Best of the Bag, 2012: Santorum on the Trail

Even while the world roiled through natural disasters, the ongoing turbulence of the Arab Spring, war, social issues, sports, and scandal, the American presidential election sucked out much of the visual oxygen here and everywhere. During the general election, the contrast between the two main players became a point of illustration. It got to the point that even outstanding visual evidence of Romney’s awkwardness or Obama’s star power was passed over as old hat. But the primaries always provided fresh shots of a captivating (if not alarming) cast of characters.

Here’s one of our favorite posts (and favorite photographs) from the GOP primary season, originally entitled Stephen Crowley’s Extraordinary Photo of Santorum at an African-American Church.

A wonderful shot by NYT‘s Stephen Crowley of Santorum’s train wreck addressing a black church in Florida.

1. God, please tell the Pastor to let us have our cellphones!

2. Hopefully Rick, you and your friends will think twice next time about all the food stamp baiting.

3. The campaign has been full of photos making fun of the candidates but this is something more genuine, honest … and disturbing. It’ a true “emperor’s new clothes” moment, not to mention a brilliant example of the photojournalist refusing to play along.

Via NYT Florida primary slideshow.

(caption: Mr. Santorum addressed the congregation at the Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach on Jan. 22.)