subtext obama on ellen. subtext the president of the united states appeared on a morning talk show
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SUBTEXTOBAMA on ELLEN
SUBTEXT
The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show.
SUBTEXT The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show. the leader of the most powerful nation on the
planet Who else has done this? What party was he in? What was the result?
Clinton, a Democrat, in his successful run for the presidency
What does this subtextually say about the party? What does this say about Obama’s originality?
SUBTEXT The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show. the leader of the most powerful nation on the
planet the Office of the Presidency =
power, respect, importance, austerity, seriousness
So then what does such an appearance do to that elevated & respected position?
SUBTEXT The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show. the leader of a nation embroiled in wars,
partisanship, mid-term elections, lame-duck presidency Doesn’t he have something better to do? Something more urgent? Is this part of some agenda? Then isn’t this “politics as usual”?
SUBTEXT The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show. the leader of a nation with problems against
Russia … again Obama vs. Putin USA vs. RR in Olympics USA vs. USSR – Cold War USA into Iraq & Russia into Crimea Crimean War
SUBTEXT The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show. on a morning talk show
Who watches these shows? young (not in school), uneducated, unemployed housewives, retired
Why is he reaching out to them? Why does any politician reach out to any group?
So then what’s the connection between this audience to this politician, to this political party?
SUBTEXT The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show. on a morning talk show
Who watches these shows? young (not in school), uneducated, unemployed single moms
Why is he reaching out to them? What new policy of his directly affects these people? pitched to “especially all the moms out there who may have
young people – 26, 27, do not have health insurance, but they think they’re invincible and nothing’s ever going to happen to ‘em – what we’ve said is you never know what life is going to throw at ya.”
SUBTEXT The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show. on a morning talk show hosted by an openly
gay woman Now what’s his agenda? What message is he intentionally sending? What message is he unintentionally sending?
SUBTEXT The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show. on a talk show
Who typically appears on a talk show & why? actors, entertainers pretty, popular people, celebrities Stupid Human Tricks people pushing a product: movie, CD, show
Unintended Subtext
SUBTEXT The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show. Unintended Subtext
by appearing on such a show he has equated the presidency & all politics to the level of acting & entertainment infomercials
SUBTEXT The President of the United States
appeared on a morning talk show. Unintended Subtext
ANALOGIES – politicians = actors, celebrities, pop stars politicians = Dancing Chickens, doing Stupid Human Tricks
the “theatricality of pomp,” of politics politics = theater, a play staging, casting, costuming scripting, …. “acting”
SUBTEXTBONUS ROUND:
OBAMA on ESPN (bracketology)