Obama issues dress code for female reporters

[Tigermike 3,063]

The Obama campaign wanted to make sure that the reporters traveling along with the presidential candidate on his foreign tour presented themselves properly. His staff distributed a memo that dictated a dress code, reminding the women in the media entourage of the need to keep from offending the natives. Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown e-mailed the memo to Ben Smith:

July 20, 2008

Categories: Barack Obama

Obama press told to cover up, not wear green

Politico's Carrie Budoff Brown, accompanying Obama on his trip to the Middle East and Europe, emails:

Reporters traveling overseas with Sen. Barack Obama were thrown a bit of curve last week when the campaign emailed a “dress code” for Israel and Jordan. Aides had passed along as a courtesy the list that they had distributed to their staff to follow.

But some of the tips raised a few eyebrows, particularly among the female reporters.

“Do not wear green.” (Explained later as the color of Hamas)

“Do not wear nail polish.”

“Women should only wear a limited amount of jewelry.”

“Shoulders and arms must be fully covered (no strapless tops, no tank tops, no short sleeve shirts.)"

“Closed-toe shoes, women should also wear stockings.”

At historical and religious sites, a suit or slacks should be worn, shoulders and arms must be covered (“no strapless tops, no tanks tops no short sleeve shirts”), shoes might need to be removed, and women may be asked to cover their heads and “should be prepared with a scarf/pashmina,” the email stated.

As the traveling press prepared to depart tonight from Chicago for Jordan, there was a dash to cover toes and arms – or at least be prepared upon arrival in the Middle Eastern country tomorrow. Still spotted on the bus en route to the airport: plenty of jewelry, tank tops, and nail polish.

ALSO:

New for the trip: The campaign's remodeled 757, which, in atypical Obama style, carries the campaign's logo and slogan. (Obama was unusual during the primary for not decking out his camapign bus in shrink-wrap.) But interestingly, his name is barely noticeable - it's seen only in the web address written just under his slogan "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN" . The plane's tail simply carries the logo.

Obama, of course, is not with us.

El Linko

First, wouldn’t women traveling to the Middle East already understand at least some of this, especially the journalists? This gives more than just a faint whiff of paternalism, lecturing professionals about how they should comport themselves. All appearances to the contrary, the media entourage does not work for Team Obama. One might think that the women of the press would get offended by treating them like schoolchildren or idiots.

And some of this is downright strange, especially in Israel. Israeli women don’t wear nail polish and open-toed shoes? Apparently, they don’t like jewelry, either. Do they care if women wear stockings or not, and why should the Obama campaign care?

I suppose if any of this offends the women in the press, the proper response would be, “Just get over it, sweetie.”

HotAir

[autiger4life 3]

This is fairly normal when traveling abroad. When you are trying to accomplish things, it is much harder when the first thing that happens is that they are offended.

Or does this mean he is a terroist?

[CCTAU 3,351]

This is fairly normal when traveling abroad. When you are trying to accomplish things, it is much harder when the first thing that happens is that they are offended.

Or does this mean he is a terroist?

It means he thinks he has the right to dictate the appearance of an autonomous news organization's employee.

If the MEDIA person wants to dress a certain way, then it is the media outlet that chooses, not the black messiah. If that media organization is on achmed's dime, then he can dictate. Does this mean he is paying the reporters now?

[arnaldoabru 11]

When I was in the military we were briefed before each trip to certain foreign countries on customs, what to wear ,etc...

Wow, I guess I didn't realize at the time that the military socialist were denying me of my rights.

[Tigermike 3,063]

Obviously this was not made clear in the original post.

First, wouldn’t women traveling to the Middle East already understand at least some of this, especially the journalists? This gives more than just a faint whiff of paternalism, lecturing professionals about how they should comport themselves. All appearances to the contrary, the media entourage does not work for Team Obama. One might think that the women of the press would get offended by treating them like schoolchildren or idiots.

And some of this is downright strange, especially in Israel. Israeli women don’t wear nail polish and open-toed shoes? Apparently, they don’t like jewelry, either. Do they care if women wear stockings or not, and why should the Obama campaign care?

I suppose if any of this offends the women in the press, the proper response would be, “Just get over it, sweetie.”

[autiger4life 3]

It means he thinks he has the right to dictate the appearance of an autonomous news organization's employee.

If the MEDIA person wants to dress a certain way, then it is the media outlet that chooses, not the black messiah. If that media organization is on achmed's dime, then he can dictate. Does this mean he is paying the reporters now?

Well, he doesn't pay them, but he does let them follow him and give interviews so as long as they want to keep doing that then they would want to follow his instructions. I guess they don't have to, and it is up to them whether or not they want to, but I assume they want more interviews and press passes so they will. So yes, they can do what they want. But I would imagine they will follow his advice.

First, wouldn’t women traveling to the Middle East already understand at least some of this, especially the journalists? This gives more than just a faint whiff of paternalism, lecturing professionals about how they should comport themselves. All appearances to the contrary, the media entourage does not work for Team Obama. One might think that the women of the press would get offended by treating them like schoolchildren or idiots.

And some of this is downright strange, especially in Israel. Israeli women don’t wear nail polish and open-toed shoes? Apparently, they don’t like jewelry, either. Do they care if women wear stockings or not, and why should the Obama campaign care?

I suppose if any of this offends the women in the press, the proper response would be, “Just get over it, sweetie.”

They might already understand it. But if you have ever been part of an organization where certain things are crucial then you know you go over them over and over again. So him saying it again just is trying to clear any confusion. I am not sure what is wrong with that. As far as the sweetie comment, as a southern person myself I know I have said it many times and never meant it in a condescending way. I assume many on the board are in the same boat so I can completely understand that.

[Tigermike 3,063]

Or it could be that the worshiping media is in the tank and will do anything to follow Obama around the world. The fact that they (and dims everywhere) have no problem with it says a lot.

But that is just a different take on the whole thing.

[quietfan 233]

Reporters traveling overseas with Sen. Barack Obama were thrown a bit of curve last week when the campaign emailed a “dress code” for Israel and Jordan. Aides had passed along as a courtesy the list that they had distributed to their staff to follow.

But some of the tips raised a few eyebrows...

Read, people: Reporters were shown the list as a courtesy, not an order. Staff members--employees--had a manditory dress code, but that's pretty common for every business/office in this country. As other posters have noted, I imagine this is pretty standard for any government, military, or private sector group traveling to other cultures...and not just to Islamic cultures. Why offend someone the instant you disembark the plane?

A side note: I was unaware that green was the color of Hamas, but good to know. I'd have been most appreciative to have someone warn me not to wear red or blue if I had reason to be in the LA "'hood" at the height of the Crips/Bloods gang wars!

[autigeremt 6,719]

I think the people of these countries should understand, as we do of them when they come here, that Americans are......well, Americans.

Is it a nice gesture......certainly. Should Obama be particularly concerned about their dress....no. He needs to worry more about the "mission" of the trip.

Of course his real reason for going was to get support from the people of foreign lands to help him be elected president here. Sorry folks, but that's the REAL bottom line on this trip. If he CARED so much, then why the hell is he there now, and not a year or so ago?

I'm glad he went and conversed with the leaders on the ground. I am not so thrilled by his trips to "stump" for support in Germany, France, and other EU Nations.

[arnaldoabru 11]

I think the people of these countries should understand, as we do of them when they come here, that Americans are......well, Americans.

Is it a nice gesture......certainly. Should Obama be particularly concerned about their dress....no. He needs to worry more about the "mission" of the trip.

Of course his real reason for going was to get support from the people of foreign lands to help him be elected president here. Sorry folks, but that's the REAL bottom line on this trip. If he CARED so much, then why the hell is he there now, and not a year or so ago?

I'm glad he went and conversed with the leaders on the ground. I am not so thrilled by his trips to "stump" for support in Germany, France, and other EU Nations.

McCain "dared" him to go. With Iraq supporting his plan for troop removal and Bush hanging McCain out to dry with his "appeasing" in Iran the trip pretty much is blowing up in McSame's face.