In one of his widely-publicized missteps, Williams refused to shake hands with Ann Richards

[Bluebear]

in a public debate, an act seen as uncouth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clayton_Williams

Dunno if anyone remembers that faux pas, but it certainly didn't help Claytie.

[Mojambo]

1. It's not quite the same thing

This was more like two people mingling at a party and one trying to avoid the other.

I know as a competitor in a number of sports that I never wanted to be anywhere near my opponent when I had my game face on.

[Bluebear]

2. The "game face" should not have been on tonight. They were 2 Democratic Senators at the SOTU.

If Obama can't show solidarity with a fellow Senator from his own party at the SOTU, something is wrong with his diplomatic sense.

[Mojambo]

3. Well, I'm sure the partisans will go all nuts about it, but I don't think it's a big deal at all.

But, by all means, try and make as much hay with it as you can.

That's how this primary game is played.

[WinkyDink]

4. Common courtesy is always a big deal. He's being immature. Or is that just "not old"?

[kerstin]

6. It looks particularly small coming after his spectacular win in South Carolina

and the two Kennedy endorsements.

[Levgreee]

5. game face or not, they should at least "acknowledge" a colleague, fellow party member

and friend. Hillary didn't even acknowledge Obama's existence when she walked out and stood next to him.

[jackson_dem]

7. Why can't someone who claims to want unity unite with a fellow Democrat?

[MrSlayer]

8. He didn't refuse, the offer wasn't made.

He may have turned the other way to assure the offer wasn't given but he didn't refuse to shake hands. Who knows? If he had stayed facing her and offered his hand she may have dissed him.

[Levgreee]

9. Hillary must be really happy about this event

it's like winning a small lottery

[Bluebear]

10. You're defending Clayton Williams now?

[MrSlayer]

14. LOL! I was going to edit the post because of the pronouns.

But I figured people would know what I meant. Of course the he and she I am referring to are Senators Obama and Clinton.

[Bluebear]

16. LOL!! I thought you recalled the Williams-Richards debate differently.

Crazy times :)

[MrSlayer]

19. You know what's even funnier?

I saw your reply and it took me a minute to figure out who you were talking about. I forgot the OP headline that quick. I'm sitting here going "Who the hell is Clayton Williams?"

Crazy indeed.

[MonkeyFunk]

28. She's not that petty

She went to the senate and gained the respect and admiration of the same shitheels who spent 8 years trying to destroy her and her family.

She's a class act.

[adabfree]

29. She reached for Kennedy, Not Obama

Why can't people see that...she didn't extend herself to shake his hand...she was extending herself for Kennedy...

[dailykoff]

11. Yet another good ol' Texas trick in other words?

Thanks, I suspected as much.

[Levgreee]

12. If you think that act was uncouth, you also must think Clinton was uncouth towards Obama

in this debate


Start at about 1:10. Edwards comes out, Dodds comes next, shakes hands with Edwards. Obama comes out, shakes hands with Dodd. Clinton comes out, Obama is clapping and looking at her ready to greet, she turns her back away from Obama as soon as she gets close. Doesn't even acknowledge him.

http://www.taudiobook.com/closed_caption/democratic_debate_nv.html

[Bluebear]

13. Well, your link doesn't even work, actually, so . .

[Levgreee]

15. fixed

[dailykoff]

17. Let me guess, same photographer?

[Bluebear]

18. No, a vivid memory from people politically aware at the time.

http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=25&pid=525617&agid=2

[dailykoff]

20. Like Atwater, Rove and Carville, perhaps?

They never miss a trick on either side.

[Bluebear]

21. Oh just read the link, this was a very famous misstep at the time.

[dailykoff]

22. Oh I'll bet. It's probably in every playbook.

No wonder Hilly has that orgasmic grin.

[Bluebear]

23. Are you as daft as you are appearing here?

[dailykoff]

24. Let's see, last week we had the iron-my-shirt set up

how did we miss a taser routine during the Kennedy endorsement?

[Bluebear]

25. Sleep it off, talk to you tomorrow :)

[dailykoff]

26. It is tomorrow.

Don't worry, your secret is safe with us. :)

[girl gone mad]

27. My first campaign..

long before I was old enough to vote.

That, and the rape joke, killed him.

[sniffa]

30. Well, from the same link

Senator John Tower had similarly refused to shake the hand of Democratic opponent Robert Krueger in a 1978 appearance in Houston but went on to win a fourth term by the narrowest of margins.