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For Obama the Nominee, Even More Discipline

Acutely aware of scrutiny, campaign takes control of image

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 19, 2008 8:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – As Barack Obama's campaign transitions from Democratic frontrunner to nominee, his team is ratcheting down control over the candidate's public image and media access to him. But yesterday's revelation that Obama campaign volunteers prohibited two Muslim women wearing headscarves from sitting behind him at a rally underscores the challenges facing the nation's first black nominee, writes the New York Times.

The Obama campaign recently barred cameras from a major meeting among African-American civic leaders, and kept religious figures Obama met from speaking to the press. Political operatives on both sides are impressed with the discipline, especially as the McCain campaign has faced ridicule for a lax approach. But national media recently voiced disapproval over the campaign's "deceiving the press corps."

Barack Obama talks to the media during a news conference on his campaign plane en route from Michigan to Washington, DC Tuesday, June 17, 2008.
Barack Obama talks to the media during a news conference on his campaign plane en route from Michigan to Washington, DC Tuesday, June 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Barack Obama points to take a question from the media after a foreign affairs round table discussion in Washington, Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
Barack Obama points to take a question from the media after a foreign affairs round table discussion in Washington, Wednesday, June 18, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama steps out of his vehicle as he arrives at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown. Wednesday, June 18, 2008, for the funeral mass of NBC's Tim Russert.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama steps out of his vehicle as he arrives at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown. Wednesday, June 18, 2008, for the funeral mass of NBC's Tim Russert.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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