Imus Affair Could Cost Obama

Civil rights leader not threatened by new wave of black politicians

(NEWSER) - Is there a place for Al Sharpton in a Barack Obama world? The first black politician with a serious shot at the Oval Office hardly mentions race, whereas Sharpton is, as one historian puts it, “kind of a racial ambulance chaser.” But Sharpton isn’t worried. “They say we don’t matter,” he tells the Washington Post, then “they want to know who we’re endorsing.” More»

First reelection bid outside DC in recent memory

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s reelection campaign will likely be based in Chicago, not Washington—a rare move for a sitting president, and one that his advisers hope will help him rekindle the energy of 2008, Politico notes. Usually, campaigns are kept close to the president’s DC home, where they’re easily accessible, said a Democratic consultant: "In modern presidential history, this is kind of revolutionary." More»

(NEWSER) - Seeing Barack Obama’s success in the 2008 election, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has borrowed the US president’s most famous phrase for his own reelection campaign, the Guardian reports. In a campaign video, the Iranian president stands in front of a blackboard with the Farsi words “Ma Mitavanim,” or “We Can,” written on it. The video stresses Ahmadinejad’s previous life as an academic. More»

LA graphic designer says image boosted power of art

(NEWSER) - The iconic Hope image of Barack Obama helped get the Illinois senator elected president, says the graphic designer who created the image. “It has exceeded my expectations almost from the get-go,” Shepard Fairey told Smithsonian magazine, adding that Obama’s “unique” look was an inspiration for him and the public. “That it’s not just another 65-year-old white guy helps.” More»

Many pundits ruled out Obama victory early

(NEWSER) - With the election over, what's more fun than calling out all those whose predictions were off—way off. Der Spiegel lists some highlights:

• "He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win." Hillary Clinton, on Barack Obama
• "We'll win Florida." Rudy Giuliani
• "Virginians are really getting fired up for this ticket of McCain and Palin." George Allen
• "Romney for the Republicans, Hillary for the Democrats." Ann Coulter, on the nominees