Obama the Invalid

Doug Mills/New York Times

Obama’s Economic View Is Rejected on World Stage

China, Britain and Germany Challenge U.S. — Trade Talks With Seoul Fail, Too.

Going by the Times yesterday, Obama’s current situation is worse than that proverbial car being stuck in a ditch — if you simply consider the front page headline and subhead along with the accompanying photo which appeared on p. A12 (or the color version accompanying the online article).

In reality, yes, we see the Korean President and his wife helping position Obama for a photo.  Given the political context, however (and not just at the summit, but also at home with the confusion and apparent capitulation over Bush’s tax cuts), the harsh photo represents Obama more like a guy who was in the car when it got totaled who not only needs propping, but can barely put one foot in front of the other.