How well I recall each new batch of insulting books and calendars that the Barnes & Bash Bush store would release each year at this time.  I was curious if they would exhibit the equivalent derogatory Obama fare.  Here's a sample of what's available. 

So the question is:  Is Obama just such a better president that he deserves respect from the publishing industry?  

Or:  Is there a double standard?

Or:  Will the nasty calendars come later?  (I'm pretty sure the Bush variety came early on in his first term...)

Or:  Are there plenty of alternative outlets offering negative Obama items that aren't available at B&N or Borders.  You know... in one of those other major bookstore chains.

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Bush was certainly an easier target to make fun of. Regardless of politics, you have to admit he brought most of that on himself for being such a dope.

 R_Flagg

Jordan .

...not just for the state of the union, but 90 % of the time like his successor. There is the danger the prompter will break as it did on Obama and leave O not knowing what to say, at a loss, embarrassed ;) And what's with Nancy's vivacious smile above...and the prompter doesn't collapse?

Anyway the O teleprompter crash was a hoot. A telling crash and burn moment.

Or is it Bush who constantly used the teleprompter and Obama who rarely has ? Was that the strategery ? That and using the internets?

Obama seems to be relying too heavily on the teleprompter IMO. Bush didn't rely enough on them. :)

Good news for Obama - fewer possible mis-statements. Bad news for Obama - the guy setting it up and then running it better know what he is doing.

Jordan .

Speaking of Glen Beck, after i heard the big bruhaha about him I watched his show two, three times. I can't get into his show. He seems so hyper emotional that i can't hang with the program. But, i am glad that alot of folks do because he has kicked ACORN in the shins and got rid of that Jones Czar. I hope he keeps exposing the Obama white house team for who they are. I catch Hannity sometimes-for a segment or two. He was a nice guy when I talked to him at our drugstore. Sean seems to repeat stuff alot.

When Bush was president I would watch Olberman once in awhile. I like to see what dirt harsh critics can come up with on a current administration. Yes, he was a genuine Ahole but I like to hear complaints against the powers in charge.That is healthy and free speech even if complete bullshit. I can't watch any MSNBC now because all they do is fawn and talk about their blind love for O and company. To me that is sickening. I guess the viewer ratings for the channel confirm that.

How about a Glen Beck calendar for you there Booth ? 

Okay.  Enough of diverting the subject. 

Is Obama hagiography going a little over the top or what?

I vote yes.

Did any of you read the NYTimes Sunday magazine on the Obama marriage ?  Aren't any of you feeling a saccharine rush yet???

The point is more about the press than Obama himself.

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

I think we need more government regulation on what calendars can be produced and sold.  I nominate Susan for the new post of Holiday Item Czar!

Back to the OP.  If I recall B&N does have a slight dem bias in campaign contributions compared with Amazon (which supports net neutrality but has a slight GOP bias). Would provide link but buyblue.org seems to be down at the moment, and I don't think I've looked since the '04 election.  However, last time I went in a B&N one of the first tables when you enter the store was at least half current Conservative political opinion books (and this was in Bay Area CA).  So it's not complete censorship of right-leaning material.

 Did you check Walmart?

 Surely this isn't a dem vs. repub bias though, since I'm sure there was at least as much Clinton mockery as Bush II mockery.  Do I think the persona of the celebrity/politician plays a role?  Sure.  My guess is that my lib friends were more critical of Cheney or Rove than Bush, but Bush was somehow easier lampoon just because of his demeanor (same with Clinton/Gore now, I'd guess). It could be that race plays a role too, both in terms of the products we see and the ones we don't see.

 [edit- can't manage to grab a perma-link- but Huffpo has a satirical book cover on it's main page making fun of the "Audacity of Winning" book- this says "The timidity of governing"] 

The Obamas just seem more comfortable with their celebrity than Bush did, and have a more open relationship with (most of) the media.  I don't really have a problem with this, since it is pretty clearly not news.  I don't think anyone is claiming that "well, he can't make up his mind on Afghanistan, but at least he looks good in a suit and his wife has nice arms".   I'm personally much more like Bush- I'd probably rather grab a beer and a chainsaw  than go to a bunch of black-tie dinners.  However, most NYT readers would rather hear about the glamour.

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Not unlike most show biz personalities, Chris.  Not that it's any consolation...

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin