Jay Leno or NBA games. Maybe when he actually does a bit more for our country he can be more lenient with his timetable, but for now I think it glamorizes America and makes our country look a bit silly on the geopolitical sphere.
ReplyDelete*I spelled a word incorrectly, wanted to fix it so I reposted.
I agree the Obama serves as a distraction, but I must say that from the presidential race onto election, inauguration and now the presidency, American politics have become something akin to celebrity-based pop culture. Decisions on voting were made by appearances, not policies. The Hilary/Obama divide left many with a sense of loyalty and, indeed, Hilary became the diva of the year for most of my friends. Obama became that hopeful individual, but is no less a celebrity than president. Pop culture has finally spilled over.
ReplyDeleteObama-fever does not capture the entirety of what's happening. I walked into the bookstore the other day to find an entire book island dedicated to Obama and his family. The isle must have been loaded with over 100 books. Celebrities don't even receive this much coverage.
ReplyDeleteTruthfully so, as implied by your article, coverage of Obama's life is in itself an industry.