Since November (#1): Shooting The Messengers

Following the dramatic mid-term election, Vanity Fair’s February "Portraits of Power" issue highlighted 14 people or groups that constituted Washington’s "new ruling class."  Presented high up up the list — right after Obama, Hillary and Nancy Pelosi — were this pair.

My question is: Did VF miss the boat giving Baker and Hamilton such credibility?  … Or, did they and the Iraq Study Group play a bigger part in roping in the Administration than they get credit for?)

To me, the photo — even now — plays it right now the middle.  On one hand (especially with Baker looking so funereal), these guys look like two upscale salesmen left out on the porch because no one would open the door.  On the other hand, they also have the look of witnesses, as if messengers of conscience, just waiting for the Administration to finally figure it out.

This eight day series, titled "Since November," looks at images that have caught The BAG’s
attention over the past four months. Many are inspired by the change in
political landscape following the Democratic Congressional victory
in November. In this stretch, I am taking some time off, leaving the
site — and the conversation — in your hands.

(image: Christian Witkin.  photographed at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.  Washington.  Vanity Fair.  February 2007.)