Obama is BUFF!

[lindajdunn]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/1..._n_152873.html

I haven't been able to view any of the photos beyond the one showing in the Huffington Post article. Still, I note that our President-elect is HAWT!

On the down side, why did the Secret Service allow this person to take a picture? Even with a really good lens, he had to be close enough for them to see. Yes, it's a public beach but he wasn't sneaking around to take the picture.

And does it really speak well of the general public that (1) the photographer knew he could sell the picture because (2) the publisher knew it would be a top viewing item?

[erooMynohtnA]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/1..._n_152873.html

I haven't been able to view any of the photos beyond the one showing in the Huffington Post article. Still, I note that our President-elect is HAWT!

<3 <3 <3

On the down side, why did the Secret Service allow this person to take a picture? Even with a really good lens, he had to be close enough for them to see. Yes, it's a public beach but he wasn't sneaking around to take the picture.

It's a public beach. What are they going to do and why should they stop someone from taking a picture?

And does it really speak well of the general public that (1) the photographer knew he could sell the picture because (2) the publisher knew it would be a top viewing item?

I don't think it speaks well or ill. How is this different than any shirtless picture of a celebrity?

[lindajdunn]

<3 <3 <3

It's a public beach. What are they going to do and why should they stop someone from taking a picture?

Maybe they should have a larger buffer zone? No pun intended. This time, it was a camera. Next time, it could be a weapon.

I don't think it speaks well or ill. How is this different than any shirtless picture of a celebrity?

That's the other thing that bothers me. Why are publishers paying outrageous sums of money for pictures of celebrities? And why does the public want to view them?

I can see some reasoning behind pictures of adult celebrities but the kids???? And some magazines are paying high amounts of money for first pictures of babies. This makes no sense to me.

[telkanuru]

Caption: Where the white women at?

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/1..._n_152873.html
I haven't been able to view any of the photos beyond the one showing in the Huffington Post article. Still, I note that our President-elect is HAWT!

Errr? I am not into guys so I am decidedly subpar as a ref on this, but anything to write home about? Compared to other politicos I can see the point, but there must be a pile of other male celebrities who outshine BO in this regard. I note that I have not seen anyone describe Michelle as hot. Somehow, I predict it will take a time.

On the down side, why did the Secret Service allow this person to take a picture? Even with a really good lens, he had to be close enough for them to see. Yes, it's a public beach but he wasn't sneaking around to take the picture.

I sure hope that the Secret Service has 24/7 protection on everyone else who is cousin or closer to either Barack or Michelle. If they bring over Sarah Obama and put her up in Camp David, all the better.

[noodle]

rrr? I am not into guys so I am decidedly subpar as a ref on this, but anything to write home about? Compared to other politicos I can see the point, but there must be a pile of other male celebrities who outshine BO in this regard. I note that I have not seen anyone describe Michelle as hot. Somehow, I predict it will take a time.

so, to be clear, your basis for saying that someone is strong/buff/athletic is male models and bodybuilders?

[lindajdunn]

Caption: Where the white women at?

LOL I recognize that quote!

[erooMynohtnA]

Maybe they should have a larger buffer zone? No pun intended. This time, it was a camera. Next time, it could be a weapon.

Obama is going to be in public view. He will be close to strangers. You do every reasonable thing you can, but closing off a beach just because someone could possibly come in with a gun is unreasonable. That's some Dick Cheney bunker bull****.

I don't know if you're just worried about him because he's Barack Hussein Obama, but I suspect it, because I don't think you would have felt threatened for Bush or Clinton.

That's the other thing that bothers me. Why are publishers paying outrageous sums of money for pictures of celebrities? And why does the public want to view them?

I can see some reasoning behind pictures of adult celebrities but the kids???? And some magazines are paying high amounts of money for first pictures of babies. This makes no sense to me.

The publishers want to increase their circulation just like websites want to increase their traffic. Before you point at people for buying magazines with candid photos of celebrities, remember you did clink the link to the shirtless Obama.

There's something about seeing a celebrity in a candid moment that people like: Ford falling down the stairs, Courtney Love falling everywhere, or Britney Spears shaving her head and looking insane. I think most people desire that sort of iconic image. They develop the habit of buying the magazine for the chance of getting that, but instead get ten grainy photos of a pregnant Heidi Klum in a one-piece. Then I think that turns into sort of a self-perpetuating cycle of checking the new magazines as soon as they come out, just like we obsessively check new fnet posts that don't even really interest us "just to stay on top of things."

As to pictures of kids, I don't know why people like that in particular. Seems stupid to me. Babies look alike. I can see one anywhere. If I had to guess I would say it was the magazines hyping it themselves until the readers starting believing they wanted to see it. That, or it's just baby-hungry women.

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!

so, to be clear, your basis for saying that someone is strong/buff/athletic is male models and bodybuilders?

I was thinking that the TS was implying that Barack was good-looking in general, not specifically buff. Might be sloppy reading by me. My first reaction to that picture of Barack was: "What is with his left pectoral? looks somewhat like a AA bust! Not the right one, though."

Barack is younger than most well-known male politicians, and that is probably why he compares favorably with a majority of them, looks-wise.

Note that I am specifically not stating anything about his politics, or what I happen to think about said politics. I rooted for him, but that does not mean anything about my non-political opinion on him.

Personally, I have no problem separating looks from personality. If I find out that some woman that I thought was quite the looker has a nasty personality, opinions that make me cringe, etc. that does not diminish my opinion of her looks one whit. Afterwards, to me she is still a good-looking woman, but with disagreeable traits. Works both ways - if I find out that someone has a heart of gold, I will appreciate them for that, but bad looks will not look any better to me for that.

YMMW.


Happy Christmas to those who wish to greeted thusly!

Peter Gustafsson

[MyrddinsPrecint]

I note that I have not seen anyone describe Michelle as hot. Somehow, I predict it will take a time.

I'd like to state here and now, that I would bang them. Separately, together, I don't care. I would also make clear that by "bang," I mean "have consensual sex with."

..... So, yes, it took a few hours ; )

Then again, I'm the opposite of you in this regard, I find myself a somewhat poor judge of pure attractiveness of people I know because I place such a high value on personality--especially women.

[lindajdunn]

I don't know if you're just worried about him because he's Barack Hussein Obama, but I suspect it, because I don't think you would have felt threatened for Bush or Clinton.

No, I wouldn't have felt the same level of concern for Bush or Clinton, but I'd feel the same if it was Palin had McCain been elected. The bottom line is a first black President or a first female Vie President is going to be targeted by hate groups more than another white, male president.

The publishers want to increase their circulation just like websites want to increase their traffic. Before you point at people for buying magazines with candid photos of celebrities, remember you did clink the link to the shirtless Obama.

There was a picture at Huffington Post and descriptions on several mainstream media sites. [Sorry, Inq, but I still read HuffingtonPost.com.] I never purchased or read any of the magazines but you're right, I will click where I wouldn't have picked up a magazine at the grocery checkout lane.

[Inquartata]

NOW I see why Linda, a professed Republican, supported the man in the first place: It's a "crush"!

Anyway, by all means read what you please. Heck, I read some pretty odd things myself. I just don't usually try to cite them as authoritative sources.

I suspect that the photos were arranged and authorized. Obama has a pretty good feel for PR and stagecraft, after all. I think it's unlikely that it was really a candid photo, because if so that long lens could just as well have been a telescopic sight, and I don't think that the Secret Service is that incompetent.

[DonnaP]

I suspect that the photos were arranged and authorized. Obama has a pretty good feel for PR and stagecraft, after all. I think it's unlikely that it was really a candid photo, because if so that long lens could just as well have been a telescopic sight, and I don't think that the Secret Service is that incompetent.

Agreed - Besides the "article" states he was walking out of the gym and waving to on-lookers. (not casually on the beach as suggested). This implies a planned photo-op to me. Personally - the abs are decent, the arms too skinny and the pects look too much like Moobs for me, but that's just personal taste. I guess he's not bad for a 47 year old guy, but I guess my def of Hawt is different from Linda's

[lindajdunn]

[auote]NOW I see why Linda, a professed Republican, supported the man in the first place: It's a "crush"!
[/quote]
I have resigned my 35+ year membership with the Republican Party, turned my jacket inside out, and joined the resistance... er... um... I mean the Democrat Party. Note that I live in an area where no Democrat has won office (not even a minor local office) in about 40 years. If I ever win the lottery, I'm moving.

...that long lens could just as well have been a telescopic sight, and I don't think that the Secret Service is that incompetent.

Which is my concern. I think someone was incompetent for a few moments. .While Obama might have set up HIS shot, I don't think he would have set up his daughters for those pictures. OTOH, I have no mutant mind reading ability so I could be wrong.

Personally - the abs are decent, the arms too skinny and the pects look too much like Moobs for me, but that's just personal taste. I guess he's not bad for a 47 year old guy, but I guess my def of Hawt is different from

I have been told that I have "unique" taste. I am generally unimpressed with the acknowledged hawt young types and tend to prefer some maturity. Genetics can give you a good body, but to have one after 40, you have to put some effort into it. I also prefer the "toned but not obsessed about it" look.

[Gav]

I thought Obama was black?

[Zilverzmurfen]

I thought Obama was black?

Looks more like a Café Latte brown-ish to me.

[Fencergrl]

It's baby step for the US.... first someone who's got a tan, then someone who's part black.... then perhaps someone who's darker.... in next to no time, people who are not white, male Christians will get elected.... perhaps <gasp> they might elect a woman as their leader!.... baby steps, you silly people.

[lindajdunn]

I thought Obama was black?

Not according to David Alan Grier of The Chocolate News. According to him, Obama barely passes the "brown paper bag test".

http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/c...ws/index.jhtml

[latenight]

It's baby step for the US.... first someone who's got a tan, then someone who's part black.... then perhaps someone who's darker.... in next to no time, people who are not white, male Christians will get elected.... perhaps <gasp> they might elect a woman as their leader!.... baby steps, you silly people.

Has there ever been a black president or prime minister in Europe or Canada? I don't think we are necessarily the ones who need baby steps.

[Fencergrl]

Has there ever been a black president or prime minister in Europe or Canada? I don't think we are necessarily the ones who need baby steps.

May I present our current Governor General?
http://www.gg.ca/menu_e.asp#

One of the governor general’s most important responsibilities is to ensure that Canada always has a prime minister and a government in place. In the case of the death of a prime minister, it is the governor general’s responsibility to ensure the continuity of government.