CNN requests submissions of “Obama artwork”

A few weeks ago, I linked to a Fishbowl DC report on how the Washington Post’s website was soliciting for positive ads for a section they intend to do on PEBO’s inauguration. In the fine print, the WaPo made it clear that only “congratulatory” messages would be accepted.

Today, I was scanning the front page of CNN’s website when I noticed that their “IReport” section is asking for “Obama artwork” submissions. The disclaimer at the top of the page reads, “iReport.com is a user-generated site. That means the stories submitted by users are not edited, fact-checked or screened before they post” but that didn’t stop them from making clear what types of artwork they were looking for:

From the iconic “Hope” poster to these intricate mixed-media portraits, countless artists have been inspired by Barack Obama and his historic presidential win.

We want to see your portraits of President-elect Obama and his family. Get creative and show us how you see the first black man to be elected president of the United States.

The underlying message of their request contains a clear signal: No negative artwork of Obama standing next to Rev. Wright or looking chummy with Gov. Blago allowed.

Not that I have any interest in seeing Obama art one way or the other – but to have a major news network have a page devoted to “inspired” artistic renderings of Obama and his family? Sheesh. With devotion like that, it’s no wonder that Obama wants CNN’s chief medical reporter Dr. Sanjay Gupta as the next surgeon general.

What’s next? MSDNC’s Chris Matthews turning his show into the Obama Daily News Hour, and making sure everybody else knows about it?

Oh wait, that’s already happened.