Let's see what it looked like, Bill.

fyi,

White House contender Barack Obama will no longer be using a campaign seal that critics called an arrogant imitation of the US president's official emblem, according to reports today.

The seal was first seen on Friday at a meeting between Obama and Democratic state governors, causing tongues to wag owing to its close resemblance to the eagle logo displayed on the lectern whenever the president speaks in public.

The Obama seal had the same bald eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, denoting war and peace, but inserted the words "Vero possumus" - a loose Latin translation of the Democrat's campaign slogan "Yes, we can."

One Obama aide told Fox News that the widely panned seal was intended as a one-off for Friday's event. But Atlantic.com reported that the candidate himself felt the image had been a "silly mistake."

An Obama spokesman could not be reached for comment.

The seal was greeted with universal derision by US media, and the campaign of Republican candidate John McCain called it "laughable, ridiculous, preposterous and revealing all at the same time."

Yeah, someone lost their job over that.

David

This, however, will not stop other past and current presidential candidates from using the actual presidential seal on their campaign materials. It is a pretty common design element in the genre, though not usually used on the lectern.

Obama's seal may have been an awkward parody, but at least he had good enough taste not to have presumptively used the real thing.

Sorry, Nick, and thanks BJ. I thought the picture was in the article--it's not any more--and wanted just to get it up here. Also I am so obsessed with this election that I forget that not everybody is!

What font did they use for this Obama seal?

Is it different than the sans serif used in his logo or for the slogan on his website?

Sort of reminds me of Interstate Bold, but it might be a bit too bold.

Reminds me of junk mail I've received that's made to look like maybe it's important info from the IRS.

The font looks to me like Gotham, which was also used for the "Change" signs. I don't know the italic.

This is beautifully executed, but just a terrible idea. I would guess that the same person did this and the original O, as it has a similar feel. It would be interesting to find out the history of this blunder. I wonder if it is a product of collaboration--someone, or some committee, got the "bright idea", and then had the designer execute it.

Hmmm...I rather like it. A parody, sure, but why not? To me it's clever, and I like the Obama camp's attention to design and marketing. It's a breath of fresh air in the political picture. But I suppose, if opponents find a way to criticize it in a way that can be distracting and disruptive, it's probably best to pull it off the shelf and move on. I think the critics (opponents) are scrambling for ways to make him look bad. The opponent's marketing flat out sucks by comparison.

"Change" and "Hope" are kind of weak campaign themes, I think. Too ambiguous. But that's beside the point.

Yeah, I thought the seal of 'now' disapproval wrapped up his whole campaign strategy. Add to that, the darn thing is placed crooked.

I also think that those patriotic Dems who were flush with a fresh choice in Obama realise his branding of America - then Lou Dobbs just gained a few more fellow Independent registrants.

On a graphic forum that talks specifically with the POWER of marketing I wrote a piece about how people in times of struggle look for a reason to believe. Obama created a graphic heavy campaign specifically to target those votes (and continues to do so). If Obama doesn't check his ego - and stop subjugating America's patriotic symbols to his own greed/desires - he will surely push Independents over to McCain.

"Nero possumus"? What's that, something like "The cruel possum emperor"?

I think that the marketing of his campaign has been really interesting...

Is the sans serif that is in his logo is Gill Sans? Why do you think they chose Gotham for this seal?

Why do you think they chose Gotham for this seal?

Because the only other sans font that can be both high class and blue collar is Helvetica. Gotham just appeals to damned near everybody.

subjugating America’s patriotic symbols to his own greed/desires - he will surely push Independents over to McCain.

Why? Because Independents want their patriotic symbols to be subjugated only for the greed and desires of oil/war?

The eagle motif is nothing new to Obama branding. An eagle has been part the main background image of his website since the start: http://www.barackobama.com/images/bg.jpg

This particular incarnation is a bit before it's time, but personally, I'm ok with that. Is it January 20th yet?

Oh, and "Nero possumus" = "Yes We Can" (in Latin)

I stumbled over this when looking for soccer news. It doesn't have any interesting type in it but the idea is related. This may be the opposite to the above:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,557670,00.html

Seeing as how I haven't heard of this anywhere other than this site, I don't think there's going to be very much backlash.

Anyone here read the "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by Shirer(sp?) ? Interesting and thought provoking read. At one part Shirer comments on Nazism's use of imagery as well as rhetoric in winning, legally mind you, elections in the Weimar Republic, which eventually lead to the overthrow of democracy in Germany and the horrors of World War 2. What does this have to do with this thread? Not much other then don't trust politicians, even ones who utilize good design and speaking skills.

Okay now that I've just Goodwined this thread...