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Obama Shirtless on Washingtonian | 04/21/2009 8:00 am

President Barack Obama Shirtless on Washingtonian Cover (Image)

Cover line reads: #2 Reason We Love Living Here: Our Neighbor Is Hot
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
May Issue of Washingtonian

The May issue of Washingtonian recycled the infamous paparazzi photograph of a shirtless President Barack Obama to illustrate one reason why people "love living here: Our new neighbor is hot." 

The picture was snapped as Obama vacationed in Hawaii with this family in December, days before the first family officially moved to Pennsylvania Avenue.

Garrett Graff, editor-at-large at Washingtonian, a monthly entertainment and lifestyle magazine read by more than 400,000 people, told ABC News the idea for the cover came during a staff discussion about the Obamas arrival and the "celebrity aspect that has brought energy to the city and the attention of the paparazzi."

"The Obamas are the center of attention here and the whole world is looking to Washington now in a way we haven’t seen in years," Graff said.

In February 2007, a different beach photograph of the then-Senator of Illinois stirred a media frenzy. In response to the publicity, Barack Obama voiced his dismay that the public wasn’t curious about his policies but rather his pectorals.

"The problem is that that’s not what you guys have been reporting on," he said. "You’ve been reporting on how I look in a swimsuit."

Tell us: What do you think of the May issue of Washingtonian? Is it innocent? Fun? Disrespectful? Degrading?

washingtonian.jpg

68 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

DeBúrca obj
Most people who loved John Edwards loved his populist platform. I don’t know a single woman who would base her vote on looks, but then, the women I know are intelligent and well informed.
By DeBúrca obj on 04/21/2009 12:06 pm
deber B
The women I know are intelligent and well informed as well.   No one I know would ever "swoon" over a president.  However, that being said, there are a few on this site who are into the physical attraction aspect of what makes a good president.  Amazing isn’t it?
By deber B on 04/21/2009 12:16 pm
Mary Quite-Contrary
I find it amazing also.  Its an emotional attachment to idealistic image; when the chinks in the armour appear, the emotional fall out will be awful for some…as they have trully pinned so much to one man.   President Obama, has reached beyond being a political figure to a mythical figure (abs notwithstanding) and that is not a good place to be. 
By Mary Quite-Contrary on 04/21/2009 12:57 pm
deber B

That won’t last too much longer, Mary QC.   It’s "showtime" in America.

By deber B on 04/21/2009 1:13 pm
HA BIBI
Deborah, My exact setiments! I don’t want to see ANY President half naked, don’t care if he’s on Vacay or not. If he’s half naked, his ass ain’t working! 
By HA BIBI on 04/23/2009 9:37 am
DeBúrca obj
He really looks great, but he is president now and that photo is inappropriate for the cover of a magazine.
By DeBúrca obj on 04/21/2009 9:43 am
deber B
Bless you, DeBurca!!!!   Our president should not be showcased like that.   We agree.   Write this date done.
By deber B on 04/21/2009 9:49 am
Libra Lady
Deber….noted!  :-)
By Libra Lady on 04/21/2009 9:54 am
deber B
Hey, kiddo, shouldn’t you be boarding that big airplane right now?    Have a wonderful vacation!   We’ll miss you this week.   I leave tomorrow!
By deber B on 04/21/2009 10:00 am
Libra Lady
Deber…pretty soon…..you have a great trip too!!!  I will check in from time to time….
By Libra Lady on 04/21/2009 10:09 am
deber B
Thanks so much.   Can’t wait!
By deber B on 04/21/2009 10:45 am
Marva Marva
LOL he is President, not King.  I think it is all in good fun. Now, if he was good looking with terrible policies (Reagan, W) then I might be upset. President Obama seems to not take himself too seriously so if he doesn’t mind, neither do I. However, I will continue to hold his feet to the fire throughout his presidency.
By Marva Marva on 04/21/2009 11:02 am
DeBúrca obj
marva… you thought Reagan and W were ‘good looking’?
By DeBúrca obj on 04/21/2009 11:53 am
Marva Marva
umm yeah. does that make me a bad liberal???
By Marva Marva on 04/21/2009 9:13 pm
Rachel F

"he is president now and that photo is inappropriate for the cover of a magazine."

I agree completely. The office of president, and the president himself, should not be denigrated in this manner.

By Rachel F on 04/21/2009 11:47 am