ChgoTrib: 'Obamas' Affection Is Notable Among Presidential Pairs'

Photo of Michael M. Bates.

If it's Sunday, it must be worship time at the Temple of Obama, at least at the Chicago Tribune.  Today the top of the front page has a picture of Barack and Michelle embracing.  The headline is:  "White House romances: Obamas' affection is notable among presidential pairs."  Page 4 carries the story, also shown on the Trib's Web site with the headline "Scenes from Obamas' love story."  We learn:

Over the last two years the future first couple has made a practice of sharing such small, intimate moments on the grandest of stages, whether trading fist bumps, whispering "I love you" or stealing quick kisses on the campaign trail.

The Obamas' unabashed affection for each other suggests they could become the one of the most engaging sets of lovebirds in White House history. Though the home has known many deeply committed couples (as well as some infamously uncommitted), few were as young, attractive or willing to put their passion on public display.

Page 3 of the newspaper details the availability of Obama Christmas tree ornaments, along with where they can be purchased:

There are ornaments for sale on Web sites such as etsy.com and cafepress.com. Some feature Obama's face with notes such as "thanks Santa." Others simply show the blue and red symbol for change that was used in Obama's campaign materials. One ornament shows Barack and Michelle Obama wearing red and white Santa hats and grinning widely. Prices range from $7 to $56.

On Harris' ornament, available for $56 at etsy.com, Obama is sketched as an angel, carrying a banner that reads "Adeste Fideles," which is translated as "O come, all ye faithful." He has a robe over his stiff-collar shirt, and his tie is flying in the wind.

The account notes the designer of Obama as angel ornaments has only sold 29 so far.  That's to be expected.  After all, being an angel is a demotion for The One.  Still, "he's outselling Sarah Palin 7-1," so there's still plenty of - you guessed it - hope, especially with the nice plug in a major newspaper on a Sunday.

Since readers need more Obama news, page 11 has the heartwarming Washington Post piece titled "Suddenly, their name is the one to have: Obama."  It's about people who share that distinguished name and now are reaping the benefits.  It begins:

Nicanor Obama began to realize he might be on to a good thing when he didn't get a speeding ticket not long ago. After stopping the 28-year-old for a little downtown Washington lead-footing, a District of Columbia police officer looked at his driver's license and put the citation book away.

"He said, 'Well, I'm going to let you go because you have the Obama name,'" is how the Arlington, Va., resident recalled the encounter.

The same page has the Associated Press article "American? Yes. But no regular Joe."  It's about how uncommon names will achieve greater acceptability because of Barack Obama:

The more people hear it, the more mainstream a name becomes, said Don Nilsen, a professor of English linguistics at Arizona State University and co-president of the American Name Society.

"Who is more American than the president of the United States?" he said. "There's no question it will have a ripple effect, because of the power of the position."

Who is more American than the president of the United States?  C'mon, doc, you're killing us with those straight lines.

Readers of the Trib's Web site get even more Obama information.  They're treated to this "Breaking News" from 1:45 AM this morning:

Pool reports on Barack Obama's day:

11:02: p.m. After a three-hour dinner at Frontera Grill, the Obamas left the restaurant with Marty Nesbitt and Nesbitt's wife, Anita Blanchard. The motorcade dropped off Nesbitt and Blanchard at their home and then the Obamas.

8 p.m. The president-elect and Michelle Obama arrive at the River North restaurant after picking up friend Marty Nesbitt and his wife, Anita Blanchard at their house.

11:07 a.m. Obama returns home after morning workout.

9:27 a.m. Leaves house for morning workout.

Distressingly, the paper doesn't report exactly what the Obamas ate during that three-hour dinner.  Or perhaps that vital information will be part of "Breaking News" later today.  More crucially, Tribune readers deserve to know if the young, attractive and willing to put their passion on public display couple engaged in any heavy fist bumping or other acts of affection. 

More Obama, that's what we need.  And the Chicago Tribune keeps delivering.  


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I wonder why they don't show

I wonder why they don't show Barney Frank's public displays of affection.

Barney Friendly

You mean like this?

shame on him.

shame on him.  that guy is half his age.

member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008

Too young

that guy is half his age.

Who isn't?  Except for me, of course.

Enough already!

He's not yet been sworn in, and already I've got Obama-fatigue.

And you're not helping, Mike!  Those two need to get a room, already.  I care not about "heavy fist bumping (???) or other acts of affection".

Happy belated Thanksgiving to you.

 

 

Wow.  It took nearly 3-4

Wow.  It took nearly 3-4 years before people were suffering from Clinton fatigue.  ;-)

 

"Gov. Palin has been subjected to one of the most massive and dishonest pile-on smear attacks in the history of liberal media."  -- Lowell Ponte

Clinton fatigue

It took nearly 3-4 years before people were suffering from Clinton fatigue.  ;-

Klintoon didn't have as much MSM credibility and coverage, possibly because he was only a lefty of pallor.

Getting a room, Blonde

The two lovebirds did get a room.  Lots of 'em. Unfortunately, they're in the White House.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, Blonde.

I have no idea how to even

I have no idea how to even process this information anymore.  

ps.  shouldnt those be 'holiday tree ornaments'?

member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008

'holiday tree ornaments'

shouldnt those be 'holiday tree ornaments'?

You're right.  Well, I guess we know who'll be among the first to be sent to Obama's re-education camp.

An Obama ornament  hanging

An Obama ornament  hanging from a tree????????

Isn't that a hate crime???

Hate crime?

An Obama ornament  hanging from a tree????????

Good point, but I think the BHO ornament could also be described as "sitting in a tree" as in:

Barry and Michelle, sitting in a tree. . . . 

Actually Obama strikes me as

sort of henpecked. I wouldn't be suprised if Michelle wears the pants in that family and if she is the one who decides when PDAs are appropriate.

Henpecked Barry

She looks like the kind of gal who could lay down the law - or wrap a skillet around a guy's head.  A question is how many displays of affection they share that aren't public.

i agree; she's scary!

i'm guessing their real relationship is quite a bit less affectionate than we are led to believe.  wonder what ever became of the "vera baker" angle?  likely she was not the only one, either.....

"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke

Contrived love affair?

Ironic, isn't it?  The Obamas hide nearly everything about themselves except their epic love affair.  Everything else about Barry and Shelley is pure image.  What are the chance that this romance is also phony? 

Welcome to the era of unity, you racist!

If they...

If they didn't hide everything else about themselves, "that one" wouldn't have been elected. 

 

Where's the Pepto.......I'm gonna puke!

 

"If we conservatives moved to those seven non-existent States, the government couldn’t find us and tax us to death!" 

I will need enough barf bags for 4 years

even with avoiding all TV and printed news. Just reading blogs and seeing BHO constantly mentioned is nauseating.

My entire family plans to boycott all inauguration coverage as well.

 

 

I'm with you, Peg. Enough

I'm with you, Peg.

Enough already!  Touching his arm at their polling place is going off-script? What, they had a "script" for casting their votes?

Oh spare me!

The Obamas' unabashed affection for each other suggests they could
become the one of the most engaging sets of lovebirds in White House
history.

<gag>

In the linked article, Ronald and Nancy Reagan are mentioned.  But at the time, I don't recall the media swooning over their affection for each other.  It was all about whether Nancy had  too much influence or control, and what she spent.  

And  she lived out her love every day, caring for her husband when he was stricken with Alzheimer's.

But I guess that wasn't "engaging" enough for the media; it pales beside the  little touches of affection between the new hip first couple-elect.

 

part of the show...

It's part of the show. Obama doesn't do anything not scripted. I bet they are told to present the loving couple. It helps distract people from the true nature of the campaign.

I'm not going to guess what they are like in private. As far as we know they could be your average couple or even weirder than I can imagine.

With the gooey public affection, the marketing of the family it makes me wonder what are they hiding?

 

 

Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Presidential love affairs

Come on, the Trumans were crazy for each other; so were the Nixons, Carters and Reagans. What drivel from the Tribune.

Don't forget both Bush First Families

Don't leave out both Bushes and their spouses.  By all accounts those marriages have been pretty admirable and loving as well. 

Welcome to the era of unity, you racist!

Just Wondering

Does the Chicago Tribune hold any shares or interest in Gravol and Pepto Bismol?  They keep trying to nauseate everyone with their continuing coverage of "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told".

Ron and Nancy

Didn't the press make fun of Ron and Nancy Reagan for showing affection in public?

yes

Always -- But Reagan was a Republican.

Hey at least

they aren'tdancing for the cameras on adeserted beach like BJ and Ms did.

But the best shots are when Obama walks out front of his wife, like most Muslim men.

Yeah, I wonder when her

Yeah, I wonder when her hubby/President's going to give her a Senate Seat somewhere?  Somehow, I don't think it'll be in Alaska. 

One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.

Huh?

Gimme a friggin break.  Come  on guys, look closely at  that photo. Does she look likes she's  enjoying it?  That's a cringe if I ever saw one.  If a woman had a face like that when I "kissed" her I'd be checking my deodorant. 

STUDY THE PICTURE FIRST

Then think of the Black Widow spider who you can identify by the black bodice and large red spot on the stomach, who ultimately eats its mate...

See anything now in the picture?