Sad but true. The mere fact that a US President has a beer in public creates the possibility of a policy argument. The AP's photo published in the UK's Daily Mail grabs the moment, shows something that happens millions of times a day yet when the relaxed figure is the new POTUS the moment is about more than the beer but also about just him having that beer, too. There's even more than one angle on the moment. When policy makers and movers and shakers want to increase the tax, place lock restrictions in cars, bar winemakers from brewing and keep beer out of entertainment centres, having a portrait like this on the side of good ale and lager is gold.
But is it good beer? At least he seems to have been given a proper glass and not some plastic thing. And there is a comforting sheeting to the foam. It looks fairly light. Little chance that this is a moment where power meets extreme. Where did the beer come from? His neighbour seems to have one, too. Does this represent good value in these times? Apparently a beer at a game is eight bucks. Odd that he did not stop at the Center's Maui Wowi Hawaiian - or would that have been one policy statement too far.
Comments
ethan - March 1, 2009 10:40 PM
I'm pretty sure they don't let him drink just anything -- it's probably in a glass because because a Secret Service agent brought it to him from the black, radar-invisible van that's parked in the secret tunnels beneath the stadium.
There was that whole fiasco about him not being able to have the Inaugurale out of a keg, after all.
Mike C - March 2, 2009 1:23 AM
Oh, isn't this fitting. Drinking something that may look nice, clean, and refreshing when in reality its just another tasteless, hype-driven product that lacks any real substance. Oops.
Though, better beer than water.
Dean - March 3, 2009 3:21 AM
I think it's fantastic, it doesn't matter what it is, it's a beer! It's a picture of the most powerful man in the world sitting down enjoying the game and having a brew, it makes him human. It's a guy thing and you just know that he hangs out with his buds and has a couple of beers; hell, he may even homebrew!
Dave - March 3, 2009 12:26 PM
I'm with Dean.
I did/do support Obama, which i suppose affected this, but i get giddy every time see a new picture with the President with a beer, it just seems right, and we know that he at least seems to appreciate craft beer.
and the keg incident i believe was a bad misunderstanding/miscommunications [growlers guys!!]
If we can hope at least that he supports more local craft brewing, this could be a big boost for craft beer.
Jack P. - March 4, 2009 4:04 AM
I did/do support Obama, which i suppose affected this, but i get giddy every time see a new picture with the President with a beer, it just seems right, and we know that he at least seems to appreciate craft beer.
I didn't/don't support Obama (didn't/don't support McCain either), yet I like the picture too. "Giddy" might be a strong word, though.
Michael K. - March 10, 2009 9:47 PM
I was under the impression that Obama doesnt drink any form of alcohol. Thats what cnn said during the 8 hour inaguration coverage. They must have run out of things to say and had to start making things up...I do love seeing our president drink a beer in public.