McCain/Palin: How Close Is Too Close?

Etiquette Experts Weigh In On How Much Touching They Should Do; Was Cindy McCain Miffed?

(CBS)  There's been an abundance of buzz surrounding Sarah Palin's addition to the Republican ticket.

And, reports CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano, some people are taking note of way John McCain embraces her. Literally.

They've been campaigning together across the country and, at every event, there's a possible awkward moment: Should they hug? Kiss on the cheek? "Air kiss"? Shake?

When Walter Mondale ran for president in 1984 with Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate, they never touched. The closest they got was standing side-by-side, with both raising their arms in the air as they waved.

Of course, times were different then.

But when Palin appeared with McCain at the GOP convention, she got a hug.

Etiquette experts say it was a gesture made for TV.

"What McCain was communicating through his body language to all of America," says Jodi R.R. Smith of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, "was that he embraced Sarah Palin.

The two have hugged at many events since.

But could a warm hug get a politician in hot water?

"If his hugs are a little bit too enthusiastic," says Washington Post columnist Sally Quinn, "I think it's not going to appeal to people, and I think it's particularly not going to appeal to his wife."

Some have wondered if Cindy McCain is uncomfortable, not only with the hugs, but with her husband introducing Palin before her, as he did at the first post-convention rally, in Cedarburg, Wis., last Friday. John McCain started by sending accolades Palin's way for her rousing speech at the convention, with Cindy standing right there. Then, and only then, did he mention Cindy, and her speech top the convention -- then moved right on to his own words for the crowd at the rally.

That hasn't happened again. By the end of that first day, at another rally, McCain was already mentioning Cindy first.

"I think she and the people around her said something to him," Quinn surmises, "that he looked like he was pting Sarah Palin first, and that might not play well to other women. ... I think there was some pillow talk, and I think Cindy McCain said, 'I'm No. 1 here.' "

Now, Solorzano points out, for every hug he gives his running mate, there's a kiss for his wife.

Displays of affection in politics can easily go too far, she notes. Take, for instance, Al and Tipper Gore's long kiss on the mouth at the Democratic convention in 2000.

And this year's Democrats haven't been without their awkward moments, such as the half-hug between Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton in their initial post-primaries appearance together in Unity, N.H. in June., or Obama's kissing Jill Biden, Joe's wife, on the mouth at this year's Democratic convention.

So, says Solorzano, while the handshake hasn't gone out of style, it seems the game of politics appears to have become more touchy-feely.

And etiquette experts agree that, in the business world -- and in politics -- the senior-level employee should always initiate the contact, whether it's a handshake or a hug.

And, Solorzano concludes, when in doubt -- go with the fist bump!

[jab232]

The whole media has become The National Inquirer. Here we are, we just committed hundreds of billions to bail out Fannie and Freddie. Lehman Brothers is collapsing. We have a 407 billion dollar deficit this year alone, the highest in history. We have the highest inflation in 27 years, the highest unemployment in five years, people are losing their jobs, houses, pensions and health care while CEO''s (including Fannie''s and Freddie''s) get huge golden parachutes. People can''t afford to send their children to college or advanced vocational schools. Our service people are going back to Iraq for tour after tour. Russia is thumbing her nose at us. We are losing the real battle against terrorists in Afghanistan. And you folks are talking about "how close is too close. Come on! Corporations which send jobs overseas still get tax breaks. Foreign corporations take over American companies and lay off American workers, and three-quarters of your stories are about Sarah Palin who hasn''t even had a press conference yet. We have real issues! Ask the candidates about the real issues and force them to tell us what they will do. Quit talking about Sarah Palin.

[tuxedomask41]

Regarding the show version of this story, I did not like the comment about Bush holding hands with the Arabic Gentleman. That is a custom over there and is viewed as respect and friendship. Your reporters should know this and not make off comments about it.

[campvictory]

I agree. Here I am in Iraq and was appalled when I saw the talking-head wince and say "What is that all about" when President Bush was holding hands with a, I think, Saudi. Men walk down the street here in Baghdad holding hands. If your talking head doesn''t know that, why does she criticize Palin for having no foreign experience? Americans don''t like the pot (press) calling the kettle black.

[campvictory]

I agree. Here I am in Iraq and was appalled when I saw the talking-head wince and say "What is that all about" when President Bush was holding hands with a, I think, Saudi. Men walk down the street here in Baghdad holding hands. If your talking head doesn''t know that, why does she criticize Palin for having no foreign experience? Americans don''t like the pot (press) calling the kettle black.

[caliguy55]

Sen. John McCain has proved himself to be unqualified and incapable of effectively leading the United States of America into the future by, among other things, his reckless, irresponsible, impulsive, and dangerous judgment in picking Sarah Palin as his running mate. Sarah Palin is a minor distraction not even worthy of discussion. However, Sen. John McCain has shown his contempt for the intelligence of the American people by making this unequivocally cynical decision to use an unknown, untested, and corrupt, serial liar like Sarah Palin to deceive voters into believing he stands for change. Sen. John McCain also disgraced himself by demonstrating a lack of courage in his choice of Sarah Palin at the last moment over much more qualified Republican men and women simply because she appeals to the base of the Republican Party, a group of voters he was going to lose. What Sen. John McCain doesn''t understand is that by appeasing the extreme right wing of the Republican Party, he is going to lose the voters that really count, i.e., moderate and independent voters, and, in doing so, certainly lose the election. Obama/Biden 2008!!!

[dbl06]

No one is listening to me, but I keep saying, because of his age (72) John McCain picked Sarah Palin because of her experience in changing diapers.

[ajaxrose1]

Oh, for crying outloud!! THIS is what you think is news??? NO WONDER the Today Show and even Good Morning America are so much better shows. You guys at CBS really need to get away from the tabloid junk. If this is what people want to hear about there''s TMZ, the Enquirer, and the other sleazoids out there. The only reason I''m giving this the time of day here is because I''ve finally HAD it with this stupid show and from now on will have my t.v. set to one of the others while I''m getting ready for work in the morning. GOOD FREAKING GRIEF!!

[mr2258]

CBS--- This is bottom of the barrel.

[sjw1253]

I was watching Cindy when she was standing behind these 2 at the RNC and she did not look very happy to me...

It is interesting that "certain" people can get away with this blatant display of too much affection for each other...

CBS is just reporting what has been seen. I am very sure that her wife in particular is not feeling comfotable with all of this kiss-y hugg-y show...

I don''t know how Mr. Palin feels but I am sure that Cindy is not a happy camper.

[billpl-2009]

...can you say VPILF?

[gaye5]

For goodness sake, this man is 72 and is an intelligent man, his running partner is also an intelligent well qualified woman, and his wife is as equally well qualified very intelligent woman, surely if there was indeed an affair going on there, they would have enough brains to keep an affair quite. Do you think that if they were really carrying on that they would let the whole world know and take the chance of throwing the elections away, mind you, the morals are so bad in America that ex Presidents Clintons popularity skyrocketed after it became public of his affairs...
Having said that, I do not believe that it is necessary or correct for the President hopeful to be hugging another woman to the extent that he was.. From the political circles that I have been involved in on both sides of the fence, when someone enters the room at a meeting there is often hugs to those who you know.

[cmcrachel]

It''s funny how it''s NOT OK for McCain to give Palin a HUG, But it is ok for Obama to KISS Mrs. Biden on the MOUTH???

PLEASE!!!!

[noloyalisti]

Who do these fascist corporations that run the media think they are kidding? There are not that many people who are ignorant enought to vote for 4 more years of Bush. Do they think we are stupid? I guess they just want it to seem to be close to sell more advertising.

[armydog2]

so what they hugged, no big deal.

[caldwellptr]

Didn''t McCain advise Cindy to go topless?

[jerry73505]

If anyone had noticed, after the first time Sarah and John were together, Cindy McCain was diplaying a lot of uncomfortable body launguage. Cindy wasn''t sure where to stand and kept trying to adjust without being so obvious. Saeah was also doing the same. I have noticed that lately Cindy has not been with them. I was a govermaent employee in management and making contact with female co-workers or subornates was strictly off limits. Sen.John McCain need to tone it down before he find himself in a place he does not want to be. OR, maybe his enhancers are working overtime. Just saying...

[roach9703]

Give me a break Puritans! Sarah Palin really can not win with you Washington hpyocrates ( you know the demo kind ), can she?
You are is in *** because she is not paying attention to you, ego fed, self-centered,pompous, psuedo intellectuals. CBS for inquiring minds need to know, eh?

[mrpete67]

oh wow!! now ya can''t hug, because the early morning crotch sniffers get their depends all wet.i guess if ya ain''t down on them knees doing the commiecrat salute of polishing nobs.your against them!!!!!!!!!!!

[precisionmar]

This is the most assinine and sexist article. I am an Obama supporter, but how low have we sunk as seemingly intelligent adults when we talk about the anatomy of a hug by two political candidates. Where''s the substantive talk about issues, the difference in platforms, the facts? Hugs, ***, lipstick on a pig or a pitbull...is this junior high or a national presidential election?

[youer7654321]

Remember McCain cheated on his first wife, and his second wife who was on the same drugs she stole. He is but another step to take poor and middle class people in the US down at the expense of all to maintain their richness. He cheated them and he will cheat you as he is so ordered by a select. They do not understand, that if they cheat any portion of thier Society, they cheat themselves, as what has happen with the US economy under Bush.

[jamesarmet]

This story just shows how far this campaign has deteriorated into the ridiculous. The nation has been at war for seven years, the economy is a mess, the deficit is skyrocketing, the national debt is unfettered, our highways and bridges are collapsing, our army is stretched too thin and all the press has to report on is if two candidates are hugging too much! Absolutely ridiculous

[chyenna-2009]

CBS, shame on you. Did you get this news from the Enquirer or Globe. Tabloid trash talk. However, Obama kissing Biden''s wife on the Lips, that crossed the line. Hugs are good, kissing another man''s wife on the lips is WRONG! Draw the line, hugs only. As far as Cindy is concerned, are there not people to tell her where to stand? She''s not the one running for VP. Stay in the back. Smart though for McCain to kiss his wife after hugging Mrs. Palin. I would like my President and Vice President to like each other and being on the same page.

[mabourn]

What do all of these statements have in common?? They were all posted today Sept. 11 in response to various articles on CBS. What does it say about us as Americans if people have nothing better to do than post this stuff on a day when the country is remembering the thousands that died on 911. Spirited debate is one thing... but this is just embarrassing. You should all be ashamed.

-We call Palin Trailer Trash, because, well, she is....
-TundraBilly Barbie/McWho? 08! All the JaysusBillies are praying for McWho? to die now?
-If I were a Messiah Barbie/McWho? partisan, I ''''d be worried that the End Times were coming and that I had my Left Behind Books with me
-Obama is the disgraceful Pig... with Lipstick on the Bu-tt
-The lipsticked pig has gone back to her home wallow. I hear they have nice mud in Alaska.....
-Here''''s the sound coming from Alaska today..."Oink, Oink."
-Palin: Lipstick on a fascist.
-Obama is lucky that he is supported by Many Self-Hating & Low Self-esteem White Liberals... and Blacks who thought Obama was "really" a Black.
-Getting a religious extremist on the ticket was just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully she gets her orders from a different God than W.
-The rotten hypocrite *** and her sidekick McBush will be exposed soon enough for their lies.

[avusmc]

What it is true, is the insane injection buy the republican GOP about family values and sarah is in total denial, It seems to me Sarah Palin did not put into her daughter a sense of values so that when she was old enough to make choices on her own,
and that she would make the right choices.

All we are in life is the result of what we choose and the consequences or rewards of our choices . Now you got a 17 year old girl in the national stage pretending that getting pregnant before marriage is not an error in judgment and that families values at best is last.

The family values that Palin and the republican party is injecting into 14,15,16,17 years old girls in America is insane. When you allow insane people to lead you and you say nothing and do nothing,
then you deserve the results of their insanity.