Another “Tradition” broken by the President
“Patrick T” emailed us a link last night to a Yahoo/AP story about our dear President breaking yet another tradition.
Departing from the South Lawn, Obama broke from tradition as he boarded Marine One, the presidential helicopter. He seemed to stun the Marine standing at attention by reaching out to shake his hand. The Marine obliged, shaking the president’s hand before returning to a steady salute.
Since no one on the internet believes anything we write any more unless we have two sources they can click on from the comfort of their homes, here’s another account from the NY Daily News;
The intimate moment came when Obama saluted and then gestured to shake the Marine’s hand (most Presidents just salute and then board the aircraft). The surprised Marine shook Obama’s hand, exchanged pleasantries and then snapped his arm back to full salute.
There, we’ve fulfilled our obligation by spoon feeding the Leftist doubters their daily reason to hate us.
Jon Ward in the Washington Times noted the difference between Bush and Obama;
You can tell the difference between presidents — at least Bush and Obama — in the little things, and Obama’s gait on his way to the helo reflected the fact that this was a new experience for him. There was none of the familiarity that I so often saw watching Bush make this similar walk countless times.
Because Bush had respect for the position he was elected to, while Obama still thinks he’s more important than the office. In a way, it’s probably true, because he’s the American Idol President and his “fans” are willing to forgive him every little mistake. Watch the comments to see what I mean.
ADDED: The Wolf from Blackfive came by and dropped off the video from the Washington Times;
February 6th, 2009 at 10:21 am
I’m sure the Commandant of the Corp will be over to teach this weenie how to Salute…Had to do it for clinton too *Spits*
February 6th, 2009 at 10:34 am
He rendered the salute, and THEN shook his hand. What’s wrong with that?? You all will look for anything different to sceam about. Generals shake hands, Presidents shake hands…what’s wrong with shaking someones hand??
Seriously, talk about real issues or shut up.
Jonn wrote: I like how you trolls all have ironic screen names. I’d write about any issue you’d like me to write about – but you guys never have anything to say about real issues. Kind of like the last eight years when you discussed choking on pretzels and falling off of Segues. Now your guy is as fucked up as a soup sandwich and you want to talk about “real issues” suddenly. Please.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Common Sense,
We’ll talk about whatever the eff’ we want here. Who the eff’ are you to dictate to us? I know, you’re a friggin’ lefty fascist Obamabot who’s drank the koolaid!
Go screw yourself!
February 6th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Common Sense? Whatever. At the position of attention, and most especially in the presence of the CIC, you do NOT drop your salute until the CIC has passed, and you most certainly do NOT leave the position of attention for any reason short of getting shot.
February 6th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Here’s the video link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSW8CSMhBJg
And the video:
February 6th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
“He rendered the salute, and THEN shook his hand. What’s wrong with that?? You all will look for anything different to sceam (SIC) about. Seriously, talk about real issues or shut up.”
Let’s see…I remember liberals screaming about President Bush’s “smirk” and bellowing that he was drunk on several occasions, and when he put his hands on the shoulders of some female foreign leader – everything he did.
Libtards iz ironic, ain’t they?
February 6th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
You missed the real reason Obama did that – he wasn’t shaking the marine’s hand, he was holding it so someone else could pick the marine’s pocket. Protocol be damned.
It’s happening to all of us – see The Stimulus Package.
BTW – democrats have no respect for rules unless they refer to others – then that’s all they can talk about. (See Daschles’s tax record).
February 6th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I am sick of the partisan crap. I’m a conservative, and I’ve got no problem with CiC shaking the Marine’s hand. If he did that every time, it would be different. This was his first trip and no doubt just wanted to say greetings. You people, and your corresponding partisans on the left, are exetremely annoying.
There’s plenty to criticize about the president’s policies. Plenty. This kind of crap is stupid and is no different than what the lefties did to Bush.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Thank God I’m a You People!!!
February 6th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Didn’t say a thing to the pilots. President Bush always said hello to pilots. You would see him pause at the entrance to the cockpit companionway to chit-chat.
I am glad I wasn’t the only one to notice the COW’s walk. Erkel indeed.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Thank God I stumbled on this site. In the renewed hope brought about by Obama’s election, I had forgot how partisan, ignorant, shallow and hateful knee-jerk right wingers can be.
President and Commander-in-Chief Obama could figure out a way to raise military salaries, vastly improve VA benefits and cut taxes and you morons would still fault him for, oh I don’t know, WALKING FUNNY?!?
Enjoy the next eight years idiots.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
I forgot: Jonn, is my screen name ironic enough for you?
February 6th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
What I dislike is the partisan bullshit exhibited by this post. What are you assuming sir? That Obama hates the military? That he doesn’t respect it? Is this really what we’ve sunk to? Don’t let’s become like the angry and unpatriotic lefties who undermined a wartime president. We’re much better than that. We should be showing how morally bankrupt they were by being an example of a truly loyal opposition.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Amen Screw…these people are too short sighted to see the positive change that the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES is trying for.
THey did beat up anyone that bad mouthed Bush and called them unpatriotic. And now they do the same thing to a man who WON! So he walks funny..didnt one of your presidents walk funny because he had POLIO? You gonna pick on him for that?
Stupid republicans
February 7th, 2009 at 12:00 am
And to SWR: shut your freakin’ mouth, gasbag. I suspect there are many here who have served. Show some damn respect. I won’t forget how many in your party undermined Bush and our troops in a time of war. And unlike them, I won’t be undermining Obama. He’s my president and I’ll support him as much as I am morally able. Too bad so many on the left couldn’t say the same of Bush.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:26 am
I am a Navy veteran.
I did not see anything wrong with BO shaking the Marine’s hand.
As for the Marine,
if the President wants to shake your hand, you shake hands.
If BO wants to make that his routine, I have no problem with that.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Pure class all the way…nice to see the President recognize that young Corporal. Probably made that kids day. I am glad to see that someone has the class to view our service folks as human. That Marine did look rather shocked though. For those of you that think what Obama did was wrong why don’t you put your brain into gear and think…
February 7th, 2009 at 2:06 am
Common Sense, polio victim Franklin Roosevelt was a liberal Democrat.
But nice try at American history anyway…stupid dirtbag.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:32 am
I have to say I agree with Marvin. He *is* the CiC, and if he wants to change protocol, he can. At least his saluting skills are improving.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Hey all you guys on your self-imposed pedestal lambasting the post on the basis of the trivial nature of the complaint – get a mirror.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
ETC(SS): You publicly recognize the Marine by giving a smart salute! If you want to say hello, or thanks, or something further to him, wait until after you board and get airborne.
February 8th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Common Sense,
You’re welcome to a “crusty shorts” sandwich for your dining pleasure…
February 9th, 2009 at 8:04 am
As a wife with 29 years of being married to the Army – I have to ask those on the Left: What problem do you all have with rules, decorum, protocol and regulations? [If you are having problems with the words, look them up]
In the Armed Forces subordinates MUST salute a superior and President Obama is the Commander-in-Chief, thus the Marine, must salute President Obama and hold the saulute until it is returned.
Protocol, decorum and regulations then dictate that Attention must be held until the President boards the plane. President Obama violated the rules of protocol, decorum and the regulations (that on Jan 20th he swore to uphold) by wanting to shake hands.
It is not hard concepts to grasp – I taught those who will bother to read it in a few seconds.
The Left bashed President Bush for 8 years as stupid, backward and a dunce. Either President Obama is even more stupid that he can’t even get something this simple down, or he is totally out of his league that his new position is overwhelming him to the point he can’t follow protocol, or he is so arrogant that he feels rules just don’t apply to him.
We here are practicing our FREE SPEECH right to discuss what our OPINIONS are on that very ISSUE – for me I vote for the last one – ah heck it is President Obama – I vote for all 3.
February 9th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Obama wasn’t being nice… he was making a “photo op”. That Marine is the crew chief, and will be onboard with the President. If “The One” wants to shake hands and gab he could do it inside. Was it wrong? Ask that Marine. I’ll bet he had to do some fancy talking to his CO for breaking the salute… but, I’m sure as was pointed out, the CO knows if the POTUS wants to shake hands, you shake hands. The point is that Obamaman has not shown any respect for the traditions and protocols of the Military and this was just another example of that disrespect.
I remember the lefties giving Bush shit over the time he boarded Marine 1 holding his dog, and then, after freeing his hands of the pooch, returned outside the aircraft and returned the Marine’s salute. I actually found that very reassuring. You may have loved the handshake, I think it showed disrespect to the protocols…. Eye of the beholder guys…Sucks to have your guy under the microscope don’t it?