Obama's birthday cake delivery, page 1

Obama's birthday cake delivery

news.bbc.co.uk

US President Barack Obama surprised a reporter on her 89th birthday by walking into a press briefing carrying cupcakes and singing Happy Birthday.

Mr Obama, who shares the same birthday date as veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas, turned 48 on Tuesday.

(visit the link for the full news article)

An innocent proposal or a marriage of convenience?

(First watch the video in the article linked to.)

Is there more to this than meets the eye? Does Obama do anything on camera without consulting his advisors? Why would the President make overtures to this lady in particular?





A pretty formidable opponent, Mrs Thomas. So what do you think: was this a moment of genuine affection or a highly calculated, manipulative photo-op?

I'm all ears...






news.bbc.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

reply to post by Hastobemoretolife

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Well, it's a sad day when you have to ask questions like this. Who wants to have to look for hidden motives?

So she wrote a scathing article? Hmmm.

I was rather hoping to be proved wrong. It'll be interesting to see if someone comes in and makes a powerful case in the other direction.

It will be interesting if most people smell a fish too - though not very appetizing.

reply to post by pause4thought

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That she did, I'll try to find it and post it up here.

That was just my opinion, I just don't really buy the thought that Obama was doing this out of the kindness of his heart.

Smells like a rotting fish to me.

Here it is.

Obama, Like All Presidents, Tries To Manage The News

This is the last line from the article:

It's a shame that the Obama administration has discarded his high-sounding rhetoric about transparency and openness. So far, it looks like change we can't believe in.

reply to post by genius/idoit

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I think we can take that as two votes in the same direction. I'll try and stay on the fence for now.

If this whole thing was feigned, it's very creepy. What could be worse than feigning sincerity?

Interesting that you refer to another recent indicator. I read some of the comments in the thread that discussed that photo. Some thought too much was being read into it. You clearly think a pattern is emerging, and it is certainly reasonable to refer to the wider picture. If you've got any other examples (or can link to the thread about that photo, please let us know).

We could do with some body language analysis on the birthday cake video. Anyone like to try?

reply to post by Hastobemoretolife

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A scathing article indeed. I was going to say I couldn't quote it, as everyone should take a couple of minutes to read it right through. But after seeing this, it has to be quoted:

The military keeps us safe but the press -- which informs the American people -- keeps us free.

The importance of a free press is best illustrated by its prominence on the to-do list of would-be dictators. The first move by coup supporters is to seize the news media, take over the local broadcast stations and censor the newspapers.

HOLY COW. There really is more to this birthday cake than meets the eye. Either BO is an incredibly gracious peace-maker or the dough was effectively laced with arsenic.

I say this lady was probably smiling through gritted teeth. Just going to have another look...

reply to post by pause4thought

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Also in the end of the video did you notice how, to me, it looked like he took a jab by "saying I'll leave it up to you to distribute the cupcakes". Maybe I'm reading to much into it, but this really seems like Obama trying to get back into her good graces.

I'd say FlyersFan was a middle-grounder & Moshpet just lobbed a custard pie in my direction.

The thing is, Moshpet, if I'd raised the question only on the basis of the birthday cake I'd be asking for it. It's just that on the back of the prior incident (and, as it turns out, Mrs Thomas' subsequent article) these two really have got some history.

I hate to say it, but check out Obama's facial expression while he's walking in singing Happy Birthday.

Reminds me of the Adams Family.



reply to post by Missing Blue Sky

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Wow! An astute observation. Could it be a veiled insult?




[edit on 5/8/09 by pause4thought]

reply to post by getreadyalready

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I couldn't see the guy's face. You sure he's not singing?

One thing I did notice is that Obama just doesn't smile until he's facing the photographer.

There is a certain awkwardness to his demeanor, I'd say. Is he perhaps a little awkward in social situations? Or, looking at it from his perspective, is he uncomfortable snuggling up to a pack of wolves?

reply to post by pause4thought

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Or, looking at it from his perspective, is he uncomfortable snuggling up to a pack of wolves?

Maybe! That is a hostile crowd, or at least could become that way in a flash!

I have seen Obama in other social situations where he looks a little awkward as well. I don't know if that is the case or not. He seems very comfortable in front of a crowd with a microphone, but looks awkward when he is out mingling?

He is certainly in way over his head, and it is probably starting to sink in by now!! Imagine the "buyer's remorse" after a couple of months in the White House. You can't just walk away and the fate of the world hangs on your decisions, you can't trust any friend or enemy, and every move you make is dissected relentlessly. Only a fool would ever want that job!

reply to post by getreadyalready

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This is getting pretty deep. Amazing what a birthday cake, I mean cup cakes, can achieve.

You almost had me in tears feeling sorry for the guy. Till the last line.

Seriously, though, we both know he's well-educated and a gifted speaker. If only that were all that were needed to make a leading politician. Unfortunately it seems to require an extraordinary gift to be able to say one thing and do another.

Which brings us back to Mrs. Thomas' birthday. How can you sing Happy Birthday, look like you've just come from your mother's grave, then give an octogenarian cup cakes with a candle on the top?

It's bordering on a Monty Python sketch. Someone ought to set this to music & post it on YouTube.

'Course he might just love the old lady after all.

reply to post by pause4thought

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If this whole thing was feigned, it's very creepy. What could be worse than feigning sincerity?

How do you think a conman operates?

[edit on 013131p://bWednesday2009 by Stormdancer777]

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