Obama Still Using Variation on Presidential Seal

Obama Still Using Variation on Presidential Seal

By Mark Finkelstein (Bio | Archive)
July 8, 2008 - 05:42 ET

Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for Obama's campaign, said Monday that the altered seal would not be used again. She said it was only intended for that event, in which Obama held a round-table discussion with Democratic governors. -- AP story, June 23, 2008 [emphasis added]

Hat tip teoman.

Add Obama's pledge to drop the faux presidential seal to his list of "inoperative" statements. The image shown here [and another seen at foot after break] are taken from the current version of "Fight the Smears," an official Obama website that purports to debunk false rumors about the candidate.

Not quite the same seal [right] that caused such an outpouring of ridicule when Obama broke it out last month that the candidate was forced to yank it, but a variation in which the key element—an eagle clutching an olive branch in its right talons and arrows in its left—is still plainly visible.

Let's see. Current list, and still counting, in the pantheon of Obama's broken promises:

I could never disown Reverend Wright.
I'll filibuster any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies.
I'll take public financing for my campaign.
I'll meet with Ahmadinejad without preconditions.
I'll hammer Mexico and Canada to renegotiate NAFTA under threat of unilateral abrogration.
I won't use that presidential seal again.

Will Obama defend his latest tangle with the truth by claiming "it depends on what the meaning of 'seal' is"?

Will the MSM report the matter?

—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.

Comments Policy

All comments are owned by whoever posted them and are subject to our terms of use. They should not be assumed to represent the views of NewsBusters.

I'll reiterate the

July 8, 2008 - 05:55 ET by Killgrave

I'll reiterate the math:

Right-wing smear = honest discussion about qualifications and fitness to be the top leader of the free world = racism

And what is up with the "sun" in the logo? Is the sun promising to rise or set on our Republic if we elect this clown?

We are lucky the media has a large smattering of atheists.

July 8, 2008 - 06:52 ET by allanf

Premature use of the presidential seal is a minor transgression compared to the messiah like photographs of Time and other media acolytes.

We are fortunate the media has a large smattering of atheists, or we might be threatened with eternal comdemnation for not supporting Obama.

That explanation is no

July 8, 2008 - 06:54 ET by motherbelt

That explanation is no longer operative- George Stephanopoulos as Bill Clinton's communications director.

For an explanation of the sun, go here (bring your barf bag!)

Someone here, a few days ago, posted a link to this site which has even more Obama flip-flops...er...nuances....er....clarifications....er....refinements

....whatever.

Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson

From the Noob

July 8, 2008 - 07:08 ET by HeavyChevy

I don't understand how so many people can be so blind to this man's absolute arrogance. At least to my knowledge no candidate on either side running for president in my lifetime (though only 36)has ever done such a thing (referring to the seal mod) if I am wrong please correct me.

Do these people (I don't care what color or gender) want "change"(whatever the heck that still means) so bad that they would let this man "redesign" this great nation unto is image for said change?

Welcome to the U.S.S.A folks please step this way for your one roll of toilet paper and luke warm gruel.

I'll have to (sob!) give

July 8, 2008 - 06:52 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls

I'll have to (sob!) give this one to Obama. Not even close to the Presidential seal if you ask me. Maybe I'm not nuanced enough.

Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.

I guess the eagle is

July 8, 2008 - 06:57 ET by motherbelt

I guess the eagle is supposed to make us think he's tough!

Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson

→ Look again mb

July 8, 2008 - 07:13 ET by Cool Arrow

That "eagle" is just a buzzard with a spraypainted head.

LYDSEXICS UNTIE

turkey vulture

July 8, 2008 - 22:06 ET by upcountrywater

up close

Liberals62%

IranianUranium

Yeah. Talk about

July 8, 2008 - 07:17 ET by Killgrave

Yeah. Talk about compensation. With this twerp, he should have a 1000-pound Grizzly chugging a case of Iron City on his seal.

Seriously, the eagle is bad enough. But I think the left talon clutching arrows really takes the false advertising over the top. Instead, the eagle should be clutching a white flag on the left, and a bunch of arugula (lightly oiled) on the right.

DFTT: where do you think he

July 8, 2008 - 08:52 ET by Mark Finkelstein

DFTT: where do you think he lifted that eagle carrying the olive branch and arrows from?

I just don't think it's

July 8, 2008 - 10:21 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls

I just don't think it's that uncommon for a politician to use patriotic symbols (flags, the national bird, etc.) in their campaign. Also, look at the back of a dollar bill, you have a similar picture there (The Great Seal). Obama's looks to be a jazzed up version which doesn't have the 13 arrows (which states is he dissing?), I can't see how many leaves are on the olive branch. I'm gonna give them a pass on this because I'm sure someone else has used similar symbols. Here's a slightly bigger pic of the real thing for those who wish to compare. Just my opinion.

Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.

Now the Obamaheads will

July 8, 2008 - 07:24 ET by athoughtor2

Now the Obamaheads will just say there is no pleasing these people. We changed it and it has no resemblence. If the MSM decides to cover it, they will all say it doesn't look anything like the seal.

I am still waiting for the smears? Where are the smears?

Speaking of smears....Will Obama and co. come out and chastise Bill Clinton for his remarks about POW's? I doubt it.

Sign up for the obama action wire

July 8, 2008 - 08:05 ET by pagg30

Fighting the Facts.

I just might. LOL. I did

July 8, 2008 - 08:35 ET by athoughtor2

I just might. LOL.

I did run into 2 Obama supporters on the street, Wall St. in NYC, yesterday. I didn't have the time to talk with them. I wanted to ask them a few questions to see what they said. I might go looking for them today.

That logo was ripped-off

July 8, 2008 - 08:08 ET by riff_raff

Obama ripped off the Ramones with that logo.

http://www.impactmer...

Johnny Ramone

July 8, 2008 - 09:07 ET by Hero Squad

Johnny Ramone for president!

*****

"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will

Why Obama needs a seal----

July 8, 2008 - 09:05 ET by misterbill

Why Obama needs a seal----

A seal is an aquatic mammal. It has flippers.

Need I say more????

Fight! Fight! Fight!

July 8, 2008 - 09:11 ET by GameGrid

Keep fighting the "Right-Wing smears" because there is no such thing as a Left-Wing Smear. Critcisms that Obama throws out in pretty much every speech he makes don't count becuase he is talking about hope and change and bringing us all together by slamming on the right.

:rollseyes:

BTW - I hope you bloggers keep on top of all these issues that have been brought up about Obama. It would be great to see some videos surface online around the end of October pointing everything out from his insane policies he promised about during the primaries, to Rev. Wright & Bill Ayers, to his gaffes and flip-flops and to his past with ACORN along with whatever else comes up over the next few months. Sadly a lot of people will forget...

Seig Obama

July 8, 2008 - 09:15 ET by Jack Bauer

Hey.. he's got the seal ..

okay not the double headed 3rd Reich eagle but it's all gearing up nicely to conclude the nomination at his NUREMBERG style rally at a football stadium holding 80,000.

Obama 08 .. PUTTING THE DEM INTO DEMAGOGUE.

Are you getting really really worried yet?

Vote 4 change. Vote 4 anything. See Jack & Mr Shy's first campaign ad for the ONLY viable 3rd party candidate.

Jack, I commented on that

July 8, 2008 - 10:15 ET by Chris Norman

Jack,

I commented on that very same thing yesterday. Like you, I was struck by the imagery of a stadium full of hysterically cheering masses. I even linked to a picture of the Nuremburg rallies. Now, again, like you, I see this eagle graphic less in presidential terms but more like a thirties-styled facistic emblem. What's next? Uniforms, banners, and torches?

McNotObama '08

chris -- missed your first

July 8, 2008 - 10:43 ET by Jack Bauer

chris -- missed your first take. Oh yeah... Obama is the opiate of the "masses."

I've got to think that unless you're a true believer this is going to scare a lot of people when they see live on TV the mass hysteria.

The mad staring eyes, the screaming, the Life of Brian chanting "We're all inviduals."

Vote 4 change. Vote 4 anything. See Jack & Mr Shy's first campaign ad for the ONLY viable 3rd party candidate.

Jack, I can't decide if the

July 8, 2008 - 13:17 ET by Chris Norman

Jack, I can't decide if the Obama symbols and graphics are more fascistic or Soviet in appearance some are one and some another - they all have that totalitarian look about them. The mass rally/acceptance speech is very national socialistic. All this adoration, hysteria, and grandiosity is getting out of hand - it's either comical or frightening - depending on how one looks at it. If Obama gets in and begins reviewing the troops and missiles from a stand over Pennsylvania Avenue - then I guess it's okay to go ahead and be frightened.

McNotObama '08

Chris - I think it's comical and frightening

July 8, 2008 - 13:30 ET by Dee Bunk

but much more frightening. It really is like "A Face in the Crowd" as I've said before. Everyone should rent that movie.

"Constantly attacking (peaceful) religions rather than politely sharing your own shows lack of faith " DB

I like the movie. I like

July 8, 2008 - 13:58 ET by Dan The Man 2

I like the movie. I like where Lonesome tells his PR girl that the public only thinks what he tells them to think and what to think. We nee a moment like on the movie where they get hinm to say that on camera taht he doesn't know is on. Actually the MSM possibly has these but is not letting them out. Be afraid very afraid.

I keep telling people they are going to pay more in taxes because the Bush tax cuts are not being extended, seems no one is listening.

Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.

Dee,This site is way pokey

July 8, 2008 - 14:05 ET by Chris Norman

Dee,
This site is way pokey today.
I saw that movie several million years ago and I think it was on TCM a couple weeks ago. I'll look for it. Thanks.
Frightening and comical is right. Comical in the sense it makes Obama look like he has pretensions of grandeur like a gaudy tin pot dictator of a third world country (will he rename the White House the Presidential Palace?). Frightening in the sense that it's real, it's happening here, and people and the media are responding to it positively. Extremely frightening if he gets elected chancellor - er - president.

McNotObama '08

They are going to have the

July 8, 2008 - 14:23 ET by motherbelt

They are going to have the convention in the civic center or whatever but he is going to give his acceptance speech in the stadium???

What is the reason given for his using the stadium?

Let's face it, he can't come out and say "I have too many adoring fans" or "So many people want a chance to see me I have to oblige"...so what is it?

On the other hand, I wouldn't put it past him..or them. He hasn't done a single damn thing to discourage the idol worship being bestowed on him.

This just reinforces the idea that his ego is WAY out of control.

I refuse to watch.

Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson

It was Hillary's idea to

July 8, 2008 - 15:31 ET by Dan The Man 2

It was Hillary's idea to use the stadium, it makes it easier for the snipers.

Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.

LOL... funny Dan. Black

July 9, 2008 - 04:52 ET by Jack Bauer

LOL... funny Dan. Black humor at its best.

Vote 4 change. Vote 4 anything. See Jack & Mr Shy's first campaign ad for the ONLY viable 3rd party candidate.

historical correction

July 8, 2008 - 15:33 ET by i was just thinking

The Reich eagle only had one head. It was the House of Romanov that had the double-headed eagle.

Thanks for the head's up!

July 9, 2008 - 04:51 ET by Jack Bauer

Thanks for the head's up! You have an eagle eye for historical facts!

Vote 4 change. Vote 4 anything. See Jack & Mr Shy's first campaign ad for the ONLY viable 3rd party candidate.

A promise he will NEVER break

July 8, 2008 - 09:35 ET by pagg30

"I'll tax you into the stone age."

Ok, Obama has crossed the

July 8, 2008 - 09:39 ET by bassndude

Ok, Obama has crossed the line. That looks a whole lot like my family crest, of old!! I'm a gonna sue!! Sue, I say!!

Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!

This is the only symbol Obama needs.

July 8, 2008 - 09:46 ET by R D Helm

This is the only symbol Obama needs.

Why he insists on wasting his time (and ours) on anything else is beyond me.

The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz

The Change-monger would

July 8, 2008 - 11:21 ET by mattm

The Change-monger would probably like to 'change' the flag, too.

mattm...he had best keep

July 8, 2008 - 14:09 ET by bassndude

mattm...he had best keep his cotton pickin hands off my flag!

Oops...I know someone will look at that as a racist statement, but I have picked cotton, and I bet he has never even seen a cotton field.

Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!

I'm growing so weary of

July 8, 2008 - 11:39 ET by marpel

I'm growing so weary of Obama and his comparison of himself to Christ, the Messiah and Lincoln, all rolled into one. He needs to stop.

Fight the Smears

July 8, 2008 - 11:53 ET by Goodie

This is a little off topic, however I ask the NB group and Mark to keep in mind last week Wesley Clark came out and smeared McCain, this week it was John Kerry, Whom will it be next week from BO's camp to SMEAR McCain? (Hint they must be in the Military)...