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Friday, June 6, 2008
Obama confronts Lieberman?
The online/political/gossip world is abuzz with an apparent confrontation between senators Barack Obama and Joe Lieberman during a Senate vote Wednesday.
Josh Marshall with Talking Points Memo, posted on their site that Obama “dragged Lieberman by the hand to a far corner of the Senate chamber and engaged in what appeared to reporters in the gallery as an intense, three-minute conversation.
“While it was unclear what the two were discussing, the body language suggested that Obama was trying to convince Lieberman of something and his stance appeared slightly intimidating.
“Using forceful, but not angry, hand gestures, Obama literally backed up Lieberman against the wall, leaned in very close at times, and appeared to be trying to dominate the conversation, as the two talked over each other in a few instances.
“Still, Obama and Lieberman seemed to be trying to keep the back-and-forth congenial as they both patted each other on the back during and after the exchange.
“Afterwards, Obama smiled and pointed up at reporters peering over the edge of the press gallery for a better glimpse of their interaction.”
Speculation is that the conversation between the two related to Lieberman’s comments on Obama’s speech at AIPAC earlier this week. During a conference call, Lieberman said he was troubled by Obama’s comparison of Iran to the Soviet Union, and that he was right when he said Iran imposed a serious threat.
“Also, he made a major point during the campaign that American foreign policy in recent years has essentially strengthened Iran,” he said, “and at one point he almost seems to suggest that our policy elected Ahmadinejad. I just disagree with that.”
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John McCain shines on ‘College Tour’
Let’s face it, John McCain hasn’t had the easiest time persuading the majority of younger voters to choose Republican candidates this year. And some people remain a little uneasy about the awkward moments (mainly the smile) from his speech Tuesday night.
However, there have been times when the eldest presidential nominee has reached the youth of America.
About three hours ago, his campaign posted a clip from an episode from the “Hardball College Tour” that aired April 15. Throughout, McCain seems to relate well with the students at Villanova University — even landing a few successful punchlines.
If you have 11 minutes to glance through the McCain camp’s favorite highlights, here they are:
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Obama/Clinton secret meeting kept — um — secret
Last night, the press corps was waiting for Barack Obama on a plane when the pilot announced they were leaving without the senator.
With the help and promised silence from a fellow politician, Obama was able to meet privately with Sen. Hillary Clinton for the time since he clinched the Democratic nomination.
And still, no one knows what they talked about.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) offered up her home early yesterday, but says she didn’t hear from Clinton until that evening.
Feinstein says she met with the senators, then gave them water and comfortable seating in front of the fireplace. She then went upstairs to work and didn’t hear from the two until Obama called for her to say “goodbye.” Then they left.
“I feel very strongly that they’re entitled to be able to talk and without having to make a statement or go out to greet the press,” Feinstein told Fox News.
Over the last couple of days, seemingly everyone who’s appeared on a cable news show or in an opinion column has shared their thoughts on whether or not Obama should ask Clinton to join his ticket. Would she really help or just be a hindrance?
This morning, Geraldo Rivera said choosing Clinton is Obama’s only chance of winning.
“If she is not picked by Barack Obama, I think he’s doomed to a McGovern-like defeat,” Rivera said.
On “Good Morning America,” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) restated that Clinton would accept a nomination for vice president — if that’s what Obama chooses.
“If Senator Obama should want her to be vice president and thinks it would be best for the ticket she will serve, she will accept that,” Schumer said. “But on the other hand, if he chooses someone else, she’ll work just as hard for the party.”
UPDATE: If your ideal dream ticket reads “Obama/Edwards,” you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Edwards said he is not interested in running for vice president again.
