Body Politics: The Obama-Clinton Relationship

[Beacool]

I don't know if I agree with all the psycho-babble, particularly about Hillary and Bill, but I loved the pics. Obama and Hillary do look great together.

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.









http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathlyn-and-gay-hendricks/body-politics-the-obama-c_b_147806.html

[Captain Hilts]

1. I noticed that too. nt

[Beacool]

We do have some great leaders in our party, don't we?

:pals:

[Captain Hilts]

8. A wealth of riches. nt

[Pirate Smile]

2. What a sweet post, Beacool.

I've noticed it too.

[Beacool]

7. Yeah, they do make a very attractive "couple", don't they?

I mean that in the nicest way, don't get me wrong. They also look great with their respective spouses.

;)

[Jackeens]

3. Barack/Hillary photo heaven here: link.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7903629

[Beacool]

5. Thanks, great pics!!!!!

They are both quite hot looking.

:evilgrin:

[amborin]

27. Jackeens, those are incredible photos! Obama seems tender toward Hillary in many of them

[polichick]

4. I agree - she seems very comfortable with him. Nice.

[DevonRex]

6. I believe they have a genuine affection for each other.

And I love to see it. Thanks for the wonderful post, Beacool!

[Beacool]

9. No problem.

Yes, a lot of things are said while campaigning, most of it is forgotten after the election is over.

:7

[Lil Missy]

10. Just shows that Obama has a natural ability to bring out the best in people.

:)

[polichick]

12. Yep - I think that's it. EVERYONE seems comfortable with him.

[Clio the Leo]

11. Funny how we can see things so differently.....

.... it's gotten better, but I have always noticed an akwardness between them. He initiates the touching but I think he'd making a clear effort to appear affectionate in front of the cameras.

Now, that's not to say he doesn't like her, he does. But he got burned by that "snub" on the Senate floor way back and has been physically making up for it ever since.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj6qv9Caqxo

(lol! the diagrams on this youtube!)

As a matter of fact, the debate that occured right after that "snub" he gave her a big hug, whispered in her ear and she responds in what appears to be "dont worry about it!" An apology perhaps?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwHmUMI0jgA

Ah well .... they'll have plenty of time to warm to one another if there is any chill ..... and I am glad for it.

[Merlot]

13. WOW, I missed the whole snub story!

Thank gawd, how f'in stupid. And the diagrams? Reminds me of a MadTV/John Madden skit.

Obama and HR Clinton are two very smart people who share a lot of comon ideals. I imagine they get a long just fine.

Most of the "rivalry" between them was played up by the media. They (Clinton, Obama) are two smart to take campaigining personally.

And Obama knows he became a better candidate by having to work against Hillary.

So, everybody wins!

[Beacool]

15. We don't see things that differently.

I don't think that they are bosom buddies, but that's not needed to be able to have a great working relationship. Physically, I think that they are two very attractive people and they look good together.

:-)

[Clio the Leo]

19. yes but it brings up images of that dreaded Barack/Hillary umbrella Youtube....

.... and I've worked SOOOO hard to suppress it from my memory! lol

[Beacool]

20. Oh, it's not that bad.

That's a very popular video, it has more than 20M hits and thousands of comments. People like to fantasize about these two, there's plenty of videos about them that have a sexual bent. It's probably due to the length of the primaries and the fascination people have about a black man with a white woman.

;)

[Clio the Leo]

23. BLECH!!!!

And that's all I have to say about that! lol :)

[Withywindle]

26. I can relate to that, but you know what?

A rock-solid nonsexual friendship between a man and a woman makes me even happier, because there are those who would have you believe it can't exist - especially when they're both smart, powerful people who have been fiercely competitive with each other.

It's a great thing for little boys and little girls to see successful men and women being collaborators and friends like it ain't no thing--not acting like members of two alien species who have to believe there's some kind of weird hostile "mystery" about the "Other."

[Beacool]

28. Of course it can exist, I have male friends.

I think most of us do have friends of the opposite sex. I think that it's a stereotype to assume that a man and a woman can't be friends without bringing sex into the mix. They are both great role models for boys and girls. Heck, they are great role models for men and women too.

[ruggerson]

14. apparently they were friendly before the primaries

he looked at her as a good friend in the Senate.

So I"m not surprised that post-primary their relationship would restrengthen.

[Jennicut]

16. They seem to be getting along well lately, it was more awkward during the primaries

Now there seems to be a mutual respect and the acknowledgment from Clinton that he is her president. Loved their interaction during her SoS appt. I am beginning to really like Hillary. I was mad at her during the primaries but I think she just really poured her heart and soul into wanting to win.

[mopinko]

17. i think that is barack

he is just that way with people.

[Catherine Vincent]

18. If I were Hillary, I wouldn't mind touching Obama.

As much as I can! :)

[Beacool]

21. Well, going by the photos it appears to go both ways.

And yes, he's a good looking man.

}(

[ACTION BASTARD]

22. I betcha Hillary is down with the swirl.

She's got a thing for Presidents.

[Beacool]

31. Oh no, I hope that she doesn't have "a thing" for Bush too!!!!

The horror of that thought........

:scared:


:rofl:

[rvablue]

24. Nice post, Beacool, here's another one....

MMMMWWWAAAHHHH!

[Beacool]

29. Thanks!!!

Cool pic.

:hi:

[amborin]

25. those are wonderful photos and very emotionallly powerful;

they're great photos of each of them, and at least in the photos they seem to have a warmth and intimacy that is palpable; the pictures seem to be really capturing quite a bit of an emotional connection between them

i'd believe they're both setting out on a path with the potential to change human history for the better; it's a daunting challenge they face, i hope they can pull it off

Just looking at Obama in those pictures makes me have the highest aspirations for his presidency;

[Beacool]

30. I'm sure that they'll be fine.

He wouldn't have offered her the job if he didn't think that they could work well together and she wouldn't have left the senate if she didn't think so too.

;)