Ha ha! "Bold alpha-dog pat on the back by Obama."

[Clio the Leo]

As quoted from the splendid Rachel Maddow on her show tonight describing the gentle pat on the back Barack gave George at their meeting today (several times.)

Barack lightly patting Bush on the back as they entered the White House and then walked to the Oval Office.

This of course would be a modified version of the "left shoulder touch" that he's famous for. It is perhaps the highest honor any human being could receive.

Here we see Barack demonstrating this move on the shoulder of Judas the Plumber...


As someone who reads body language for a living, it's a great move. It simultaneously says "I like you" but "I'm in charge."

Barack even talks about it in his book, mentioning that when he met Bush the first time he inadvertently "grabbed the President's shoulder, an unconscious habit of mine." (paraphrasing)

Well, fortunately this time, the 44th President was able to maintain his composure and limit himself to an upper arm touch.

Although I'm sure it was very hard for him to restrain himself, I admire his fortitude. :)

Please forgive me this indulgence. I have a bit of an Obama shoulder-grab fetish and this was an historic day.

And with that, I resume my shoulder-grab watch.

[NMDemDist2]

1. okey doke

keep us posted

:rofl:

[Clio the Leo]

3. Are you trying to run the okey-doke on me!?

Mr. Obama warned me of the likes of you! :)

[Fridays Child]

2. It is definitely an alpha male gesture.

As others here have observed, Barack Obama is Big Dog 2.0. :woohoo:

[Clio the Leo]

4. If ONLY Bush has presented his hind end to be sniffed, the day would have been perfect. NT

[Sugarcoated]

5. I almost passed out I laughed so hard at that

:rofl:

[Fridays Child]

6. ...

:spray:

Or bent his neck to show his jugular, as a sign of subjugation. :D

[Jim Sagle]

8. The whole crowd would've keeled over from the fumes.

:puke:

[PermanentRevolution]

30. I can't think of any combination of "Bush" "hind end" and "sniff" that resembles a perfect day

:rofl:

[Lochloosa]

31. Big Dog 2.0

Perfect!

[BrklynLiberal]

7. Now you have made me aware of this and I will have to be watching for it...

[Clio the Leo]

11. Then let me apologize...

... because you may become as I am ... OBSESSED WITH IT!

And lemme tell ya, our Leader is an equal opportunity shoulder grabber. Men and women, young and old, black and white.

There are not red states, there are not blue states ......... just millions and millions of shoulders waiting for some Obama love!

[BrklynLiberal]

14. I am looking forward to spotting them.....No need to apologize.

[Clio the Leo]

15. Ok but when your house is covered in filth and your kids are starving....

.... because you've let it take over your life as I have, dont come cryin' to me! :)

[BrklynLiberal]

19. I appreciate the warning. I will try to be VERY careful...

:rofl:

[melody]

9. Good observation -- I noticed that, too

He also led him into the room as the Alpha would, showing that he runs the place. It was excellent sociobehavioral stuff and brilliantly done.

[Clio the Leo]

12. We have come a long way since the Hillary senate floor "diss." NT

[Muttocracy]

10. I took it as just someone who's comfortable in his own skin

and who's been shaking hands and hugging people for 2 years nonstop. I noticed Laura didn't put her arm around Michelle for the photo opp - I think the Bushes are just more awkward and less touch-feely than the Obamas :shrug:

[Clio the Leo]

13. Yep and I'll give you another heads up....

... the man is a blatant, unrepentant cheek kisser.






(you will note that he's using the "I love you so much I want to smush my whole face into yours," technique here)

and then there's this.....



I dont know WHAT that's about! (But how hillarious is that OTHER hand that's stuck out like it's waiting for a turn! ha ha)

How we let such a sweet, loving person rise to power is anyone's guess. :)

[NOLALady]

33. That too.

[mwei924]

16. Anybody remember the opening scene from Primary Colors?

A lot of meanings.

[Clio the Leo]

17. No, clue me in.....

[mwei924]

18. Basically, it was the main character talking about the Bill Clinton character.. .

..as he shakes people's hands down a rope line, and what each move means (like the should rub, the double hand shake, etc)

[CakeGrrl]

23. I remember that. It was about the level of intimacy that Jack Stanton established

depending on how he made contact with you.

At the end of the movie, he greeted his own campaign manager, who knew all the inside stuff about him, with the 'acquaintance'-level handshake at an inauguration ball.

I don't know what Obama's contacts mean, but the hand kiss is a charmer!

[Clio the Leo]

20. And one more thing about that plumber dude...

... if you watch that footage of him talking to Joe W, when Barack touched his shoulder, Joe did NOT like it at all! Closed his body up and kinda leaned back some. The totaly OPPOSITE of what most everyone else does .... which is to just sorta melt right there on the floor. lol

Anyway, further proof (as if we needed it) that Joe W. can't stand Barack and walked into the conversation with an axe to grind.

But the GOOD thing is that by the end of the conversation, Joe's body language was much more relaxed.

Joe would never admit it, Barack made him think ........ with that teeny little brain ... he made him think.

It probably hurt. :)

[lutefisk]

21. This is much better than Bush's creepy bald head rubbing fetish

In the picture above I see that Obama didn't make a move for the plumber's head. Didn't seem tempted in the slightest. That's good. I hope I never see Bush rub another bald head.

[opihimoimoi]

22. Ya see that rubbing stuffs in them bars quite a bit...its an ole habit

[arewenotdemo]

24. Top pic has Chimp in full backward palms/knuckledragger mode.

[MarthaMyDear]

26. Can't the RNC afford to buy Chimpie a well-fitting suit?

...not to mention the Drapes that poor Laura ends up wearing all the time!

[happychatter]

25. now if he'd crooked his arm at the back of Bush's neck and tickled his nipple

I would agree

[busybl]

27. she's right

did any of you see the show on body language before the election?
It had a section on the politicians and clearly showed who had the upper hand in these exchanges.
The hand on the back and ushering the other guy is an alpha move.
One thing they had was film of two pols (Putin and Blair?) each trying to get the other through the door
with the hand on the back thing. They were jockeying like two kids on a playground. It was pretty funny and very telling. I'm hoping they will rerun it.

[InternalDialogue]

29. I think the two men jockeying for door position were Arafat and Begin.

That is, if I saw the same program you're describing.

[busybl]

34. I think you're right

I couldn't for the life of me remember. It was funny though.

[Avalux]

28. Here's one with McCain:

[nichomachus]

32. I thought he was checking to see if Bush was wearing a wire n/t

[4_Legs_Good]

35. I absolutely agree

He's a master at this, and every time I see him do it, I'm convinced he knows EXACTLY what it means.

Your analysis is spot on.

David