Obama: Re-birth of the Cool

It didn’t have the same drama as the ’08 shot. That photo of Obama in a downpour wearing a black rain slicker invited comparison to Neo from “The Matrix.” (It also won the NYT’s Damon Winter first place in NPPA’s 2009 Photojournalism awards.)

Still, with Obama campaigning like it’s October, the photos of Prez in the rain in Virginia drew plenty of buzz. For a day, at least, it felt like the return of “yes we can.” (Given his wonky governing style, it still seems like a surprise when the charismatic and fired-up Obama reappears.)

And while Romney (who was busy chilling on the estate) is taking his own drenching right now, Saturday’s weather invited a different comparison — to an illustration of Mitt’s Ark in the upcoming Vanity Fair.

(photo 1: Jason Reed/Reuters caption: U.S. President Barack Obama is pictured during a heavy rain storm at a campaign rally in Glen Allen, Virginia, July 14. Obama traveled to Virginia on Saturday for campaign events.photo 2: Damon Winter/NYT caption: Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) continued speaking despite constant rain at a campaign rally the Widener University Main Quad in Chester, PA Tuesday October 28, 2008. His opponent John McCain cancelled his event that day due to inclement weather. photo 3: Evan Vucci/AP caption: Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, right, laptop in hand, talks with his son Josh by Lake Winnipesaukee at his home in Wolfeboro, N.H., Saturday, July 14, 2012. illustration: Barry Blitt/Vanity Fair)