Although Dan already mocked the NYT Obamartyrdom story this morning with an absurdist bent, I do have some uncool, professorial analysis of the story.
The key passage is actually buried near the bottom of the inverted pyramid:
That afternoon, Mr. Obama’s motorcade passed Dealey Plaza and the Texas Book Depository building, where the fatal shot was fired at President Kennedy in 1963. Several campaign aides looked out their windows, silently absorbing the scene.
Not so for Mr. Obama, who later said he had not realized he was passing the site. And no one in his car pointed it out.
“I’ve got to admit, that’s not what I was thinking about,†he said. “I was thinking about how I was starting to get a head cold and needed to make sure that I cleared up my nose before I got to the arena.â€Â
Who are the sources for this part of the story? Obama and campaign aides. By feeding Jeff Zeleny that anecdote, Obama’s aides — and perhaps Obama himself  – are enabling or promoting the fear of Obamartyrdom, though with the caveat (expressed more than once in the story) that the candidate himself is confident and fearless.
It is also useful to compare this NYT “political memo” with the NYT “reporter’s notebook” that carried a tone far more critical of the more extreme views of Obama’s supporters. Here, the tone is far more neutral, perhaps even forgiving, of the bogus hysteria which forms the dark side of Obamamania.
The irrational exuberance of some of Obama’s supporters may be seen as counter-productive to Obama’s candidacy.  In contrast, Obamartyrdom fantasies may create a psychological environment in which intense criticism of Obama can be painted as dangerous, bordering on life-threatening. Thus, it would not be surprising if the Obama campaign — and the herd mentality of a left-leaning media — prefers to suppress the former, while allowing the latter to fester.
Comment by B Moe on 2/25 @ 8:07 pm #
Not so for Mr. Obama, who later said he had not realized he was passing the site. And no one in his car pointed it out.
Bull.Fucking.Shit.
Comment by Darleen on 2/25 @ 8:18 pm #
Obamartyrdom fantasies may create a psychological environment in which intense criticism of Obama can be painted as dangerous
Hmmmm… like Billy Jeff blaming Rush Limbaugh and “rightwing hate radio” for the Oklahoma City bombing?
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 8:19 pm #
Exactly, BM. I’ve passed by, many times, on the Eagle.
Comment by thor on 2/25 @ 8:20 pm #
From one who used to work in downtown Big D, it’s real easy to miss, actually.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 8:23 pm #
The Captain of the Debate Team needs someone to point out to him that he’s in Dallas?
Or not to take calls from Tony Rezko?
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 8:23 pm #
Not if you’re the CotDT.
Comment by Karl on 2/25 @ 8:23 pm #
thor,
But how likely is it that a presidential campaign entourage would take that route and not notice? Obviously, some of his aides did, or it would not have gotten to Zeleny. So the only issue is whether someone said something at that moment (which they probably did).
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 8:29 pm #
Does Harvard teach History?
Comment by happyfeet on 2/25 @ 8:30 pm #
oopsies
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 8:30 pm #
I’ve got to admit, that’s not what I was thinking about,†he said. “I was thinking about how I was starting to get a head…
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 8:31 pm #
@ #8
Yes, but not American.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 8:40 pm #
And not counting the context.
Comment by thor on 2/25 @ 9:01 pm #
It’s on a major street downtown that’s used to get from point A to point B. By the time someone mentions it you’ve passed it, because the marking is a small window with an X in it in a fairly non-descript building. To actaully get a good glimpse at it you’d have to crane your neck pretty hard if you’re in a car, it’s not at eye level. Most people park and stand on the opposite sidewalk to look at it. Whizzing by it, someone mentions it, another asks where, then there’s a shrug of the shoulders and a “way back and way up there” response – that’s how fast it passes, in a flash. It’s highly likely that was road is taken. It’s the natural route to get to Reunion arena where Obama had his rally. It’s highly likely someone mentioned it. It’s highly likely nobody in the entourage got a good look at it unless they stopped traffic dead on a busy street, which I’m sure they didn’t, because that’s the reason the city of Dallas doesn’t have a sign saying “stop right here, block traffic, ignore the honking of others, crane your head out your window, look up and stare at the window with an X in it.” Quite a traffic hazard if they did, eh.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 9:20 pm #
Your Honor,
In light of the Comparisons to Camelot…
Is America ready for a Tactically Unaware President?
Comment by cynn on 2/25 @ 9:24 pm #
Oh, shut up Karl. you are creaming as heavily as some of the far left swoonies. Quit metaphorically offing Obama for your own trashy purposes.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 9:25 pm #
I mean, how easy is it going to be to pick this guy’s pocket?
Comment by happyfeet on 2/25 @ 9:28 pm #
cynn, I kind of took this to be the crux of K’s post. I’m thinking with the “Oh, shut up Karl” you’re half way there.
Comment by JD on 2/25 @ 9:49 pm #
For the brilliant orator and Harvard educated messiah, especially since his coupling with the Kennedy’s, it is fucking inconceivable that he would not be aware of where he was. If he was unaware, then he is more of a shiny sparkly empty suit than I thought.
Comment by Darleen on 2/25 @ 9:56 pm #
cynn
PMS?
Comment by lee on 2/25 @ 9:58 pm #
It’s easy to make Karl shut up cynn.
Go. Away.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 10:02 pm #
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 10:03 pm #
Or was it, cockles and mussels alive-alive-o?
Comment by Alcyoneus on 2/25 @ 10:10 pm #
The evil, white Christians messed everything up. That’s it. Well, that’s the Princeton version, but Ivy League and all.
Comment by MayBee on 2/25 @ 10:12 pm #
So cynn, would you agree with me that Karl is not unembarrassing?
:-)
Comment by Alcyoneus on 2/25 @ 10:23 pm #
cynn, I offer you a nice cold Obama drink to calm down a the inner crazy bitch.
Comment by Alcyoneus on 2/25 @ 10:24 pm #
cynn, I offer you a nice cold Obama drink to calm down a the inner crazy bitch.
Comment by Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) on 2/25 @ 10:36 pm #
- A bit off topic, but at least in the realm of old school political tactics, watching the ardent efforts from each camp, but much more desperately from the Clintonesta’s, it seems that the current crop of 90’s bred pols have still not caught up with the real impact that the e4ffects of high speed communications/internet websites/blogs have had on the body voterie.
- Putting it simply, examples have abounded in this primary cycle, mainly with the Democrats, that shows none of the old tricks, viable when Newsprint from Liberal or Conservative rags, and Radio/TV, in the form of carefully scripted broadcasts, were the only means an indifferent electorate had of descerning what they were led to believe was true. The impact is so startlingly apparent, the next few generations of party hopefuls will be in need of entirely new stratedgies. Indeed, Hillery’s campaign desaster will no doubt serve as a case book example of why Rovian thinking won’t get you there anymore.
- The old saw about the Lie and truth, needs badly to be revised; to wit:
“A Lie is halfway round the world before the truth has kicked it in the ass, and gone on to a post race shower”
- Unfortunately the Pres. primary structure is still alive and well, and so the Party bosses continue to be allowed to foist their own choice on the public, the only choice with the opportunity to run, thereby effectivelt gutting the meaning of the citizens vote. Maybe we can look forward to a future jetison of this dinosaur of politics also.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/25 @ 10:43 pm #
Kind of, Big Bang. For real I think the last week or so has been really that she wants Baracky to attack her. She needs to change the dynamics, and all they have left is a sort of scenario they think they’ve probably thoroughly gamed where the scary black man attacks the white woman. It’s their Hail Mary. Probably futile, but if she can even create the impression that the campaign has gotten rough on both sides, they probably think that helps them.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 10:47 pm #
Her writers are certainly dim.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 10:49 pm #
Every time Senator Obama opens his mouth, he spits out a beachball.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/25 @ 10:55 pm #
And for all the Obamarons out there, yes, each and every time.
Comment by Windy on 2/25 @ 10:56 pm #
So let me get the official rules straight:
Last month, if I criticized Obama or disagreed with his policies, I was a racist. Now I’m a racist and an accessory to murder too?
At this rate, the Obamaniacs will run out of major crimes to charge me with by mid-August or so. By election time they’ll be so depleted of accusations that they’ll be insinuating I ate the last cookie, or wiped their toothbrush on my butt.
So much guilt, so little time.
Comment by Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) on 2/25 @ 10:59 pm #
“Her writers are certainly dim.”
- Theres an unwritten law in campaigning. You’re only allowed to fire one campaign manager a week before the contributions completely dry up.
- As a result of the preditory nature of a fair percentage of the Secularists (Hillery voted for that damn war that could have resulted in a renewal of the draft), it was decided she would be thrown under the bus in exchange for a cult leader, the exhilleration of that old time religion of Socialism run amok, and won;t this fry the ass’s of those rotten Rethuglicans.
- So now they’ve given themselves yet another chance to prove, for the umpteenth time, that the vast majority of Americans do not hate America, and do not think its a crime to work hard and prosper. Way to go Dimbulbs, way to go. Kennedrunks diva performance in Spanish said it better than I ever could.
Comment by Ric Locke on 2/25 @ 11:08 pm #
Which tactic is thoroughly defused by the Obamartyr story. Remember that on the Left, self-defense constitutes an unprincipled, violent attack — especially if the original attacker is a member of a designated victim group. If Clinton starts to try to paint herself as retaliating for attacks, the Obamaniacs can start darkly hinting and saying the name “Vince Foster” under their breaths. That tactic would be strongly supported by the darker side of, e.g., LGF.
I believe if you go back and look, it’s the Clinton-leaners who are overlaying the Evil Rethugs meme on the story; Obamanians are keeping it generalized and ominous, not specifying what RTO would call the “threat axis”. The meme will certainly be available once it’s him vs. a man who actually has dropped bombs on brown people, but it’s also useful now as one-on-one deep coverage for Hillary!’s Hail Mary. If it wasn’t done on purpose it’s an unbelievable stroke of luck. If it was done on purpose, Rove retired just in time.
Regards,
Ric
Comment by Karl on 2/26 @ 2:10 am #
Though I think other commenters covered it, I will note for the record that the often reasonable cynn completely missed the point here. I don’t harbor those fantasies, but think the Left likes having them fester among his followers for potential use against anyone who criticizes Obama.
Comment by Karl on 2/26 @ 2:12 am #
thor:
Yet everyone pretended otherwise to Zeleny, which is really the crux of the matter.
Comment by Rusty on 2/26 @ 6:25 am #
#4
#
Comment by thor on 2/25 @ 8:20 pm #
From one who used to work in downtown Big D, it’s real easy to miss, actually.
Not for Lee Harvey it wasn’t.
It’s a compulsion.
Comment by Rusty on 2/26 @ 6:27 am #
Wasn’t it the previous administration that used to drone on about “perception becoming reality”?
Where the hell IS Sandy Berger anyway?
Comment by Rob Crawford on 2/26 @ 10:51 am #
Waiting for his next job as Director of NSA.
Comment by thor on 2/26 @ 12:03 pm #
The matter has no crux. It’s inconsequential trivia contrived into conspiratorial flatulence of a mouse fart’s worth of importance.
People drive over the spot all day everyday. And, as I said, you take that street if you’re headed to the arena where he spoke. The fuck cares if somebody mentioned it. The street bends and when you’re tavelling 40 mph you get one second to notice it until – poof! – the spot is “back there” and, unless you are a giraffe, the window becomes out of veiw.
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