BAGnewsNotes

Our Man In Ohio #5: Taking It To The Bank

This is the last in a 48 hour series of Ohio primary dispatches from photojournalist and BNN Contributer Alan Chin.

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In Hillary's triumph, this old hall gives the moment an historical feel, the confetti conjuring a ticker tape parade, or even a convention balloon drop.

In a bold, if largely overlooked statement, Bill Clinton -- though thanked by name -- was, for the first time, completely erased from a primary evening.

The spotlight on this TV producer -- stoic amidst the emotion -- speaks to the stark contrast between two beasts feeding off of (and, on) each other, one being big media, and the other, the contemporary presidential juggernaut.

In spite of the celebratory mood, the victory speech was tough and mocking.  At one point, Clinton parroted her opponent's "narrative of hope" by talking in near-rhyme.  At the conclusion, the Obama call-and-response "yes we can" was refashioned into "yes we will."  Or, was it: "yes she will?"

The intensity of emotion and the release of energy was apparently nothing that could be gleaned through television.

Clinton was awe inspiring -- perhaps, with an emphasis on the awe.

(image: ©Alan Chin. Columbus, Ohio. March 4, 2008.  Used by permission)

Our Man In Ohio #4: Hillary Pre-Dawn

This is the fourth in a 48 hour series of Ohio primary dispatches from photojournalist and BNN Contributer Alan Chin.

It's just grind-it-out campaigning, perhaps a little easier with the candidate sensing momentum.

The Clinton campaign, keeping its head down and focusing on the growing blue collar concern about the economy, decides late Sunday night to add a visit to the Toledo Chrysler factory, getting the jump at 4:30 the next morning.  Without knowing she was coming, workers at the shift change are clearly taken aback, and flattered.  As Alan comments, "It's how people react at a surprise birthday party, or when they suddenly see a movie star.  It's clearly an 'oh wow' moment."

Overall, though -- in spite of this shot that conveys a plant tour -- the whole event (from first step-off, to first step back on the bus) lasts just 10 minutes.

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In the blur of a photo op, it's hard to capture much of the feel of the gritty, day-night, florescent life of the workers inside, turning out 800 cars per day.  You get a piece of it, though, in the shot of the goggled man getting down to business while the campaign entourage passes him by, and in this lonely shot of the entrance once the workers are inside.

Oh Waiter, Two Martinis Please... (David Burnett)

(image: ©Alan Chin. Toledo, Ohio. March 3, 2008.  Used by permission)

Our Man In Ohio #3: One Of Our Own

This is the third in a 48 hour series of Ohio primary dispatches from photojournalist and BNN Contributer Alan Chin.

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Perhaps race is a sensitive subject to discuss in the campaign because it isn't supposed to matter.  Or, perhaps it is delicate talking about black pride in Obama out of caution not to detract from, or conflict with the pride so many women feel for Hillary.

What is unmistakable, however, is the engagement of black audiences with the candidate.  In many newswire photos of late, one can see black boys transfixed while listening to Obama.  One can juxtapose those images with the statistics, reported last week, that 1 in 100 Americans are in jail, including one in fifteen African-Americans, and one in nine black men between the ages of 20 and 34.

The metaphor that one generation evolves from standing on the shoulders of the previous seems relevant here, as is the fixed attention of the young man with the decorated letter jacket, getting a look at Obama in his own high school field house.

One Percent of All American Adults are Incarcerated (Crooked Timber)

(image: ©Alan Chin. Westerville, Ohio, outside Columbus. March 2, 2008.  Used by permission)

Our Man In Ohio #2: Looking Secure

This is the second in a 48 hour series of Ohio primary dispatches from photojournalist and BNN Contributer Alan Chin.

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In light of the story last week that Obama's security might be somehow deficient, there seems to be plenty of eyes around him outside Columbus  -- at least seven pairs right here.

Obama's Security -- A Little Too Much Hush (BNN)

(image: ©Alan Chin. Westerville, Ohio, outside Columbus. March 2, 2008.  Used by permission)

Our Man In Ohio #1: Beyond The Phrase

This is the first in a 48 hour series of Ohio primary dispatches from photojournalist and BNN Contributer Alan Chin.

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In an effort to challenge the charge he lacks substance, Obama has shortened his stump speech and conducted more townhall meetings.  This event on Sunday at Westerville High School, with an extended Q and A session, lasted 2 1/2 hours, whereas most of Obama's New Hampshire appearances, more like pep rallies, ran about half-an-hour.  Alan tapped this image specifically for the way Obama slowed the pace and tempered the energy.

Of course, if a photographer was looking for something "Kennedy-esque," those opportunities were still there.  But, as Alan reports, such a shot would not have been reflective of the character of this event.

Democrat Clinton says Obama lacks substance (Reuters)
Our Man In New Hampshire (Alan Chin primary coverage 1/08 - BNN)

(image: ©Alan Chin. Westerville, Ohio, outside Columbus. March 2, 2008.  Used by permission)