The Great Seal Of Obama

So I'm surfing the web Saturday night and come across this Associated Press photograph:

AP

And here's the description that follows:

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks during a meeting of Democratic Governors at the Chicago History Museum in Chicago Friday, June 20, 2008. A new seal debuted on Obama's podium Friday, sporting iconography used in the U.S. presidential seal, the blue background, the eagle clutching arrows on left and olive branch on right, but with symbolic differences. Instead of the Latin 'E pluribus unum' (Out of many, one), Obama's says 'Vero possumus', rough Latin for 'Yes, we can.' Instead of 'Seal of the President of the United States', Obama's Web site address is listed. And instead of a shield, Obama's eagle wears his 'O' campaign logo with a rising sun representing hope ahead

Here's the presidential seal:

And here are the two side-by-side:

What re your thoughts about this?

Is this just genius marketing?  is it presumptive?  Is it offensive? 

You could make the argument for the affirmative answer to each of these questions.

It is genius, in that is gives the voting public the visual imprint of Obama standing behind what is intended to resemble the presidential seal.  As the president stands behind the seal adorned podium at every speech, so would Obama with this new presidential-esque design.

It is presumptive in that it could make Obama appear as though he is on his way to a coronation.  Having won the Democratic primary, the race is now his to lose this might project.  Why not get a jump on the "accoutrement" and front the candidate with a seal similar to one we'll see him behind for the next four years at least.

It is offensive, perhaps, in that it alters a symbol of The United States.  Is this any different that altering the seal of any state or the American flag for that matter?  And that it changes our nation's motto (in Latin) to a campaign slogan (taken from a labor union) might be distasteful.

There will be no shortage of comment about this, I am certain.  And that is maybe the most obvious reason of all to have created the seal.  It keeps people talking about Obama and not his opponent, John McCain. 

And after all...the song to which Obama leaves every large campaign appearance is Steve Wonder's "Signed, SEALED, Delivered".

Thanks for reading.  TA

Comments

[enitan ekibolaji]

Thanks for all the comments people made, but can you all leave this man alone and say positive words that will move the nation ahead and stop saying rubbish about him and his family.Even the world talk about the DEAD talkless of the living soul,thanks and God bless.

[Thomas Mkusa]

you are good ,guy. go on!!!!!!!!

[JoJo]

High School at it's finest! It's very subversive too. Just what do the symbols in the "Seal" mean? Where was the American flag? He's still too ashamed to proudly acknowledge it!!
Well, if he wants this "job", he had better get used to it. Wake up people, he doesn't have the right credentials for this "job." And he doesn't even know it yet!! He's too ARROGANT to see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LENGEJU, Robert Victor, Morogoro-Tanzania]

I really don't see anything wrong in Obama's Seal.. I believe its a part of his same rights to expression in which America is bestly advocates.when I look at Barack Obama's campaign team I see some exceptional brilliant people,who are as well experts on "Popular politics".

They involve extremely careful choice of tactics, words, expressions and other symbolic aspect of campaign trying to seal the democratic a.k.a Obam's brand to peoples' minds.and thats whay even on the seal its self they used the words Obama for America and not Obama the president of America. or 'Vero possumus' (Yes we can) in place of 'E pluribus unum' (Out of many, one).

In my view, the Seal it scientifically prepared from the very beggining and aimed at being revealed at this very 'targeted'momment! and as it is witnessed, it has to some extent raised some positive issues abt Obama and gain him and democrats more popularity, which is very essential for the ongoing U.s presidential race!

[louis]

GIDEON,
WHO IS STUPID NOW...? "OBAMA SEAL".....THROWN UNDER THE BUS !!!! HMMMMMMM...... I WONDER WHY?

[akira]

It seem like Obama guy is easy to manipulates, someone created a seal for him to used and he went for it, no point’s taken at all. After $#!^ hit the fan, and there is excused for it–go figured. Well, maybe I (as tax payer) can create my own seal too.
& yes, to the people said “don't see anything arrogant about this seal” and this is the first step to test your freedom, if he becomes a president, what else people (behind the scene) can make him do? Sooner or later, your life will go down the drain for four years. Ask yourself this, do you have four years for Obama to run your life? how pitiful

[Gideon]

I'm really disappointed at how people view his seal. There is nothing wrong in being optimistic. Indeed, he's seal says "yes we can". It does not say, I'm the president. People please stop being stupid!!! I personally like his sense of humour.

[chuck]

that is super creepy and subversive

[sirebral]

This should be McCain's response:

http://brainchemistry.blogspot.com/

[NURSERATCHET]

This guy belongs on South Park NOT the White House. What a dweeb! His own Seal. bwaaaaaaa

[Andrew]

Republicans are scared. And, you know what? I totally understand, because, if I were them...I'd be scared, too.

[Jean-Michel]

What does ordinary Americans mean? Some are extraordinary and some are ordinary? Obama is not arrogant, but CONFIDENT & PRESIDENTIAL. Vero Possumus.

[Shelly]

Salma:No wonder the Americans can vote for the
correct person.You wrote winning which means
to defeat whinning is what I believe you tried
to say which means to complain.

[fred]

Posted by: Sharon | June 22, 2008 at 09:01 PM

All of you have the total intelligence of a sack of hammers.

When I read all this stuff, I think to myself
"Ah! The MTV Generation speaks!"

You, and all of your opinions, and "knowledge", are "in the know" as much as the average iguana.

Posted by: fred | June 22, 2008 at 09:12 PM

So what's he gonna do now? Name his plane "Air Farce One"?

Posted by: fred | June 22, 2008 at 09:15 PM

Will Michelle now be "the First Foxy Lady"? Or "The First Mama"? Or the "Presidential Sweet"?

When he enters the room, will it be "Hail to the Sheik"?

How about "Ayers Force One" for his jet?

[fred]

This just in from Brain of Iguana:

"Obama will be THE next potus, so he is doing WHAT he knows will resonate WITH most "ordinary" Americans.

Most "ordinary" Americans will not HAVE any problems with that Obama SEAL. Only those WHO hate Obama (or to put it another way, those WHO do not want a "black/mixed" person TO be President, or those WHO say "no nee-groes"), will find this arrogent, ETC. and so fourth as well.

btw... IT is not true THAT Americans usually punish anyone FOR being "arrogent". In fact, we have many exsamples TO indicate that Americans (by enlarge(?) EVEN worship "arrogent" personalities. Plus, as well, corporate American already brainwashed THE "ordinary" American into accepting THINGS as a "package". This is how pepsi and coca-cola BECOMES huge household products! Because of six-packs. We like THINGS presented to us AS a P"package" and that will not change SOON (IF ever)."

[Larse12]

Something a high school kid would do running for office in his class. Obama is not presidential material.

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/06/22/free-larry-sinclair-obama%e2%80%99s-political-prisoner/

[calli]

Is this the kind of change obama represents? Arrogant!!!

[Kim]

WOW..what will he do next? change the American flag? Its offensive and Un-American. I always thought he wasnt patriotic enough to be our commander-in-chief, but this proves it to me. Also, have you ever noticed how he doesnt talk to people, he preaches. I still cant get over his wifes comment about being proud to be an American for the first time in her life. Also, have you noticed how he whines and complains about slanderous ads and that his wife is "off limits" but he is the first to throw stones at McCain. Im tired of his "do as I say, not as I do" attitude. Im voting for McCain.

[Mikabi]

It's pathetic. And laughable.

[Valerie]

Eat from Chinese restaurant dumpsters you future homeless, jobless Republican Americans!

[BAMF]

i think that the makers of that seal should have made the American flag shield in the seal too. we all know he is going to win

[John Swartz]

It's really not that big a deal. It's rather in bad taste, but who ever said presidential candidates had any class?

[amazing gbash]

Only ignorant people will think otherewise about this seal.What if he had put Christ infront or some kind of resemlance of islamic symbols- if you dont want to vote for him keep it to yourself because I found it arrogance and stupidly hatred. This man is a total what Americans are going to be in the near future,half black and half Irish grow up people your white race is not threatened
amogos and amigas

[amazing gbash]

what's wrong with it people, i bet you if he had put a cross there you will accuse him also. Please grow up there come the president deal with amigos

[louis]

SHARON,

PLEASE......D O N O T S T A Y H O M E.................

*********************** VOTE MCCAIN ****************************