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SUBTEXT OBAMA 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? Why is he reaching out to them? young (not in school), uneducated, unemployed housewives, retired 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” SUBTEXT BONUS ROUND: OBAMA on ESPN (bracketology)