Need to sell a few magazines during tourist season in Washington? Break out the semi-nude Obama pics!
That seems to be the thinking behind The Washingtonian magazine's decision to put a shirtless photo of the president on the cover its May issue.
The issue includes "26 reasons to love living here." Why 26? Apparently finding 27 was just too difficult.
So what does Obama in the buff have to do with all of this? The Washingtonian boasts on its cover that his glistening pecs rank No. 2 overall: "Our new neighbor is hot."
When asked by ABC News whether the cover photo was used just to sell magazines, the magazine dodged the issue, of course:
(Garrett Graff, editor-at-large at The Washingtonian) demurred on that question but acknowledged it was a different type of cover than the magazine usually does. He said they were trying to “capture the energy and excitement” over the Obamas in Washington and “have a little fun.”
“It’s a unique time in Washington and this photo helps capture all of the reasons why,” Graff said. “It’s not a normal way to look at a president of the United States but this is not a normal president.”
Graff said the magazine used the photo to illustrate two things: first, the president himself is hot – “you have a buff president and the paparazzi like taking shirtless photos of him,” Graff said – and second, the Obamas’ presence in Washington is “really hot.”
Thanks Washingtonian. We appreciate you dredging up the old centerfold shots of the president.
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Ben's Chili Bowl has already become overcrowded due to the president's visit. Now the District will have to put up with summer tourists who think Obama strolls along the Georgetown waterfront in swim trunks and no shirt.
Paparazzi be damned.
