How to Throw a First Pitch

Last night, watching the ceremonial opening pitch of the All-Star Game by President Obama, I couldn't help but wonder who chose the camera angle? So bizarre was this canted angle, it kept viewers at home from actually seeing whether the ball made it to home plate. Is the current occupant of the White House that vain or are his handlers that worried about him looking like he's not the superman they (and the media) portray him to be? I know I refer to him as the Fauxbama, but gee whiz, this is getting ridiculous. Will he be lip syncing soon on Saturday Night Live?

In some respects, this is a completely trivial matter. But in other respects, it leads to bigger questions about "the brand" we are being sold. What other mistakes and policy glitches are being camouflaged in order to protect the brand's image? And make no mistake, Obama is a brand, even if he does make Neil Diamond's "Forever in Blue Jeans" seem like a horrifying threat.

The pitch itself was a bit dainty. For comparison, I have included President Bush's attempt at Yankee Stadium in 2001. Bush demonstrates how to do it right without resorting to camera tricks.

The Anchoress goes further in dissecting the two men, their personalities, and what their pitching appearances say about the way they treat the office of the president. Suffice it to say, when the crowd chants U-S-A! U-S-A! after Bush's successful strike throw, I wondered if Obama would have been disappointed to not hear his own name. I also wonder if the cult of personality around Barack is so strong that they would have us chanting O-ba-ma! O-ba-ma! instead of cheerleading for our country.

Of course, it's just baseball. I understand our President is good at plenty of other sports.