On Tuesday's "Today" show NBC's Michael Okwu declared hugging is all the rage now that President Obama, AKA "The Hugger-in-Chief," has replaced handshakes with hugs. Al Roker introduced the Okwu story as he pondered: "With the uncertain economy and shrinking 401(k)s we could all use a little hug, even President Obama, "The Hugger-in-Chief." Early in the piece Okwu threw it to NBC News presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin who analyzed: "I would rank him, way at the top, in the pantheon of presidential huggers."
The following are teasers and then the relevant portion of the Okwu story as it was aired on the April 7, "Today" show:
ANN CURRY: Coming up next President Obama has been coined "The Hugger-In-Chief," but should we all embrace the greeting?
...
AL ROKER: Then a little bit later on, over on his overseas trip the President may have been all smiles and handshakes but he's beginning to be known as the "Hugger-in-Chief," in fact. We're gonna take a look at that and see what it all means. Ah, nothing, nothing wrong with a nice hug.
...
ROKER: With the uncertain economy and shrinking 401(k)s we could all use a little hug, even President Obama, "The Hugger-in-Chief." From the White House to the workplace handshakes are out, hugs are in. NBC's Michael Okwu explains.
SERGEANT AT ARMS: The President of the United States!
MICHAEL OKWU: Whether it's navigating Capitol Hill, presenting his Cabinet or connecting with regular Americans you get the sense with President Obama, that right along with those coat sleeves in the Oval Office, the stiff handshake has been vetoed. The hug is in.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Maybe it is a good thing!
OKWU: So much so, Time magazine is hailing him as the "Hugger-in-Chief."
[On screen headline: "Hugger-In-Chief, Is The Hug The New Handshake?"]
DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN, NBC NEWS HISTORIAN: I would rank him, way at the top, in the pantheon of presidential huggers.
OKWU: Of course Clinton could embrace, well, a village, but that was with an inspired handshake. LBJ got close, but hardly cuddly. The bear in Obama might be explained by the fact that he's from a less formal generation, or it just might be a sign of the times.
GOODWIN: People feel that need to be reached out to, especially when times are tough.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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This story is beyond stupid,
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 17:36 ET by msh1973This story is beyond stupid, I mean really..."Hugger-in-Chief"?
Are you implying that's in
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 08:31 ET by SickofLibsAre you implying that's in some way demeaning to the office? ;)
The Left is So Superficial
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 17:58 ET by JustAlIt is really funny how many of these loons go on about the physical attibutes and activities of their new play things. Huessain's pecs, Mechille's arms, women dreaming of sex with (I forget which one), Chrissy Mathews getting physical sensations below the belt just from listening to them.
Only the image, the perception is important, because the Obama's, like beauty itself, are only skin deep.
By the way, did this guy also think that Clinton was the best "Bugger in Chief"?
Eef.
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 17:44 ET by dervish"I would rank him, way at the top, in the pantheon of presidential huggers."
I would say he's in the class by himself.
What in hades is going on? Did I miss the news about free lobotomies?
Gag me with a spoon...
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 17:47 ET by bigtimerOMG!
Barf-bag time....pass the duct-tape...and all that jazz.
By the way...I have never, ever, been able to stand Okwu for years now...you talk about a patheic piece of work, and they still call him a reporter too.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
bigtimer, more like...
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 17:54 ET by Delia"Gag me with a pitchfork"!
The MSM panty pudding 'tingles' joke is beyond the pale. I want to gag every time I hear the dripping, drooling praises of 'the one'. *hork*
Hasn't the kool-aid run dry yet? Good grief! The idea that people still take 0bama seriously at this point truly sends shivers up my spine.
Old trick . . .
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 17:58 ET by GalvanicJust watch your pockets while you're getting hugged by the President.
LOL Galv...... Now that
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 18:05 ET by bigtimerLOL Galv......
Now that is funny...I don't care who you are.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
ANN CURRY: Coming up next
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 18:08 ET by DaBirdANN CURRY: Coming up next President Obama has been coined "The Hugger-In-Chief," but should we all embrace the greeting?
Who has coined him "hugger-in-cheif"? The very media that reports he has been coined hugger-in-cheif!
MSM: "Let's call our Messiah something cute, then we'll report on how he is being called something cute". How are these people not totally embarassed that they get paid for this?
Great point. You know how
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 18:25 ET by Chris NormanGreat point. You know how they think. If I was diabetic, I'd be going into insulin shock about right now. This is just all too much - like a cake with twenty pounds of white sugar frosting all over it - the kind that's so sweet, it makes your teeth itch.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Ass-slapping comes next.
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 08:33 ET by SickofLibsAss-slapping comes next.
SOL, after the bowing and scraping to a Saudi King...
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 08:49 ET by Delia...anything is possible.
Sad, but true, Delia
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:01 ET by SickofLibsSad, but true, Delia
Hugger => Huggee
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:20 ET by Pilgrim1949If The Obamessiah is the chief hugger, then I guess that makes the rest of us huggees.
And we all know what little incontinent babies do to their huggees, don't we?
Yup.
Expect 4 years of getting crapped upon (it's started already).
(I hope he graduates soon to Underoos...probably the Superman ones...???)