"Bachmann Photo-Op (Ed)" by Fly on the Wall | The Pilot: Southern Pines, NC

Bachmann Photo-Op (Ed)

August 9, 2011

Barely did Newsweek hit the stands when the flap started about Michele Bachmann's cover photo. Conservatives are outraged, deeming it "unflattering." By her own party, she is accused of a "wild-eyed" look. Others called it "sexist," which I can't figure out since she's not showing cleavage. Was it the maturing neck that bent them out of shape? Still others dredged up the Newsweek cover of Sarah Palin in shorts, her legs in a Miss America pose, to underscore Newsweek's liberal bias. Well, Sarah Palin could have said no to the shorts. But she didn't. And candidates are instructed early on to be ever-ready for photographs. No grimaces, no frowns, no stealth moves because a picture of Joe Biden rubbing his bald spot or checking his fly would be worth thousands. I think the Bachmann photo is just fine. It looks like a studio shot so she had input. True, she has deer-in-the-headlights eyes but that's Michele: anything else would be posed. She's wearing a conservative suit and pearls. Her earrings may be a bit dressy and the eyelashes look volumnized but as for that breathless half-smile: Pure Bachmann. So please, Tea Partyistas, go back to tut-tutting over President Obama's galloping grey hair before you get slammed with an unflattering photo of poor Mike Huckabee's expanding girth.

GoldenDreams 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Deb, I totally agree with you. You've heard of the expression, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Let's add that it's also worth a thousand interpretations. You can't win. OJ's picture on Time or Newsweek looked too menacing. Bill Clinton always looked too slippery (if that's even possible). Sarah Palin comes off like a cheerleader. Well, I think Michele Bachman looks great for her age. Let's forget about her picture and her headaches and look at her political stand for the great debate. Isn't that what's important?

Behan 9 months, 2 weeks ago

http://news.yahoo.com/jon-stewart-rips-newsweeks-bachmann-cover-142441412.html

blueoyster57 9 months ago

Her picture is still better to look at than you sweety!

bbellwfu 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Regarding your statement, "Well, Sarah Palin could have said no to the shorts. But she didn't."

You should consider all the facts prior to forming your opinion. Gov. Palin did not agree to a request from Newsweek to be photographed in running shorts for a political profile piece. The photograph in question was taken by Runner's World Magazine in an Aug 2008 photoshoot; completely unrelated to the Newsweek article. (see: http://goo.gl/5ZVsI ) Newsweek acquired the photograph and chose to use it for the cover.

According to Gov. Palin, the Runner's World photo was taken for use in a profile on health and fitness - an entirely appropriate image for the given context.

You are, in a sense, correct that she could have said no to taking the "shorts" photo, but I believe you are misrepresenting her decision by not informing your readers of the original purpose of the photo.