Obama's call to the Philly Eagles owner:That expressed gratitude for them hiring Michael Vick, was not politically smart. Animal lovers will be outraged and it doesn't help with any other group out there. Obama would have been well advised not to bring the matter up.
I wouldn't be surprised if he walks back this action.
posted by Quiddity at 12/28/2010 03:19:00 PM
I think you're misreading this. Vick's redemption narrative has been very strong in the media this year; he may be the NFL MVP. People who think Vick, having served his time, should still be in prison or banned from the NFL will come across as fringe or contrarian (think PETA). It *does* help with people who push for prison rehabilitation programs (ie, liberals!), and I imagine it will go over well in African-American communities. Also, with Pennsylvanians in general, especially the Philly area that's so crucial to winning the state. And it re-enforces the image of Obama the Sports Fan, which was one of the less-heralded reasons for his 2008 popularity.
That said, I wouldn't be shocked if Obama walked it back a bit, but I actually think it was a potentially savvy move.
Eagles Fan has it right, until he got to the walk it back part. I could see him talking/pushing an animal anti-cruelty line, but Vick himself is doing that and who's going against that line, other than Sarah and that nitwit rocker? Not a walkback.
Hmm ... There seems to be a memory hole here
