Too cute.

There’s the President in a picture with his dog – plastered in numerous places on the web; photo credit: Getty Images. Despite the fact the President is in dress shoes, pants, shirt and tie, they’re playing football. They’re just so “dog”gone cute.

The photo accompanies a story. The headline: “Obama calls Eagles owner to congratulate him for signing Vick”.

I look again at the picture. I see the dog. I see the football. I see the happy, smiley faces all around. I see … well, I worked public relations in the Air Force before retirement. I see a nice, fat raise for some PR guru.

What beautiful imagery. “The President loves dogs. The President loves football. So if the President comments on the status of Michael Vick, you should listen. After all, the President loves dogs. The President loves football. He knows what he’s talking about.”

OK, if you say so.

I just don’t buy it. The article talks about how Obama called Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to congratulate him for giving Vick a second chance after his release from prison. According to the article, the President told King that released prisoners rarely receive a level playing field and that Vick’s story could begin to change that.

I have no doubt that’s true. What I doubt is “motive”. I don’t believe for one second that Lurie’s decision had anything to do with giving Michael Vick a new start in life or anything of the sort. It was all about winning pure and simple.

Would Vick even be back in the NFL if he didn’t have an absolute cannon for an arm and legs like the Six Million Dollar Man? Not a chance. (And based on the aforementioned arm and legs, raise your hand if you thought he “wouldn’t” be back. No hands. I didn’t think so.) Would he even be starting if not for the fact he got out of the starting gates on a tear and has continued playing to MVP-status? No. (And by the way, I’m glad he’s back. I don’t condone what he did. I’m glad he went to jail. I hope they throw the book at anybody who does likewise. On the other hand, I really, really, really love to watch him play the game. Hey, at least I'm being transparent.)

On Lurie, I’m sure there are stories about him helping charities – teaching Sunday School, helping little old ladies across the street, etc - galore out there. I just couldn’t find them. I did find where he contributed $4,600 to Obama’s campaign, however.

I also found his record as a former Hollywood producer, president and chief executive officer of Chestnut Hill Productions. Here’s a sample of some of the movies he helped turn out.

“Sweet Hearts Dance.” Synopsis: “Wiley and Sandra have been happily married for years but are now in the process of breaking up.”

“I love you to death.” Synopsis: “Joey owns a pizza parlor, and is married to Rosalee, and is a major womanizer. Rosalee goes to extremes when she finds he has been cheating.”

“Blind Side.” Synopsis: “A couple visits Mexico to scout a new location for their furniture manufacturing business and hit a cop with their car on the way back stateside.”

“Foxfire.” Synopsis: “The story of five teenage girls who form an unlikely bond after beating up a teacher who has sexually harassed them.”

Yes, those just reek of family values. Not! And by the way, I didn’t find one movie the company produced that wasn’t rated R.

Yet this is all about fresh starts and second chances (wonder if Obama’s new campaign slogan is going to be: “everybody deserves a second chance”), because: “it’s the right thing to do.” Not about winning.

Too cute. No, “too” cute to be true in fact. And no amount of pics featuring the President and his dog happily playing football on the front lawn and posted online is going to convince me otherwise.