The Snub: The Story and the Reactions
 Clinton (bottom left) reaches out to Kennedy (center right) as Obama is turned (top center)© Win McNamee / Getty Images |
The only difference? It's a big one. This took place just before the President's annual State of the Union Address on Capitol Hill. It made the network evening news, became fodder for nationally syndicated columnists, and earned itself a place in political history as The Snub.
Ted Kennedy, who had earlier endorsed Barack Obama for president and probably felt wildly uncomfortable seeing Obama's opponent Hillary Clinton, nonetheless smiled and shook her hand when she greeted him. Obama, above Kennedy, is seen looking away.
TIME shows a side-by-side photo of Hillary Clinton sitting alone during the State of the Union address, and Obama and Ted Kennedy together, talking. The photos -- along with the news clips -- made me wince.
Others, apparently, felt likewise.
Over at the New Republic, Michael Crowley wrote:
Personally I didn't think "The Snub" was really worth paying attention to until I saw ... that it had broken through to mass-market shows like "The View" and "Inside Edition."And Michael, I wouldn't expect you to.
Women, far more than men, understand the subtleties of relational aggression. In her book Odd Girl Out, author Rachel Simmons notes:
Among the most common forms of relational aggression are ... nonverbal gesturing, or body language.Yes, I know, there's a big difference between girls and adults. And Obama says this was an unintentional act. But the fact that the ABC talk show The View brought it up shows how this resonates with women. Nobody will ever accuse The View's moderator Whoopi Goldberg of being a pundit. But she likely voiced the views of a number of people, women and men, when she discussed the events leading up to The Snub, and her opinion of it:
I thought to myself, that's a hard room if you're Hillary Clinton on that day, that's a tough room to walk into. Everybody knows that you've been exposed in a way, like somebody snatched off your clothes. I was very proud of her for walking up and shaking hands and going to take Barack's hand. And I have to tell you, I think he was wrong to turn away. I think he was wrong because if you are triumphant, you don't have to stand on the person's throat. You can be a bigger person.
Comments
Just another silly 10 seconds in Hillary Clintons’ “It’s All About Me” campaign. LOL
Here’s a safe prediction in her continued drive for the victimhood votes: more girlie tears, just in time to sway Super Tuesday?
I’ve never admired this immature woman less…
Just another Obama kool aid drinker with a “safe prediction.”
At his advanced age, why is Sen Ted Kennedy still in the Senate? Shouldn’t there be a “generational change” ages ago with the Senator? When is he going to retire? It seems like the Senator is promoting age discrimination in America. Great “change in the air” that the Senator is advocating.
“The Snub” is an interesting example of contradictions. Is this the big “change” Obama and his surrogates promise us? I guess he didn’t see Hillary in a red suit.(SURE)! He needs too many surrogates who won’t cover his lack of experience. I see his moments of honesty that show deep-seated disrespect for women,like saying Hillary’s just “OK”.
The press disses Hillary and glows for Obama. SAME OLD GOOD OLD BOYS SYSTEM. I’m surprized by Ted Kennedy who can’t run himself because of the obvious skeletons in his closet.
Anyone who thinks that more isn’t said with tone of voice and body language than is said with words is kidding themselves. Frankly, whether it is the old boys network or just the fact that our media is controlled by a few conglomerates, media coverage is indeed skewed lately. We all need to think for ourselves and ignore most of what we see in ads and, unfortunately, on the news. It is nothing more than sensationalism and misinformation. Whether one is for Hillary or against her, we should all be able to agree when we see someone behaving rudely. And we should each be able to think for ourselves about what to make of it. Diplomacy is a critical skill in the oval office, especially considering the tarnished image of the U.S. these days. The president cannot be one who even implies disdain or disrespect in his or her actions. Make of it what you will, but Obama’s increasing inability to be civil to Hillary is very telling.