Army Releases Powerful Photo of Obama in Iraq

I posted a diary on this topic last night, but because the image is such a powerful one, I am posting again this morning to hopefully propagate it to a wider audience.

See below for the Photo released by the U.S. Army and an analysis:

Yesterday, the U.S. Army released an image of Barack Obama and top U.S. military commander in Iraq, David Petraeus, conversing aboard a helicopter over Baghdad.  As far as composition and effect go, this is an exceptionally powerful image that his supporters should spread far and wide.

The image is an AP photo (by Ssg. Lorie Jewell, HO) posted here:

This photo shows Barack listening intently to Petraeus, looking calm and collected in the skies above Baghdad.  This is the photograph of a working man in the working clothes of a leader, at ease with the top commander of the military in Iraq.

He looks ready to assume the role of Commander in Chief and do whatever it takes to clean up the mess made by Bush and the Neocons and bring our troops home as fast as possible.

Summary:
Those of us who remember photos of Dukakis in a tank and of course Georgie in his "Mission Accomplished" flight suit realize the power of images to help or hinder a candidate's message.

This is an important image depicting Obama as Commander-in-Chief material.
Kudos to the U.S. Army for releasing this.

Please share the image and what it represents with your friends and neighbors.

UPDATE
The Obama photo above was also presented in this diary by slinkerwink yesterday, which I unfortunately missed until cited in comments below.  My commentary and the thread discussion here is distinct.

•  Intelligent and Strong

  You are looking at your Commander-in-Chief.

  by drational on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 05:20:02 AM PDT

  •  abc new's Jake Tapper

    captioned this picture thusly

    Senator Bad-ass listens to Gen. Petraeus.

    http://blogs.abcnews.com/...

    by Kitty on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 05:27:51 AM PDT

    •  LMAO@ "Senator Badass"

      It fits :o)

      

      by Muzikal203 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 05:30:15 AM PDT

      •  I'll take Senator BADADD over wimp any day!

        by scamperdo on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 05:46:20 AM PDT

        •  make that BADASS, sorry half asleep

          by scamperdo on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 05:46:49 AM PDT

          •  I'm looking forward to "President Badass" :o)

            by Muzikal203 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:06:20 AM PDT

            •  better President Badass than Commander

              Codpiece  rofl

              by testvet6778 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:13:34 AM PDT

              •  I hope youre all kidding

                We just have had 7.5 years of a president who thought he was  a real   "Badass."   Its brought this country nothing but trouble, from the "Bring it on" line to the absoluite intransigence about having his way.
                Who the heck needs it?

                This country doesn't need a freaking "Badass" running it, it needs someone who knows how to listen as well as speak, someone who knows how to cooperate, not dictate. It doesn't need some clown who thinks he's a character out of a  movie, Matrix or other.

                Obama's not a "badass," and he doesn't think he is, thank God, if he was, I'd be voting for someone else.

                i think youre making a hig mistake pinning the "Badass" label on Obama, it's undeserved and it won't help him a bit. So the guy looks sharp in shades---it sure won't make him a better commander in chief. This photo won't do anything for him. Beat the repuglicans with substance, not images.

                by exlrrp on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:04:34 AM PDT

                •  Obama's Press Conference is on NOW

                  you can watch live on cnn.com/live. Obama just started speaking, then there will be Q&A (where I'm sure he'll be attacked).

                  by Muzikal203 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:05:51 AM PDT

                  •  I can feel the bright hot sun

                    just watching him over there in Amman.

                    Funny McCain Pics archive updated regularly

                    by InsultComicDog on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:08:41 AM PDT

                    •  Yeah, the wind is getting on my nerves though

                      I'm just hoping it won't be a bunch of "gotcha" questions.

                      by Muzikal203 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:11:38 AM PDT

                      •  This photo shows a general trying to explain

                        to his future boss why his boss should do it the general's way. Note that the general's future boss is wearing sunglasses and there's nothing the general can do about it. It makes the general feel sub-consciously like he's not in control and that he's never sure if his future boss is looking at him or not. There is an imbalance of power here that both are subtly aware of.

                        by wegerje on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 10:27:43 AM PDT

                  •  The reporters are supposed to be adversarial.

                    then there will be Q&A (where I'm sure he'll be attacked).

                    He should be challenged with tough questions. That's the press's job. The problem is that they don't challenge McCain the same way.

                    by Night Train on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:34:18 AM PDT

                    •  Challenged yes...

                      Have to answer to right wing talking points because a braindead media thinks that's their role?  No.

                      by WinSmith on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:45:36 AM PDT

                      •  I haven't seen him put up with

                        many crappy rethug TP questions. He has ready retorts for this drek.

                        by OleHippieChick on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:14:50 AM PDT

                    •  Right...

                      It's considered rude to pile on.  However, if McCain continues to flag, he might hit a speed bump on this.  The press treats him as an equal but if he does bad enough, they'll start to go after him in the sense of, "why are you still here?"  Think about the coverage Edwards got after Iowa.  That's what McCain could face, a media black out punctuated with irritating stories about his hair.

                      by sterno on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:31:50 AM PDT

                      •  What hair? n/t

                        by GrouchoKossak on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:28:09 PM PDT

                •  It may not impress us

                   but it will resonate big-time with all the disaffected Republicans and independent voters who reject McCain. Lots of people want a tough leader, and many have refused to vote Democratic in the past for this very reason. Look what happened to Dukakis when he looked like Howdy Doody in the infamous tank photo.

                   I think it's great that we have a candidate who can appeal to everyone, not just the Democratic base. That's why Obama is the next president.

                   

                  by happy camper on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:26:28 AM PDT

                  •  But, but...

                    he's black.  (SNARK)

                    by Bulldawg on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:01:13 AM PDT

                    •  Lethal Weapon 2

                      When they pose as emigrants to South Africa.

                      Good stuff.

                      by MooseHB on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:52:41 AM PDT

                •  yes and no

                  images are powerful and also distorting.
                  The images from these past few days are important correctives. They mainstream Obama as a leader for those who don't have the life experience or haven't stretched their imaginations to think of him as a leader.

                  This is not new.

                  In 1859, Abraham Lincoln posed splitting logs, not reading law books or appearing in court.
                  FDR did not permit pictures of himself in a wheelchair. He didn't think the country was ready for a commander in chief in a wheelchair. Was he right?

                  You are right that 'shades' won't make him a better commander in chief.
                  It isn't good for Obama personally if he lets any of this go to his head. That's the Bush fallacy. At the least it distorts your sense of self, and more, can lead to errors in judgment.

                  by annalivia on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:35:18 AM PDT

                  •  Exactly.

                    I don't think any less of Obama for being able to play a media game.

                    We're already paying attention to both the good and bad things he's been doing on legislation and policy.

                    On the war, he obviously has a nuanced view, and is willing to do un-Bush-like things like, oh, diplomacy and soft power as part of his foreign policy view. Also a refocusing on Afghanistan, which inevitably means dealing with the elephant in the room Bushco always tiptoed around: Pakistan.

                    If looking like a Badass gets Republicans and indies voting him in so he can pursue a sensible foreign policy, you'll hear no argument from me. This is what it looks like to have the guy who knows how to play the game on our team for a change.

                    by brooklynliberal on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:22:28 AM PDT

                  •  perfect response

                    and saved me plenty of trouble to write it.

                    by amnesiaproletariat on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 09:00:46 AM PDT

                •  Appearing strong

                  means alot to common folks. Makes them proud. But I'm like you. I don't care about macho, I would rather have the smartest guy in the room no matter what he looks like.

                  by Batbird on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:48:28 AM PDT

                  •  **And I think we've got him.

                    He's still skinny.  But the smart just oozes through.

                    by greylox on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:02:45 AM PDT

                •  We're kidding! We're kidding!

                  He doesn't have to be badass.
                  I still like the photos. The contrast between them and what we've had for 7.5 is overwhelming - the pix are just visual relief to enjoy.

                  by OleHippieChick on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:01:59 AM PDT

                  •  Exactly!

                    The visual relief to enjoy is overwhelming.
                    Obama shows all the natural power of a force
                    of nature.  Bush.....shows the contrivances
                    and manipulations of a stupid, spoiled rich
                    boy.  Some contrast!  No contest.

                    by Debs2 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:27:35 PM PDT

                •  It won't make him a better commander.

                  You're absolutely right about that.

                  What it will do is blow away -- like so much fog in a hurricane -- the false notion the Republicans have been trying to promote: that Obama is weak on foreign affairs.

                  Not in your mind, no. You're (rightly) thinking about substance, and yes, substance really is what matters the most -- about the outcome.

                  But, I'm sorry to tell you... a lot of your fellow citizens permit much shallower considerations to influence their thinking. (*) And they have votes, too. Movie-like images that match the cues they get over and over again in movies that "this is the hero, this guy is strong, this guy can really kick ass," will have an effect.

                  --

                  * If you doubt that, cast your mind back to brown suits, rolling eyes, and "Who would you rather have a beer with?"

                  "Stupid, stupid, stupid! That's not how you choose a leader!" the rest of the world was screaming from the sidelines. But those voters didn't listen. And they still exist. They haven't gotten any smarter, or any less inclined to decide on image, not substance. You're not going to be able to change that about them before November.

                  Therefore anything that brings the influence of image in line with substance, is to be cheered and greatly encouraged.

                  by Canadian Reader on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:11:58 AM PDT

                  •  We are a nation that writes advice letters

                    to soap opera characters (not the actors, the characters, by name). There are millions of people out there who have such a low connection to reality that they can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality. Image matters (it's tragic but true). So many people vote on their delusions and fantasies rather than based on a cogent assessment of the facts. It's good to have the fantasy on our side this time.

                    by Captain Frogbert on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 09:27:46 AM PDT

                  •  Absolutely

                    The race right now is about convincing the idiots. It is about convincing the folks who haven't been paying attention, who haven't taken the time to read the policy papers or the pages and pages of insightful comments made by the candidates themselves or the hundreds of knowledgeable writers out there. It has never been easier to determine the policy objectives of the candidates or read about their history (thanks to the web). However, millions of Americans (many of whom will vote) will not do the research, but instead will vote based on a "gut feeling".

                    These idiots often decide a race. "I paid for this microphone" worked for Reagan because he sounded strong and confident. Dukakis was brought down because he was labeled "soft on crime" and looked silly in a tank. Gore lost because the press exaggerated his comments, thus making him look like someone prone to exaggeration. George H. W. Bush lost, in part, because the press got the story wrong about his knowledge of a grocery store scanner. Kerry lost because people didn't do the research and determine that the swift boat claims were crap and because the President looked good in his flight suit (probably because the flight suit got so little use).

                    So, if Obama looks bad-ass talking to the General, my first thought is: "Hell Yes! We might actually win this one!".

                    by RossBleakney on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 09:27:56 AM PDT

                •  Actually...

                  The truth is, elections are rarely won on substance.  They are won based on a gut feeling about the people we're voting for, especially with a President.  Bush won two terms in office in spite of all substance being aligned against him because he created a more likable image than his competitors.  Dukakis pretty much lost a race on a single bad photo.  Don't tell me that Kerry's wind surfing pics didn't hurt him.

                  This is exactly the kid of stuff Obama needs.  A single picture conveys him as cool, calm, confident.  Ready on day one.  Compare this to the pictures of Mccain walking around the market, surrounded by troops, wearing that awkward looking body armor.  They convey totally different images and images matter.

                  In the end, we expect politicians to lie to us.  We expect them to distory their records and the records of their competition.  We expect them to say one thing, than do another.  So, deep down, it's important for us to get a feel for the character of the person to know how they'll act when it really matters.  That's all about image, feel, whether you want to have a beer with them or not, etc.

                  People trust Obama on the economy, but they are still hesitant on national security and foreign policy.  I guarantee you that picture above fixes that to a large degree because he looks the part.  It will do more for his image than a hundred policy positions and speeches.  He looks the part, and that goes miles towards making him the next President.

                  Like it or not, it's the way the world works.  

                  by sterno on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:30:13 AM PDT

                •  Thinking oneself a badass and being badass

                  are not the same thing.

                  The last 7½ years proves that.

                  Ask Bin Laden in two years who he thinks the real badass is.

                  by MooseHB on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:49:21 AM PDT

                •  I think it does do something for him,

                  looking cool does not exclude being thoughtful. He's both, but I want the Badass part to kick George W's out of the White House, and McSame, he's coming after your's too.

                  by pvmuse on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 09:30:20 AM PDT

                •  simmer down

                  It was a comment on his cool looking picture.  He looks like a bad motherfucker there.  That's all. It was a joke, not a position paper.

                  by Cheez Whiz on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 09:38:42 AM PDT

                •  Bush thinks he's a visionary president, too

                  Does that mean we shouldn't yearn for a president who actually is a visionary leader?

                  by Subterranean on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 09:39:45 AM PDT

                •  A true badass needn't prove it

                  everyone already knows, or fears worse.

                  by qi motuoche on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:27:36 PM PDT

              •  That's President "BAD ASS" to you. (n/t)

                by TKH on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:47:43 AM PDT

            •  That's one badass cooool pic!

              Saved as PresObamaPetraeus. I'm so happy with BHO!

              Also, at the photolink, if you dial back in the album, he's there jacketless in a white shirt...

              The complete opposite of the greasy, sweat-stained Drinky McStagger, drowning in his perpetual morning-after flop sweat.

              by OleHippieChick on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:55:41 AM PDT

              •  Hey, I resemble that remark

                But then again, I'm not running for President, am I?

                by MooseHB on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:55:42 AM PDT

            •  United states of Obama...

              Would you say the 57 states of Obama????

              by spooch on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:19:59 AM PDT

              •  No,

                'cuz I'm not a troll.

                How 'bout you?

                by operculum on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:36:17 PM PDT

            •  Better President Badass

              than what we have now: President Jackass

              by Nespolo on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:21:10 AM PDT

        •  Ha!

          I thought you meant he couldn't do math!  ;)

          by InquisitiveRaven on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:24:29 AM PDT

          •  Yea, our current president has BADADD. n/t

            by lump1 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:19:02 AM PDT

            •  And his next-in-line has bad ads. (NT)

              by HollywoodOz on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 11:05:21 AM PDT

          •  Well...

            we certainly know he can't do English.

            by draba on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:28:27 AM PDT

      •  "I make this look good."

        -Will Smith in MiB

        by socialist butterfly on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 05:48:32 AM PDT

        •  Even nicer pic:

          At least for me.....
          
          Obama: Saluted as he disembarks from an Osprey military chopper an hour ago at Marka Military Base in Amman, Jordan.

          Mr Democratic Nominee Sir!! Hut! Hut!

          by rapcetera on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:17:59 AM PDT

          •  This is a great one I had not seen before

            Thank you!

            by EJP in Maine on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:35:23 AM PDT

          •  Carrying his own bags too

            That struck me when I first saw it. I think that's symbolic of someone who takes responsibility for himself.

            by leckavrea on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:38:30 AM PDT

            •  He Doesn't Think He's Too Important

              to carry his own duffel, and nobody scurries to do it for him. R E S P E C T goes both ways.

              by JG in MD on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:44:46 AM PDT

              •  oh, I guarantee they did scurry

                In terms of protocol, he's not only a potential Commander-in-Chief, but as a member of Congress he's afforded the status of a Lieutenant General.

                Back when I worked for a US Representative in Atlanta, the Rep visited the Army Reserve building where I used to work for some ceremony, and had a Brigadier General falling over himself to apologize because all the programs were printed with his name higher than the Member's.  I think he even offered to send a detachment to Kinkos to make a fresh, corrected batch.

                So I'm certain someone scurried over and offered to carry Obama's bags, and he declined.  Class move all around.

                by JR on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:08:28 AM PDT

                •  Wow, I didn't realize that

                  as a member of Congress he's afforded the status of a Lieutenant General.

                  by marina on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:11:42 AM PDT

                  •  it's diplomatic rank

                    ...but the military, as a matter of protocol, will almost always use it to determine hierarchy in non-operations matters.  It's not like a congressman can command a battalion on a whim, but in a parade he'll get saluted. :)

                    by JR on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:18:35 AM PDT

                    •  Actually, a battalion is a Major's gig

                      Lt. Generals (3 star generals), as a rule, move entire army groups around on the chessboard.

                      by Captain Frogbert on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 09:33:25 AM PDT

                      •  LT Col, usually

                        Battalions are normally commanded by LTCs (Lieutenant Colonel). A Major will normally be XO (second in command) or operations officer, at least in maneuver battalions.

                        A Lieutenant General will normally be an Army commander. We haven't had Army Groups in a long time....

                        by Morpheus on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 10:00:41 AM PDT

                      •  just picking a random unit size for an example

                        didn't mean to start a thing

                        (though my old battalion had a Lt Col as CO)

                        by JR on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 12:54:43 PM PDT

                •  A group of VIPs were coming to Wright-

                  Patterson AFB (including the former head of his and my department at MIT), so an old BF of mine was assigned a bunch of protocol grunt work.  It turned out, this professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics held the civilian rank of SES-3--the equvalent of a three star general.  

                  Bf knew better than to ask how he got to that position.

                  by Ice Blue on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:27:17 AM PDT

                •  Hmmmmm, wonder

                  if Condi Rice told them, "And don't carry his bags either!!" when she put out that memo.  :)

                  Such a comment would fit her so well.

                  by dfarrah on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:29:00 AM PDT

            •  Look Carefully...

              ...I think those might not be bags.  I think that he's holding a helmet in his right hand and a kevlar vest in his left.  What do y'all think?

              by Guaunyu on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:20:38 AM PDT

              •  I think you're right n/'t

                by eXtina on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:30:22 AM PDT

              •  Helmet

                There's another view here. Yes I think you're right, they are definitely all carrying helmets and I think that's a vest in his other hand.

                by leckavrea on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:48:40 AM PDT

              •  Is he wearing a bullet proof vest?

                It looks like as if he's wearing one under his shirt. See this photo.

                Not sure if it's allowed by dailykos to embed AP photos? Or are we allowed if we give attribution?

                by leckavrea on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:53:10 AM PDT

                •  good question

                  I gave the attribution and linked to the source which is a picture at yahoo.
                  Don't want to violate policy.....

                  by drational on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:57:01 AM PDT

                •  try to load it on your photobucket account...

                  ...if it meets their "terms of service" it's a pretty safe bet it passes Dkos muster, as well.

                  by ImpeachKingBushII on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:59:37 AM PDT

                  •  Thanks

                    It's embedded from my photobucket, so must be good to go.

                    by drational on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 11:07:41 AM PDT

              •  That's exactly what they were...

                by rapcetera on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:20:12 AM PDT

            •  Typical elitist

              Thinks his luggage is too good to let someone else carry it.  

              Probably thinks he's so superior that he won't even let someone shine his shoes.

              by Subterranean on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:52:30 AM PDT

            •  Yeah Yeah... but ...but....Jimmy Carter did that

              too...  Bill-o might come up with desperately trying to think of something to say.

              by CTMET on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:32:50 AM PDT