Letters to the Editor
little lord baltimore
Published Letters: 191 Editor's Choice: 9
-
Burning down the house
[Read the article: The Obama photo flap]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]IF the Clinton campaign released this photo, then yes it is a big deal. Yes, they would be hoping to turn America's collective fear of anything foreign and strange into an attack on Obama. Yes, they would be trying to gain an advantage from the, completely false, accusations about Obama's lack of patriotism and pro-Muslim-ness. And, you knew this was coming, it would be the kind of subtle racism that we've, sadly, come to expect from the Clinton's win at any cost strategy. It's a strategy that has already changed the Clinton legacy from one of beloved Democratic Party elders to divisive, self-serving narcissists.
The fact is that as the story continues to gain traction, they continue to non-deny it. Clinton spokesperson, Mo Elleithee just said: “We have over 700 people on staff. I don’t know if someone on our staff sent it out or not," Elleithee said. “If someone on our staff makes the point that we are treated differently by the press than Sen. Obama, we agree with that sentiment. We don’t think there’s anything wrong with this photo."
-
Baffled
[Read the article: Clinton camp continues Obama photo pushback]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I support Obama, so I can't pretend I don't want Hillary to lose the nomination. But, as other readers have commented, I also don't want to see this campaign destroy her and her political legacy.
I genuinely believe that she wants to do good. I think she is brilliant and devoted to the ideals of public service. But it's hard to understand why she can't see that these non-denial denials and her constant refrain of "it's not fair that they like him more than me; that they are nicer to him than me;" are doing more harm than good. If she is in fact so experienced and so ready, why can't she change her campaign strategy and find something that actually works? Why do we keep hearing about plagiarism? Why are do we keep hearing about inexperience when it's clear that no one cares about this as an issue? Why do we keep hearing about the minutia of policy, when they essentially agree on everything? Why can't she just appeal to voters for who she is and trust that that will be enough? Democratic voters want to believe that we can be better and we can do better than we are now. Why can't she trust that if she shows genuine concern, that if she rises above this pettiness, and that if she stops being so condescending and at the same time so stubborn, people would respond with the kind of admiration and trust that she probably deserves?
-
Hillaaaaaaarious!
[Read the article: The dude vote]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I haven't read this piece out of fear that my head might explode, but I have to say that I think the photograph is the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Is the original from Lethal Weapon? Have Obama's ears always stuck out like that? He's like a black danger-mouse. And look at McCain! HIs photo just screams crazy old coot. That, my friends, is solid comedy/newspaper photo editing gold!
-
It's a good look
[Read the article: May the best logo win]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think the comparison of Obama's identity system and logo to the way that Apple uses graphic design is right on point. Obama's logo makes him seem to be the more modern, more accessible and more hopeful candidate. In addition to that, the seamlessness with which his identity carries across the design of his website, his signs, buttons and stickers represents a kind of confident competence that comes when one is in control of ones visual message. The brilliance of good design, and the reason why it is always a mistake when companies get rid of their "creatives" in a down-turn, is that a powerful and well executed graphic identity can convince consumers, or in this case, voters, that the product is worth the extra investment and worth getting to know.