By Jim Popkin, NBC News
The normally voluble Obama campaign won't answer a simple question: Where did the campaign film the office shots of Sen. Obama that were featured in last night's half-hour infomercial?
Granted, America's national security doesn't hinge on the response.
But it is an interesting parlor game, nonetheless, that has captivated some former White House image makers today.
The Obama office, as seen below in a screen grab from last night's film, is stately and projects a certain casual elegance.
It also happens to give off a distinct White House vibe. It's Oval Officey, as Stephen Colbert might say.
The similarities include the gold-colored drapes, the prominent American flags and vertical, nearly floor-to-ceiling windows.
Then there are the desks.
In the real Oval Office, the Resolute Desk commands center stage. Presented by Queen Victoria to President Rutherford Hayes in 1880, the Resolute Desk is two-toned on top, and ringed with a three-inch border of light-colored wood. The Obama desk is two-toned, too, with a three-inch border of dark wood on top.
A handsome wooden credenza is positioned behind the Obama desk, right under the windows. The Oval Office layout is identical, right down to the tasteful framed family photos on top of the wooden credenza under the windows.
No comment
A spokesman for Obama offered a terse "No comment" in an email to NBC. The film's director, Davis Guggenheim, did not reply to an email.
We showed the Obama office pictures to three experts, all of whom agree that the Obama campaign intentionally used an Oval Office look and feel to make the Democractic contender appear more presidential.
The experts weigh in
Veteran Hollywood designer Ken Hardy spent seven years as the production designer for the "West Wing" television series, and spent hours taking notes inside the actual Oval Office. He designed the replica Oval Office for the "West Wing," and knows a thing or two about faux sets. "This was definitely set up to suggest the Oval Office," Hardy said. "The layout was exactly what's used by the president in the Oval Office."
Hardy said that the filmmakers "warmed up" the room with wood paneling and soft lighting to make it look "homier and a little less regal." But he said the room is "definitely derivative" and "seems like a set to me."
Josh King worked for President Clinton as the Director of Production for Presidential Events, and for five years was responsible for creating the visual imagery behind President Clinton in settings all over the world. King said he was impressed by the mastery of the Obama film, "which sent all these visual cues to help voters imagine Obama in the Oval Office." King said the soft lighting, fluid camera moves, music and Oval-Office look all worked in unison.
The office setting sent a visual "suggestion" to undecided voters, King said. "It said 'authority, poise, calm.' It basically said, 'He's sitting here and wants to invite Americans into his chambers' and is in command as a leader.
Republican media consultant Alex Castellanos said the lookalike White House office was undoubtedly a set. "Of course that was their intent. There's no office sitting around with an American flag [positioned] like that," he said.
Castellanos said the campaign's intent was to help undecided voters imagine Obama in the Oval Office, and to project the Democratic candidate as a steady choice. "The Oval Office set made Barack Obama look safe," he said. "Obama put his arm around our shoulder and said, 'It's gonna be alright.' "
Castellanos has served as a media consultant to seven U.S. presidential campaigns, and he has served on the John McCain for President Ad Council. He tipped his hat to the Obama infomercial, and said it was effective political advertising. "Give the campaign team an 'A,' he said. "There's a risk that sometimes you buy a pair of shoes and they're too big. But not if you can fill them. Obama filled them. I thought he looked comfortable in that setting."
A GOP spokesman was less giving.
“While Barack Obama seems to enjoy playing president, it takes very different qualities to actually do the job," said Republican National Committee spokesman Danny Diaz. "Time and again, Obama has demonstrated theatrical flourishes, yet failed to lead or clearly and honestly articulate his stances on issues. At the end of the day, the American people will support the candidate that has the experience and background to serve as president, as opposed to the candidate that likes to pretend he’s one.”
