Is this our infamous 2008 picture?

For some reason, there always seems to be “one” picture that comes out during an election, which makes the news. Two of the most memorable pictures from recent elections are of Michael Dukakis sitting in the tank and John Kerry wearing the “Gumby suit” while a NASA. Today, we were blessed with a picture of Barack Obama wearing a traditional Somalia outfit while overseas in 2006. So this is it, the end of Obama’s campaign, right?

Obviously not. There is nothing in this photo that can even begin to scratch the surface of “it” picture for this election (not that one is actually required, mind you). In this case, Obama is simply participating in a cultural exchange with the people of Somalia. It is similar to Hillary Clinton wearing the headscarf on her recent overseas trip (as pictured above). One of the side-benefits for our politicians of travelling overseas is our exposure to cultures that differ from our own. This was evident by all the large celebrations many of the African nations put on in honor of President Bush during this month’s continental visit.

For those who seem to think that this picture of Obama is somehow a campaign killer, or somehow implies that he is “the enemy,” I recommend you to put aside your biases and look at the picture for what it is; simply a goodwill gesture between the US and Somalia.

For some additional reading, check out these sites:
BBC News – “Robed Obama picture ignites row”
Independent – “Clinton accused of smear over Obama picture”
Washington Post – “Obama Photo Swaddled in Mystery of Its Intent”

For some additional reading across the web, check out these blogs:
Ketchup and Eggs – “Clinton sinks to new low with Obama photo”
Gawker – “Drudge: Obama-in-Dress Photo Backfires on Clinton”
TruthDig – “Obama, Clinton Camps Clash Over Obama Photo Leak”
Big Head DC – “Drudge Accuses Clinton of Obama Photo Ties, But ‘Somali Dress’ Picture Has Been Online for Months”
A Blog for All – “That Obama Picture”