WASHINGTON D.C.—The United States of America has collectively rejoiced after seeing a picture published by WhiteHouse.gov Friday featuring President Barack Obama making a silly face. Only ten days out from a highly divisive election campaign, the nation can finally unite once again and focus on moving forward thanks to the president’s lovably classic hi-jinx.
The photo, featuring Obama and Olympic athlete McKayla Maroney making the universally hilarious “unimpressed” pose, with two White House staffers smiling warmly in the background, drew instant reactions from across the country, uplifting the spirits of voters from both sides of the aisle.
“I was worried for a while,” said Cheryl Harris, an area Obama supporter, “[o]ver the last few months I had heard a lot of really upsetting stuff about the economy and foreign wars. I just didn’t know how to feel about any of it. But now, thanks to President Obama and his equally goofy and affable cabinet, I can plainly see that we’re all going to be OK. I mean, look how youthful and silly he is. Look at it and just try not to smile.”
Voters across the nation had been tightly wound after the drudgery of another election year, and the candid-style photo now offers a welcome chance for citizens to get back to focusing on the positive.
“I mean the election cycle brought up some really unpleasant topics,” Harris continued, “And while Obama may not have the best record for upholding civil liberties or not indiscriminately killing thousands of foreigners through unilaterally authorized attacks, in the end, is that what really defines a man?”
“No one’s perfect,” Harris added.
The photo has received almost universal acclaim, but has drawn its sole criticism from a small faction that claim Obama should have released the photo weeks earlier for reassurance about the President’s involvement in the Benghazi scandal in the days leading up to the election.
“This picture just offers some well-deserved escapism,” said Professor of Psychology Henry Dressler of George Washington University. “[w]hen even the president can indulge in prankish antics, it’s a powerful reminder that we all just need to chill out and not let the little things get to us, like signing a bill for indefinite detention or maintaining an executive kill list.”
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney offered no comment on the success of the photo, but instead stuck his tongue out and made a playfully obscene gesture simulating cunnilingus.
-AP
