The cure for bad optics of skipping Justice Scalia's funeral? #ObamaAndKids

As Twitchy reported, liberal radio host Alan Colmes tried to provide some much needed cover for President Obama, who skipped today’s funeral mass for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, by shaming Obama critic Sen. Ted Cruz for not attending the funeral himself. The plan might have worked had there there not been multiple photos of Cruz at the service. Oops.

It all goes to show that even liberals are desperate to explain why the president didn’t attend — especially when the president’s official schedule according to the White House web site is wide open today. Still, Obama is topping the list of Twitter’s trending topics with the #ObamaAndKids hashtag. What’s that about?

Here's why everyone is sharing pictures of #ObamaAndKids https://t.co/LdXz49BBg7

— TIME (@TIME) February 20, 2016

We made @TIME Magazine!!!#ObamaAndKids https://t.co/gfoXNERkKf

— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 20, 2016

TIME magazine reports that the hashtag was started this morning by [liberal] activist and entrepreneur Michael Skolnik, who also serves as editor of Russell Simmons’ GlobalGrind.com. Skolnik even updated his Twitter bio to credit himself as “proud creator of #ObamaAndKids.” It’s not like he’s the first to ever use children to manipulate the image of a political leader.

#ObamaAndKids Much like #StalinAndKids pic.twitter.com/zTCbSYEpQi#pjnet #tcot

— Jeanette ❌ (@texasfreedom101) February 20, 2016

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Considering @Twitter stopped autocomplete for #FreeStacy & blocked it from trending, I suspect #ObamaAndKids being #1 is more manipulation.

— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) February 20, 2016

Sure, Justice Scalia’s funeral was today, Democratic caucuses are underway in Nevada and Republican voters are at the polls in South Carolina, but check it out! #ObamaAndKids! Pete Souza is the official White House photographer and apparently inspired Skolnik to start the hashtag.

This photo I made on Thursday has caused people to start tweeting photos of the President w kids #ObamaAndKids pic.twitter.com/WSmAA3Z0It

— petesouza (archived) (@PeteSouza44) February 20, 2016

Tantrum kid is one of the most popular.

that time this kid threw a tantrum in the White House #ObamaAndKids pic.twitter.com/JTnuFYEHlO

— Emer McLysaght (@EmerTheScreamer) February 20, 2016

Here’s what a kid looks like when you take away her Obama.

Video: Heartbroken little girl sobs over Obama leaving office https://t.co/ZK9gJfJFjy via @MailOnline #ObamaAndKids

— Andrew Hunt (@ahuntre) February 20, 2016

…and #ObamaAndKids just started trending. Who's gonna post the best photos?!?!? pic.twitter.com/oouGQuC9Zy

— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 20, 2016

Politico’s Marc Caputo has a three-part explanation why his submission is the best.

Here's Y this is the best #ObamaAndKids pic:
1 Spider Man
2 O's reaction
3 The composition, showing his reflection pic.twitter.com/eJd25IKfG3

— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) February 20, 2016

We kind of like this one, with no explanation necessary.

#ObamaAndKids pic.twitter.com/OAMMdt84Iy

— TresHall (@gingertreshall) February 20, 2016