I can't make this stop bothering me .... After Biden's 'dig' at Roberts, Obama's reaction.

[Stinky The Clown]

No doubt everyone has seen this by now (and no- the media seems to **not** be overplaying it ... I have only seen it twice today). Biden was asked to swear in some White House staff. He was about to start and made some joking remark about Roberts' having flubbed the line the day before.

Obama clearly bristled at this and was icily unsmiling.

Okay, that was fine. He doesn't want to go there. I understand that and actually respect it.

But he also reached out and grabbed (subtly ... gently ..... to be sure) Biden's arm.

Given the setting and the presence of the press and the staff, I was offended by that. I don't ever recall a president having done anything like that. That is a matter for the privacy of closed doors. Not for the evening news.

Yeah .... right .... no big deal ...... let it go ..... Biden's okay with it .....

Sorry. I don't see it that way. And NO ONE knows if 'Biden's okay with it" ... which some have said by way of defending Obama.

I saw this when it happened and I have seen it on rerun. It is still bothering me. I have managed people. This is a HUGE no-no. When you're President of the US and the grabee is the VPOTUS, it is an even bigger no-no.

[Lex]

I thought Obama had to work to keep a straight face

he kind of crinkled around the eyes for a split second (as if he thought it was funny, but had to keep a "stern" face)

[Virginia Dare]

12. Agreed, that's the way I saw it too...

and Biden is clearly pissed about what happened.

[Captain Hilts]

1. JFK did it to LBJ once. nt

[Politicalboi]

47. And look what LBJ did to

Kennedy.

[Phoonzang]

80. Wow, you got away with that joke.

Congrats! :)

[scheming daemons]

2. FFS... let it go

Can we wait another few days before we manufacture some outrage over something minor?

Enjoy the week.....

[Stinky The Clown]

15. ....

You do as you like and I'll do as I see fit ... fair enough?

[scheming daemons]

19. Well... at least your new name fits your disposition...

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Stinky The Clown]

63. ....

....

[4 t 4]

99. Stinky I just read your

original post again and it's not right at all Do you think for one second Barack Obama didn't know what Biden was like it's like good cop bad cop Obama loves it.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

102. We really have to give Obama some room to be

himself and stop dissecting every little gesture for hidden meanings.

Yesterday, Wolf Blitzer commented when The President touched his nose, actually suggesting it was running and he
was wiping it...Jesus Christ enough already.

[Stinky The Clown]

106. Scroll to Post #83 in this thread

[TooRaLoo]

17. My impression was that his gesture was one of trying to keep from laughing.

Kind of like when you looked at your childhood friend during dinner and had to kick her to make she stopped making you laugh! :P

[TooRaLoo]

21. I don't know why this replied to you - sorry. nt

[Tangerine LaBamba]

28. That was mine, too.

I found it a collegial kind of reflex, how you grab your buddy's arm when he's said something really funny.

And, of course, Obama had to put on his Presidential face, so he sobered up right away.

But, I think it was just a light-hearted moment and it humanizes all of them, which is quite lovely.

[Lex]

37. Same here.

[kimmerspixelated]

71. Tangerine has the best take on it.

[Merlot]

74. I agree with you. Especially if you watched their body language throughout

the campaign. Obama is very comfortable with himself and those close to him. I doubt that there was anything aggressive/threatening in him reaching to Biden.

If he were upset with it, he'd say so to Biden, IN PRIVATE. But really, getting upset about something so trivial doesn't mesh with the "no drama" rule.

[TooRaLoo]

82. That's what I meant. You explained it much better. nt

[Tangerine LaBamba]

88. No, you said it just right

I got the exact imagery from your post. I was just agreeing with you, that's all.

Thank you for the inspiration and the validation. I can't believe anyone would find that tiny little moment anything but charming.

Ah, well. That's what makes horse racing, as they say.

:toast:

[Elidor]

119. Why don't you let it go?

He doesn't need your approval to discuss something of interest.

[Pharaoh]

3. link

It seems trivial unless I can see what your talking about

[DinahMoeHum]

4. Much ado about nothing. Let it go.

n/t

[madinmaryland]

5. My take is that given Biden's history of gaffe's, maybe Obama was

just trying to make sure Biden didn't go offtrack.

That's the way it appeared to me.

FWIW!

[kiranon]

100. Agree. Especially when Obama and Roberts were going to redo the oath.

I thought Biden was being playful not mean and not only dinging CJ Roberts but also himself. But given Biden's history, it was wise for Pres. Obama to stop Biden's comments from going any further.

[CTyankee]

118. Yep, me too! n/t

[no limit]

6. If only Bush did that to Cheney a few times

It was an unprofessional thing to say on Biden's part (from what I read, I still haven't seen this). Obama is in charge and he has a right to make clear that he disapproves, unlike chimp.

[geardaddy]

42. Nah, he only does that to foreign dignitaries

edited for spelling

[no limit]

55. Well yeah, I wouldn't do that to my boss either.

Those foreigners are fair game.

[G_j]

116. lack of boudaries...

hilarious picture!

[Zywiec]

120. That always cracks me up! n/t

[smokey nj]

67. If Bush did that to Cheney, Cheney would have bit his hand off.

[leftstreet]

7. Well at least he didn't rub his head

[Coexist]

9. LOL!

[Raskolnik]

8. Huh? Are you upset that Obama touched Biden's arm?

Really?

[LakeSamish706]

10. I agree with you on this and also think that Obama should have shrugged it...

off and smiled like the rest of the people in the room. I'm sure CJ Roberts would not have been overly offended (if he has a sense of humor).

[Laelth]

132. For a lawyer (and Obama is a lawyer) it is NOT OK to attack a judge in public.

Roberts, like him or not, is the highest ranking judge in the Country. Obama was appalled by Biden's remarks, and he quietly put an end to them.

He could not shrug that off. There was nothing "trivial" about it. Attacking a judge undermines the integrity of the judicial system. Obama wasn't going to have it.

That's my take, anyway.

:dem:

-Laelth

[sohndrsmith]

141. Very well said. Thank you. I don't know if Obama was appalled or not,

though, but he clearly understands protocol and respect of office, both engendering respect for his authority and respect for our officials that we expect and require - for good reason, as you so eloquently clarified.

Obama knows when decorum is appropriate, and when goofing around is cool, too. This is a very important awareness that the previous president was fabulously incapable of handling, to the embarrassment and undermining of his authority, the statesmen and/or staff and making a joke of his representation of his position. That's not cool.

It's great to joke around, but having tact and appropriate solemnity shouldn't be something we consider to be optional, unless the situation is such that it IS optional. Enough - I can't explain it very well... as long as Obama gets it, that's all that really matters. He likely was trying to keep from laughing - he's human and he's not a stuffed shirt... but he understood that the jokiness was out of line and sent that message to Mr. Biden pretty well, I think.

The problem is we're so used to frat boy yukking around with Bush that manners and propriety seem sort of odd, perhaps. We'll get used to seeing good manners after a while but maybe right now it is too much of a shock we don't know how to absorb it. : )

[CTyankee]

11. I think Obama was also a little pissed off that Biden seemed a bit clueless.

As when he said "Do we have to do this again?" Then nothaving the piece of paper with the words of the oath on it. IT looked awkward and obama clearly wanted it all to run smoothly. He probably touched Biden to get him to realize he was showing some lack of preparation because maybe he thought Biden was thinking "Why do I have to do this?"

The thing could have been prepared for a little better...

[Virginia Dare]

20. Probably he is getting a little tired of all the pomp and circumstance..

he's eager to get to work I'm sure. It gets a little tedious after a while I would imagine. And you're right, he seemed a little perturbed that Biden was adding to the tedium.

[CTyankee]

108. I don't think it was all Biden's fault. There should have been more preparation.

Biden should have known what was expected of him ahead of time so he could prepare.

I hope Biden now knows that not everything he HAS to do is advising Obama on foreign policy. There will be other things as well, like this....

[Muttocracy]

113. Yeah, to me it looked like mostly confusion about what was happening

and Biden made a crack on himself (at least Roberts knew who he was swearing in) and Roberts (well, he didn't have a perfect memory though) at the same time. Something fell through the cracks on prepping Obama and Biden for that event, even down to not having the oath on the podium.

I never knew the VP swore in senior White House staff :shrug: - and was it ever televised before?

[CTyankee]

117. Yeah, that was news to me! I never saw a VP do that before.

Oh well, this is just one of those things. Let's let it go. It simply is too insignificant for us to worry about...

[Stinky The Clown]

125. See post #83. That sorta expains what happened.

[malaise]

13. Bearing in mind that a second swearing in ceremony

was planned for later, Biden should not have joked about the Chief Justice. That was the HUGE no no - not funny.

[rcrush]

14. Embarrass your boss on national TV and see what he does.

[Stinky The Clown]

30. I didn't defend Biden at all, now did I?

[Lex]

31. How could that remark embarass Obama? It embarassed Roberts

if anything.

[TwixVoy]

134. The president is NOT the vice presidents "boss"

Read the constitution some time.

[rurallib]

16. You should be much more worried about the

'no_bible_at_the_second_swearing_in' controversy. I hear that is truly important.
Oh and ignore Rush's expressed wish for Obama to fail.

[Stinky The Clown]

27. ......

or



??

[Politicalboi]

57. LOL

See I bet he had the Koran and we couldn't see it. :rofl:

[Skwmom]

18. Biden acted like a childish idiot.

It's better than verbally dressing down Biden in public.

[Stinky The Clown]

33. Biden was off base. I am not arguing otherwise

Dressing downs are private matters.

[greguganus]

43. There's a new sheriff in town, and he doesn't have time for Deputy Fife's jokes.n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

73. Exactly

Biden needs to be reined in, and the earlier the better.

Obama's trying to get a squirrel to come over, and Biden's making giant, loud movements.

[Adsos Letter]

112. lol...interesting mental image.

[sandnsea]

22. Maybe Biden didn't know of the do-over

and Obama wanted to make sure he didn't say anything further that would blow up even worse. I understand what you're saying, but maybe there was a reason we don't know about.

[lamp_shade]

23. I've had similar thoughts and I'm glad to know it wasn't just me.

I have a feeling it was brought gently to his attention and probably won't happen again.

[yodermon]

24. -1

[Occam Bandage]

25. Biden was being childish. Obama subtly yet clearly put him in his place.

Frankly, I'm glad to see a bit of instant accountability in this White House, especially after the anything-goes, I-got-your-back-if-you-got-mine mentality of the last eight years.

[greguganus]

44. Me too. The clown had been in charge for 8 years and it's time to shut the circus down. n/t

[Laelth]

133. Amen, and well said.

Attorneys should not attack judges in public. Doing so undermines the entire judicial system. Obama showed us who's boss, and he showed us he will demand civility from his employees (as well as the VPOTUS).

:dem:

-Laelth

[stray cat]

26. It sounds fairly subtle under the circumstances - why go out of your way to create animosity

I like Biden but those comments are not the new way Obama is trying to lead and the basis for his campaign.

[npincus]

29. I think you are way too analytical about this one...

I don't think it is that deep.

[4 t 4]

36. sorry I didn't notice that at all

"But he also reached out and grabbed (subtly ... gently ..... to be sure) Biden's arm."

[EFerrari]

32. You know what, I bet Obama and his team had a conversation about how to check Biden

before the job was even offered.

Seriously. They knew that sometimes they'd have to step in and they made a list of the better ways to do it.

Obama just happened to be the one there at that time so he leaned over and got it done. And I bet you more, that Biden and the staff have a whole list of "cues" that they have agreed on as signals.

It's just business, it's not personal. I had a list of signals for my ex when we were at some public thing. They weren't personal either. Just meant to limit damage that later on, you'd wish hadn't happened.

[greguganus]

46. Obama told Biden later in private, "Next time Joe, I'm pulling out my tazer." n/t

[EFerrari]

50. "We know where your puppy is!"

lol

The thing is, with someone like Joe on board, this team has a plan. And they really are all on the same side. Joe can go off into the brush and that's little enough to manage in exchange for having his skill, his intelligence and his good will on your side.

[TooRaLoo]

34. You should know by now - Yes You Can. nt

[Shardik]

35. I had the same questions yesterday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4883028&mesg_id=4883028

And there is a diversity of opinions and I'm still on the fencepost.

[4 t 4]

39. Do you think he didn't

know what Biden was like before he chose him?

[Shardik]

54. I'm sure he did.

ut I'll bet that he thought that he would think the same way he did which may have been a misconception. An understandable misconception, but maybe he just really doesn't know the sort of spirit in an ad-libber and humorist.

Your guess is as good as mine.

[AndyA]

38. It's possible there was something else going on, and the arm grab could have meant something else.

Perhaps they were running late, and Barack didn't want Joe to go too far off message. Stick to the point, get it done, and we've got to go...

Or maybe he wanted Joe to look at something behind the camera.

Could have been that Barack knew he was going to take the oath again anyway, and hadn't been able to tell Joe yet.

There could have been a lot of other reasons for the reaction.

[PatSeg]

153. That's a good point

Though I noticed Obama's reaction, it wasn't a big deal until the media tried to make a story out of it.

[Avalux]

41. Obama was nervous and the occasion was serious.

I would have reacted the same way. Biden's comment was not appropriate.

[Stinky The Clown]

60. And no one is defending Biden's remark

It was too partisan for the setting.

[4 t 4]

81. and no one but you are saying

Bidens comment were anything more than you are making them.

[4 t 4]

103. just wondering are you the

hubby and most of the other posts were the wife ? it seems like you are a new person now-no ?

[Inkyfuzzbottom]

45. Is that all there is?

I've been hearing about this since yesterday so I just sought it out and watched. I was expecting something really shocking from all the hype. Pretty much looked like a non-event to me. I didn't see any arm grabbing. Obama extended his arm but it doesn't appear he grabbed him. To me it simply looked like Obama was wanting to get on with it and was trying to move Biden along a bit. We've got WAY bigger issues to deal with than this little exchange. Why look for trouble where there is none? There's plenty of real trouble to deal with.

[Lex]

48. Yep, I just looked at it again. No grabbing.

I didn't see any anyway.

[4 t 4]

56. Exactly it was nothing

people that are making a big deal out of this have Nothing to do all day It was Nothing

[Stinky The Clown]

62. As said in the OP ... it was subtle

I am saying what I feel about what I saw.

I am hardly unaware of the 'bigger issues' ... and comment on them frequently.

But this bothered me and I commented on it.

Is that not allowed? :shrug:

[cali]

68. princess meet pea.

and no he didn't grab Biden's arm. And a grab is never subtle. Sure you can comment on how it bothered you. And others can respond. That's allowed too.

[4 t 4]

84. That's what I think I didn't see a grab ?

[Fla Dem]

49. Here's the video. Can see no "bristling". Maybe a boss gently nudging

someone to move it along. Biden had already made a crack about "what ? Are we doing this again?" He came across as a little flippant considering the circumstance; senior staff and press in attendance. If Obama was annoyed, I don't blame him. I was a little annoyed at Biden's fooling around, and I like Joe Biden.

Let video load, then go to about 11:00.

http://www.truveo.com/Raw-Video-Obama-Biden-Swear-In-Senior-Staff/id/320387202

[Stinky The Clown]

83. Seeing that video changes things ... NONE of the defenders in this thread saw what ACTUALLY happened

So their opinions are as worthless as mine.

Biden was unprepared to administer another oath. (Why was that???)

He made the "what? again?" remark. It seemed more like a nervous stall. But whatever. He was looking for the text of the oath he was to give and didn't have/find it. He (more nervous stalling) made the crack about Roberts.

Meanwhile, off camera to Biden's and Obama's right (the left as you watch the video), someone has the text of the oath. Biden did not notice the person. Obama did. Obama touched Biden's arm to show him where the text carrying person was.

End of story.

So .... I was wrong in my impression. But so were all the bullshitters who said I didn't see what I thought I saw. Lots of excuses, but the video you posted shows pretty clearly what happened.

Thanks for posting it.

[Fla Dem]

98. Happy to oblige. Thanks for your resonable thoughts after viewing the video. n/t

[4 t 4]

105. I saw it live

[Stinky The Clown]

So did I

I had to watch it more than once and then rewind it to get what actually happened.

[Duer 157099]

109. I have to agree. And I had the first same reaction you did, too

Seeing the whole thing in context, and being able to follow Obama's gaze while this happened, shows it to be as you describe here, that he saw someone approaching from the right and was trying to direct Biden's attention that way.

Thanks for posting that video

[FedUpWithIt All]

128. I saw the clip. It bothered me. The whole shot was quite different. Clearly there was more to it.

The short clip look as if he was shaking his head in dismay after touching Biden's arm. It was clearly not the case as seen in the whole videop. He was guiding Biden toward the notes and shook his head at the audience reaction.

[Uzybone]

131. So you hadn't even watched the video and you criticized Obama for it?

nice.

We said it was a non story because we saw what happened, unlike you, we made our opinions after viewing the actual event.

[Stinky The Clown]

138. Do you ALWAYS fail to understand what you read?

In the OP it says in my first language - English - that I saw it live and then saw a reurn.

On backing up and replaying a video clip I saw it differently.

But keep tying to pop me, Uzi. Some day you'll make it.

[timtom]

143. Re-Read post #83.

It's admitting to a mistake.

The OP has already been excoriated and now everything's ok.

[Rockholm]

155. I don't see what the big deal is.

[southernyankeebelle]

51. How Nobel but

that really wasn't the place to say what Biden said. Especially now that Obama is trying hard to get pass this parisanship. Are you mad for the right reason? Or are you mad because a black man subtly and gently tried to get Biden back on track? I bet Biden won't do something like that again. Biden is the VP of the united states. He is everyone's VP. Obama was right. Oh by the way am white and I voted for Biden in the primary.

[Stinky The Clown]

66. Uhm .....

I didn't defend Biden. What he said was, at best, silly. As per the OP, I more respect Obama's sense in this

But **what** Biden said is beside the point.

[Politicalboi]

52. I saw that too

And Biden forgot to swear in the other group. I hope Biden hasn't been drinking. That is the only reason I would think Obama would be pissed. And there were a few pictures at the Inauguration that looked to me as if Michelle was mad at something. Like something wasn't right. Maybe I am putting too much into it.

[Gin]

59. I thought the whole thing looked unprepared...Biden didn't seem to know

he was going to swear those folks in...he should have been told before the thing started......I am glad to know they are pissed that the oath was screwed up...it was, and is, a big thing to me...and I am glad it was done over....if for no other reason than to keep the blathering idiots from calling his administration illegitimate. (IMO)

[Muttocracy]

111. For the record, Biden's never had a drink of alcohol in his life.

He had an alcoholic uncle.

[Eric J in MN]

53. Biden is the one who was out of line.

First Biden complained about doing a swearing-in right in front of people who should have felt honored at that time.

Then Biden made a sarcastic remark about Chief Justice Roberts at an inappropriate event for that.

[begin_within]

58. I agree that Obama should have just smiled a little and just let the "joke" evaporate

That would have been a more natural reaction, in my opinion.

[redstate_democrat]

122. Obama is the President of the United States of America.

He can't just smile and let it "evaporate" when it is a totally inappropriate remark. This was the swearing in of the senior staff for crying out loud. It seems like people are intentionally trying to embarrass my president with their shenanigans lately. Obama will have to put his foot down on some of this nonsense or people will feel free to do whatever they want and further embarrass this man's administration. People need to understand he's the fucking CHIEF and is in charge. That cannot be overstated. His authority needs to be respected at all times. Credibility cannot be overstated here, especially with the first black president.

[begin_within]

145. But there are ways of being fully in charge without being a bully...

If you lay down at the base of a large tree and look straight up at the trunk, you see that the trunk bends slightly in different directions with the winds but that the position of the tree never changes. But a tree that is too young and/or brittle will snap and fall down in the wind.

[Sebass1271]

61. I agree with Biden's reactions.. I don't agree how Obama

treated Biden. Biden was tryin to defend his "comander in chief".. Obama needs to lear to be more to our side and not cave to repubs future reactions....

[treestar]

93. A good point. Biden was picked because he was an attack dog

That was part of the benefit. Now it succeeded, they won. So what now? Obama can be cool, and Biden can still be the attack dog. Still works.

[Mira]

64. I hope you are not getting a divorce, Stinky the Clown. And I actually

agree with you about Obama overreacting at reigning in Biden.

I'm willing to let it go, the tightrope he is walking is unfathomably dangerous with so many ready to pounce and denounce.
As a matter of fact, I will see your offense at his grabbing and raise you a brilliant move on the second swearing in.

It's all coming from the same root concern, which is he has to appease a number of really bad people so they won't get a foot hold on Fox news, which has so little to talk about right now.
A mistake is human, and that is what it was.

[Stinky The Clown]

70. Stinky is more in line with Sparkly than was H2S

We've been Beauty and the Beast for a long time.

Her full, formal name is "Sparkly Fairy Princess"

In keeping, I am "Stinky the Clown".

[Mira]

87. Well, I kinda K N E W that, but thanks for confirming a happy home

[4 t 4]

107. I Knew it , you are two different people

[Vinca]

65. How could he have gotten Joe's attention without touching his arm?

Did you expect the POTUS to say, "What the fuck, Joe?" I love the way nothing seems to always get blown up into something . . . fortunately it's usually only on the right wing sites.

[Stinky The Clown]

72. It bothered me

Would you have me shot for having the temerity to have mentioned that?

:eyes:

[Vinca]

78. Only with a water pistol, Stinky. nt

[alcibiades_mystery]

76. Childish things, childish things

This a controversy? Come on . This is densely stupid.

[RayOfHope]

69. They are both probably freaking exhausted from the past week. I am willing to cut them

both some slack. I know I myself get crabby/snippy/crazy/silly/whatever when I am overtired. They've both had a hell of a week, and while Joe's not an old geezer, he's not exactly a spring chicken either.

[Uzybone]

75. Grow up and put away childish things

making mountains out of molehills is some peoples favorite thing to do nowadays.

[alcibiades_mystery]

79. So much internet time and bandwitdth to fill, you know

Oh, Obama didn't smile and touched Biden's arm!!! Oh, what an episode!!! Oh, now I have something to yap about!!!!

Yeesh.

[Stinky The Clown]

86. Some people?

Do **you** know what happened? Or do you just hate it when someone has a notion that differs from your rarified view of shit?

[Stinky The Clown]

96. I should take advice from you .....

.... why? Please share oh wise and inscrutable one. I'm so sorry my thoughts bother you so much.

May I get you a pillow to sit on, oh wise man? Would you like me to put m tongue on the floor so you can step on it?

HOW CAN I MAKE THIS UP TO YOU????????????

[JuniperLea]

77. I took it as the straight man in a comedy team trying not to bust up laughing...

I thought the touch was like, dude, that was so funny... excuse me if I don't laugh though because that would be wrong for a prez...

[FedUpWithIt All]

85. I agree. Hopefully they will work out their quirks in time. n/t

[4 t 4]

91. I am so sorry but I hate stinky

I have seen great posts come from the former but what gives here Stinky sucks big time No?

[Stinky The Clown]

95. Maybe its mutual

Y'ever think that could be the case?

[Nye Bevan]

89. Obama showed a lot of class IMO

Biden is a good guy but has quite a history of gaffes. Good to see Obama reining him in.

[WI_DEM]

90. much ado about nothing.

[Faux pas]

92. Well excuuuuuuuuuse them, they are only human after all.

Biden was dinking around (check his 'mugging' behind Obama) and his remark should have been a private joke behind the scenes. Obama didn't kick him in the balls, he made a guiding type motion, like 'let's get crackin' Joe'.

[Stinky The Clown]

97. Speaking of checking .......

... you're wrong, too.

CHECK post number 83 in this thread.

[Faux pas]

140. Just proves that there is no reality, only perception.

I perceive that you have a holier-than-thou persona. Have a good life Stinky.

[Stinky The Clown]

146. Don't leave on a bitter note .....

... just leave.

Or is that leaf?

[Faux pas]

157. It's left.

[cbc5g]

94. I don't think Obama likes Biden very much

He was chosen because he was the best person to help Obama win, but I think right now Obama is thinking that he probably would have won even without Biden.

[CreekDog]

101. Joe is going to be good for Obama to have around for advice

he doesn't have a very good filter and will probably give him a lot of straight talk unconnected to any particular agenda.

i don't imagine Joe getting a question from Obama and silently thinking how he can answer it to manipulate Obama. instead, i think Joe will get asked and simply say what he thinks and what he thinks is a pretty valuable thing given his experience and knowledge.

people worry about Joe for his unguarded moments, but i think that's particularly useful to Obama who will have to work hard to get good advice, unfiltered by personal agendas, in the White House bubble.

but that's the trade off, and it's worth it.

[Dukkha]

104. Roberts humiliated himself enough

Obama's not the type to put salt into wounds. He truly strives to live by the WWJD moniker, unlike his predecessor.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

110. Biden has a big mouth... obviously Obama thinks so too.

This is not news.

[Stinky The Clown]

123. Wrong-o Jesus. Check post #83 in this thread

Nice try though .... you get the home version of the game.

[redstate_democrat]

114. He's the President and Biden works for him. Obama is the boss of everyone in the executive branch.

:shrug:

[Stinky The Clown]

124. Oh wow! Is that TRUE???

Got a link?

[redstate_democrat]

126. Well, from your OP and subsequent posts, it seemed as if you were unaware of how all of that worked.

Got a link to something that would make sense of your OP?

[Stinky The Clown]

136. It would only seem that way to morons

who read into anything anything that suits them.

Know what I mean?

[EmilyAnne]

115. They're friends. Friends save each other from choking on their own feet. No big deal.

BTW- I have watched the clip a few times and totally missed this gesture.

[lonestarnot]

121. Meh.

[K8-EEE]

127. I actually loved it

Loved Biden for saying it, loved Obama for running the show his way. Love them both!

[Mind_your_head]

129. Oh Gawd forbid the POTUS "reaches out and touches someone!"

It's not 'weird'.....Stinky, I think you've been somewhat desensitized to humanity.

There was even an ad campaign, before we all became weird, marketed-to consumer borgs......

"REACH OUT AN TOUCH SOMEONE" (AT&T)

Reach out and touch someone was warm, welcoming, stay-in-touch, I care/like/love you.....

---------

I don't get why you would be/are offended? Did it set your own humanity a-twitter and you can't handle that or WHAT?

[Stinky The Clown]

139. :snort:

[Brooklyns_Finest]

130. I liked it

I am ex military and I have seen things like this happen in public often. I am sure Biden isn't "butt hurt" about it an neither should the op.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

135. Obama is going to sooner or later have to get over his desire to sing kumbaya 24/7

I adore Obama, but honestly, I think there is such thing as carrying the lets-be-nice-to-GOPers too far.

[Still Sensible]

137. I think the President

realized there were cameras in the room and touched Biden's arm to subtly make sure he didn't go any further with the joking about the Chief Justice... and Biden correctly interpreted the gesture. I don't think it was a big deal to either.

[faith_in_democracy]

142. saw this but didn't know the story

Yeah that does sound a bit odd and authoritarian. Hope the power and support isn't going to his head.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

147. I suspect you have already made your mind up....

about the new President. :eyes:

[callous taoboy]

144. I thought Biden's remark was in poor taste, Obama's reaction a bit odd.

Joke all you want in private, but let's get that under control in public. We are going to see many, many Biden gaffes in the next few years.

[dusmcj]

148. Pres Obama still has a little to learn, but he'll be fine.

Less "I", more "we".

The Black church tradition of a strong moral compass is a great fundament, but use it discreetly amidst a secular public. Real power doesn't need to be brandished.

Glad to have our generation in power

People try
to put us down
Talkin bout my ge-neration

Fuck yeah

[leftofthedial]

149. slapping him upside the head

would have been funnier

[Imagevision]

150. Biden's Roberts remark was ignorant, Glad that Obama thought so too... give him a hand B.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

151. It frankly bothers me...and is a bit annoying...that we fall into the M$M trap so often

We read into any and every little thing that happens with Biden and Obama. I saw absolutely nothing wrong with what Biden said. It makes me wonder: had the M$M not made any comment at what Biden said, would we be having this conversation? Really, the M$M has never really liked Joe Biden because he speaks his mind and does it well. They don't like that; it's intimidating. I say let Joe be Joe!!!

[PatSeg]

152. That was my reaction as well,

but reading the posts here, I can see how Obama could have been restraining laughter. Hopefully that is the case as these two seem to be very compatible and have a similar sense of humor.

It isn't a big deal, but treating your VP respectfully in public is very important to me.

[Naturyl]

154. I find it bothersome as well.

This was a strangely paternalistic gesture that does not sit well with me. While it is a minor incident of no great consequence, I'm not thrilled that Obama apparently thinks it is his place to essentially scold Joe Biden in public. Obama should have talked to Biden about this behind closed doors.

[Imagevision]

156. Guranteed, Joe will begin filtering his thoughts before just letting them rip