July 3, 2008--The Anatomy of a Rumor

The pundits with not much to do during the political slow season have been reading the tea leaves to see how far Barack Obama is tacking to the center in order to reposition himself for the general election:

What’s up with his recent support for the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that not only allows non-court ordered wiretapping but also limits the liability of mega-communications companies who too easily caved in to government requests for phone taps; did he the other day say he would maintain a version of George Bush’s Faith-Based Initiative, in the process blurring the line between church and state; and was that the “liberal” Barack Obama agreeing with the Supreme Court when they struck down Washington, D.C.’s ban on guns while disagreeing with them about their decision not to allow the execution of child rapists?

And, yes, we already know he is now wearing a flag pin in his lapel. Presumably to demonstrate that in spite of his middle name and a few misstatements by his wife he is (almost) as patriotic as John McCain. If this keeps up, some cynics might speculate, he may even arrange to have his campaign jet shot at so he can eject himself and parachute to safety.

But the ongoing flap about his inclination to fist-bump is going too far. Recall, on the evening when he clinched the nomination he very publicly exchanged one with Michelle Obama. The critics immediately got their pants in a bunch. Was he being too cool for a potential President of the United States, thereby exposing his youth and inexperience? Worse, according to some on Fox News, was he sending out a signal to “fellow terrorists” that he and thus they were one giant step closer to non-metaphorically capturing the White House?

Though as preposterous and discredited as this latter slander was, did this criticism nonetheless cause Obama to forego more such fist bumps as one more attempt to demonstrate to voters still getting to know him that he is a proud, mainstream American and they do not have to worry that he is taking orders from Osama bin Laden?

As evidence that this might be the case look what happened on Tuesday when he was visiting an elementary school in Ohio, a key swing state.

On the soundless videotape of the event that made the rounds on most cable news shows and many blogs, Obama was shown seemingly refusing to fist bump with a young boy. What, the political deconstructionists, asked was going on. Was this another sign of the new principleless Obama? Just another politician willing to do anything to get elected?

Well, yesterday, we heard the audio from his visit to that classroom.

Here from the New York Times is the full transcript of that encounter:

Boy: Can you sign my hand?

Obama: If I start that . . . Plus your mother might not be happy when she comes home. She’d be like ‘What is the dirt on your hand . . . See you . . .

Boy: Can you sign it in pen so it will come off?

Apparently Obama noticed that the pen the kid had contained indelible ink. So instead, in crayon, he autographed one of the child’s drawings. (Article linked below.)

A couple of lessons—

It’s time for the press and media to get a life.

And which of our two candidates has better family values? The one not wanting the kid to get in trouble with his mom or . . . ?