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.Page 3 of the newspaper details the availability of Obama Christmas tree ornaments
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.
, 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.
