Back In The U.S.A.

U.S. President Barack Obama arrives to take part in a town hall meeting Concord Community High School in Elkhart, Indiana, February 9, 2009. Obama on Monday called for tax breaks for companies that invest in the United States and said he would like to see education funding restored to the economic-stimulus bill. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)

It’s all right there: Back in the bright lights. Back in the arms of the people.

I like this Reuters shot — one of the first on the newswire — of Obama on the road selling his stimulus package. He’s in Elkhart, Indiana, a town stricken by the recession. (Although the photo — mirroring the town hall telecast, or the part I saw streaming on CNN, anyway, where you could only hear citizen’s questions but not see the questioner — doesn’t show the face of any of these good people.)

It’s a classic presidential photo op. But I’m almost as relieved as Obama must be for a break from stultifying, hallowed hall Washington. … and yes, the reminder that politics is supposed to be about the citizenry.

(image: Jim Young/Reuters. U.S. President Barack Obama arrives to take part in a town hall meeting Concord Community High School in Elkhart, Indiana, February 9, 2009. Obama on Monday called for tax breaks for companies that invest in the United States and said he would like to see education funding restored to the economic-stimulus bill.)