Monday, February 25, 2008

Obama photo "divisive"

A controversial photograph circulating on the Internet shows a young Barack Obama riding a tricycle, a childish form of human powered transportation.


The photo, reportedly circulated by "Clinton staffers" according to an anonymous email, portrays Obama wearing scandulously short shorts and riding a child's toy. His caretakers obviously also show an astonishing lack of concern for the child by failing to outfit him with a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe immediately accused Clinton's campaign of "the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we've seen from either party in this election."

Obama's foreign policy adviser, Susan Rice, said the circulation of the photograph was divisive and suggests "that the customs and cultures of those who choose to use alternative modes of transportation are worthy of ridicule or condemnation."

"Enough," said Clinton campaign manager Maggie Williams. "If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him on a tricycle is divisive, they should be ashamed. Hillary Clinton rode a bike, once, as a child in Illinois when the family chauffeur called in sick." Clinton's husband, former U.S. president Bill Clinton, first rode a bicycle when he was 22 years old.

In December, two Clinton Iowa volunteers resigned after forwarding a hoax e-mail that falsely said Obama is car-free and participates in Critical Mass bicycle rides in Chicago. Obama recently traded his Chrysler 300C Thugmobile in for a more Democratic voter friendly Ford Escape Hybrid.

And in case you missed it earlier, Barack Obama is your new bicycle, FWIW.

9 comments:

Illinoisfrank said...

No to mention that it's a blue bike, showing his political leanings at an early age.

bikesgonewild said...

...thank you, fritz...my cold is seriously kicking my butt today, but that is some funny, uplifting reading...
...good stuff, for a stuffed up boy...

Marc said...

I think this picture was taken in Somalia.

SiouxGeonz said...

And... is that a precursor to a 'livestrong' bracelet?

Roger said...

This scandalous photo of the junior senator of the great state of Illinois will bring great shame to the Land of Lincoln!

Timothy J said...

Since this bicycle was most likely manufactured in Asia, I am worried that Obama might have studied about Communism at some point in his young life! Look for more on Fox News and The Drudge Report!

Pete LaVerghetta said...

That's a made in USA bike, so is that car! I don't think it's a bracelet, it's the streamers flip-flopping over his wrist ;-)

Pantograph Trolleypole said...

You should post it to DKos

Jennifer said...

And clearly he was well on his way to becoming a recumbent rider. Horrors!