OBAMA TO APPEAR AT SAN DIEGO? PROBABLY NOT

**MattBrady** · 02-29-2008, 02:59 PM

To use an appropriate analogy, the rumor of Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama visiting Comic-Con International: San Diego are growing faster than a population of Tribbles gorging themselves on quadrotriticale.

The possibility was raised by Michael Davis at ComicMix, who said:

Before I give my endorsement (which will surely decide the nominee as I carry so much weight) let me share a bit about each candidate. There is a real chance that Barack Obama will come to Comic Con International this summer. His campaign contacted me last year about setting that up and it still may happen.

Why me? Let’s just say that’s how I roll.

I like Obama but did not know if I was ready to vote for him. I was very impressed that his campaign thinks that Comic Con is a smart place to reach young people. That move earned him serious points in my book.

So will he or won’t he?

It appears not to be true.

In speaking with Newsarama today, Comic-Con International's Marketing Director David Glanzer said that Comic-Con has not been contacted by the Obama or any campaign about making an appearance at San Diego. At press time, attempts to reach the Obama campaign for comment have thus far been unsuccessful.

While the appearance by Obama could be seen as a savvy move in regards to swaying much of the young (and geek) vote, an appearance by the candidate, who draws large crowds at any engagement is probably unlikely, given the size of the crowd already present at the San Diego Convention Center as well as the security measures that would have to be taken that would make such an appearance a burden on the Comic Con International organization.

Although, who knows? None of those concerns would apply to a videotaped address to attendees...

Comic-Con International: San Diego will be held July 24-27th.

Titansmaster · 02-29-2008, 03:10 PM

Does every freakin thing have to be politicized this year? It's not because of who it is but that it is happening. Wouldn't want any politician using a fun collectors' event for his or her own gain.

Can't the con just remain the con w/out the politics????

BlueThunderArmy · 02-29-2008, 03:11 PM

This would have been cool, but I think Brady's assessment of the logistical probelms is spot-on. Maybe if he came in costume...?

avengingtitan · 02-29-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueThunderArmy

This would have been cool, but I think Brady's assessment of the logistical probelms is spot-on. Maybe if he came in costume...?

Oh my god that would be awesome.

Although now I have an image of Obama dressed up as Luke Cage. I'm talking full on yellow shirt and all. HAHAHAHA.

I dont see it happening. The security would be a nightmare.

Blackbeard · 02-29-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titansmaster

Does every freakin thing have to be politicized this year? It's not because of who it is but that it is happening. Wouldn't want any politician using a fun collectors' event for his or her own gain.

Can't the con just remain the con w/out the politics????

Yeah, I agree, but I only see it getting worse before November.

greenflameuk · 02-29-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueThunderArmy

This would have been cool, but I think Brady's assessment of the logistical probelms is spot-on. Maybe if he came in costume...?

he should totally go as Black Lightning

.

ThePinkPeril · 02-29-2008, 03:31 PM

Ugh, why is this even a story?

USAgent · 02-29-2008, 03:31 PM

Does that mean he would have given a speech on "change" and "hope for the future" of comics? And then rally people against "Big Comic" and go off on the rising prices of issues? "The common man can't afford $3.99 books with no increased page count!" And the crowd would go wild with Obama-Mania.

Jomma · 02-29-2008, 03:32 PM

No! PLEASE! Don't!

No politics in my holy ground! Go away! I want my Comic Book convention out of politics!

NONONONONONONONONONONONO AND NO!

Set foot on that place for your political propaganda and you ruin my life. It's bad enough with the large crowds each year and now this douche-bag political clown will be there?

Go away! Go do another Oprah show or something.

Ben543250 · 02-29-2008, 03:36 PM

I heard he was going to attend Wizard World Chicago! And then I heard he wasn't.

PopCultureComix · 02-29-2008, 03:43 PM

That looks like the Superman statue in Superman Square, next to the Superman museum in Metroplolis, IIllinois, that Obama is posing with. Very cool place. If you're ever in the area, don't pass it up. It's a real treat..

jmcl89 · 02-29-2008, 03:44 PM

Seeing as how Comic-Con does not have any difficulty selling tickets, I would think they'd like to see to it that those tickets are bought by people actually interested in what the con is about. An Obama appearance would be counterproductive in that regard.

MadBandit · 02-29-2008, 03:46 PM

Hell yeah. He should make a taped appearance, though (Security reasons). Besides, if elected, he'll be the first President to represent the Generation Xers, and there are definitely a lot of fanboy and fangirl voters in that group (also for the Gen Y-ers too).

CodeGuy · 02-29-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenflameuk

he should totally go as Black Lightning

.

Nah, I think he's more like Mr. Terrific.

0bsessions · 02-29-2008, 04:01 PM

Honestly, I think it would be kind of pointless anyway. The democratic nomination will long since be decided by Comiccon and that's the only manner of difference maker Obama could make at such an event. The majority of people who would attend comic con probably fall into the type who would likely be voting Democrat anyway. Showing up probably wouldn't win him any votes in the actually presidential race.

redchief · 02-29-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0bsessions

The majority of people who would attend comic con probably fall into the type who would likely be voting Democrat anyway.

I don't know about that. I'd wager that there a lot more libertarians then you think showing up.

Personally, I registered Republican the same year I went to my first SDCC (this is when it was at the Concourse still).

dalunt · 02-29-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jomma

Set foot on that place for your political propaganda and you ruin my life. It's bad enough with the large crowds each year and now this douche-bag political clown will be there?

.

Thing is, I am a Hillary supporter and just don't get the "Obama Mania," I think it's a lot of sheep following what's cool or bandwagony.

But he's a ____ing United States Senator who COULD be President. Show some ____ing respect.

(PS. Maybe you should give a damn about the election, you won't have a life to ruin if we continue in the awful ass direction this country is headed)

Cray_ws · 02-29-2008, 04:14 PM

Matt where's the Political slapfight tag?

Optimus · 02-29-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalunt

Thing is, I am a Hillary supporter and just don't get the "Obama Mania," I think it's a lot of sheep following what's cool or bandwagony.

But he's a ____ing United States Senator who COULD be President. Show some ____ing respect.

(PS. Maybe you should give a damn about the election, you won't have a life to ruin if we continue in the awful ass direction this country is headed)

I'm a Obama supporter but if old boy wants to curse him out that's all well and good in my book. There should be more to "respect" then empty rhetoric just like there's more to patriotism or a damn pin.

Anyway, I think it's a cool idea but I can understand people not wanting politics invading our little geeky comic world.

SpyGuy · 02-29-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CodeGuy

Nah, I think he's more like Mr. Terrific.

Definitely. Maybe Obama should tap Dr. Pieter Cross to be his VP running mate...

samfish · 02-29-2008, 04:24 PM

He should really go. It'd be a great way to say thanks all the internet/geek types for their support, which I've personally noticed quite a bit of bopping around on various blogs and forums.

Question86 · 02-29-2008, 04:25 PM

Wont we know the Dem. frontrunner by then?

All Im saying is, if by some phenomenon of Biblical proportions, Hillary wins, I doubt Obama would show up. Even if he's planning to.

yonofui · 02-29-2008, 04:28 PM

And Hillary is going to be... Granny Goodness?

Spot · 02-29-2008, 04:29 PM

If Obama dressed up as Bishop, McCain could dress up as Cable.

ziza9 · 02-29-2008, 04:37 PM

As an Obama supporter I think this would be a very bad idea for him. I love comics, but the man is trying to be taken seriously as a candidate for the most important job in the land. I'd think he can find better uses for his time than deciding who would be the coolest brother to dress up as, Cage or Lightning.