ABC to the Rescue

You've probably already seen it by now, but if not, here is the picture that is making headlines around the world.

In the picture, U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy appear to eyeing the backside of 16 year-old Mayora Tavares of Brazil.

It looks like the two Presidents have been caught in an embarrassing moment, but Mr. Obama need not worry. ABC News has come to his defense.

ABC News has posted a video that, according to the news anchor, shows that Obama..."may be watching his footing, may by be looking at the steps, may be letting her pass - as opposed to a checkout..." You can watch the video here.

When I watch the video, it looks like the President may have been watching his footing or simply letting the young lady pass. It also looks like he may have caught a quick glance at the young lady's backside. You can decide that for yourself.

My response is this: Who knows? Who cares? The real problem is how quickly ABC News rushes to Obama's defense.

Let's imagine for a moment that it had been President George W. Bush in this situation instead of President Barack H. Obama. How would ABC, and NBC, and CBS, and MSNBC, and CNN have reported the incident? Something like this.

President Bush was caught today in what many are calling a very inappropriate moment of indiscretion. The President is shown here (at this point they would show the picture on the television screen) ogling the backside of a 16 year-old girl at the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy. The picture is causing embarrassment to the United States worldwide, and Democrats are calling for an investigation into the President's possible pedophilic tendencies.

But that was then; this is now. ABC has once again performed dutifully in the major media's role as a President Obama public relations and damage control industry.