Was Hillary Sunbbed? Obama Says No

MSNBC News:

Obama explained today his alleged snub of fellow candidate Hillary Clinton, saying he was "surprised" to hear about the coverage this morning:

"I was turning away because Claire [McCaskill] asked me a question, as Senator Kennedy was reaching for her [Clinton]... And senator Clinton and I have had very cordial relations on the floor and off the floor; I waved at her as we were coming into the Senate chamber before we walked over. I think there's a lot more tea leaf reading going on here than I think people are suggesting."

However, this explanation seemed to contradict another statement offered by senior Obama adviser David Axelrod:

AXELROD: this was obviously an awkward day from that standpoint, and I don't think he wanted to stand there while Senator Kennedy was greeting Senator Clinton and I think that was an appropriate sentiment. Unfortunately, the camera caught it in a different way, and so it got interpreted that way and that's the kind of environment we're in right now. It's a very competitive race, so every little thing is going to be interpreted in that way- but it was really, I think, a matter of letting Senator Kennedy have his own conversation, his own greeting with senator clinton without him hovering over them.

BRZEZINSKI: I, I guess. I mean, I guess the Clinton campaign may see it as a snub. We've been getting a few e-mails and-

SCARBOROUGH: you're right. and then it was also interesting afterwards, David --

AXELROD: -in this environment, every single thing can be inflated and interpreted and will in a political -- in a hyperpolitical light. But- it is what I suggested. I think it's understandable that he would not want to stand there with Senator Kennedy as if he were-- lording it over her. I, I, I you know, I understand that instinct.

Read the whole story: MSNBC News

Comments

[samothrellim]

Why would anyone read this far? But, if they have, the photo shows Hillary focused on and extending her arm to Teddy while Barack looks the other way. Hardly photographic evidence of a snub.

[jrizal]

If they can't get their stories straight, then both of them are lying.

[whamtwo]

Hey, Obama was caught - no doubt it was a snub - he's an apprentice and should get major experience before taking on the big job. He's an inspirational speaker but that is not the resume for president. If he works hard and writes and sponsors some good bills and not vote present 100 times he'll get the job someday.

[Stella1]

Obama is a pompouse little shit.

[Purcy]

I think it's reasonable to assume that there may be tensions between the two but I have observed them trying to be civil to one another. that's probably not nearly as exciting as it is to claim that one snubbed the other. God, that is such Junior High School behavior..­.actually, even adolescents have better sense. Get over it people. Grow up. It was only the person who took the picture that said Obama turned away (and made it sound as if they knew it was a deliberate snub). find something important to write about or get pissed off about! Surely George has done something worthy of your ridicule!!!

[BocaBabe]

Any woman who has watched the sniveling, whining Obama's body language toward his female opponent since New Hampshire knows what he really thinks of women. "You're likeable, ENOUGH, Hillary," he sneered. At every debate, he refuses even to look her in the eye. He smiled and cooed with Biden and Edwards - leaping to Biden's defense on the issue of racially insensitive remarks. For Hillary, a snub caught on both video and still cameras. No matter how many lies he and his enablers come up with to try to explain it away - that picture is worth the election. No self-respecting woman who sees it will vote for him.

[Siren]

Hillary started this whole thing last year when she snubed Obama on the Senate floor.

From NYTimes link to follow>

When Mr. Obama was running for the Senate, Mrs. Clinton waited out a lightning storm on a tarmac to fly to Chicago for a fundraiser on his behalf. After he arrived in Washington in 2005, he studied her first year in office and worked to keep a similarly studious – yet low – profile. After Hurricane Katrina, he joined Mrs. Clinton and former President Bill Clinton as they visited storm evacuees in Houston, with Mr. Obama walking a few paces behind out of deference to the leading names of the Democratic Party.

The relationship began to change, according to several Democrats who are friendly to both senators, when Mr. Obama began musing aloud about a presidential bid. The day he opened his exploratory committee, several Senate observers said, he extended his hand and said hello on the Senate floor. She breezed by him, offering a cool stare.

One week later, following the State of the Union address, the two senators found themselves doing a back-to-back interview on CNN. Mr. Obama went first, with Mrs. Clinton pacing a few feet away. Finally, an aide escorted her completely around the rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building, avoiding walking directly by Mr. Obama.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/03/us/politics/03web-zeleny.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[ALMAL]

As meny others wondering,about two photos from address and explanation from the flying plain,i strained my imagination too
in my mind i so it ,like movie

three senators of hope and change:

Obama, Kennedy, Maccaskil watchin senator Clinton

Maccaskil hissing: she's coming,she's coming

Kennedy whispers: right now

Obama starts turning left clapping

Kennedy: how are you ,my friend

Clinton: i'm fine

Maccaskill: heee,he,he

Next day on the plain Obama explaining,

Mccaskill watchs him,and she is very pleased:

Now he owes me big !

but it's only in my imagination,
it could be different scenario

[SeanGardner]

Wait a minute? Was Hillary snubbed? I can't believe we're asking this question.

Are we talking about the same Hillary Clinton who was very less thasn gracious in her IOWA Speech by not congratulating Barack Obama? Are we talking about the same Hillary Clinton who gave a bewildering, half-hearted congratulations to Obama for his South Carolina victory that even the CNN analysts thought was funny.

This is much ado about nothing.

Let's get back to the issues.

[SeekerOne]

Why is this a story? Now that Obama and Clinton are making nice, the media has to create conflict, that's why. Bill Clinton was absolutely right when he railed against CNN last week. They do indeed "live" for stirring the pot, with the maturity of junior high students. (Not to impugn junior high students).

People, this is a human moment. What would you have Obama do? Smile behind Kennedy like a cheshire cat? These things happen so subconsciously, so instantaneously it signifies nothing. For God's sake, the ice caps are melting. Get a grip.

[crfo7]

i dont care about all this. Obama and Clinton are both human. At least in every interview I see where the journalist asks a stupid question that gets candidates to try to say something bad about one another, Obama says it with more grace and tact and authenticity than Clinton's complete phoniness. Im glad Obama didn't shake her hand, it's not magnanimity, it's just a stupid photo op, and the Clintons know they're being followed everywhere with a camera, whereas Obama isnt used to that yet. So the Clintons were putting on a show. Obama was being genuinely.­.. human.

[crfo7]

you know... compared to what stupid shennanigans BOTH clintons pulled on Obama, Obama is a COMPLETE SAINT. At least Obama doesnt bribe her fellow competitor (ahem, EDWARDS) into secret private meetings after debates to triangulate against their political opponents. (yeah, im talking about the last debate where she invited him into a private meeting for 30 min)

[BetterDays]

Wow, the Clinton bloggers are out in full force. New campaign strategy?

[Tennessean]

Obama's now using a classic Karl Rove playbook tactic: Making himself the victim.

It doesn't matter WHY he didn't shake hands with Clinton; what matters is that he COULD HAVE; he chose not to do so. The picture would have been a great opportunity for him to prove his bonafides about his character, integrity and his respect.

But, No. Barack Obama chose to turn his back on a fellow senator; and now he has chosen to LIE ABOUT WHY he did that.

It's a glimpse into the lack of integrity, the pettiness, and the mean-spirited insecurity of the man. Claire McCaskille should be ashamed, lying for him.

First Rule of Rove's Dirty Tricks: Make yourself the victim of "dirty politics." We've sure seen Barack Obama do that lately, haven't we?

Rove's Science of Dirty Tricks:

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/15/3178/

[ALMAL]

ANOTHER SECOND DAY EXPLANATION.
HE IS SO GOOD IN THIS.