Body Politics: The Obama-Clinton Relationship, Pt. 1 (PHOTOS)

One of the striking features of the relationship between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is how much they touch each other. As can be seen in the accompanying pictures, they touch each other in a number of different ways that are typical in ordinary day-to-day communication but not so typical on the political stage.

What does it mean? And is it a good thing?

One thing it means is that they both are comfortable with touch as a means of expression. The Obama/Clinton relationship is full of friendly touch. By contrast, imagine Richard Nixon giving a friendly squeeze to his Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. Indeed, if you look at pictures of Hillary and Bill together during the past year, there's much more touch visible in Hillary's relationship with Obama than in her relationship with her husband.

Hillary also allows her face to be much more relaxed and vulnerable with Obama than in other situations she's been in lately. Those who know Hillary Clinton often speak of her inner sweetness, humor and openness. These are qualities that often do not come through in the "public" Hillary. In the accompanying pictures, note the play of open expressions on her face. It's very refreshing to see her bringing forth this side of her personality. She will need to stay in touch with that aspect of herself as she travels the world.

There's a bigger lesson we can learn from watching the ease with which Obama and Clinton make touch contact with each other. Touch has become a controversial issue in nearly every area of life. While there are good reasons for scrutinizing the role of touch in the workplace, the classroom and other places where it can be laden with hidden motives, the resulting touch-phobia that pervades current society has taken something natural and deeply human out of life. By showing two people at ease with touch, Barack and Hillary give us permission again to find easygoing and appropriate ways to touch each other in public.

In an upcoming post, we'll look at an important bit of body language we see in their faces. It holds a key to handling potential conflict between Hillary and Barack.

• • • • • • • • • • Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) (L) and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) (R) shake hands following the first debate of the 2008 presidential campaign April 26, 2007 at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

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Comments

[Briarcircle]

I was wondering what are your thoughts on GWB's reactions to the shoe throwing incident?

[aofh]

My reaction from the start when I heard that he was considering her for SoS was that he was asking for trouble. I do not trust Clinton. But after reading your comments (and a couple of others about her fitnes for the job) and looking at your photos, I see that this can work. I have not seen this Clinton before. I have read about her from intimates, but little else to substantiate their claim. Particularly telling for me is the last photo where she has her hand in this back also. Barack is a touch guy, he seems to do it a lot even when he ushers Joe Lieberman off into a corner on the Senate floor. But I've never gotten that sense of intimacy with Clinton. Rather, she always seems to be embattled.

One thing is certain, for her to succeed as SoS she must have his support. After Powell's tenure, that can't be more clear. (Powell had the world's support but he didn't have George Bush's.) But it also means that she will have to give up some things. I can see a possibility of Hillary being successful here in a way that she has not been successful in her politcal life before because, for once, she has someone who will truly stand behind her. This relationship is worth watching.

[stell]

I think the hugs are perfunctory at best. Especially the first appearance in Unity, NH. I maintain that the only thing Hill and Bill respect about Obama is his record-breaking fundraising prowess.

[provgrays]

When the politicians are male and female, it's interesting to note how often kisses and hugs take the place of a handshake or more standard greetings. Barack and Hillary seem too physically familiar at times.

[wanj]

Obama is a touchy feely kinda guy but he doesn't come off creepy.... I love this man!

[willpen]

I agree completely. I think that it is Barack Obama's natural physical inclination to touch people both physically and mentally. He has a very disarming smile which causes people to relax around him. He uses these attributes to the fullest but in a sincere manner that does not seem forced. I think that he just brings out the best in people and that is why Hillary's more natural inclinations are coming out.

I love this man too!

[miatta]

Generic touch and facial expressions are one thing.

Intimate touch and facial expressions are an entirely different thing.

Obama does not exhibit intimate touch and facial expressions with the other women in his cabinet.

I think Barack should consider his wife's feelings.

Sure hope Michelle has a strong support system. Looks like she is going to need it.

[imfeelingblue]

These two just look good together.

[tokesan]

I will attest this to the ability of Obama to make people feel at ease with him. to do this you need genuine eye contact, relaxed face, honest touch and providing the other with reassurance that they are fine. He does it so well it is natural to him. he did to President Bush and even John McCain on the campaign trail.
As a man I try to do this with my colleagues that are women - even not looking at another woman, only focusing on them, while walking with or seating with them for lunch.

[Promise]

Obama touches everyone. I wouldn't read too much into this. It is true that Hillary's face softens and sweetens when she is at ease. I share the columnists' hope that she keeps in touch with this part of herself when she represents our country abroad...instead of the hardness she usually projects in public appearances.

[MAXIE19]

I think he relates to her as a mother figure and so the affection comes easy. It does not appear like they are faking it. I actually enjoy seeing them together. She is only 5 years younger than his own mother and seems to possess many of the positive qualities that his mother had like smarts, and the ability to excel in the face of challenging obstacles. In spite of their hard fought campaign, I think she truly respects his intellect and his relationship with his wife, something she never had with Bill.

[TravelinMan357]

MAXIE19.... I wss totally thinking of that. Although he is totally in love with Michelle Obama. I think its a resemblance to his mother spiritually that Barack Obama respects of Hillary Clinton.

[gerimd]

I remember thinking much the same thing when the question came up, "why couldn't Obama do well against Hillary in their debates?" Because she is close to his mother's age and he probably held back due to a combination of intimidation and "respect for one's elders."

[harriscrl3]

I think they will make a formidable team but I wish folks would not get so gossipy and dramatic about them.

Carol

[Raster]

From 'No Drama Obama' to "All Drama Obama'?

[whispurr]

It may just be that they're both loving people who have a genuine respect and like for one another. Simple.

[OtayPanky]

Bill was a great toucher. And W wasn't bad either.

What's it all mean? Nothing. Succesful politicians spend a lifetime crafting a public persona that has nothing to do with the reality underneath.

"Epitaph On A Tyrant" by W.H. Auden says it all:

===

Perfection, of a kind, was what he was after,
And the poetry he invented was easy to understand;
He knew human folly like the back of his hand,
And was greatly interested in armies and fleets;
When he laughed, respectable senators burst with laughter,
And when he cried the little children died in the streets.

===

That's not to say Barack is a tyrant. I voted for him, and have high hopes for his adminstration, and our country. But this tea leaf reading from photos is meaningless.

What IS meaningful is that people project their own hopes and fears on public figures. That's why a group of conservative republicans think Sarah Palin is the best thing since sliced bread and Barack is Satan incarnate; and at the same time liberals tended to demonize John McCain.

THAT is what's really interesting.

[kellygrrrl]

great photos. thanks!

[cjgnew]

HRC's happy because she just got promoted. No one can deny that she earned that promotion. She has all the reasons in the world to be happy because she knows that if she does a good job as SoS, she's practically a shoo-in for president in 2016. Her face reflects that happiness. HRC's body language also reflects the fact that she genuinely respect President-elect Obama's intelligence. The comfort level between the two reflects two facts in my opinion: (1) for the first time in her life, HRC has found a man that she can truly respect not only for his intelligence but for the way that man genuinely feels about women and family; and (2) Obama is obviously comfortable about having another strong woman around him. Despite loving her husband's intelligence, there's a side of him that she knows about that keeps her from being as open and vulnerable with him. On Obama's side, he truly respects her toughness and intelligence. He knows that she is loyal and that she will work tirelessly to get his policy executed. But overall, what really makes this relationship tick is the true admiration that Obama feels for women. No wonder that he feels that way: the women in his life were not only very strong, but he knows he wouldn't be where he is today without their love and support. Thank you for your very insightful article.

[RadhaColalurver]

You're Obama AND Hillary's psychologist? No freaking way!

[cjgnew]

I don't have to be a psychologist to have an opinion. And, by the way, I did study psychology quite a bit and I am pretty observant. I am also married to a psychologist. If you take the time to check my profile, you'll notice that when almost everyone was panicking when Obama lost his lead in the polls shortly after the Republican convention, I called it right. When everyone was screaming for HRC to get out of the primaries, I argued that her going all the way would in fact strengthened Obama and would make him a better candidate against McCain. I was right. I argued that Pennsylvania would go democratic despite some pockets where racism was still rampant. PA did go democratic. I argued that America has made some serious progress with respect to racism. Obama's presidency would have been just a pipe dream had what I just said about racism not been true. So, before you ridicule what I say, you might want to read a little more carefully. Perhaps you might learn something! As for me, I am open to learning whatever might be valuable in what you have to say.

P.S. I also argued that HRC would make a good SoS.

[ederlore]

Shoo-in for the 2016 presidential election? I can only assume that your finger slipped while keying that comment. Unless Obama proves to be an utter dud as a president I really don't think Hillary would run against him. If he proves to be as popular in the next election as he was in this one, her chances of winning against him are marginal at best.

[JDowlin1]

Duh! Obama can only serve for two terms which means Hillary would not be running against him in 2016. I have always felt the two looked and felt good together. They make a good team. That's why I and so many others wanted him to pick her for VP. But we'll take Sec. of State. I never believed what some pundits said about them not liking each other. They were in the midst of a heated campaign and still respected one another. As Obama always said, they were friends before the primaries and would remain friends after the election. In fact, he has said she made him a better candidate. I was amazed at how quickly Hillary came around to campaigning for him so vigorously. Think Ronald Reagan with Gerald Ford or Edward Kennedy with Jimmy Carter. Obama and Hillary have both shown grace under the fire of politics.