No Chitchat Between Clinton and Obama

Update: During a Tuesday night appearance on Fox News, Hillary Clinton was asked for the first time about alleged snub:

WALLACE: Finally, Senator Clinton, there was an incident last night at the State of the Union address that is getting a bit of attention. When you get into the hall - we'll put the picture up -- you reached out -- Senator Kennedy and Senator Obama were standing side by side. Senator Kennedy shook your hand, and Senator Obama said he was looking to talk to somebody else. Some people are saying that he snubbed to you. Do you feel like you were snubbed you last night?

SEN. CLINTON: Well, Chris, I reached out my hand in friendship and unity and my hand is still reaching out. And I look forward to shaking his hand when I see him at the debate in California. But what is important here is that any differences between us as Democrats pale in comparison to the differences between us and the Republicans, and I think we will have a unified Democratic Party... We will come together, not only as a party, but as a country in this election year, and I am confident that we are going to present a very strong case to the American people as to why Democrats should once again be in the White House.

Also, Maureen Dowd took Obama's side in her Wednesday column:

"Knowing that it helped her when Obama seemed to be surly with her during the New Hampshire debate, telling her without looking up from his notes that she was 'likable enough' -- another instance of Obama not being able to hide his bruised feelings -- Hillary went on ABC News last night to insinuate that he was rude Monday. 'Well, I reached my hand out in friendship and unity and my hand is still reaching out,' she said, lapsing back into the dissed-woman mode. 'And I look forward to shaking his hand sometime soon.'"

"Something's being stretched here, but it's not her hand. She wasn't reaching out to him at all."

Update: Check out the pic-by-pic replay here.



Update: 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.

WASHINGTON — So close, yet so far away _ and so bitter.

Rival Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama came within a foot of each other just before President Bush's State of the Union speech Monday night and managed not to acknowledge each other, and certainly not touch.

Clinton, clad in scarlet, crossed the aisle between their seats on the House floor. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the Democratic icon who had endorsed Obama earlier in the day over Clinton, reached out his hand when she came close.

She took it; they shook. Meanwhile, Obama, dressed in a dark suit, had turned away.

The rivals then retreated to their seats, only the aisle and four senators between them.

It was the latest chapter in the increasingly nasty fight between the two leading candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination and capped a dramatic day.

Hours earlier, Obama received the endorsements of Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy, the brother and daughter, respectively, of President John F. Kennedy. They were joined by Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., the senator's son.

The only Republican senator still running, John McCain of Arizona, skipped the address to campaign in Florida.

(This version CORRECTS the sequence of handshake.)

Comments

[Mysticalsister]

When Nixon won instead of McGovern, I thought the world would end. (yeah, I'm old.) I don't think I've ever cried so hard, because I was so idealistic, and so passionate. I love the fact that we are so passionate about this election, but we also have to remember that this process isn't something we as individuals can control. We cast our vote and hope for the best. In the end, no one is as good or as bad as we would like to think they are while in the heat of battle. People say stupid things under pressure, that's just how life is. We have two extraordinary candidates, and I have my opinion about which I would choose, but I will support whoever wins, because this is more important that Hillary or Barak. Our country is at stake here, folks. Let's not forget, in the heat of this debate, that the job these two people are seeking is going to be hellish. Anyone willing to undertake the monumental feat of undoing the damage of the last 7 years should be respected and supported. Barak is all about unity and bringing the country together -- if you support him, and truly believe that, then why are you so angry? Why not try instead to build bridges instead of burn them down? If you support Hillary -- she has already said she will support Barak if he wins, so where's the argument? Everyone, please take a deep breath. We need to work together to bring our country back from the brink. We can't be pulling in separate directions or we'll tear it apart.

[KyleCope]

The Best Hillary spoof ever!
Check out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGMgxFE6bms

Or search HILLARY TERMINATOR on You Tube!

[diondrabutterfly]

You know--if Hillary had done this, there would be no end to it. Oh the names, I can just hear them popping on the keyboards. But, if Obama does it, then we get the Hillary's just playing the victim thing--what about all Obama's victim playing. It's pretty amazing how people can't see past their rose colored glasses when it comes to him. Pretty disgusting really.

[Anie]

I posted a series of 3 pics, in sequence, with the first one not being seen much by most, since it was removed in a revised edition by L.A. Times when they decided to go with another picture in place of it.

http://tinyurl.com/2vthq2

[Jeffersonian1]

All things considered, I'd rather talk to Claire McCaskill any day.

[outsideinsider]

If Hillary Clinton wins this year and ends up running for two terms, then the country would have been run by two families over a 28 year period. Im not a Hillary Basher just want to know if anyone else other than me thinks it`s a little unhealthy to have two sets of lobbyists on the Hill spanning a period of a quarter of a century and doesn't wife, husband father and son sound a little monarchist.

[Mahavishnu]

This is what we have come to? Some nonsense about Obama snubbing Hillary or Hillary snubbing him first last summer. According to one column this morning Clinton actually set Obama up so that it looked like she was snubbed! Also, her comments that her hands are extended to Obama at any time seems perfectly logical. This is so stupid. My guess is that the people on this forum attacking Clinton...are actually Republicans pretending to be otherwise. I say the same about those that claim Obama snubbed Clinton. But, if any of you attacking Clinton over this non-event are true Obama supporters- God help us all because you are being manipulated by the other side and the press. Take a deep breath and stick with the issues- not crap like this!

[AnninCA]

Obama just has bad manners. He also failed to call her over Florida and Nevada.

There are aspects of his "new way" that I find just plain old-fashioned rudeness.

[Tankan]

Hillary honey, you're just like Bill!

Full of it!

[Waitaminute]

This story is BULLSHIT!!!! Lets move on.

[Superfelo]

A few paragraphs are worth a thousand words.
They are political rivals, after all; she started it. From that "New York Times" post:

"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."
Look, I think it would be hypocritical to pretend that everything is all right. Even husbands and wives have their differences.

Yes, We Can! Yes, We Will!

Enough said.

[neworleanslady68]

I can't believe how the media is reporting this story without going back to the older story on this (God, they are lazy):

New York Times, August of 2007:



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

[kburlz]

Even if he did snub her, what bothers me more is her phony, playing the victim card response. Are you going to cry again? Unfortunatley, this will probably swing Super Tuesday with the brain-dead electorate.

[Pammy1151]

Hillary is taking full advantage of this opportunity like she did in New Hampshire with the crying routine. She knows (stupid) women will side with her and run to the polls to vote for her. She is good at playing the victim role. It worked for her once so why not again. If she wants to do a mans job than act like a man and stop using female tactics to get women to vote for poor little Hillary. Get real you people and yes get a life!!

[RealOpinion08]

Of course FOX NOISE wants to play this up. Their base is so jacked up that they need to creat tension in ours. Hillary has been dupped once again. Her trying to play up this story is showing how divise it really can be come November. Victum card once again playing. Women cant relate to this woman. When has she struggled like the common American woman. Be it black white or polka dot. Why wouldnt she just say hey he waved at me earlier and this is a non issue. Like he did when her surrogates continued to attack attack attack.