Wire Photographers Officially Getting Bored With Callista Gingrich

(01-09-12, AP)

You may have noticed a bit of tapering off of PSP Callista worship. She's kind of a one-note symphony! Don't get me wrong, I still love our golden-helmeted goddess, but the pickings are getting a little slim as the wire service photographers get increasingly bored with her.

Longtime PSP readers will certainly recognize this trend, as it was extensively remarked upon in my Condoleezza Rice coverage when the increasing Condi-ennui of the boys from Reuters, AFP and AP became evident in a series of arty, convoluted shots where the desperate artists were trying... well, desperately... to come up with new ways to make middle-aged people standing behind podiums look interesting.

And so it is, as you can see above, with Callista.

Mama needs a new hairdo.

Oh, By The Way, Condi Still Exists

It's been a while, but lookie, a few Condithings happened while we weren't paying attention:

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gives a speech during a lecture on "Asia's Future" at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Friday, March 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

As relevant as ever, I'd say! And here she is receiving for her contribution a "souvenir" (their words, not mine):

You know what's nice, now, for Condi? That souvenir? Now that she's no longer SoS, she gets to keep it! Yay for nice things for Condi!

And finally, from a few days earlier, my favorite Condiproduct in some time:

Former US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice speaks at the National Bank of Kuwait annual international symposium in Kuwait City on Sunday, March 14, 2010. Rice gave her views on the outlook for Iran and Iraq and the strategic, economic and political implications for the Middle East region. (AP Photo / Gustavo Ferrari)

It makes me wonder if there's a rider in Condi's contract that states that she must always be accompanied by oversize text stating who she is.

And yes, she endorsed Carly Fiorina, and that's funny because Carly Fiorina is funny.

Favorite Random Recent News Photo

Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko gestures during a meeting with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Wednesday, March 17, 2010. Lukashenko offered to help Venezuela strengthen its military, saying Tuesday that President Hugo Chavez's government should not have to worry about foreign threats. In background, a painting depicting Venezuela's independence hero Simon Bolivar. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Oooh, is One of Them Yuri Gripas?

Photographers shoot the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Bill after President Obama signed it at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science February 17, 2009. (Larry Downing/Reuters)

No, tragically. I guess the only thing we know for sure is that none of the above are Larry Downing, and that's a shame because he is one of my favorites. The snappers shown are probably Gerald Herbert, who covered the event for AP, UPI's (they're still around?) Gary C. Caskey, and AFP's Jim Watson. Here's Herbert's exciting shot:

Watson's is a little more action-packed:

And Downing, of course, couldn't resist shooting it himself after shooting the other photographers shooting it:

Caskey's shot apparently didn't make the cut. Perhaps it lacked the drama and excitement of the others. Who knows?

Don't Get Too Close

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice holds a press conference Friday Dec. 5, 2008 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (AP Photo/Jens Dige, POLFOTO)

So, yeah, Condi's was in India for about two seconds, pretending to help with whatever it is they need help with over there. Everybody loves it when Dr. Ferragamo lends a hand! Remember a couple of weeks ago how she was "helping" with the financial crisis? And look how awesome that turned out! Onward to new triumphs, girl! Or, in this case, Denmark.

But you all know I love the photo because it's such a good example of a wire snapper getting bored and then deciding to be arty. I always totally heart that. Or maybe he's shy? It's hard to tell, but in this one he seems to be practically cowering behind the other photographers to get his picture:

That's the Danish PM, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and the two of them did one of those classic "dueling podiums" pressers. Here's Condi expressing regret:

Well, thank you very much, Prime Minister, and let me first express the deep regret of the United States for the loss of life yesterday of the two Danish soldiers. I had an opportunity last night to say that the United States, of course, extends condolences to the families and to friends and to the Danish people.

No loss can ever be repaid. No life can ever be brought back. Yet we all know that nothing of value is ever won without sacrifice. And therefore, these people have not died in vain, but in the noble cause of trying to help the Afghan people to fight off terrorism, to build a decent life for themselves a democratic way, and in doing so, to strengthen the security for all of us. As you said, Afghanistan must never be allowed again to become a safe haven for terrorism. And that is the fight in which we are engaged.

Blah, blah, blah. Sound familiar? It's Condi's grief phrase: these people have not died in vain. Where have we heard that before?

There's a "Joe the Plumber" Joke in Here Somewhere

A campaign sign appears in the womens rest room of Anderson Arena on the campus of Bowling Green University after a rally there by Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in Bowling Green, Ohio, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

As the McCain campaign takes its final few spirals down the drain (Ha! There it is!), the reporters and photographers are showing telltale signs of fatigue. AP snapper Amy Sancetta has given up on the crowds altogether and is now taking pictures of bathroom sinks. They are more interesting now than Sarah Palin.

Drowning

Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, speaks at Minges Coliseum on the campus of East Carolina University Tuesday Oct. 7, 2008, in Greenville, N.C. (AP Photo/Jim R. Bounds)

Are there any Brits reading? Could you do me a favor and explain why "Minges Coliseum" is hilarious so I don't have to? Thnx!

Stay Klassy, Associated Press

Bristol Palin, the pregnant 17-year-old daughter of Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, stands on the tarmac at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

I'm trying to imagine AP snapper Susan Walsh sitting there in her boss' office as he bellows his feverish directive: I WANT THAT PALIN GIRL'S BABY BUMP! DO NOT FAIL! I didn't crop the above photo; that's the way AP provides it.

And since a picture is worth a thousand clichés, the ring finger:

Well done, Susan Walsh!

Photo of the Day

Hamas political leader, Khaled Mashaal talks to reporters at a press conference in Damascus, Syria, on Monday April 21, 2008. Mashaal reiterated Hamas' position of not recognizing Israel. US former president Jimmy Carter met Mashaal on Friday and Saturday in the Syrian capital. Carter told a press conference in Tel-Aviv that Hamas is ready to accept any agreement with Israel if it was accepted in a referendum. (AP photo/ Bassem Tellawi)

This one really jumped out at me! Everything just seems so wonderfully out-of-whack in this shot until your brain processes it and figures out what's going on. Plus: hook 'em, horns! Two sparkley hooves way up!

Hint, Hint

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sits beneath an exit sign testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 9, 2008. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

How did I miss this picture on Wednesday? Oh well, better late than newer.

Reuters Condirazzi Stefan Wermuth: Shoe Fetishist or Just Bored?

Picture shows the shoes of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as she crosses her legs following her key-note speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss Alpine resort town of Davos January 23, 2008. Rice offered Iran normal ties if it drops nuclear plans. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (SWITZERLAND)

Excuse me, but WTF? Don't get me wrong, because I've always bemoaned the lack of Condi shoe coverage, but what exactly is going on here? In any event, they don't look like Ferragamos to me, and the heels don't look quite high enough to be Jimmy Choos. They might be these $525 Manolo Blahniks. Can a lady with extensive shoe knowledge help me out here? And just in case that shot didn't make you uncomfortable enough, here's another from Mr. Wermuth:

This one, I believe, tips the scales in the direction of "bored and/or arty" rather than fetishy:

In any event, Blahniks or not, I think this one pretty much says it all:

Side note: has anybody ever noticed my file naming conventions? I always name the photos "CondiMonthDayYear" followed by "a, b, c" etc. Today I'm up to "g", and that's extraordinarily rare. I think I got up to "f" a few days ago. This is looking like an outstanding year of Condi watching!

It's Condolenzza Time!

A portrait of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is reflected in a desk as United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signs a book of condolence at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, December 28, 2007. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES)

I was briefly mortified last night when I was out 'n' about and two people on separate occasions asked me about Condi's trip to the Pakistan embassy and I had to admit that I totally hadn't noticed. Embarrassing! But anyway, yes, she went and signed Bhutto's condolence book. It was exciting. Kudos to talented Condirazzi Lamarque for turning the event into an interesting photo. Below, you can almost her Condi thinking, OMG, I hope I remember this right and don't misspell anything:

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

And, finally, her moving words:

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Damaged Goods

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is interviewed by The Associated Press, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007. at the State Departmenr in Washington.(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

It is my unfortunate duty to convey this unpleasant set of photos taken to accompany Condi's interview with the Associated Press. Above, you can see she has torn her invisible friend apart in a spasm of rage. Below you can see her slamming a return on her invisible typewriter:

Removing the top of the skull of a toddler to get at the brains inside:

Photographer Monsivais becomes delirious, is hypnotized by the reflections on the table:

I think it all probably started off innocently enough:

Oh! And in the interview Condi talks about... --surprise!!!-- Iran 'n' Korea. It turns out that one of them can be kinda left alone, but the other one makes us a little churlish, but I can never figure out which one is which.

Bumiller Reading Club update: the Condiography is kinda fascinating, kinda boring. I'm afraid the official PSP characterization of Condi as a fairly sexless, naïve Cinderella character with exceptionally evil Fairy Godparents is depressingly accurate.

That Awkward Stage

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice makes closing remarks at the Mideast Peace Conference in Annapolis November 27, 2007. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

Jason Reed's above photo was posted late last night on Yahoo News, but there's so much to love about it, I had to include it here. It's counterintuitive to move as far away from your subject as possible, but I'm glad Reed did, because he's totally captured Condi's place on the world stage. Bravo!

I also like it because Condi looks like a herm. Wheee! All we need to complete the illusion is a giant phallus sticking out of the front of the podium.

EDIT: Also this morning, is it appropriate to call Condi a rapist? Frank Gaffney says yes!

Gaylord Opryland

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addresses delegates at the United Jewish Communities General Assembly at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee November 13, 2007. REUTERS/Josh Anderson (UNITED STATES)

This is yet another example of the weird kind of pictures that happen when the Condirazzi get bored and start pointing their cameras around indiscriminately, hoping to get more interesting shots of a conservatively-dressed PR flak standing behind a podium.

Oh, did I just refer to Condoleezza as a PR flak? Whoopsie! Also, try re-reading the caption to the photo about five times, or until you collapse in laughter. Or tears. Whichever.

Wire Photographers Lose Interest at CondiEarthFest '07 with Humorous Results

Condi had her kinda sham environmental thingee today, and she gave a really boring speech, one so utterly devoid of content that light itself could not penetrate it. The event, to put it mildly, was a flop. But the good news is: it was meant to be! Oh, it started out typically enough:

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice makes opening remarks at the Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change at the State Department in Washington September 27, 2007. The world's biggest greenhouse gas polluters -- including the United States and China -- sent envoys to the U.S. State Department on Thursday for discussions on climate change and what to do about it. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

After rambling on and on for a while... well, the Condirazzi know a dud when they see one, right? They know this gig is going nowhere fast, and their interests begin to wander. They get sloppy. Is the schlubby videographer in the shot? Heck, it can only improve it:

(AFP)

Eventually, both Reuters' Lamarque (below, top), who has shot Dr. Ferragamo many times, and AP's Gerald Herbert (bottom) got so disinterested in Condi that they independently found the backs of people's heads to be more compelling:

She's the hostess with the leastest! Yay for Condi! She's #1!

Mean Brazilian Plane Crash Steals Media Spotlight from Congressional Stunt Bed

A worker lays out a cot for U.S. Senators in the Lyndon B. Johnson room, just off the Senate floor, in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington July 17, 2007. U.S. Senate Democrats, hoping to raise pressure on President George W. Bush and his fellow Republicans to pull troops from Iraq, have scheduled an around-the-clock war debate starting on Tuesday. (Jason Reed/Reuters)

I love wire service photos of political novelty cots*, but I really, totally heart the above, because it's a wire service photo of wire service photographers taking photos of a political novelty cot. Good for you, Mr. Reed, for capturing the true nature of the overnight photo-op!

Bad timing with the plane crash, though. It just goes to show that, as ever, Democrats simply can't ever do anything right. Tsk.

*There's the name for your new band!

Condi Thwarts Insterstellar Invasion with a Single Snarl

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivers remarks at the White House Conference on the Americas, Monday, July 9, 2007, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Did you ever doubt she could do it? And once again, the Earth is spared.

McConnell Finally Gets His Halo as Graham and Martinez Seethe Jealously

Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, flanked by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., left, and Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 10,2007, after a conference to discuss immigration reform. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

Oh, they just love standing there and talking, and the photographers know that with just a wee bit of appropriately deferential kneeling --hey, presto!-- instant halo. Everybody wants one.

Look again, though, and you can see the tragic consequence of this perhaps undeserved glory: McConnell is clearly transforming into a frog.

And that's too bad, because it's usually a good idea to go for the halo shot. Where did Mitch get the idea to go for it? Two-and-a-half weeks ago, from --who else?-- Dick Cheney:

Vice President Cheney speaks about the war in Iraq on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, April 24, 2007 as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., stands at left. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

OMGOMGOMG, but speaking of Mitch McConnell? OMG. Here's one you may have missed: do you know who he took to the Queen Party™? He took that Elaine Chao lady, you know that one who is the Secretary of Labor and, I think, a famous comedian or something? Ew:

Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walk through the Booksellers Area as they arrive for the State Dinner in honor of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, Monday, May 7, 2007, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Are they serious? I mean... just ew.

Condi Photo of the Day... Week... Month... Probably Condi Photo of the Year

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is seen through the viewfinder of a video camera while speaking to the Edward R. Murrow Journalism Program participants at the State Department in Washington April 10, 2007. REUTERS/Molly Riley (UNITED STATES)

Molly, honey, I am totally your instant #1 fan! Hand it to Reuters for having the best Condirazzi squad of all, thanks to team captains Larry Downing and Yuri Gripas. AP and AFI are going to have to seriously step up their games to compete with this talented new Condiography superstar!

Whew! Was it good for you, too? It kinda reminds me of that movie They Live.

UPDATE: The more I look at this magical photograph, the more I'm prepared to say that this may be, in fact, the single most unflattering picture of Dr. Ferragamo I've ever seen. And that's saying something.