Is Image Everything?

Who needs words when you run a Presidential campaign? This week Barrack Obama has gotten a ton of positive coverage of his international tour. Who ever set up the photo opportunities has done a great job. The Senator has been shown speaking to lots of foreign leaders as well as addressed large crowds in very photogenic locations.

Senator McCain may have had a productive week but not in the world of images. One that seems to be getting a lot of play is him sitting in a passenger seat of a golf cart being driven by former President George Bush. Something about the image reminds me of Michael Dukakis' infamous ride in a tank.

The disparity has been discussed by the national media but there hasn't been much talk about what the candidates have been saying. It's a bit like showing someone your family album without telling you anything about the trip.

President Ronald Reagan was a master at using images. In journalism school at Arizona State University, I learned how he would make a public appearance when bad news was coming out. While the story might be about inflation, the image was of the President shaking hands at a white collar bar. This would dilute the bad news of the story and make people say, "Gee, the President seems like a nice guy."

I expect both McCain and Obama will visit Texas very soon to survey the damage from Hurricane Dolly.