Fairness Doctrine Slippery Slope?

Jan. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Barack Obama’s popularity makes him a marketer’s dream. Now, the honeymoon may be over for those trying to profit from his appeal.

White House lawyers want to control the use of the president’s image, recognizing the worldwide fascination about Obama’s election, First Amendment free-speech rights and easy access to videos and photos on the Web.

“Our lawyers are working on developing a policy that will protect the presidential image while being careful not to squelch the overwhelming enthusiasm that the public has for the president,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said

I will be honest, this article continues on to state that they do not want his image used to endorse a product. However, I do find it odd that they are not bitching about the plates, coins, hell...space ships you can buy with his face on it. (Ok got me, I made the last one up.)

The part that worries me is the quote regarding using lawyers to protect President Obama's image while not squelching the "overwhelming enthusiasm."

I am concerned that they did not say "while not squelching First Amendment rights." They want to protect the enthusiastic...what about those that wish to be critical? I am not concluding anything now, but a week in using lawyers to protect his image? MY GOD, can you imagine if President Bush had done that? The Governement would have put the effigy business under.