obama the cowboy

howdy

Presidential candidate Barack Obama tips a cowboy hat given to him by a volunteer after a rally in Austin, TX, on Feb. 23, 2007. Between 15-20,000 people gathered at a concert venue and waited through drizzly weather to hear Obama speak.

This photo first appeared on the Texas Observer Blog and was quickly picked up by at least the following outlets:

UPDATE III: Finally made the print version of the Texas Observer.

UPDATE II: This photo and its back-story were featured in an article in the Austin American-Statesman, which ran on the front page of the Sunday Life & Arts section, August 10, 2008. See how it was laid out on the page here.

UPDATE: A version of this image is now available on T-shirts designed and for sale by Mario Prado. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Obama campaign.

The Autry Center's Museum of the American West, as part of its exhibit "Cowboys and Presidents." (More info.)

Deadspin

Matthew Yglesias

Radar Online (Twice)

"Viva Obama!" (at about the 1:33 mark)

"I Got Dumped for Obama" (at around 1:50)

Nerve.com

NewWest.net

Alex Balk

Texans for Obama

A Daily Kos comment thread, where it was cited as evidence that "the media" likes Obama.

Dimmy Karras

BobGeiger.com

Brains and Eggs

The People's Republic of Seabrook

Dabroots of the Cosmos

Artists for Hillary

Buffistas.org (that link cracks me up just 'cause it's so unexpected)

It was also forwarded to my boss at the Post by coincidence, so it apparently made the rounds. Please email me for any licensing requests.

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Comments

< Prev 1 2 Next >

(179 comments)

treyjp says:

that's a great shot... the first one i've seen with a cowboy hat
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

jrandallc says:

Nice picture. I don't plan on voting for this guy, but he is about the most photogenic of any of the current candidates. Is that reason enough to change my vote?
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

You've already decided who you're voting for? Bit early isn't it? Thanks, though. He is very photogenic.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

azurechaos says:

so far he's sounded much better than any of the other candidates to me, though i'll wait to make my decision. i was glad to hear him speak finally today
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Clonny says:

Great photo!

...And I agree. Obama definitely inspires me more than the rest of the '08 crowd.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

cecily7 says:

I love it.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

j neuberger says:

this is great!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

SusanAstray says:

Oh, great shot, Matt.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

sbma44 says:

Great picture! I sort of expect to see this image start to pop up next to any story about Obama campaigning in the southwest.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

stevej_1960 says:

Great shot, and I think the man has my vote. I suspect he realizes that the next President of the United States has to make a radical departure from what has become the norm under our current "leadership."
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Kristina B says:

so far so good, in my book. i am not deciding anything yet, though. great shot, matt :)
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Manuel Wesser says:

very symbolic

timing is sometimes everything
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

maxi millipede says:

Great Shot! I normally like photos of non-people, but this is just a great photograph!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Caucus Eye says:

Amazing.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

patrick dentler says:

amazing capture!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

lindamccraven says:

wow you did great. and he sure looks good in a cowboy hat!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

lazybeagle says:

cant believe all the suckers supporting him. If you ever listen to him, its all fluff. His words have no meaning. America will be this and that? Tell us how and why. Another useless politician. John McCain where are you?
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

azurechaos says:

wait, are you actually suggesting that john mccain is a better option (or just calling him another useless politician?)
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

po-pad says:

nice
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

lepike says:

seen on 7day's
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

hard-rog says:

Looks like Gunther Van Haagens from the thumbnail, www.flickr.com/photos/kylemacpherson/14098485 0/
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

azurechaos says:

haha...matt i just realized this was your account when you requested the add. what's up dude!? haha
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

ha, i know -- amanda was the one who pointed it out to me when she saw your comment earlier. as you can see, i'm just working away. that's it.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Clonny says:

No. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait ... John McCain? ... Bwahahahahaha!

Good one.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

azurechaos says:

haha awesome.

oh and btw- nice shot :) i think you got the prize winner for the obama visit.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

sweet, thanks. i've seen at least half a dozen blogs jack it already -- at least most of them credited the observer. one of my boss's contacts coincidentally forwarded it to her, without attribution, using a hi-rez size. wtf? i should've been a lot smarter than to put the full size image up. damn beer clouded my judgment. now i just need to get it sold to an agency or something.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

JENRIKS says:

Lucky man that you got a chance to take a picture of him! I think he's a good man and politician and a great candidate!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

azurechaos says:

no kidding, that's lame! this full-size stuff on flickr's a bit chancy. i randomly got almost 400 views on several of the ones i shot from the implosion, but i couldn't find where the hell they were coming from. it'd at least be nice if they could let you know in the first place that they're posting it. guess it's easier to skip that step.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

MiranC says:

Fabulous.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Mistermj says:

Great shot! I would like to blog this at obamavideo.blogspot.com/
for the best grass roots coverage of Obama

May I use it?
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Rainman662 says:

Sorry, Mr. Obama.

Nothing will make someone who is not already a cowboy look *less* like a cowboy than putting on a cowboy hat.

That's just the way it is. You poser.

By the way, you can't simultaneously engage in AND distance yourself from political mudslinging vis a vis the next President Clinton
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Rainman662 says:

Oh, and one more thing:

You look like you should be starring in Broke Barack Mountain
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

Thanks for the comment, rainman. Always good to have douchebags contribute to the dialogue.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Rainman662 says:

With a response like that, don't expect anybody to believe you're interested in a 'dialogue'.

If I understand any of the underlying ethos of this country, it's not only our right, but our obligation to express dissenting opinions about those who would contend for leadership.

Are you so offended by someone questioning the legitimacy of your golden boy that you have to resort to name calling? You attack the individual rather than attacking their position.

It's a logical fallacy they call arguing ad hominem.

Gutless, is what I would call it. Anonymous internet name-calling. I mean, come on. Is that the best you can do?
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

Dude, you showed up, called Barack a "poser" and then made a gay joke. Sorry if I didn't offer a detailed, point-by-point response to the charges.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Rainman662 says:

First of all, he's a politician. By definition, he's a poser. It's what politicians do. If you can name more than three of them who aren't posers, I'll be amazed.

Second, the broke Barack thing was only a pun ( admittedly not a very good one) on his name and the fact that he's pictured wearing the hat. Delete it if it's offensive to you.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Clonny says:

I bet Rainman666 and Ann would get along just fine.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Rainman662 says:

@ Clonny: Lame.

and wimpy

So I made a reference to a movie that happened to feature gay characters, so what?

If you two read that and think of it as a 'slam' against Obama, that says as much about your attitudes as it does about mine.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Clonny says:

Doesn't Ann have a blog for you to contribute to?
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Rainman662 says:

if you want to have a real discussion about any of this when you graduate from grade school, just let me know.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Clonny says:

An(n)yway, I now return the commenting back to this skillfully captured moment.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Mistermj says:

This photo was blogged as an example of the grass roots media coverage at :

obamavideo.blogspot.com/2007/03/barack-cowboy .html

The post links back to your photostream and gives proper citation.

Thank you!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

thanks
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Ashley Wallingford says:

Damn! I didn't see this before. Tremendous capture.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

What about Edwards or Richardson or....?
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

rantfoil [deleted] says:

awesome photo

--
Found in a search. (?)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Kevitivity says:

I miss the Democrats of old that spoke about self reliance and self determination - like JFK... Do these types of Democrats exist anymore, or are we cursed with "old Europe" style socialism, high taxes, and a nanny-state policies from here on out? I only ask this question because I fear for the future of America.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

emiliocamarin says:

Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado Realidad Ficticia y nos encantaría agregar tu foto al grupo.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Chamba Lappa says:

My Man!

Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

jazzyjess says:

hey, i helped organize this event. :)

and that is my friend's cowboy hat!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Polo Jenkins says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Cowboy Hats From Around The World, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

oybay says:

That's President Cowboy.
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

Bogdan si Elena says:

Obama ???No thanks
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

shanda.w says:

This is my all time favorite!!!
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

aberham.yohanse says:

Are you cowboy
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

boston wedding photographer lisa rigby says:

Wow this is a great shot! A fave!
One thing I like about Obama is that he refuses to sink to name-calling and just sticks with the issues and his vision. He operates on a higher level, and clearly from this thread our country could use a little more of that attitude.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

@ shanda: thanks!

@ iris: totally agree.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

little_olenka says:

Fatnastic photo. Don't forget to vote!
YES WE CAN!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

DJcrb9 says:

Cool photo. Go Obama!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

BBntheclouds says:

Yea ! Loooking goood Barack!
Ride um !!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

vidorluxury says:

Amazing photo- you are a stunning photographer. You should post your photo on Amateurazzi! www.amateurazzi.com
I'd love to see it on the homepage!!!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

billikidbrand says:

Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

flickrfreespeech says:

I didn't know Barack was such a cowboy.

Do you really think hes the Antichrist... I never thought of that, seems like such a charming guy, his speeches always make me have goosebumps.

The cowboy hat is so American
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

HugeObamaFan says:

Yeehaw! i guess politicians always have to try and fit in.
Barack Obama the antichrist? haha. I will look at the site, but I dunno.
Keep up the good cowboy pics
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

ShutterSam says:

Ride that pony! hahaha. Hey Huge Obama dude, I love the floral photos you had last year. Anyways, that is weird the "BarackObamaAntichrist" guy on blogger keeps popping up on the internet news right now, I haven't looked into too much, but apparently its really controversial.

Keep up the cowboy shoots, maybe he should ride a horse forthe next one
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

The Obama=antichrist dude is really persistent, whatever his schtick is. I've already had to delete 3 comments from him on this one photo, and I usually don't do that. It's just too ridiculous.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

DJcrb9 says:

Has anyone gotten a Flickrmail from someone called TRUECHRISTIANN? He sent me a rather hateful one word e-mail about Obama last night.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

jenontheshore says:

SEXY! He is very handsome! That probably hurts more than helps him, since people are so determined to say he has no substance....Still, a terrific shot.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

Thanks. With Texas so front and center, I slapped the picture on some ~~CafePress stuff~~.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Skeeto says:

This is one of my favorite shots of Obama. YES WE CAN!!!! AND WE ARE! AND WE WILL!!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

moneypenny02 says:

Love the shot really. Its clearly a posed shot--Im absolutely positive he doesn't run around in a cowboy hat regularly--but he actually looks quite comfortable in it. (at least as comfortable as you can look in a cowboy hat). Its like the antithesis of the Dukakis/ tank picture.

That was a close call Obama, but you managed to come out unscathed. Hazza!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

It actually wasn't a posed shot. Obama was wading through a herd of event volunteers when someone passed the hat through the crowd to him and he put it on for a laugh. There just happened to be a ton of photogs in the vicinity. He probably wore it for maybe a minute before giving it back.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

dugglebogey says:

Is your comment long enough? I call abuse.

Pay for what? A trillion dollar war nobody wants? Missed that in your list.

The hatred of some of these people has blinded them to the fact that you've taken a fantastic photograph Matt.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

do what now? sorry, i got totally lost in that treatise above.

@duggle: thanks, though!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

tsevis says:

Go Obama!!!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

tzikeh says:

matt - would you mind if I made a livejournal icon out of this, if I credit you and link to this page?
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

@tzikeh: that sounds OK to me.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

BdwayDiva1 says:

That photo is oddly sexy. GO OBAMA!!!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

ladybugbkt says:

I'm not really a supporter but I like this shot.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

sweet, even better. thanks!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

drogi1 says:

Bogdan Si Elena are right. No thanks for me too. Obama is NOT the man.
Shot is nice though.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Yeee-ha! Reminds me of my Texas years...

Texas is Hillary's last stand.

The arcane "not all votes are equal" system in Texas means that the polls are misleading if not weighted properly by last election's voter turnout. This will help Obama...
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

mysticchildz says:

Hey,

So I work for the Brooklyn Rail (www.brooklynrail.org) and I was wondering whether it would be possible for me to maybe use this image for a story? You'd be credited and all.

Thanks,
Nadia
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

Thanks for the interest. There's a license fee for publications to use the image. Pleaseemail me, and we can discuss.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

kerwynmaynard says:

yeah how
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

sally_monster says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Aperture Science Laboratories, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

Aside from the political discussion, this is a really great candid shot. A really nice moment captured. Nice work, Mr.Wright.

--
Found in a search. (?)
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

decent mammal says:

i'm rather impressed by all the comments here, matt. i'll also avoid the political discussion because it seems to stir up a nest of assholes. it's a good photo and you should be getting royalties for every time it's used. put your name on it.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Wright says:

ah, it's too late to put my name on it -- it was too late last year when i put it online and went to bed without thinking about it. by then it was already out and about. personally, i hate photos with names pasted on them, anyways. so it goes.

the good news is that the print outlets that would actually pay for use almost always do it on the up and up. and while i gave it away on the internet, that led to it getting published many more places.
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

jordan_spiva says:

I met him at a book signing. My dad's cousin went to college with Barack Obama.
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

spikewerewolf says:

go OBAMA!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

Nick Cheap says:

did he tip his hat for you ha
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

philethier says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Small World of Flickr. Not a chain game., and we'd love to have this added to the group!

The qualifying connection is this comment:
=====
jazzyjess says:
hey, i helped organize this event. :)

and that is my friend's cowboy hat!
=====
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

boston wedding photographer lisa rigby says:

I found this photo on a conservative blog. I emailed you think. They didn't give you credit. Raise hell!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

John Althouse Cohen says:

I used your photo on my blog -- thanks!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

yonges5 says:

He looks a lot like Chuck Norris' side kick in "Walker, Texas Ranger." I wonder how Obama would do in a street fight, got some kung fu moves?
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

sundayjohn66 says:

@conqui5tador: Nonsense. A handful of pouty little brats might pick up their marbles and go home, but I trust that most of Sen. Clinton's supporters are grownups who are fully capable of being gracious in the face of an honorable defeat by a charismatic, well-organized candidate who simply outcampaigned their girl.

Some Clinton supporters will cuss and moan and threaten to vote for McCain, but at the end of the day, they will remember that they are Democrats -- and if they are women, they will also remember that Obama is a lot more likely than McCain to represent their interests.

Meanwhile, speaking as a woman myself, I find that I am suddenly unable to rid my thought of that damned Big and Rich song about saving a horse....
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

mattreyes says:

This was my idea I gave to my friend, Ray.

He always wears a cowboy hat and is from Flores, Texas.

The power of the web.

Who knew it would travel across the world?
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

colbyh says:

cowboybama!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

R-Rated Birdman of Hell Paso says:

Yeah right! Kinda like Dukakis in that tank.
I bet he wears this as often as he does the flag pin.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

simplyiz says:

i love thisss.
gooo obama!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken in Warehouse District, Austin (map)
Taken with a Canon EOS 20D.
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Taken on February 23, 2007

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Replaced on February 23, 2007

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