Keeping Faith with Bart / Aborting the Press

President Barack Obama signs an Executive Order that reaffirms the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s conssistency with longstanding restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortion, in the Oval Office, March 24, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

This photo published on the WH Flickr stream:

1.) “Sends the outrageous message that it is acceptable to negotiate healthcare reform on the backs of women.” (NOW)

2.) ‘Was issued for political effect … and “does not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill”.’ (National Right to Life Committee)

3.) proves that Obama is a man of his word.

4.) is the nice picture Robert Gibbs promised would be distributed to demonstrate “transparency.”

5.) proves the cleverness of the White House (social) media strategy in simultaneously publicizing this event and also barring all media coverage.

6.) made it hard to know who these politicians were because the White House did not identify them in the caption and most media reports didn’t name them either.

Caption via Chicago Sun Times:

President Obama signed an executive order on Wednesday to reaffirm that the new health law he signed Tuesday will not allow any federal funds for abortion. Although the event at the White House was closed to the press, the White House did release a photo of the invitees: the anti-abortion House Democrats who voted yes on the health bill after Obama pledged to sign the executive order. The group was led by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) fourth from left. That’s Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), third from left.

Invited guests: Senator Bob Casey: Representatives Bart Stupak; Kathy Dahlkemper; Marcy Kaptur; Nick Rahall; Jerry Costello; Chris Carney; Steve Driehaus; Charlie Wilson; Jim Oberstar; Alan Mollohan; Brad Ellsworth; Henry Cuellar; Mike Doyle.

(photo: Pete Souza/White House caption: President Barack Obama signs an Executive Order that reaffirms the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s consistency with longstanding restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortion, in the Oval Office, March 24, 2010. Quotes via LAT)