Obama campaign backtracking on the Obama presidential seal; thinks it was a flop

I, for one, thought it was a clever idea. But I guess they want to take away the RW arrogance talking point about it.

No "Seal" Zone, Starting.....
23 Jun 2008

I've had my fun with the Obama campaign's seal, and now that fun ends. I'm told that Obama recognizes that it was a silly mistake, that the universal reaction at Wacker and Michigan was, "Boy, was that dumb," and that they don't think the seal staging will matter to actual voters.

Does the press think Obama is arrogant? Yes. Does the seal represent arrogance? Only tangentially, actually. The worry for Obama's image managers is that it gives the press a pretext to call Obama arrogant, an example for them to add to a list of arrogant moments, and a way to distract them from what Obama is saying. Obama, as I've written, is certainly more confident than the average Democratic presidential candidate. He doesn't particularly care about making nice with his traveling press corps, and he is personally disciplined and self-contained. Just like McCain's staff is remarkably sensitive to how the press covers their candidate, Obama's staff is hyperattentive to Obama's public image. They want him to appear strong and presidential; they want him to appear loyal and patriotic and down-to-earth; they take a broad view of history and try to make sure that Obama falls on the right side of it; they are protective to a fault; unlike McCain, Obama generally does not operate outside his comfort zone, and his political instincts are very cautious and risk-averse. Some Obama aides are enraptured by the idea of an Obama brand that transcends politics; others, including most of those who are actually close to the candidate, are much, much more concerned with the type of hubris that all the talk of an Obama brand actually encourages.

All of which is to say that if you were to exchange brains with your typical Obama staffer, you can kind of see how designing a new seal seems cool and presidential, and you can also realize that those closest to the candidate don't vet every single stage prop that appears with the candidate, and you can feel a little sympathy for the staffer who has to explain to Valerie Jarrett just what the hell he or she was thinking when the seal was approved.

http://thepage.time.com/2008/06/23/seal-of-disapproval/

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/06/a_no_seal_zone_starting_1.php

possum saying "Yes we can!"

I think Obama takes this country seriously, but I don't think he takes himself seriously. That's a good set of attitudes, IMO.

http://buttons.cafepress.com/obama-presidential-seal

CafePress doesn't miss a beat.....

Sounds like something this guy pulled out of his ass.

actual voters..."

But let's make sure we get this all over the nets anyway... :eyes:

I don't know why they didn't just go with this.

:thumbsup:

After drowning for the last eight years, the USA needs one!

that says that with his pic in the middle.

They're not perfect and glad they're backtracking and taking it away if it didn't go over.. instead of being too arrogant to admit a mistake.

How arrogant was the bush coup of 2000 and the takeover in Ohio in 2004?

And Mission (NOT SO) Accomplished? Along with all the other bushit that the press didn't deem ARROGANT?

Too many colors and variation. As a migraine sufferer I can't look at that symbol for more than a few seconds without having to turn away. Yes I might a be an anomoly, but if I look at something and it actually causes me physical pain; it's not a good choice.

butt ugly too!

Franklin Mint quality.

:shrug:

And no second "e" in Wedgwood :)

http://www.wedgwood.com/

I didn't for the longest time, but when I lived in Greenwich Village years ago, there was an apartment building called "Wedgwood House" and I was so curious about the spelling, I looked up the dinnerware company and there it was.

in the Nation of Liberia.

very good graphic for his campaign, playing around with other logos and seals will just confuse the average person. Look how well it works in business, they don't go changing things radically but slowly over time to keep the consumers trust. There is comfort in seeing something you recognize as good to you. My advice is to stick with what you have and use it, he will have plenty of time to use the eagle motif when he is president.

It could kinda use a little updating.

Beyond that, I could have lived with it....but glad that I don't have to.

Guess that Obama meant it when he said that he wasn't a perfect man, or a perfect candidate, nor will he be a perfect President.

So be it.

The standard Obama logo is much more striking and memorable than the eagle seal, and the eagle seal doesn't fit well with the rest of the Obama branding material. The "Vero possumus" slogan was also ripe for mockery.

I cringed when I saw it. Poor taste and poor design too.

Definitely not needed.

I'm glad that they dropped it. Huge silly mistake.

too much ammo

Live and learn, though. This is one among so very, very few missteps by the campaign, I can't fault them too much.

I didn't like it either.

I am SO glad to read this.

"...unlike McCain, Obama generally does not operate outside his comfort zone".

McCain seems to be permanently outside his comfort zone in his public appearances.

and he's barely campaigned.

It was too muted. Stick with bold design and messages...

I thought it was a dumb move, so I'm glad they're redirecting quickly. Their primary logo is terrific; why not stay with that, or a variant of that?

It was arrogant and in poor taste to rip off the presidential seal. It rubbed people the wrong way.

I actually sent the campaign a message complaining about the seal. Not that really made any difference.

How in the world did anyone think messing with the seal was a good ideal?

was hideous to boot.

...but then, few things are...

does it stand for?

this is the new Iraqi flag:

I'm well aware of that.

Yes, it made a big stink when it was proposed and VERY quickly withdrawn. Truly a boneheaded design, and just plain compositionally BAD, not to mention the Israeli-like color scheme...

and you're right on all counts.

He sensed a problem brewing and kicked it in the butt right away. That's one thing I'll say about this guy. If he sees a problem he does what he can to FIX it asap.

Symbolman.. :)

First off, WRONG Color.. Everything must be GREEN for the next 3 to 5 Years..

It was Too Busy.. He needs a LOGO, not a Seal, at least not yet.. Too many things to eyeball makes people tired, they shut down, can't whip some nice Commercial Psyops on them that way..

He's Already Got a Logo that Appeals to so many, I see dozens of personalized Iterations of it right here on the DU..

Suggestion? Hey Obama, remember when you had the "Have a Burger with Obama" contest? Take the "Heartland/Rising Sun" Logo you have now and Turn it loose on The People.. Let hundreds or thousands mess around with the components in that logo, and let them win, Three Days on The Campaign Trail with You, in the Plane and everything..

Be good business, a nice thing to do, tons of untapped talent out there, and a great Human Interest Story..

Or talk to me.. I've won a Hollywood Award, beat out over 640 Animators worldwide with Best Animated Graphic..

Its what I DO Baby, have your people call my people, we'll get you in the Zone.. :)

Hey, why not get that ball Rolling right here? Let's have an Obama Logo contest Right Here on the DU.. I know they want to send him a big fat check, but a story AND a Logo that Rocks is Priceless.. :)