The general sentiment during the inauguration was an electrifying unity amongst the masses. Even if people became irritated or upset with others squeezing them or pushing, the overarching grandeur of the event was palpable.
The mainstream media outlets, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, BBC, and national papers like the NYTimes and the Washington Post all related Obama to the likes of MLK Jr., Lincoln, JFK, and even Moses.
This mythic romanticizing of Obama made him seem untouchable, and unattainable, like a savior of the American People. Band-wagoning on the hopes of the people for something positive to believe in after 8 years of dwindling international respect and national failures. Obama has become a legend and a divine force for the United States, and indeed the western world, even before he has done anything noteworthy as president.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Capitalism of Hope in major Media
The inauguration of Barack Obama this past Tuesday will forever be chiseled into the stone wall of United States History. No matter the political affiliation, the rampant energy amongst the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people gathered in Washington conveyed the yearning of so many for something to believe in, someone to give them a voice that has felt squelched for the past 8 years. National and international news media did not overlook this most ripest opportunity to spread their word and influence throughout the land.
Most local was the Washington Post, which lifted Obama to a pedestal amongst the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, JFK, and even FDR. The post seemed to fervently and unanimously provide their support for Obama and the obvious change he represents; the first black man as president, a candidate that not only mesmerized the masses, but also forever transformed the stratagems of politicians forever. There was a sense of band-wagoning on the dreams and romanticism that people wanted to hear. People, especially amongst the D.C. area desperately desire for someone to lift them above the proverbial gloom of today and return America to some fantastical golden age. Essentially the Washington Post wrote down everything about Obama that everyone wanted to hear.
The New York Times took a different approach to capitalize on the energy of the public, but nonetheless guaranteed the same reactions. Instead of writing purely on the legendary status already given to Obama, and his celebrityesque demeanor, the NYTimes documented how much better it will be with Obama than compared to the past 8 years with Bush. Applying a negative taint to the Bush administrations served to shoot the abilities of an Obama presidency through the roof, even if he hadn’t done a single bit of “presidenting” yet.
Generally the major news outlets wanted to not focus on the reality of the situations, on the deep crises facing the United States and the world today, but provide an optimistic viewpoint that would develop national pride from American’s and even internationals who have lost faith in the honesty and truthfulness of the U.S. Government.
Most local was the Washington Post, which lifted Obama to a pedestal amongst the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, JFK, and even FDR. The post seemed to fervently and unanimously provide their support for Obama and the obvious change he represents; the first black man as president, a candidate that not only mesmerized the masses, but also forever transformed the stratagems of politicians forever. There was a sense of band-wagoning on the dreams and romanticism that people wanted to hear. People, especially amongst the D.C. area desperately desire for someone to lift them above the proverbial gloom of today and return America to some fantastical golden age. Essentially the Washington Post wrote down everything about Obama that everyone wanted to hear.
The New York Times took a different approach to capitalize on the energy of the public, but nonetheless guaranteed the same reactions. Instead of writing purely on the legendary status already given to Obama, and his celebrityesque demeanor, the NYTimes documented how much better it will be with Obama than compared to the past 8 years with Bush. Applying a negative taint to the Bush administrations served to shoot the abilities of an Obama presidency through the roof, even if he hadn’t done a single bit of “presidenting” yet.
Generally the major news outlets wanted to not focus on the reality of the situations, on the deep crises facing the United States and the world today, but provide an optimistic viewpoint that would develop national pride from American’s and even internationals who have lost faith in the honesty and truthfulness of the U.S. Government.
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