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Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Books What's Obama Reading?

Posted by on Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 3:38 PM

Tom at Omnivoracious has done a little detective work to figure out what those books behind Obama in his presidential addresses are:


Also, this particular address, with its promise of public works and its Chicago backdrop, makes me kind of swoony, so I wanted to post it on Slog again.

He's pretty sure they're a collection titled Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1961, 1962 and 1963. Now the question is: Are they a gift? Is Obama really reading them? Are they subliminal advertising? I can't believe I care so much about what a president-elect is reading.

 

Comments (16) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
Just decoration. Move along, now.
Posted by N on December 9, 2008 at 3:44 PM
2
I'm pretty sure is just a secret compartment where he hides his cigarettes.
Posted by Sally Struthers Lawnchair on December 9, 2008 at 3:53 PM
3
I, too, was endlessly curious about the books. Thanks, Mystery Solver!
Posted by Allie on December 9, 2008 at 3:54 PM
4
looks like set dressing to me.
Posted by spoiler alert on December 9, 2008 at 3:55 PM
5
Could you imagine reading those? God... sure to clear up any case of insomnia.
Posted by candice. on December 9, 2008 at 3:57 PM
6
I think The books were a gift to Senator Obama from Senator Byrd when Obama first joined the Senate. From The Audacity of Hope.

Before I left, he [Byrd] insisted that his secretary bring in a set of his Senate histories for me to have. As he slowly set the beautifully bound books on the table and searched for a pen, I told him how remarkable it was that he had found the time to write...Let me sign these for you then, " he said, and taking one hand to steady the other, he slowly scratched his name on the gift. Thank you Senator Byrd.

I don't know what the books look like but I bet that's what they are.
Posted by Jman on December 9, 2008 at 4:03 PM
7
I want to know what the heck is in the photo (does it get zoomed in on at some point? I didn't watch the video). It looks like someone dressed up like George Washington, but with a super-long cravat, accompanied by a miniature Grimace.
Posted by leek on December 9, 2008 at 4:15 PM
8
@7: Totally.

Posted by Matthew on December 9, 2008 at 4:27 PM
9
You're just so excited by the idea of a president who reads again, that's all.
Posted by TheFang on December 9, 2008 at 4:36 PM
10
They're probably books by Malcom X, Louis Farrakhan, Al Sharpton, Spike Lee, and other America hating black nationalists.
Posted by Lord Basil on December 9, 2008 at 4:43 PM
11
My guess is he'll be basing himself more off of Lincoln than Kennedy, even if both were assassinated.
Posted by Will in Seattle on December 9, 2008 at 4:55 PM
12
Um, not to rain on the parade, but you can't really give a presidential address until you are actually president. We still have the current occupant to deal with for now. I do share your anticipation though.
Posted by seattle bike guy on December 9, 2008 at 5:00 PM
13

Did someone get him a subscription to Time-Life as an Inauguration present?

Posted by Time Flies -- And You Are THERE! on December 9, 2008 at 5:15 PM
14
I agree with TheFang.
Posted by Mike on December 9, 2008 at 6:42 PM
15
I prefer his other reading material -- I bought it as soon as I saw this picture
http://papercuts.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/…
Posted by Womyn2me on December 9, 2008 at 7:02 PM
16
Those books are probably fake anyway.
Posted by Urgutha Forka on December 9, 2008 at 9:25 PM

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