What Does CBS’s Controversial Obama Picture Mean?
- Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:30pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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On Wednesday, CBS published a doctored picture (dually attributed to itself and the Associated Press) showing Barack Obama as half black and half white, with a line clearly visible down the center of his face. And just in case that wasn’t controversial enough, the photo also pictures Democrats leaning over his “black” side while Republicans look over his “white” side. Via NewsBusters:
The picture, naturally, is causing quite the stir.
Creative Minority Report asks, “Are they saying that Obama will have to act white with Republicans?” and adds, “The idiocy of this is only heightened by the fact that Obama’s heritage is mixed.”
Noel Sheppard over at NewsBusters wonders: “Are CBS and AP not so subtly implying the GOP are all white?”
And I’m thinking: Is CBS serious?
What are you thinking?
UPDATE:
CBS has responded to Mediaite with the following statement:
Our intention with the “ripped paper” overlay effect down the middle was to convey a divided Congress and nothing more.
That is is the extend of the reported explanation. However it does add this:
Lost in all of this is the fact that the photo also diminishes the tangerine hue of presumptive House Speaker John Boehner. Is CBS prejudiced against badly-tanned people?



















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Comments (346)
beekeeper
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:46pmI’d like to see CBS make a graphic with the President with a Lei on one half of his body, a turbin on the other half of his head – then the birthers could have a field day!
Report Post »Indyeast
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:59pmask cbs…I’m sure they will help ya.
Report Post »alcarfl
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:46pmRacist, rev, Al?
Report Post »General K
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 6:32pmAnd the problem with that is?
Report Post »v.o.t.e.
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:46pmabsolutely insulting to all americans– its about agenda–stupid
Report Post »oldasdirt
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:45pmNow I will have to stop putting Half N Half,in my coffee for the next 2 years.
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:45pmThis is just silly – CBS lucked into a graphic that people could mine “secret” meanings from.
It is likely nothing more than putting the Dems on the reader‘s left side and the GOP on the reader’s right. But that “two-tone” face is errily reminiscent of the Batman vilan Two-Face:
http://brewandreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Two_Face_6711.jpg
Report Post »DoctorRon
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:45pmI have yet to see the “white” Obama. Might be interesting.
Report Post »Rita
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:44pmIt means his acting career (dual personality) has got to be Academy Award Winning for the next two years. Unfortunately, he’s blowing it big time with this absurd 2 billion dollard trip to India. He’s never going to get re-elected and he knows it.
Report Post »Rapunzel
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:43pmI got an email awhile back with a picture of BO doctored to make him look white. The caption was, Do you like him any better now? No? Then you’re NOT a racist!
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:43pmIf it was about policy, the left side should naturally be RED.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 5:11pmagree RED ……….. I would like to see a picture Mayflower truck (any color) in front of the white house
Report Post »tatankachief
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:43pmI know I’m dating myself … again … but he sure does look like either the half white or the half black on the Star Trek episode (late 60′s) starring Frank Gorshen. Wrap that little sheet around his head he wore as a kid and he’d look like Kahn … as in the Wrath of. I‘m pretty sure that’s not what the Communist Broadcasting System was thinking however, but …………………………… ;o)
Report Post »smokie
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:53pmHaha! I thought so, too!
Report Post »If it is over race, then why aren‘t we expecting ’white’ behavior from all the people of other races that are conservative?
I always thought Obama acted very mayonnaise, myself. He’d fit right in on “Revenge of the Nerds”.
American Pride
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:43pmGood job jumping the shark cbs.
Report Post »catndahat
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:42pmCBS–what do you expect? They are part of the problem, part of the divisive rascist agenda. Nothing surprising here.
Report Post »steve4u55
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:41pmjust another attempt from the lamestream leftest media to furthur divide this country
Report Post »blessedmidwest
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:41pmI recognize Boehner on the “white” side, but isn’t that Colbert in the back?!? I am baffled.
Report Post »Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:58pmthat is Eric Cantor next to Boehner. Steven Colbert is a comedian a very bad one.
Report Post »CollateralDamage
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:59pmI think it’s Eric Cantor.
Report Post »OK3Wire
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 3:36pmBesides, Boehner is a “person of color”, according to Obonzo. Yeah, he’s sort of orange most of the time …
Report Post »ponzo57
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:39pmI think it shows the president at morphing into “The Dark Side” of the Force.
Report Post »FL_Hunter
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:38pmMy first thought when I saw this picture was – OBAMA THE GREAT DIVIDER! He can’t bring a nation together he can only divide it.
Report Post »AzRocks
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:06pmI believe that’s the plan – divide and conquer, revolution, rebellion, violence. We must keep our heads on straight and avoid falling into their trap. (Spooky dude’s trap)
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:09pmAwesome!
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:38pmIs there any level they won’t stoop too to try to boost their ratings. What an absolute joke. And, personally, I find it very insulting to both blacks and whites!
Report Post »JD Carp
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:12pmDead on the money! I don’t care what color her is, I disagree with his policies and the direction he is trying to move this country. I LIKE MY FREEDOM
Report Post »Kisha
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:38pmI think this is just another way for the media to try to divide the people! Pure and simple! Don’t take the bait!
Report Post »LadyLiberty
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:43pmcourtesy of spooky dude most likely
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:51pmYes, this preoccupation and obsession with race is really tiring. The media needs to grow up, and catch up with all the rest of regular people who are educated. We realize that we all came from the same parents, Adam and Eve and later through Noah and his wife, his three sons and their three wives.
Report Post »Kisha
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:53pmNo doubt. They have to spin it some more, to keep the grip. Thankfully we all see through this now.
Were awake “spooky dude”… it’s time for you to leave!
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:02pmRace, race, race! Enough already. True peace on earth will not be obtainable until we learn to be brothers and sisters in the human family.
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:37pmOMG really! Are they really going to this extreme and create another race baiting narrative?! Its simple do not engage them on this issue, let the fringe media talk this up so all can see they created it. Do not acknowledge this its clear what they are doing… dividing the US. They need confrontation and they want it it makes news; especially when its race baited!
Remember this is nothing but a game to the radicals in power, stop playing by their rules! Start playing your game through http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:37pmcan you imagine if fox news brought this forward…the country would go in a meltdown…well the libral side anyway…personally I think the picture shows his true sides…two faced…
Report Post »BocaBaby
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:02pmYOU hit the nail on the head.
Also, I would like to add that this man in the White House, well, maybe CBS like the rest of us, do not REALLY know WHO he is, WHAT he is, or WHERE he came from….
Although, we can probaly all guess…he is evil, he is a deciever, and he is from Kenya.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:50pmDoes this mean that if we get a white president next time and dems libs proggressives don’t like him and agree with his (her) policies we can call THEM racists for a change?
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 4:28pmSorry everybody my spelling is atroshus today.
Report Post »workin4alivin
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:36pmnope i don’t see black/white; i see left and right…he will have to straddle a fence. most folks who straddle a fence usually get there you know what caught on the fence….
Report Post »Lorist
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:56pmlol i hope he finally picks em up. maybe that‘ what’s wrong with him.
Report Post »dwhitlow
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:36pmOh, great! We’ll really get nowhere with this Jr High mentality! The press is sooo racially anal.
Report Post »mamawalker
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:36pmAll the while these bozos call us racist – the hypocrisy is never-ending!
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:40pmAgreed. Can you imagine how fast this would be top story on every station if Fox had done something as idiotic as this?
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:44pmIf FOX did this somebody would hang for it.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 6:30pmRemember the big dust up when the picture of B.O. as the Joker came out? People were ready to attack the artist on that one. This one is almost as bad, (but of course not as awful as the Bush as Nazi picture, which got a pass) yet CBS seems proud of itself.
Interesting that the blue star field is behind the Dems and the Red and White Stripes are behind the Repubs.
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:35pmUnbelievable!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:51pmMaybe we shouldn’t look at it as black and white, but the dems in the dark and the repubs in the light. Think that would piss them off?
Report Post »john1417
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:02pmuntameable-kate
Report Post »that’s a great idea
bulldawg
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:09pmWas not CBS one of the morons who called the tea party racist, and if you didn’t agree with the BOZO a racist. People stay vigilant because the crap is just getting started, we have alot of work to do. Herman Cain for President. http://www.weeklyrepublic.com
Report Post »azjoannie
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 3:34pmGood one Kate!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 3:45pmCan you IMAGINE what the MSM would do if this had been a sign at a TEA Party?!
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 7:09amEven though we don’t want it to be about race, the global elites do now, and always have, used race as a tool to further their agenda. They want to see us bickering over race. It should come as no surprise as it was documented far in advance in the Bible.
Report Post »azjoannie
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:34pmIt’s not about race, stupid – it’s about policies and agenda!
sweetbees
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:41pmExactly!!!! The sooner the lefties get that through their head the better off we will all be! I am not a racist or a bigot because I dislike his white half just as much as his black half!!!
HKS
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:45pmIt’s about commies……………….., I won’t be distracted.
Report Post »Laus Deo Too
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:48pm@AZJOANNE
I think the only way BO can maintain any semblance of power is to keep the racial divide in this country alive. CBS is complicit in sponsoring a photo like this. So I think it goes deeper than just policy and agenda. That’s my $0.02.
BJC49
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:49pmThe whole picture is built upon liberal progaganda and lies.
First- the men behind both sides are white unlike what they want you to belive. Democrats are not the party of blacks to lead or succeed. They’re only useful on the liberal plantation.
Second-The Republican party is always depicted as old white men but as you can well see it’s the liberal side that is old white men.
HKS
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 1:59pmOK, now I get it, that abc, man are they smart. They thought we were to dumb to see it. It’s a black wolf with white seeps clothing. Now I think I’ve see that somewhere??????????
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:03pmThe idiocy of this is reflected in the employees of CBS. http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »BernieKittyCat
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:05pmPay attention to the other hand!!!!
tobywil2
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:05pmThose who support President Obama’s agenda claim that it is racist to oppose that agenda!
Is the book “Atlas Shrugged” racist?
The book, “ATLAS SHRUGGED” by Ayn Rand was published in 1957. The book refutes tyranny, including Mr. Obama’s particular brand of oppression. She proves conclusively that individual freedom is the basis for prosperity and that tyranny produces only poverty and despair. Individual freedom, of course is in direct conflict with the “CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN” and all of Mr. Obama’s programs.
Was “ATLAS SHRUGGED” racist when it was published in 1957 or did it become racist when Obama elected President? Perhaps, “ATLAS SHRUGGED became a racist book when we learned what Mr. Obama’s “CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN” actually is?
http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »kickedoutofengland
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:06pmAs you face the picture, dems are on the left, and repubs are on the right. His face has light shown onto the right side creating a shadow on the left. This doesn’t appear to be about race, just ideology.
Report Post »Sam I am
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:07pmIt means when Marco Rubio takes his seat, CBS will have to find a Hispanic side too.
Report Post »Jamestown
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:07pmCBS is the whore who did her job now complain about its customer
Report Post »MontanaMade
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:11pmWhat is funny to me, is that the left is portrayed as a party for minorities, yet more minorities were elected in the gop this last election cycle than the left has had in a long long time! So who’s race baiting now?
Report Post »NFYRx
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:11pmOne side is articulate, the other speaks with the “***** dialect”. Right Harry?
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:15pmYep….keep widening that gap.. that’ll help.
Report Post »Both in color and in party…. it’s really helping!!
George Washington
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:25pmYou are partially correct. Yes, it is about policy and ajenda. It is also about race because Obama is bi racial. He is half black and half white. He is also half a%@’d.
Report Post »TMACK
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:43pmWell said Sweetbees!
Report Post »Max jones
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:50pmMany of us have wondered what the left’s next move would be. This is it! This is the power play. Read Eugene.Robinson. They are making the repudiation of creeping socialism into Racism. These people have no compunction against inciting violence. The idea is to cover the real issues with a blanket of Racist accusations and political correctness. Beware! There is no protection from the extremists on the left. Eric Holder will hold the racial lines and terms of play, should anything boil over.
Report Post »Any retoric that crosses into criticism of the president’s actions or intentions will be met with racist accusations. They have had a taste of power and they are not about to give up without a, tooth and nail, fight.
It looks as though the largest and most dangerous cadre, aligned against us, will be the labor unions. They have invested the most into this administration’s agenda, and they will be forced to hold the line. Boener and company will not have an easy time with this.
The lame duck session congress is about to take up, could be very damaging. The Libs are pissed. Like spoiled children they will attenpt to break all their toys, in a fit of pique.
Lord, help us. We want to bring this nation back into your blessings. We have accepted the fact that our inattention, and misplaced trust is the cause of our suffering, and we implore you for help to restore honor and truth to our government. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
thesixfour
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:56pmHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA… and the tea parties are the racists?
WOW. It doesn’t get much more “divided” than that image. Pathetic. Lame stream media – proves they are hypocrites and double standard jerks once again.
Report Post »glassbeadlady
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 3:15pmnot a racial thing, it is a lefty thing and we don’t want to go there!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 3:43pmTWO FACED OBAMA … What a surprise? NOT!
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 3:49pmThe left makes EVERYTHING about race. It is their only defense against common sense and it is wearing thin, Soon it will mean nothing anymore..
Right now I take it as a badge of honor to be called a racist, because I know I am not one. It makes me KNOW I am ******* off a *******!!!
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 3:52pmThat depicts his Communist side and his Socialist side. The progressive commies are behind the left shoulder. Behind the right shoulder we don’t know if they are Patriot or Progressive yet. We will see soon.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 4:04pmOH COME ON!!!
Who do you think keeps racism alive and thriving in this country. Everyone should be offended by that picture.
I mean even if the implication in this picture was true,(which it isn’t), it is irresponsible as all get out to promote it this way. I believe it is just ment to inflame racial tensions.
SHAME ON THEM, BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »chazman
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 4:53pmI hope CBS burns to the ground. Only way to start over …
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 4:59pmAgain I ask…Will anyone get fired over this?
Sans Juan Williams…
Oh, they didn’t appear on fox so NO.
What hypocrits!!!!!!
Report Post »claymoremacm
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 5:13pmhe is not black or white he is Pink!!
Report Post »tea bagging patriot
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 5:21pmOf course this is not about race.
That’s why we in the tea party have never questioned the presidents citizenship, or called him a foriegn muslim.
This is strictly an argument about policy. We tea baggers are very rational sane people. We simply want to make sure the government does nothing to help sick or dying children or elderly, because that would be socialism.
rebel
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 5:26pmCBS doesn’t surprise me anymore. anything to up the ratings and they still fail.
Report Post »DirectlyUnPCman
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 6:36pmRace is just too damn important to the left. They will never let it go, in fact, they will use it until it no longer holds sway in peoples minds. Its already having that effect. How do you feel when you hear someone scream racism when you know it was nothing of the sort. Peoples are losing their fear of that claim. Let PC die.
Report Post »mhannah.vera
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 7:12pmsome people are just too stupid to realize it not the color of your skin! Its the policies you espouse. Dummies never learn!
Report Post »chazman
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 7:19pmI‘ll tell you what ’CBS’s controvertial Obama picture means.’ It means CBS does the bidding of OBAMA, and the rest of the Liberal Marxist’ in this country!
Report Post »skiyryder77
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 7:19pmCan you imagine what the outcry would be if Fox had printed this?
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 8:25pmThe democrats are still using blacks like pawns… they don’t even try to hide it anymore. They are just going for broke.
Disgusting.
Report Post »rtupeck
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 8:29pmAMEN SWEETBEES you nailed it right square where it belongs …..
Report Post »sportlock
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 8:31pmRe write a Michael Jackson song… You can be my president, it don‘t matter if you’re black or white…
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 9:03pmThe picture means that Obama prefers to avert his eyes from the American flag, and to keep buildings and people (Republicans or Democrats – it doesn’t matter) directly between it and him; because it is so big and looming, and it‘s gonna get ’im! :D
Report Post »Sssipad
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 11:41pmThe left is so bewildered at what happened — they probably haven’t noticed that the only blacks who won seats were republicans. And of course we had people of Mexican, Cuban & Indian descent who won. Yet they call us racists!!!
Report Post »nkawtg
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 12:35amThe GOP is all white? Nope, on the national level at least a dozen black republican candidates ran and two were victorious, Tim Scott, from South Carolina, and Allen West, from Florida.
Report Post »And check out this organization I found; Raging Elephants, an organization set up to attract black conservative candidates. Got to love it.
Impeach-BO
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 2:06amHello everyone, for those on here who already know Tea Bagging Patriot(AKA matty1631) is a union member plant then ignore this message.
He is a Soros union member plant.
Never is and never was a conservative or a tea party member.
Constantly belittling the tea party members and often making racist comments.
He’s already been exposed for the lib-tard union plant he is so just ignore him.
He’s trying to bait real Tea Party members into agreeing with him and/or saying some of his similar hatefilled rhetoric. Don’t fall for it.
I am here to follow this fake and counter every lying post he promotes. Sorry little matty, you lose..again.
For anyone new take note. Thank you.
Report Post »Suzee
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 2:20amYes, the left half with Reid is ‘tales from the dark side’ The right half is ‘Oh let there be light, sunlight. It is disinfecting time!!!!!!!
Report Post »Ross
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 7:31amWay to go call someone stupid.
Report Post »hempstead1944
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 8:25amSoooo right !
Report Post »JKN
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 9:11amMy take: If you’re a “person of color” thirsting for social and racial justice, elect Barack Obama and the Democrats in 2012. If you’re a “typical white person,” aka: angry, racist, extreme, stick with the “oppressors of justice,” Republicans… In the meantime, Obama will be forced to play both sides of the coin until this electorate, We the People, get it “right.”
Report Post »Stuck_in_CA
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 9:40amThe Left is and always has been, obsessed with skin color. They need to divide everyone, in order to win.
Report Post »Lonescrapper
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 9:41amBut where are the women? This picture is sexist.
Report Post »HUGGINGMYBABIES
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 11:29amI’m thinking this picture means one thing: Harry done needs himself a ladder, cuz he can’t even see past them large ears! OR that the left hides on the shadows? Don’t the Republicans appear almost angelic and sun kissed??
Report Post »HUGGINGMYBABIES
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 11:44amIf they really wanted to start a war they should have penciled in Rangle and Waters instead of Pee’d and Shoe-horn.
Report Post »OldVet
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 12:23pmTo quote LBJ “If we pass this Civil Rights Legislation, Democrats will get the Ni**er vote for the next 200 years”. What a bastard he was! The Democrats have been trying to re-enslave blacks and the poor for many years. More government means less Freedom, Less government means more freedom.
Report Post »Obama is a wolf in sheep’s clothing just like the Fabian Socialist banner. He is half white and half arab and he only pretends to be black when it suits him. Yes, there are black Arabs just like black Jews. His ancesters were slave owners not slaves. Wake up everybody.
G.W. Dobbs
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 1:07pmYes, but the Democrats ALWAYS play the “Race Card” because they do not want Equality; they want Preferfence.
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