August 27, 2008
Notes

One Verge Of Nomination, Obama The Menace

Oct-06-Time-Obama
 
Time-Obama-Dnc-Cover

As the convention pivots, turning its attention to the nominee, I’m concerned in advance as to how the traditional media will frame (poor choice of words, I hope) Barack Obama.  If the cover of TIME’s convention preview is any indication, however, we’re in trouble.  (By the way, I have examples in hand of three more convention-related publication covers that will really trouble you.  I just need to find a scanner from the middle of the media/blogging beehive I’m in to bring them to you.)

Compare the new TIME cover with their October ’06 edition when Obama was still, what they termed, a "fresh face" (as opposed to a man, they see now, as having at least five of them).   What was a smile then has turned toward a grimace.  The eyes are slightly narrowed conveying more wariness, even skepticism.  And then, in place of the white background and the proclamation of a title, Obama floats ominously in the dark, the color contrast and his merger with the shadows making him darker as well.

(image 1: Barack Obama, image 2: Platon for TIME)

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Michael Shaw
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