Barack Obama gets his own nifty Great Seal; all he needs now is votes

Just before the president of the United States makes an appearance at a speech, a usually tall, muscular person with a machine gun hanging under his suit coat quietly walks on stage and hangs the presidential seal on the podium front.

It's an impressive looking thing that conveys a sense of the power of the top elected office in the land and, indeed, the free world.

But Barack Obama's crowd has decided not to wait for any of the formalities like a presidential election, an inauguration or even a nomination, which he still hasn't actually officially won yet. Wasn't it Hillary Clinton who was so sidely accused of thinking her nomination was inevitable?

Obama now has his own Great Seal already. And it is really, really big. It's big like the tires on those elevated pickups in the parking lot at NASCAR races where you look out the car window and see nothing but fist-sized lug nuts.

Obama's new seal looks really presidential, which is probably a coincidence, don't you think? Obama's seal has an eagle just like the president's seal and he or she is holding arrows to signify war, which Obama was against before it even started.

And it's got olive branches, which stand for peace, which we haven't really had since 9/11 but DailyKos promises will come as soon as we shoo out Bush and Cheney.

The seal's also got a terrifically impressive motto in Latin -- "Vero Possumus" -- which means "The possum speaks truthily."

No, just kidding. It actually means "Truly we're able," which translates as "Si se puede," which translates as "Yes, we can." Obama is clearly copying George W. Bush's Texas gubernatorial reelection motto from 1998.

Plus it's got Obama's website right up there too. Lord knows, he needs more donations because the poor White Sox fan from Chicago's impoverished South Side has only raised a little under $290 million so far.

As chronicled by our colleagues over at the Swamp, some folks figure he'll top a half-billion dollars before election day, now that he's scrapped his promise to take public funds, this year a measly $84 million to spend between Labor Day and Nov. 4. Public money was good enough for every other presidential candidate for the last three decades. But how could any serious candidate possibly get along on only $1.3 million a day?

During the Democratic primary voting, a lot of folks were fooled into thinking Obama agreed with public funds when he signed a pledge last fall to use them and told constitutents before that, "If we're still getting financed primarily from individual contributions, those with the most money are still going to have the most influence."

As Jill Zuckman notes in the Swamp, the John McCain camp is using Obama's own phrase -- "Don't tell me words don't matter" -- to skewer the Illinois senator on his finance reversal. But McCain doesn't have his own giant seal.

The Obama campaign is clearly counting on any stink over the broken pledge to blow over in the 136 days left before the election. And, of course, once Obama backers see the kind of first-class seal they're getting for $290-plus million, they may go along.

If Obama does raise $500 million, that'll mean he spent around two gallons of gas per vote. He raked in another $22 million in May, according to the Tribune's Mike Dorning, roughly the same as McCain.

Some people might be inclined to make fun of a grown candidate who's against an imperial presidency but needs a really Great Seal before he even gets the official nomination. Maybe they'd suggest that as good as things look now from the city of big winds, maybe he's counting his eagles before they hatch.

But even if he loses in November, for $500 million Obama and Michelle could build their own White House. And paint it any darned color they want.

For a video of Obama explaining his public funding reversal, along with subversive subtitles from the funny folks over at 23/6, click on the Read more line below.

--Andrew Malcolm 

Photo credit: Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Comments

[ainnj]

In addition to being ridiculously silly, Obama's new presidential-like seal quite possibly violates Federal law.

18 USC 713: Use of likenesses of the great seal of the United States, the seals of the President and Vice President, the seal of the United States Senate, the seal of the United States House of Representatives, and the seal of the United States Congress.

[marnok]

Wow the writer of this really doesn't care too much for Obama. Now we're nitpicking people's election signs?

Scared much?

[Sophie]

Why isn't the media concerned with Obama's statement this week about allowing Osama bin Laden (if caught) to appeal in U.S. courts?!?!

[Ericka]

Yawn...If any preseidential canidate was in his position they would do the same thing. Obama's money raising operation is unpresedented and it's grass roots. Looking at the polls and the primaries, the generational divide is stark this election.

[JAWS]

Well the way the law is written he is in violation, which comes as no supprise, he has no respect for any symbol of this country. His candidacyshould no end (claer violation of federal law) , his job in the senate is now over (under senate rules, violation of federal law is grounds for impeachment). But none of this will happen because he is the liberal drive-by news media's annointed messia.

[mojavetim]

Not a good thing to mock the Presidential Seal. This could
backfire poliitcally and lose votes. Better get rid of it before oppnet really makes hay with political points

[Jaison Biagini]

the seal is not close enough to violate federal law, it's blue, it has no shield with the flags colors, and does not say president anywhere on it.

why would obama give up a major advantage? he would be stupid. we already see the RNC has out-funded the DNC 7 to 1. all the PAC's and lobbyists are still funding the RNC while the DNC are rejecting those donors. obama is letting the people choose to fund his campaign instead of making them give him 84 million. most americans oppose that anyway!!

[08vote]

Obama needs to modify that seal so as not to infringe on any federal copyright laws. Instead of an eagle, how about a hmmm....a dove for peace, not as dramatic but more aligned with his political views on the war, a dove flittering about until cousin Dick Cheney can shoot it down with his hunting rifle....

THE POLITICAL PUNDITARY SAID THAT THE REPUBLICANS DID NOT HAVE (OR WOULD HAVE ANY EVIDENCE OF) POSSIBLE INTENT ON USING 527s TO SMEAR OBAMA AND THEREFORE, OBAMA DECLINING PUBLIC FUNDING WASN'T REALLY WARRANTED AND AT BEST, RATHER 'TROUBLESOME'.. WHAT DOES THE MEDIA TAKE US FOR, IDIOTS!??? HOW DO WE KNOW THERE ISN'T GOING TO BE AN OCTOBER SURPRISE FROM A 527 GROuP, ESPECIALLY IF THE POLLING SHOWS A CLOSE RACE BY THEN. IF OBAMA TOOK PUBLIC FUNDING, HE WOULD HAVE BOTH HANDS TIED BEHIND HIS BACK WHILE THE 527s SHOWED NO MERCY NOR BOTHER TO TELL THE TRUTH IN THEIR POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENTS. OBAMA IS NOT GOING TO 'SWIFTED BOATED' BY ANYONE, INCLUDING THE LAP DOG MEDIA THAT CONTINUOUSLY SLANTS MOST OF ITS REPORTING AGAINST OBAMA: IF IT'S A GAFFE, MISSPEAKS, COMMITS A FAUX PAS (AS IT WAS WITH THE MINOR INCIDENT OF THOSE TO WOMEN IN HEADSCARFS.), THE MSM MAKES SURE IT'S FRONT AND CENTER. THE REPUBLICAN AND THE LAP DOG MEDIA ARE PUTTING THEIR PROVERBIAL FOOT OUT THERE, HOPING OBAMA AND/OR HIS CAMPAIGN WILL TRIP OVER YOUR FEET AND LAND FLAT ON HIS/THEIR FACE.....

[Dr. Banks]

I'm a big fan of Flavor Fav outsized clocks around the neck on chains. Obama's "Great Seal" is reminiscent. It's about time this fashion statement becomes mainstream. Perhaps all the Obamamaniacs on MSNBC, NBC, CNN, etc can start to show their luv by wearing large gold neck chains attached to giant Obama "Seals".This would also lead to Katie Couric sporting incomprehansible hand signs to her "peeps" and we can move away from those "nasty" flag lapel pins. Just a suggestion.

[Politicus Finch]

I am sorry, to co-opt the Great Seal of the United States, a non-partisal symbol that belongs to us all, and place the "O" logo and obama-wordage around it, as if this is no longer the US of A but now the US of O -- either Obama knows what he is doing with his almost fascist appropriation of national symbols, or he is dangerously stupid and naive. Either way, this nation cannot afford this combination of arrogance and inexperience in the White House. And I am (was?) a Democrat!

[Ray]

After the "swiftboating" of John Kerry, the Dems need their candidate to appear strong and worthy of the office of The President of the United States of America. I think the seal (while maybe a bit over the top) is great and it gets people used to seeing Obama in a position of great responsibility.

[CRod]

That seal/logo just smacks of arrogance at best, carelessness at worst. Hasn't this nation had enough of that the past eight years ?

[Gimme A BREAK!]

What are Obama's, Al Sharpton's and Jessie - the mouth - Jackson's comments on the two black women trying to BBQ and bludgeon that poor 5 year old child? Interesting, that NO black leaders have come forward...now had a poor white cop roughed up the child, it'll be Watts 65/LA 92 ALL over again...such filthy HYPOCRACY!!!

[steve conn]

Obama's new seal? " I'm For Sale." Only Ralph Nader is Not For Sale.

[btintaos]

It's an inch from being a paper Burger King crown.

[LK2008]

Arrogant ... pretentious ... presumptious ... and downright irritating. He should lose it. Fast.

[greybeard]

Juvenile- not surprising tho for a man who constantly sticks his nose in the air for those Stalinist photo Op moments or for his Obey Posters...Obama has had another version of his presidential Seal right on his website but no one has noticed.
I wrote some notes on it 3 months ago here:
http://tinyurl.com/43nwht

[Michael]

Are you people serious? Vote on the issues, stop with the blind hatred of Obama (why you have this, I don't know, but its quite pathetic), and reconnect with reality. The author of this "blog" is a hack who uses smarm to appear clever or biting.

As for Osama bin Laden, I feel like everyone, regardless of the accusations against them, is entitled to a fair trial. We live in America, correct, where people are allowed due process, regardless of the crimes they are accused of. Let's be real, bin Laden is not going to be set free (although the current administration has made this point moot by not being able to actually catch him). The strength of our constitution is that everyone, no matter how vile, and even if their entire belief system is contrary to our own, is entitled to certain rights. I'm sure to some of you, this sounds like nothing but liberal weakness, but after almost 8 years of treading upon these rights and having our country weaker for it, I'm comforted that Obama seems to understand the foundations of law that this country was built upon.

One last point, if you people are going to be in a huff over some absurd seal, where is the outrage for McCain's version of "Barbara Ann," or as he put it, "Bomb Iran." This is certainly a more important gaffe than a seal with a website on it (I think the website might give it away that it's not the seal of the United States). LA Times.com editors, take this "blog" off the front page, it's trash.

[Arnold Thompson]

Picture a "can do" attitude of inevitable destiny as expressed in this picture. This is the type of leadership you can believe in. This is the change we deserve as a nation. This is the kind of inspiration that can drive us as a country to attack our problems from within and without. This is the future of hope.

So what is wrong with this picture?

[Rick Moore]

Barack Obama isn't really the president. He just plays one on TV.

[Arnold Thompson]

Picture a "can do" attitude of inevitable destiny as expressed in this picture. This is the type of leadership you can believe in. This is the change we deserve as a nation. This is the kind of inspiration that can drive us as a country to attack our problems from within and without. This is the future of hope.

So what is wrong with this picture?

[peter warren]

How come there is such a stink at the LATimes about OBama opting out of public financing and no reporting on Mcsame breaking his pledge and the law in the primary season when he illegally opted in and THEN out of public financing????
Obama said he would TALK with the GOP nominee to work out an agreement on public financing in the general election. When Mcsame refused to deal on 527s, Obama decided he couldnt agree to a public financing in the general election.

Mcsame, on the other hand, first opted in to public financing and then out. A typical Mcsame flip flop, and he broke the law, which the Federal Elections Commission is not enforcing because Bush hasnt filled all the seats on the FEC so it cant vote on the issue.

What did Mcsame do that you are NOT reporting? In the summer, Mcsame wss short on cash. What Mcsame did was to use his public financing promise in the primary to secure a loan from private banks, and the kept his campaign alive with the money. Later, when private donations started flowing again, he dropped the public financing--which is illegal. he had already gained a tangible benefit--the loan--and you are not ALLOWED to change your mind once you opt in.

Where is the reporting on that? and where is the ACCURATE reporting on the OBama pledge to TALK with the GOP nominee. He did not pledge to choose public financing.

[iggy]

His violation of the federal statute depends on what the term "likeness" means. An argument can be made that likeness means replica and since this is not a replica, he is not in violation. Either way, it's shameless and looks tacky. But the again, he is the liberal equivalent of W. I had hope that the democratic party had taken a permanent turn to the moderation, but looks like it back ultra liberalism that ultimately set our economy back for another 4 years (i.e., Carter-redux)

[Arnold Thompson]

Whining of sore losers. Republicans whine when they know they are going to lose, they hate seeing the inevitable symbols of defeat.

No one but a loser would complain about a symbol that resembles many such circular stamp symbols. Get over it.

[JSF]

.
Guns in Philly. The great shoulder swipe at HRC. Sexist raps songs as campaign background music.

Heah, you guys wanted someone younger so welcome to the high school campaign for President of the senior class.
.

[Chuck]

Wow, the right wing is really desperate this time, yes? Is this all you've got, rightie? No swift boats, no BJs, no shady investments, no Paula Jones. For this "author's" information, presidential candidates have been running out "official" looking crap to make them look more "presidential" since the very first election. So, this is all the right wing slime machine has? Probably not, but we know that this is the only way they win. They can manipulate 5 percent of us with their lies. But, this time, they may need a lot more than 5 percent. They're going to need something a lot bigger than a funny looking seal this time around. We, on the other hand, have the "Keating five", 5 dollar gas, foreclosures, the provocation of the Arab world, the worst foreign policy disaster in our history, illegal occupations, the raping of our rights, torture and war crimes. Hmmm, sounds like the right wing noise machine is going to need a little more than a funny looking Obama seal.

[LK]

Awful ... smacks of overcompensation ... get rid of it.

[in_awe]

It's an elite thing - you wouldn't understand

[b]

08vote represents the intelligence and awareness of the average Obama voter. He/she appears to believe:

1) Typing in ALL CAPS conveys the point better.
2) People don't make assumptions about your intelligence based on your grammar.
3) The media is biased toward Republicans.
4) The Swift Boat Veterans were proven to be lying about John Kerry.
5) BHO is a new type of politician the likes of whom the world has never seen.

[Mars vs Hollywood]

"Obama's money raising operation is unpresedented and it's grass roots."

Not like you think. Sen. Obama said recently that 90% of his donations are from small donors, which is half-true at best. 90% of the people who donated to his campaign are small donors, but the money they sent only makes up 36% of the money he has raised. Think about that.

Oh, yeah, and he has 14 of those "evil" lobbyists acting as "bundlers" for his campaign funds.

Enjoy your hope and change.

[artbyruth]

It reminds me of 2004 when John Kerry's campaign plane had "John Kerry-President" painted on the side.

Talk about arrogance! Well, Obama is using the same tactics...only, Kerry LOST the election.

The Obama campaign may want to re-think following a loser.

[Willis]

The legality issue isn't where to hit him on this. The issue is how ridiculous he and his followers look. It is very hard to take the Obamites seriously.

I can't wait until they have uniforms. And then we know fan fiction won't be too far behind.

[BJ]

The pompousness, audacity, and presumptiouness of Barack Hussein Obama knows no bounds!

First, he changes his mind about taking public financing because he thinks contributions from his minions will far outpace this.

At the rate he's going ($21m in May), he's on pace to just about match the amount of Public Financing at $85 million! For this small difference, he's willing to gamble away his integerity.

It would serve him better if he accepted public financing, and donated his contributions to the victims of flooding in the midwest!

And NOW, to subliminally use the Presidential Seal as a marketing tool of entitlement, all he's proving to voters is that he is the ultimate panderer and shiftiest of politicians.

He is such a joke, it would suit him better to use the SMILEY face logo as his official seal instead! And to complement his candidacy, he should choose Howdy Doody as his running mate!

Although I do like Dr. Banks' idea about about Obamabots wearing giant Obama seals with large gold chains ala Flavor Fav!

[Frege]

The issue here is not the legality, the issue is how ridiculous he and his followers look. It is very hard to take the Obamites seriously.

I can't wait until they have uniforms. And then fan fiction won't be too far behind.

[George]

If he can have one, I want my own too! I want two eagles fighting, sort of like a cock fight, but different, y'know....and then I want two hot chicks, one black and one maybe latino, or even white, and an H3 behind them and then machine guns, and underneath my motto....The Bling is the Thing...we all need our own presedential seal....

[AW]

Its a campaign sign. Get over it. The only elements that resemble the Great Seal Of the United States are the displayed pose of the eagle clutching arrows and the olive branches, and the fact that it is a circle. None of the other heraldic elements of the Great Seal are there. If it were a violation of Federal law, then they would have taken action.

As for the clutched arrows, Obama has not indicated that he is against war in general. If he were, that'd make me very happy ( I am a Buddhist ). He is against the war in Iraq, but he doesn't seem to object to the war in Afghanistan or in defending Israel. One step at a time I suppose.

This is hardly the most important thing we could be discussing this election, the accusations of arrogance regarding this campaign sign are designed to evoke a negative emotional response, a distraction from the issues.

I will be voting for him because I agree with his energy policies, probably more than any war issues. I think its more important to make the first steps toward ending our dependence on oil in general, not just foreign oil.

[Mike]

The definition of "swiftboating" - To reveal the truth about a person who claims to have done something or earned something they truly did not. To tell the truth. To reveal when someone is lying. Here is to more swiftboating...

[Hutch]

A much better translation is " However, we have influence."

[Gale]

No doubt he'll be changing the Pledge of Allegiance to read "One Obamanation under God".

[jimboster]

A nifty new seal just begs for an equally nifty new uniform. The type of ensemble the sartorial inspired Obama can wear to state dinners and such.

http://harowo.com/uploads/Image/1-3/selassie.jpg

[MarkJ]

Ericka,

"Yawn...If any preseidential canidate was in his position they would do the same thing. Obama's money raising operation is unpresedented and it's grass roots. Looking at the polls and the primaries, the generational divide is stark this election."

Gee Ericka, you and lot of your good-time buddies are doing a lot of "yawning" these days at stories that, to most adults, are of critical--or even of life-and-death--importance. I cordially suggest you get yourself checked for an attention-deficit disorder--many folks go for years without realizing they have one.

[Patricia]

I think the seal adds a touch of class to Barack Obama's campaign. Remmeber, this candidate is making this election historical and he has done nothing conventional in this campaign. He is definitely about "Change". SOMETHING WONDERFUL IS HAPPENING HERE AND THAT IS A FORWARD MOVEMENT!! I am so excited!! I believe in you Barack Obama and respect you for "Doing it Your Way!! Your foes are running scared. I am "loving it"!!! YES WE CAN!!! Go, Go, Go, Barack Obama! 08'

[mw]

And soon to be rolled out by the "message" machine:

Arm bands, in bright, bold colors; with,
Huge rallies, held at night, with dramatic lighting; and,
Soaring oration, expressing the anger and frustration of generations who are downtrodden, deprived of that which is rightfully theirs, demanding "change", whatever.

Be careful, methinks you get that which you ask for, in full measure and then some.

[Occam]

The epitome of arrogant presumptuous narcissistic self idolatry, and just plain freaking lame. I hope Obama's geniuses keep coming up with this stuff. What a bunch of buffoons!

Prediction: We will see another CHANGE when this disappears never to be seen again ... get 'em while you can ... destined to be collectors items for political hall of shame. Fire up the Tivos, there will be some classics coming from the late-night shows.

[Occam]

Obama campaign slogans:

CHANGE ... what you'll have left after I raise taxes.
CHANGE ... your gas prices upwards, but gradually
CHANGE ... my hat size because every day my head gets bigger
CHANGE ... the national motto to: In Obama We Trust.
CHANGE ... what I do to my story depending upon whom I'm talking to.
CHANGE ... what I do every day to my foreign policy
CHANGE ... what I do to my trade policy depending upon whom I'm talking to
CHANGE ... your lifestyle because the rest of the world doesn't like you
CHANGE ... my friends when they turn out NOT to be "The person I knew"
CHANGE ... what my radical left-wing ideologue handlers have in store for you
CHANGE ... what I do to facts to suit my needs.
CHANGE ... FISA line that we crossed but I have now moved back
CHANGE ... from public to private campaign financing because I can raise more money
CHANGE ... I'll debateJohn McCain anytime, anywhere; except when and where he asks me.
CHANGE ... the words of others and claim they're mine, because words count.
CHANGE ... more of you into victims of something and build government programs to take care of you
CHANGE ... you into a ward of the state so that I OWN you and your vote
CHANGE ... your mind and believe in me for I am the Obamessiah come to save you
CHANGE ... into giggling sycophants; liberal mainstream media do under the spell of the Obamessiah
CHANGE ... the chant I use to control the weak-minded Obamanized masses
CHANGE ... into an Obamatron; join the cult, repeat the chant: CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE ...
CHANGE ... what I plan to do to America because it's the greatest country on the planet.
CHANGE ... the national anthems of all the nations of the world to Kumbaya using my messianic foreign policy skills
CHANGE ... into mumble-mouthed idiot when I don't have prepared speech to read.
CHANGE ... what I said because my rhetoric was overheated and amplified
CHANGE ... but not for us, not the left-wing liberal elite, CHANGE is for YOU.
CHANGE ... anything and everything I've said or done in my life if it will help me win
CHANGE ... the definition of change to: What I say, when I say it, to whom I say it.
CHANGE ... your underwear because you'll defecate in your pants when you wake up to find out what the left-wing liberal ideologues have done after gaining complete control of government.

CHANGE ... I can CHANGE
CHANGE ... you can't keep up with
CHANGE ... you better freaking BELIEVE in because it will WORK you over.
Obama: the AUDACITY to count on you and I being DOPEs

[f lopez]

This seal will soon be available as a 24K gold amulet (bling). It will be issue by the U. S. Treasury in as a collectors item. Buy yours now as the price is not guaranteed after January 2009.

[Michael I]

There's nothing original about Obama. Does no one at the La Times recall The Great Seal of Pat Paulsen? (At least it depicted a seal, not some dumb turkey-substitute bird.)

[tonto]

The thing is ... someone that is serious, someone who really wants to be associated with the Presidential Seal, would never accept the cheap iimitation. Someone of substance would only accept the real thing or nothing at all.. Frankly it makes him look like a wannabe.

[Dudley Didereaux]

This is so silly that it may set a record for the shortest lived political promo in recent history. There will be literally thousands of 'chops' of this thing...probably the least offensive being something like this:
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/8747/obamaforamericaupgrddiscp5.jpg

the seal is an example of to many 'children' in the main office. a problem that plagued dean.

[The Pragmatist]

"So many suckers, so little time."
- - - Barack Obama, June 20, 2008.