Yeah. They Shook Hands (((PICS)))

[blogslut]

These were taken after the Town Hall was over. It's possible the moment would have been warmer had Brokaw not broken the two up so he could read the prompter on the back screen. Just the same, looks like no love loss to me:

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., stand together following their townhall-style presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

[seabeyond]

1. both jaws are pretty tight on the last pictures, lol. n/t

[MiniMe]

11. I really noticed it in the 4th picture

In the 3rd picture, his jaw is tight, but doesn't look clenched. The next pic, when Obama is telling him something, he looks really pissed. Maybe Barack said something like "You lost sucker"

[MidwestTransplant]

2. That's his "I got owned" face

[MindMatter]

21. But it's Obama's "We need you on the team, John" face

This guy is the real deal. He could have really pummeled McCain, but he chose to be more respectful. He is always thinking ahead. McCain will be in the Senate. Obama will need several Republicans to get past the 60 barrier. You can easily see him calling on some of that "McCain Maverick Mojo" to help push through key legislation.

OK, I realize the sorts of things we need to pass are diametrically opposed to where McCain has been his whole 26 years. But you just watch. Obama will win him over. It will be an opportunity for redemption on McCain's part. He doesn't have that many years left on this planet, and right now, his legacy is a real mess. Obama will give McCain the opportunity to atone for those sins.

[Applepie]

3. What do you think Obama is saying to McCain

"I won your finished"

[blogslut]

4. I have no idea

Although I'm sure Senator Obama was nothing but gracious.

[ogneopasno]

5. Yes, but later McCain flat-out refused to shake his hand again.

It's when the couples were greeting each other. He recoiled.

[Phx_Dem]

13. Yes he did. I rewound to make sure.

He ignored Barack's outstretched hand and Obama moved on to Cindy.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

17. Rebuffed him big time. nt

[amb123]

6. McCain's face says it all. "Ewww, he's touching me!"

A pathetic, petty little man is McCain.

[KurtNYC]

7. dead fish handshake

that third to last pic looks like what my friend who met McCain said -- that his hand shake is limp bordering on gross

[Larry in KC]

19. Isn't that unusual and weird in a politician?

We have a running joke in my family because our neighboring congressman on the Kansas side, Dennis Moore, once shook our hands at a house party. His grip was so firm that my daughter, 10 at the time, said "Ouch!"

That's more like you expect a politician's handshake to be (and for the record, we approve of Congressman Moore).

[midnight]

8. McCain has a tight squeeze in the fifth pic. And what about

the cue card reader interrupting this connection? Didn't Brokaw understand it was not about him?

[AnotherMother4Peace]

9. McSame rebuffed Obama's outstretched hand later on. Very rude. nt

[Carni]

10. McCain looks like Don Rickles

My apologies to Don Rickles if he isn't an old right winged troll like McBush

[racaulk]

12. But more importantly...where was McCain's AMERICAN FLAG LAPEL PIN?

Why does he hate America? I'm series!!!11!1

[Bucky]

14. It's unfair, but please also note the primate body language

All us monkeycousins signal their pecking order with their use of hands, body positioning, and facial expressions. The hand on the back, the more relaxed expression, and the half-step back positioning all speak to someone who's comfortable with being in charge.

Also, notice that McCain isn't wearing a flag pin.

[blogslut]

18. Oh, Johnny Mac knew he was outclassed

That's for sure. And yeah, no flag pin.

[Greyskye]

15. Must be when McCain crossed in front of Brokaw's camera and teleprompter.

McCranky was so obsessed with appearances, that he hyper-focused on the task of 'shake "That One's" hand to the point that he wasn't aware of his surroundings.

How confidence inspiring. :eyes:

[Arkansas Granny]

16. Thanks for posting that. I wasn't watching closely at the end, but I thought

I had seen them shake, but with all the posts that said otherwise I was beginning to doubt my eyes.

[President Decider]

20. These photos were prior to the debate when introduced, there's no excuse for McCain's rebuff

of Obama "after" the debate. Obama was just being gracious and respectful and McCain backed away from him.

What a complet and utter PUTZ ...

[IndyOp]

22. Obama and McCain shook hands after the debate, just before the clip you show

starts. Obama is reaching his hand in McCain's direction only because McCain called his name and he is searching with his hand for the person he is to shake hands with -- he pauses when he turns toward McCain and McCain directs him to Cindy. Obama and McCain shook hands warmly before the debate, politely after the debate and then your clip begins.