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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

(President Barack Obama greets troops at Camp Victory in Baghdad, April 7, 2009.(REUTERS/Jim Young)))

Is it just me or is there a distinct difference in the demographic composition of the Obama-Troops photos versus the Bush-Troops photos? And yes I mean race and I mean gender. Seriously. Am I off the mark here?

By -epm, at 8:27 AM
I've noticed that, although this is probably a truer picture of the military.

Also, remember that the folks in these pictures "self select." It takes alot to work your way up to the front of these ropelines, you have to get there really early, so the difference is coming from the crowds, not from any plan.

Also, Obama hasn't done the speeches backed by troops which kind of shapes the image.

By mikevotes, at 8:37 AM
"...so the difference is coming from the crowds, not from any plan."

I simply assumed this to be the case. Conversely, I was under the impression that with Bush, even military audiences were screened (hand picked) for photo-op/stagecraft.

By -epm, at 8:46 AM
The backdrop crowds were screened to some degree, mainly for the visual, but I don't think the ropelines were.

By mikevotes, at 10:41 AM