Did Mrs. Obama notice this?

Though this borders on the type of gossip for which I have little patience, my research the other day on various interviews of Barack Obama caused me to stumble over something ... a little weird.

The incident concerns an interview of Obama by Alexis Glick, working at the time for Fox News.

clipped from www.foxbusiness.com

I think we can grant that she's easy on the eyes.

The tail end of the interview has Glick setting up a basketball "date" with the senator. Here's the transcript following that exchange:

OBAMA: Let me see your nails, though. The...

GLICK: Oh, they're horrible. They have serious problems.

OBAMA: You're going to have to clip those before we get on the court.

GLICK: Yes, but next time, it's a date?

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: Let's go.

GLICK: Is that a deal?

OBAMA: It's a deal.

GLICK: All right.

Senator Obama, thanks so much for joining us.

OBAMA: Thank you very much.

GLICK: I really appreciate it.

OBAMA: I appreciate you.

So, Glick sets up the basketball "date" and then briefly discusses her fingernails with Obama (Obama either concerned about injury or doubtful of Glick's ability to dribble, I suppose). Glick appreciates Obama sitting for the interview. The transcript has Obama appreciating Glick.

My first thought is, "Did Michelle Obama give Barack what for over this one?"

I should note that Obama has some wiggle room regarding what appears to be a flirtatious exchange at first blush. The video version of the interview ends quite abruptly with the word "you." Thus it is conceivable that he said more than that, such as "I appreciate you doing the interview." Those inclined to view Fox News as a shadowy and malevolent operation can let their imaginations run wild with the implications. Or "I appreciate you" could just be some sort of Dale Carnegie interpersonal affirmation thing that just happens to sound strange to those who don't talk that way.

If the exchange is what it appears, that doesn't mean there is reason to class Obama with W. J. Clinton. But there is reason to wonder whether Michelle Obama took umbrage.


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As for Glick--what were you thinking? Pressing Obama for a "date"? Do news producers encourage that type of fluff in order to inject human interest into dry political interviews? Please, no.