Washington Times: Obama and Hillary at SOTU (and other color)

[bidenista]

We were here for a president's speech, but much of our attention was on the two Democrats dueling for the right to give this speech next year, and on the senior statesman who gave one of them a huge boost today. As soon as Sen. Barack Obama walked down the center aisle of the packed House chamber at 8:38 p.m., all the attention in the room centered in on the Democrat from Illinois.

Just behind Mr. Obama was Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, civil rights pioneer, lion of the Senate, senior member of the grandest Democratic dynasty, who earlier today endorsed Mr. Obama for president despite entreaties from President Bill Clinton not to do so. Mr. Obama worked both sides of the aisle, and got so much attention -- from both sides -- that he caused a backup behind him.

As he neared the front of the chamber, Mr. Obama leaned in and whispered in the ear of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Mr. Clinton dismissively compared Mr. Obama to Jesse Jackson after the Illinois senator won the South Carolina primary, a state won by the elder Jackson in presidential races in 1984 and 1988. The younger Mr. Jackson gave Mr. Obama a hearty handshake, a few strong words, and Mr. Obama moved on to shake the hands of the Joint Chiefs of Staff others. Then Sen. Hillary Clinton, New York Democrat and Mr. Obama's rival, entered the chamber, hard to miss in a bright red suit. Mrs. Clinton also spoke to Mr. Jackson on her way down the middle row, but Mr. Jackson's demeanor was one of someone hearing assurances, not the confidential, almost conspiratorial pose he struck with Mr. Obama. Mrs. Clinton also got a lot of hugs and reassuring nods and looks from other female lawmakers, not the kind of treatment usually reserved for a front runner. I did not personally see this, but photographers said that at one point before Mr. Bush entered the chamber, Mrs. Clinton leaned across an aisle to shake Mr. Kennedy's hand, but that Mr. Obama turned his back at the same time she was doing this. I did see Mr. Obama take the unusual step of walking over to the president's cabinet just before Mr. Bush's entrance, to shake hands with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and to whisper something in the ear of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

http://video1.washingtontimes.com/fishwrap/2008/01/obama_and_hillary_at_sotu_and_1.html

[loveangelc]

1. oic