Clinton, Obama keep distance at Bush speech

Rivals come within a foot of one another without acknowledging it

Video

Obama denies snubbing Clinton
Jan, 29: Barack Obama says he did not snub Hillary Clinton after they came a foot within one another at President Bush’s State of the Union speech without acknowledging each other. NBC's Athena Jones reports.

MSNBC

The State of the Union

State of the Union address
Jan. 28: In his last State of the Union address, President Bush pressures Congress on spending, defends the Iraq troop surge and warns Iran on nukes.

Democratic response

McCain: ‘Urgency needed’

Obama: ‘Worn-over past SOTUs'

Huge responsibility for next president

Bush sets stage for Iraq debate

Video: Decision '08

Turning Point: 2008
Nov. 5: NBC's Tom Brokaw recaps the historic election of America's first black president. Produced by msnbc.com's Kevin Flynn.

Looking back at the historic race

NBC calls an Obama win

'Change has come to America'

Decision '08 Election Night video

Barack Obama victory speech

John McCain concession speech

The candidates in pictures

Reuters	Final push Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain make their final appeals to voters.
AP file	John McCain The Republican presidential candidates' life has revolved around the public need.
Punahoe Schools via AP	The life of Barack Obama The path of the president-elect, from childhood to party leader
The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman via AP	Sarah Palin The fast-track governor's rise from Alaska beauty queen to governor to John McCain’s running mate.
AP file	Joseph Biden The senator's legacy of public service and life filled with second chances.

updated 5:18 p.m. ET Jan. 29, 2008

WASHINGTON - The state of their union? Icy.

Rival Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama came within a foot of one another just before President Bush's State of the Union speech Monday night and managed not to acknowledge each other.

It was quite a feat, given the packed House floor, the customary bear-hugging and jostling among other members. Then a doorkeeper sat the rivals in the same row, only an aisle and four senators between them.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was not caught in the middle. The Democrat from the iconic political family had taken sides earlier in the day when he endorsed Obama over Clinton. Kennedy was seated beside Obama, away from Clinton.

Nonetheless, Kennedy reached out to shake Clinton's hand when she came up the aisle. Clinton took Kennedy's hand. They shook. Obama had turned away.

Cringe
A doorkeeper, caught in that highly awkward dance, cringes in the photo that captures the moment.

It was the latest chapter in the increasingly nasty fight between the two leading candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Hours earlier, Obama received the endorsements of Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy, the brother and daughter, respectively, of President John F. Kennedy. They were joined by Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., the senator's son.

Clinton had lobbied hard for Ted Kennedy's endorsement.

Click for related content

Video: Democratic response to Bush
GOP set to vote in Florida
High enthusiasm propels Democratic voters

In other handshaking news, Bush shook Obama's hand after the speech but not Clinton's.

The only Republican senator still running, John McCain of Arizona, wasn't there to shake any hands. He was busy doing that in Florida, which holds its primary on Tuesday.

Discuss Story On Newsvine
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh
Email
Instant Message
Print