Academic

SO DOES THIS PICTURE OF BARACK OBAMA LOOK DIFFERENT TO YOU NOW than it did back when it was taken? ?

By Glenn Reynolds

SO DOES THIS PICTURE OF BARACK OBAMA LOOK DIFFERENT TO YOU NOW than it did back when it was taken?

I’m sticking with my looking “more like a studio exec” than a President take. But I’m wondering of others’ read of this picture has changed now that Obama has a record in office.

UPDATE: Reader Rosie Moore writes:

The photo of POTUS, trying to look at it as if for the first time, portrays to me a big swingin’ stock broker, fund manager or investment banker, or maybe that’s just from my perspective. He looks svelte, lithe and edgy but relaxed and intellectual, as revealed in his leisure reading. I remember questioning my instincts at the time, trying to assuage my odd but very strong suspicion and aversion of him.

In hindsight, he looks like the shallow facade he is, reflecting more the opinions of those surrounding him than his own core entrepreneurialism. That’s also probably why he looks older and less confident now – those around him are turning away, singing fewer praises, adoring him less.

I also think it’s funny, in an ironic not a ha-ha way, that he was reading “The Post American World”. Was this prophetic? And I also question whether he was actually reading it (what true book lover doesn’t rely on a bookmark?) or just carrying it with the hope that some would notice and think him erudite. Poser!

What a difference a bit of time makes, eh?

I dunno. I seldom use bookmarks. I even — to the dismay of my librarian-mother — often turn down a page to mark my place. Yes, this makes me a very, very bad man.

The point about the lack of adoration seems right, though. Barack Obama looks as smart as you think he is. When you think he’s less smart, well . . ..

Full post as published by Instapundit.com on November 08, 2010 (boomark / email).