A long-time political junkie and public relations practitioner, I spend time each day surfing the web sites of presidential candidates. Visiting the Barack Obama photo gallery today, I found the photo above as the eighth of 11 available for viewing.*
On the surface, it seems innocent enough. The tired Democrat presidential candidate. Seated. Alone. Contemplating his future. Above him, the world champion boxer, Muhammad Ali, stands above another defeated opponent, exuding strength and confidence — the kind of strength-by-association stuff a political campaign manager wants the photo to convey to potential voters.
On the flip side, however, the photo is troubling in that it brings attention to a man who, in 1964, cited his Muslim faith as a reason to claim “conscientious objector” status and refuse to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
If I’m reading this obviously-staged photo correctly, Obama wants to be associated with a four-times-married Muslim draft dodger who made millions by beating people up inside a boxing ring.
Puzzling to say the least.
*To see a photo screenshot showing the photo in the context of how it appeared on the Barack Obama campaign web site, click here.
44 responses so far ↓
1 Always On Watch // Oct 17, 2007 at 7:26 am
Bob,
Before I saw your commentary on the photo, I noticed the body language of Obama. Is he praying?
2 hotoffthepress // Oct 17, 2007 at 7:34 am
No. I think he’s trying to figure out to tell the world he’s ready to quit after getting in way over his head.
3 Debbie // Oct 17, 2007 at 8:34 am
I thought he was praying at first too, but them I looked closer. Pretty interesting that he would have Mohammed Ali’s picture behind him. Having said that, I like Ali. He was a good fighter, he was entertaining, and his fight with Parkinsons has been an example to all.
4 hotoffthepress // Oct 17, 2007 at 8:38 am
Debbie — Muhammad Ali’s public image is a result of years of crafting by a PR machine. Read the Wiki page about him, notably the comments he made about his faith, about the Vietnam War and about his married life — four wives so far. The facts, rather than the spin, might cause you to think twice about your “like” of Ali.
5 » Photo on Obama Web Site Raises Questions NoisyRoom.net: Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace. Amelia Earhart // Oct 17, 2007 at 10:46 pm
[...] From Bob McCarty Writes: [...]
6 Chris // Oct 18, 2007 at 7:01 am
“If I’m reading this obviously-staged photo correctly, Obama wants to be associated with a four-times-married Muslim draft dodger who made millions by beating people up inside a boxing ring.”
Don’t you know? It’s only PC to break the laws and be violent if you’re a Muslim! That picture will do wonders to inflate the crowd of leftists and traitors willing to follow him and tear this country apart.
7 hotoffthepress // Oct 18, 2007 at 7:12 am
Chris — Regarding your last sentence above: I hope you’re wrong!
8 Kristin // Jan 18, 2008 at 4:15 pm
You’re kidding, right?
9 black dog barking // Feb 9, 2008 at 4:59 pm
(This post was linked this am by BAGnewsNotes. I made some comments over there about your conclusions, thought I should let you answer if you wish on your own turf.)
The problem is this: does “four-times-married Muslim draft dodger who made millions by beating people up inside a boxing ring” fairly summarize Ali’s contributions to our culture?
In re: “draft dodger” –
Arguments built on allusions to ‘Nam era suffer because it was an especially illusory time, things then were confused and the tale has not since been untangled. In 1964 Ali failed to qualify for the draft because of inadequate reading and writing skills, a poor man’s II-S (education) deferment. That decision was changed in 1966 and in 1967 Ali refused to step forward for induction citing his religion, was convicted and sentenced to the maximum 5 years in prison / $10,000 fine. That conviction was later overturned by the Supreme Court in a unanimous decision.
Draft dodger? Millions of draft-age Americans found legal ways to avoid humping a rifle in Vietnam. Ali was one.
In re: “beating people up” –
“Beating people up inside a boxing ring” is good example of how an innocent truth can mislead. Sonny Liston (pictured above lying flat on his back), Joe Frazier, and George Foreman are, in fact, elements of the set of all people, and they were in a boxing ring with Ali. There was plenty of physical punishment involved, pain meted and received, so the statement is true. They are also members of an extremely small set of the most feared and punishing boxers of their era. Their abilities were widely admired, they were accomplished pugilists, they were *not* *beating* each other.
Finally –
But if this writer is really puzzled as to whether Sen Obama would want to be associated with Ali let me offer this assessment of Ali’s contributions to America.
“Across the world, billions of people know Muhammad Ali as a brave, compassionate and charming man, and the American people are proud to call Muhammad Ali one of our own. (Applause.)”
— President George W Bush, award ceremony for Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2005
(PS. You characterize this photo as “obviously-staged”. How is it obvious? The only visual evidence I could come up with is negative — that the candidate isn’t surrounded by others, ergo his handlers have shoo’ed everyone away for the photo. That doesn’t seem obvious to me. Seems more like Sherlock Holmes observing the dog not barking. What do I miss?)
10 hotoffthepress2 // Feb 9, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Dog — I stand by my original writings, regardless of Supreme Court decisions and G.W. Bush ceremonial statements that stand in opposition to my thoughts.
11 red wash // Feb 10, 2008 at 7:50 am
seems to me he’s trying to make a call home to the wifey on his iphone.
12 Brian // Feb 10, 2008 at 7:59 am
Ah, so multiple wives was OK for Guiliani, but not for Ali. Rrrrriiiiight. Got ya.
13 hotoffthepress2 // Feb 10, 2008 at 8:26 am
Brian — Got me? No way. I’m not a Giuliani fan either. Never was. Never will be. Got ya!
14 stilletto // Feb 10, 2008 at 8:28 pm
The world famous and widely beloved writer Bob McCarty gives us all the lowdown on an obscure black boxer from the sixties.
15 Lisa // Feb 11, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Yeah but Cheney is a SEVEN time draft dodger. And hardly any of the GOP frontrunners is on their first marraige.
Glass houses, ya know?
16 hotoffthepress2 // Feb 11, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Lisa — You assume I’m a big fan of the GOP candidates, but I’m not. My support began with Ron Paul, but I later decided he was a nut. Then I moved to Huckabee. When it appeared he was working with McCain, I switched to Romney. Then he dropped out, leaving McCain as the candidate who’s going to get the GOP nomination. In other words, he’s my last choice, warts and all, but he still beats ANY DEMOCRAT.
17 Obama Campaign Heavy on Leftist Symbolism // Feb 12, 2008 at 11:27 am
[...] the heels of my post, Photo on Obama Web Site Raises Questions, generating an unusual amount of buzz during the past week, my friends at Moonbattery.com point out [...]
18 ptg // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:06 am
Will you still think McCain beats any Democrat if it turns out that his campaign was funded by George Soros?
19 hotoffthepress2 // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:13 am
Yes. Any Republican, regardless of funding, still beats any Democrat. One can argue that, if it’s proven McCain is/was funded by Soros, that he merely turned money from evil purposes to good ones.
20 Coconut tripp // Feb 19, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Before I start, I claim affinity for no candidate thus far.
Reading these posts and considering each side, I feel like expressing my own opinion. That photograph is an important part of history whether someone likes it or not. It represents a man who stands for what he believes to be right.
Sonny Liston, who was knocked out in this fight repeatedly criticized Ali about his faith and the fact that he changed his name. Liston, who refused to call Ali anything other than Cassius Clay, showed an absolute lack of respect for another persons view. Ali stood over him and called out repeatedly, “What’s my name.” I do not feel this to be a controversial image from the Obama campaign; in fact this picture is a very common wall adornment. I myself have this poster, it’s motivating and inspirational.
As for the theory of Obama wanting to associate him self with the, “…four-times-married Muslim draft dodger who made millions by beating people up inside a boxing ring.” I would like to say that I find this statement prejudicial and inconsiderate, though I respect the author’s opinion.
Regarding divorce – I find judging somebody on divorce is petty considering all of my friends who have died fighting for our flag while in Iraq, and all the other turmoil in our country; the country has BIGGER problems. In my opinion, the nation needs to take a break judging president hopefuls on their family values, because in every street in America, families are different house to house.
Regarding Religion – What is wrong with Muslims? Why are they being treated as faux pas? America is, by all rights, a secular nation of free religion. Meaning, that the government is not supposed to have any religious affiliation, while its citizens may worship however they choose. It sickens me when I hear people hung up on asking politicians if they believe the word of the Bible as truth. What does that have to do with getting a nation back on track? We should instead be asking them well thought out questions on foreign relations, economics, employment, and health care.
Regarding “Beating people up” – Seriously man, he was a boxer. I don’t have anything more to say.
21 hotoffthepress2 // Feb 19, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Coconut tripp — Everyone’s entitled to an opinion. Thanks for the comments. (By the way, your screen name is perfect for you!)
22 kevin // Feb 20, 2008 at 6:37 am
Very smart by Obama.Ali was well loved and very famous.World famous.Obama knows people can’t criticize that photo of such a beloved figure.A Famous photo to boot.But also a sneaky way to show he’s pro Muslim.Knowing no one can make a good argument if called on it.Kind of like a sercret password.AccusersWould be put down as paranoid.
23 Ebony // Feb 23, 2008 at 7:48 am
Your conclusions are perfunctory and, to say the least, idiotic. Sitting near a pic of a person who professes Islamic faith makes one a Muslim? Perhaps he seeks to identify with Ali’s strength…and that’s all.
24 hotoffthepress2 // Feb 23, 2008 at 7:56 am
Ebony — Perhaps, but I doubt it.
25 Press Turns Blind Eye to Obama Web Site Photo // Feb 23, 2008 at 11:10 am
[...] photo in question (at right) was the subject of a post, Photo on Obama Web Site Raises Questions, published on this blog five months ago. In that post, I explored the possibility that strategists [...]
26 Phrank // Mar 13, 2008 at 7:25 am
I have to assume this is a joke…and ___damn it is funny. :)
But just in case it isn’t, I gotta point out that claiming “conscientious objector” status doesn’t equate at all with draft dodging. Draft dodging is sneaky and involves going into hiding, crossing the international border or having rich parents with the right political connections. Calling yourself a CO is legitimate, out-in-the-open. You still run the risk of going to jail, but there’s nothing dodgy about it.
27 hotoffthepress2 // Mar 13, 2008 at 7:34 am
Phrank — You know what happens when you assume. While claiming CO status is acceptable in rare cases when it is genuine, Ali used it simply as a means of staying out of the war so that he could focus on his career and making money. Very dodgy!
28 WebmasterM // Mar 25, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Perhaps the photo was staged, but I doubt it. I’m a photographer myself, and I’ve seen the work of many photojournalists who specialize in candid shots such as what I believe this to be.
I think making an issue of any of this is just plain silly . . . especially when it’s raised by a blogger whose “header” image is stretched out and demonic looking ; )
29 hotoffthepress2 // Mar 26, 2008 at 5:47 am
WebmasterM — “Demonic?” That’s a stretch!
30 US Post // Apr 5, 2008 at 2:56 pm
They claim if Obama’s not the Antichrist, that he will hand over the US to the Antichrist.
http://o.bamapost.com
31 hotoffthepress2 // Apr 5, 2008 at 2:59 pm
US Post — “They” who?
32 random899 // May 25, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Wow I can’t believe this is what America has become! I thought America was land of the free, acceptance and made up of people of different origins. I come from UK and this just reconfirms everything I have heard about a so called civilised, Christian government who backs the death penalty, tries to scare people from voting Obama by spreading lies about him and is sending the world into global warming without a care. Of course – signing the Kyoto treaty was far to left for the Republican’s.
I can’t believe that Republican’s are really as bad as this. I weep at humanity’s short-comings!
33 hotoffthepress2 // May 25, 2008 at 3:54 pm
random899 — You’re free to go back to the UK, you know. Your America bashing isn’t welcome here!
34 random899 // May 25, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I wasn’t bashing America. I was bashing the Republican’s to be specific. I love America. I love the American people.
I can’t stand racists, I can’t stand bigots, I can’t stand selfishness!!!!!
America is a wonderful nation with wonderful people and it could offer so much to the world. I just think it is a shame that the country has been led by a party which undermines many of the things that the country stands for. Obama is an average American just like any other American. Just because he is black, just because he has a foreign surname, just because his father was Kenyan – does not make him a bad person to run the country.
I think we need to move on from this childish name calling and association game, and look at the real politics of what this world needs. We need to be stewards of the Earth, clear up the environment, accept one another and to be an example to the rest of the world. I believe that this country has it in itself to do this.
I want to see the poor given healthcare and not to suffer on their own. I want to see renewable energy being invested in. I want to see acceptance of other people, religions and lifestyles. America is a secular state – let’s start treating it this way. It doesn’t matter what religion the next president is. I want to see the real American Dream come back to life, where everyone is equal and has the opportunity to excel, whether they be black/white, poor/rich, muslim/christian/jewish/whatever!
The war in Iraq is responsible for 84050 – 91713 innocent civilian deaths. Saddam has gone. We haven’t found any nuclear weapons.
There is no longer a dictatorship. I smell oil though!
What about Zimbabwe? Do we not care that Mugabe is starving his country to death. What is the Western world doing about it? I’m not just refering to the USA but the whole of the Western world.
I hope I don’t cause too much offence but I feel that change is needed and we need to be fair in this race for presidency. W
35 hotoffthepress2 // May 25, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Random899 — It appears you’re thoroughly brainwashed by the left. Seek help immediately!
36 random899 // May 25, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Now why would you delete the last comment if it isn’t true?
Is that all that you can come up with…?
Brainwashed. Well if that’s the case I’m happy to admit that I’m brainwashed! I’m happy that I have been brainwashed – to believe that a black man can become good president, despite the nasty bigots out there who try to make him look bad because they realise they are fighting a losing battle. Are you trying to give reasons for people of other faiths to hate you? Why would you try and associate Obama with Muslims? I know… to fuel your prejudiced hate of Muslims! Well aren’t you little Republican great at being diplomatic! This is really going to strengthen relations and peace between the middle-east and the western world.
I will stand up for the people who are put down by you lot! I will stand up for the blacks! I will stand up for the different faiths of the world! I will stand up for the gays, lesbians and transgendered people of this world! You know why? Because I am a human being with a human soul – as are they. How dare you try to belittle democracy and freedom!
In fact – I love being brainwashed! If brainwashed is what it means to see people fairly and believe in equal opportunity then SO BE IT!
I hope that one day your eyes will be opened to the damage that Mr. Bush and his friends have caused. Then it will be to late.
Vote Democrat (If you believe in democracy and rights for people of different heritage and race)!
If not vote Republican – These wonderful people, who tend to spread lies and propoganda about Obama who is trying to fulfil the ultimate American Dream of being the President. These poor racists couldn’t handle a black president.
This will be the last of my posts as I can imagine it will either get deleted or referred to as a “brainwashed” lefty comment. Wake up guys – stop denying the truth! You know I’m right!
God Bless America!
37 RayT // Oct 24, 2008 at 1:25 am
Muhammad Ali is a legend. An American who had no animosity towards anyone. The man does not have a bad bone in his body. He would be awarded a ring worth thousands of dollars and go outside and give it to a homeless person.
He is a great human being. Period.
38 hotoffthepress2 // Oct 24, 2008 at 7:18 am
RayT — Ali may be a legend in the minds of many. At the same time, however, there’s no erasing the fact that he will always be a four-times-married Muslim draft dodger. Those are facts!
39 Barack Obama Working Hard For You, Right After Hannah Montana Is Over « Quipster // Dec 4, 2008 at 11:20 pm
[...] Image courtesy of http://bobmccarty.com/2007/10/16/photo-on-obama-web-site-raises-questions/. [...]
40 pencilpusher // Feb 19, 2009 at 5:05 pm
anyone know who took this picture???..I need to know ASAP..thanks..
41 hotoffthepress2 // Feb 19, 2009 at 5:07 pm
pusher — Why do you need to know?
42 who is bob? // Mar 23, 2009 at 11:02 am
Who is bob mccarty? hmm never heard of him until today. He appears to be a man with a political agenda whos statements are as skewed as he tries to imply obama’s are. IF you characterize Ali as a “four-times-married Muslim draft dodger who made millions by beating people up inside a boxing ring” you have an agenda. You seem to either have done no research on him or have intentionally left out some things. For instance Ali’s famous reasoning for not going to war, “Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over”. Or that he has donated millions to charitable organizations as well as founded a handful personally. Or that he openly acknowledges his flaws now and attributes his parkinson’s to Allah showing him the benefits of being humble and a servant to god.
43 C. Marsteller // Mar 1, 2010 at 11:35 pm
@ hotoffthepress2 “Phrank — You know what happens when you assume. While claiming CO status is acceptable in rare cases when it is genuine, Ali used it simply as a means of staying out of the war so that he could focus on his career and making money. Very dodgy!”
I dont understand, Muhammad Ali “dodged the
draft” in order to spend more time making
money and his career, but in openly “draft
dodging” he spent millions and gave up 3 1/2
years of his career, his prime years, whereas if
he had accepted the draft, he
was promised that he would be no where near
combat, and would be out as soon as possible.
No sir, you are very wrong in assuming that Ali
dodged the draft for selfish reasons.
44 Bill // Dec 1, 2010 at 12:12 pm
all of u are idiots… but ur allowed to be
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