Blogs and Stories
Obama's Awkward Group Photo
I once reviewed a book for the Times about body language. This hands-folded over you-know-where posture is called—by the kind of people who study this sort of thing; I was only the reviewer—the “classic genital-protection stance.” So there you have Paul Volcker and Joe Biden and Larry Summers and all these Washington solons being presented to the nation and the press corps, and what are they doing? Hiding their candy, as the Lady Chablis used to say. Well, I suppose I would too, if I were being thrown to the Washington press corps.
But what stood out was the one man who was not covering his cacahuetes from the ravening beasts: Rahm Emanuel, the new White House chief of staff. Look at the photo; study it!—he’s going to be a part of your life for the next four years! He’s standing next to our next president, hands on hips, pelvis slightly out-thrust, jacket open. This, according to the (admittedly overheated) body lingo book, is called the “classic exposed genital posture.” It signifies lack of fear, indeed, the opposite. You want ‘em? Come and get ‘em! Not for nothing is this man’s nickname “Rahmbo.” This is going to be interesting: a four-year run of The West Wing, lots of frowning, earnest liberal staffers, striving to do good. (Honestly, truly, I do wish them luck.) Some will cover their genitals, and in all likelihood, in time, their hind-quarters. Meanwhile, it’s good to know that one among them will be standing firm, a man who requires no trench coat in order to flash. Read my hips. Lotsa new taxes!
Say, wasn’t Sarah Palin hot at the Republican Governor’s Associ—
Editor’s note: This concludes Mr. Buckley’s post.
Christopher Buckley’s books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. His journalism, satire, and criticism has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Esquire. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and the founder and editor-in-chief of Forbes FYI.
Bringing Down Bachmann
Benjamin Sarlin is a reporter for The Daily Beast. He previously covered New York City politics for The New York Sun and has worked for talkingpointsmemo.com.
America's Hot Jobs (and Not Jobs)
The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
Nicolas Cage, Compulsive Spender
Jacob Bernstein is a senior reporter at The Daily Beast. Previously, he was a features writer at WWD and W Magazine. He has also written for New York magazine, Paper, and The Huffington Post.
It's Time for Us to Go
Christopher Buckley's books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and is editor-at-large of ForbesLife magazine. His new book is Losing Mum and Pup, a memoir. Buckley's Daily Beast column is the winner of an Online News Association award in the category of Online Commentary.
A Prize Too Far
Christopher Buckley's books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and is editor-at-large of ForbesLife magazine. His new book is Losing Mum and Pup, a memoir. Buckley's Daily Beast column is the winner of an Online News Association award in the category of Online Commentary.
Oval Office Confidential
Christopher Buckley's books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and is editor-at-large of ForbesLife magazine. His new book is Losing Mum and Pup, a memoir. Buckley's Daily Beast column is the winner of an Online News Association award in the category of Online Commentary.
Where's the photo?
Somewhere back in forgotten history is the man who first brought the word "dumbf$%^ery" into popular usage. Mr. Buckley's use of the word "cacahuetes" here may accomplish a similar civic good--giving us a handy tool to explain something fundamental about politicians.
Mr Buckley, I'm a new fan, and I gotta tell'ya, I'm in love! It's taken less than four of your blogs, and I'm head over heels.
Your writings make me smile, make me laugh, make me ponder, make me reflect. They are superb!
I thank God you left the NRO, after endorsing our PE Obama, or I'd probably never had gotten to read you as much. I'm now catching up with all your publications, buying your books and searching for past articles. You are now officially my favorite writer/satirist! Thank you!
What about Obama's body language during the 60 Minutes interview? Legs splayed. Sometimes hands covering crotch; sometimes hands on thighs; sometimes hand holding Michelle's.
Also enjoyed watching Michelle's body language. She leans into Barack. Their hands find each other. Barack leaned into her except when he spoke about football. That's when they both visibly separated. Sports is NOT something they share. But, I think that's the only thing. They can't hide their respect and love for one another and their family. That's refreshing to see.
Mr. Buckley seems to have expanded his readership. And all it took was his support of Obama.
If that's not worthy of satire, I don't know what is!
In May 2003 I was working at a boring factory job, listening to talk radio, trying to stay awake.
G. Gordon Liddy's show was on and the whole theme of the show was about how good the President looked on the "Mission Accomplished" deck. He was particularly enthralled with the President's "package". He insisted that the women of the world would rise up and kill those terrorists because the sight of the President's "package" would inspire them so much.
He carried on about President Bush's "package" for about a week, night after night. I can never hear about the "Mission Accomplished" speech without thinking about Gordon Liddy's admiration of the President's package. As a woman, I failed to see much there and never did take up arms against the terrorists.
I was a fan of William's witty essays, and am now a fan of Christo's. I'm also an Eisenhower Republican who, in the nutty Reagan neo con aftermath, is now regarded as an Obama left liberal!
Thanks for the smiles and forebodings....
charlie
Lets just hope that this isn't a case of yet another Dickens Classic unfolding here, with Rahm obviously playing the role of 'it was the best of times' and the rest playing the 'supporting role' of 'and it was the worst of times'.
This whole thing seems slightly nuts. Had the gents in the photo had their hands in their pockets, they would have been pegged for miscreants. It's a real problem trying to decide what to do with your hands when you can't rest them on a lectern. That's why the President always gets the covered spot.
Personally, I like the little finger flick that Palin does with her left hand when she's brushing off a reporter's point -- or was that just her way of teasing Wolf Blitzer?
No that I look at this photo again, Rhambo reminds me of Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. If this WH thing doesn't work out, maybe brother Ari can get him a gig in Hollywood.
Meanwhile, do you think that Palin expensed that ALASKA pin she wears?
As a photographer, we have always called the above pose - men standing with their hands clasped in front of their groins - as "A Nutgrabber".
Excellent post, as always, Mr. Buckley. By the way, it sounds like you started a trend at NR, as David Frum is on his way out too...
I did get a kick out of Rahm Emanuel's posture in that pic. Something tells me we are in for a fun four years with that guy in the White House. Can't wait.
CrabbyTominMD: not to belabor the Palin talk (sorry, editor), but that was some pin, eh? Certainly gets the point across about her devotion to Alaska...
It looks like Rahm is gonna bust a move (Mexican hat dance, or that Russian hip-hop thing). The guys in the back are ready to start bobbing up & down. Obama is doing his best Groucho imitation ("I once shot an elephant in my pajamas....").
You think that is bad, what about this?
...What *is* that pink thing hanging 8 inches below obama's jacket. The legs spread, the hands coyly protective. OMG.
LOL when I saw the press conference I thought Rahm stood too close to Obama almost like a body guard.
That anyone ever considered that overly enthusiastic sailors were responsible for the "Mission Accomplished" banner shows how little the general public and the scribbling drones and TV chatterheads know about sailors. Sailors are enthusiastic about shore leave, drinking and not much else. Besides, did these sailors just happen to have access to a wide format vinyl printer stowed away in the bosun's locker, was there a Kinkos down somewhere below the flight deck?
I wanted to ask how I could get a prescription however, the medication must have been illegal. Fast effect but too short lived and probably too addictive. Thank goodness (GMCaeser) we don't have that elephant in our pajamas anymore.
Bonus Question: What book is Mr. Buckley referring to in this line?
"Hiding their candy, as the Lady Chablis used to say. Well, I suppose I would too, if I were being thrown to the Washington press corps."
:)
"The Borgen Project has some good info on the cost of addressing global poverty.
$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
$540 billion: Annual U.S. Defense Budget."
I worked many years in the production office of small newspaper. It was common knowledge how men would stand in a group photo- white men have their hands clasped in front, and black guys would stand with their hands on their hips. We had stacked and stacks of the same stance repeated in various circumstances - so obvious once you notice it.
LOL!
LOL - I love Mr. Buckley's sense of humour.
Abelard:
Hiding My Candy: The Autobiography of the Grand Empress of Savannah
By Lady Chablis, Theodore Bouloukos, John Berendt
http://snipr.com/5qdwj [books_google_com]
The Beast is so darn great. Keep up the good work, all of you. And tell the web designers they kick ass. I love the usability and layout of this site.
However, the photo attached to this story doesn't work for me either. It kind of pops up a tiny version of the photo at the top of my screen.
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.
Please log in to leave comments.