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Monday, November 10, 2008

Politics Bush and Obama Buddies? Bizarre.

Posted by Sarah Mirk on Mon, Nov 10, 2008 at 4:00 PM

Wow. The photo essay on the NYT's home page was something I thought I'd never see: Bush and Obama strolling side by side! Bush and Obama chatting it up in the Oval Office! Obama slapping Bush on the back in a "Hey, we're pals" kind of way and maybe complimenting their matching tie choice!

obamabush.jpg

I know this is all just bipartisan photo shoot fodder (being friendly with Obama is probably the only surefire way Bush can up his ratings) but after all the vitriolic rhetoric of the campaign season, it's just plain weird to see politicians acting all smiles toward each other again. Even Sarah Palin said, "God Bless Barack Obama and his beautiful family." Are we voters supposed to forgive and forget those two years of vicious campaign speech, too? Who wants to give Palin a big ol' bear hug?!

 

Comments (7) RSS

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1
I'll take your word for it, since you linked to a site that requires registration.
Posted by DemonJuice on November 10, 2008 at 5:08 PM · Report
2
Firstly, DemonJuice, the NYTimes site hasn't required registration for a year or something. If you see an ad, just hit reload and it goes away.

Anyway, yeah, this is pretty much how adults handle their business. You can hold a fucking grudge if you want, but you're going to have to see these people in the future and hating them and refusing to work with them is a high-school move. That's true in life outside of politics, too. But in politics especially, I assume these people are all experienced enough to know that it's all just part of the game and you can disagree with someone without hating them.
Posted by no one in particular on November 10, 2008 at 5:28 PM · Report
3
If it makes you feel better, Rachel Maddow thinks the hand-on-the-back thing was an alpha-male gesture designed to establish authority.
Posted by beaton on November 10, 2008 at 9:50 PM · Report
4
Still, makes my skin crawl a little.
Posted by Beer Batter on November 11, 2008 at 12:26 PM · Report
5
no one in particular:

You're wrong, it does require registration.
Posted by DemonJuice on November 11, 2008 at 4:46 PM · Report
6
i accessed the NYTimes link with no problem... i don't think that Obama has to shows his dominance as an alpha... maddow is great, but Obama has no need to show Bush his teeth because Bush is required by the people to move his shit out of the WhiteHouse, ITS TIME... Obama didn't go in there and grab Bush by the neck and say "i think i like your house... get the fuck out!"... no he didnt need to do that, the American people already did it for him...
Posted by Max97203 on November 11, 2008 at 9:43 PM · Report
7
Per the comment about Obama and Bush

That is politics, that is business, that is mature and that is the best way to move forward. One does not have to agree with someone to be civil.

To see this really at work check out opposing attornies in a lawsuit in the court room and then in the hall afterward going for coffee or lunch.
Posted by observer on November 12, 2008 at 11:07 PM · Report

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