NYT: Could It Really Be Him? Yeah, Probably

[FrenchieCat]

Just to lighten things up a bit as we approach the week-end.

NYT: Could It Really Be Him? Yeah, Probably



IT has been only two months since the Obamas moved into the White House, but here in the nation’s capital, some people are already asking: Have you bumped into your president and first lady yet?

This is no idle question. During the Bush years, Washington got used to a homebody president who preferred bringing friends into the Executive Mansion to venturing outside it. But these days, President Obama and his wife, Michelle, are popping up all over this city.

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.

How about a tasty meal? The Obamas have enjoyed white-tablecloth dining at Equinox, Bobby Van’s Steakhouse, B. Smith’s and Georgia Brown’s, and street-corner casual at Ben’s Chili Bowl and Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

They have gone to parent-teacher conferences, school sporting events and visited working-class and gentrifying communities that have rarely served as stomping grounds for American presidents and first ladies — speaking to students at a charter school in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, and worshiping in a black church, among other activities. (The president and friends also tossed a basketball around at a city-run recreation center.)

“Everywhere you go, you’re wondering whether or not you’ll run into them"...

snip

Political analysts say that the images of Mr. Obama hooting and hollering during a basketball game, eating a hot dog at Ben’s Chili Bowl and watching the ballet with his wife and daughters — pastimes routinely broadcast to a national audience — may humanize a politician who is sometimes viewed as too cerebral and distant.

Dee Dee Myers, a former press secretary for President Clinton, said the outings allow Mr. Obama to project “an accessible glamour” and to convey a message of hope during bleak economic times. (She said that even the gregarious Clintons never got out this much.)

“It’s very humanizing and very encouraging to people,” Ms. Myers said. “And it’s valuable for him politically.”

Long article.....more (read about the downsides)

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/fashion/26washington.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

[StrongBad]

1. Read this article yesterday and loved it.

Maybe I'm paranoid, but I worry about his safety making such impromptu public appearances, so let's hope the Secret Service knows what they're doing.

[FrenchieCat]

3. I worry about his safety also......

and something in the back of my mind is always nagging at me whenever I see him on my screen....when a little voice wonders if one day this nation will be lamenting that we didn't understand what he had, heaven's forbid.

It is an unarguable fact that we don't always appreciate great leadership in the mids, but instead when it is late. :(

[JuniperLea]

7. I'm paranoid too...

But I understand the Obama's need to do this. And I also know if anyone does anything to this much-loved American, 60% of the people around would make sure that "anyone" had done his/her LAST evil deed.

[Beetwasher]

2. “And it’s valuable for him politically.”

Maybe it's me, but I really don't get the feeling that's why he's doing it. I think he actually enjoys it, like most people would. And he LIKES people and WANTS to be out among them and treat his wife and daughters to nice times. It keeps him in touch. The politics of it is a nice bonus, but I get the feeling it's not near the top of the list of his motivations.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Agreed completely.

Heaven forbid he go out to dinner, attend parent-teacher conferences, or see a basketball game because they're enjoyable, right? No, there MUST be a political reason for this. :sarcasm:

[FrenchieCat]

5. Doesn't change the fact that it is valuable......

although It is not forced as was evidenced during his campaign.
Indeed, it may just be what he is compeled to do based on who he is......

and I don't think that being inside of the WH 24/7 is his ideal,
and I'm sure that he is not intent to get swallowed up in the bubble.

[JuniperLea]

9. I totally agree!

He is into so much hard territory, and there are heavy demands on his mind all of the time. He wouldn't be nearly as effective if he doesn't give his mind a rest once in a while... download... recharge... we all need it from time to time. Imagine how much you would need to vegg or play to recoup from the heavy mental work this man does?

[Cha]

21. Yeah, one would just have to

know what the Obamas' history is in Chicago and all their lives.. how gregarious they are..and a perk is it does help and if it helps Obama it helps the whole country and the Lonely Planet.

[KansDem]

6. Read between the lines here...

During the Bush years, Washington got used to a homebody president who preferred bringing friends into the Executive Mansion to venturing outside it.

And I imagine a couple of his best friends were a Mr. Jack Daniels and Mr. Jim Beam...

I suspect though, that Mr. Bush never ventured outside because to do so you have to have people skills...you have to like meeting folks and talking with them. This is why I don't think we'll ever hear "Who cares what you think" coming from Pres. Obama.

This is why you don't put the loser in the White House. Hear that, Supreme Court?

[firedupdem]

10. Bush wasn't coming outside with the peasants...and you're

right, he was probably drunk off his ass nightly.

[JuniperLea]

11. When 75+% of the population finds you a disgusting waste of skin...

You hide out with the aforementioned pals, no question!

When Bush did go out, it was under very obvious heavy armed guard. I'm betting there were attempts on his life we never heard about. There's no way they would let on that he was as hated as he was... still is. The fucking BASTARD!

[alsame]

18. Plus, the Bushes were not culturally

sophisticated, in my opinion. I don't think they were interested in the arts or in trying various cuisine.

And yeah, he was probably drunk most evenings anyway.

[FailureToCommunicate]

24. Whaddaya mean not sofisticated: Bush probably spent a lot of nights watchin' "Dukes

of Hazard" and drinking Near beer, PRETENDING he was at the Kennedy Center listening to Leontyne Price

[Hello_Kitty]

22. 90% of DC voted against his sorry ass. He'd be jeered everywhere he went and he knew it. eom

[DrToast]

8. I've always wondered how they handle security at those things

Like the basketball game, for example. Do they have metal detectors for everyone entering the arena?

Or when he goes to a restaurant, do they run background checks on everyone that works there? Do the bring their own waiters along?

Given how tight security is it seems kind of weird that he can just head down to a local restaurant for dinner.

I'm glad he's able to do all that fun stuff, but I just hope it's safe.

[FailureToCommunicate]

12. Once you've been tapped by the Service in Black, you know how they do it. They'll

never say, but they do a damn good thankless job. Probably the most repeated prayer at the Inaugural: "Please keep him (them) safe"

[azmouse]

14. I'd be willing to bet the Secret Service is in the kitchen when

the meals are being prepared.

Yeah, I worry too. But this President is smart. He wouldn't do anything that would put himself at unnecessary risk.

[phantom power]

13. Refreshing to have a president who doesn't treat citizens like serfs.

[FrenchieCat]

15. Like a tall cool glass of beer, refreshing.

Hence the photo....I guess. :)

[janx]

17. It's nice to be able to have a president who can enjoy

a large glass of beer and not have to worry about his going on a bender. ;-) That actually is a guy I wouldn't mind having a beer with...as long as his wife was there to have one too.

[dmr]

23. A president we'd love to have a beer with! :)

my bet he'd enjoy having a beer with us too!

I would love to have an informal visit with him to shoot the breeze, ignoring politics, and just chit-chatting about things.

:)

[bklyncowgirl]

28. Nice to have a President who has a healthy relationship with alcohol.

I think it's great that he's getting out of the bubble and getting to meet ordinary people. Can you imagine Bush sitting at a basketball game with the hoi polloi! Never.

[bigwillq]

16. Great pic!

:bounce: :beer:

[babylonsister]

19. I'm so glad they're escaping the bubble! Thanks for the good read! nt

[Cha]

20. Is that the cutest quaffing pic

or what? :beer::popcorn::patriot:

First Quaffer:bounce::patriot:

[amborin]

25. i had to email them

this is one of my pet peeves

the headline should have said, "could it really be he?"

the verb 'to be' takes the nominative, not the objective, case

otherwise, it's a great photo and a nice article

[HopeOverFear]

26. I'm afraid to click on that link to read about the downsides lol

[Life Long Dem]

27. He probably does enjoy it.

But now I can see how this could help.

[rasputin1952]

29. Our president seems to be a man of varied tastes...

something that has been missing for quite some time in the political arena. Quite refreshing, and the Secret Service will do it's job, whether at a basketball game or in a hot dog place.

There will always be a threat, that's part of the job. During WWII it was suggested that the WH be camouflaged because of the possibility of it being shelled by a U-Boat...FDR emphatically said, "NO", the camouflage plans were dropped immediately.

Presidents are human beings, (well usually...think Reagan/bush), and the ones that enjoy life, have the best presidencies...TR, Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson. We'll see where this president's place in history fits as far as his accomplishments go...plenty of time, and all things in politics take time. At this point, I'm glad to see he is enjoying life, as opposed to being a robotic fool that keeps himself distanced from the rest of humanity.

[old mark]

30. He is a decent man who loves his family and enjoys life.

And he's President? How did this happen? We usually have neurotic self centered guys with very expensive haircuts.

I really like this guy.
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