Clinton and Obama ignore each other at president's speech

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Rival Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama came within a foot of one another just before President George W. 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 of Representatives 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. 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, who had lobbied hard for his support. 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. A doorkeeper, caught in that highly awkward dance, cringes in the photo that captures the moment.