Looks Like A Runaway

What a shift in momentum!

In an extreme example of how visual information can take on a life of its own, these two images accompanied a NYT article this week on the “Battle for Black Votes.”  Based on the photos, at least, Obama has cleared up questions about his racial identity and is now the favorite of the African-American voter.

There’s only one problem, though.  According to the article itself, the contest between the candidates is a complete toss up.

(image 1: Chris Keane/Reuters.  Allen University in Columbia, S.C.  February 2007.  nytimes.com.  image 2: Mandel Ngan/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images.  University of Illinois at Chicago. February 11, 2007.  nytimes.com)