Barack Obama makes a one-fingered gesture while speaking of Hillary Clinton

This is one of those political moments that really needs few words.

We'll no doubt hear much more about this incident in coming days.

Right now, we'll just leave this video for Ticket readers to view and judge for themselves. It's Sen. Barack Obama, according to the caption on YouTube posted just minutes ago, speaking to a friendly crowd in Raleigh, N.C., today.

He's talking critically about his opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, and the kind of distasteful gotcha politics that occur in Washington. And he says, "That's all right. Sen. Clinton looked in her element."

Watch the video right then. The presidential candidate raises his right hand to seemingly scratch his cheek.

He doesn't use his whole hand though. Just one finger. Briefly. A couple of strokes.

He pauses. He smiles slyly as the crowd begins to mumble and then he tries, somewhat distracted, to continue his remarks, smiling as the buzz spreads through the crowd.

He'll no doubt deny it later, but that mischievous smile seems to confirm plenty. And the crowd sure sees something.

(UPDATE: A new item has been posted on the Obama campaign's reaction to this issue, calling it "absurd and untrue.")

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Larry]

What do I think? I think the press must REALLY be getting desperate for a news story when Obama can't scratch his cheek without them trying to turn it into a headline.

I'd expect this from 12-year-olds, not from the Times. Grow up, guys!

[Hazel Diane Rasheeda Moore]

Kudos to Obama for, like his finger , finally letting his true colors out. It was needed. He is just as Machiavellian as any other politician. And the Wright speech as much as the half-hearted Bitter-Gate apologies lacked honesty, the urgency of being right, because they were extracted, FORCED out of him once he was caught. But that’s OK. No more Kumbaya BS. He’s part of the brothel; just like Hillary, Bill & McCain. Hey welcome to the whore house halleluiah! Now can we select the best girl in the house please?

[RUKidding]

Andrew: Are you afraid no one is paying attention to you? He scratches his face with his middle finger absent-mindedly for all of a split-second. On top of PastorGate, BitterGate and DebateGate, you would have us play FingerGate now?

Get a grip.

[Edith Waters]

You gotta be kidding? Now, its about HOW he scratches his FACE? Oh my...

[Michael]

Wow you are really hurting for a story. That was hardly a gesture and the crowd's respond and his smile were regarding his "she's in her element" comment. This is the saddest excuse for a "BREAKING STORY" that it should be aired on Fox and ABC. Let me guess, Hannity told you to post this.

[pascal]

stop journalism. you shouldbe ashamed.

[Zach Perez]

It's official, the news media is absolutely moronic.

[EnoughAlready]

How is this breaking news?
Is this what this race is turning into? Political blogs scanning You-Tube for things like this? Obama scratching his chin. You're kidding, right? I think this is an example of what Obama mentioned in the debate last night of people obsessing over every comment and movement of the candidates. Let's choose a candidate already and get a Democrat back in the White House.

[BJ]

Obviously, he was reading his script again... which he did not have last night... hence, the globbering by Hillary!

Yes, that was a subtle "finger job", absolutely!

[David Reynolds]

I watched this speech before reading this blog and did not notice that at all. It is clearly not what he is doing, nor do I think the crowds reaction is being correctly portrayed by Andrew Malcom. That would just be to stupid and no way would he (or any other candidate) give fodder to his opposition like that on purpose.

With that said, I would also be willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that Hillary's camp already has a new commercial in the works.

[Edgar]

I cannot believe you are even dignifying this with a post. You just lost a reader.

He scratched his face. He's been doing it all campaign, sometimes with his index finger, sometimes with his middle finger.

Shame on you. You and your blog are no better than what ABC News did last night.

[Mike]

Another sound bite. Another clip. No context. Nothing but some random person beckoning for us to commit to the same judgmental foolishness that got us to where we are today with the Bush II republicans.

Now, what if he really is giving Hillarity the finger? I say, "Good on him". Give up one for McCain too. And a dozen more for the Bush, Dick, Condie, Karl, and the rest of the turkey farmers. That's why I'm going to vote for Obama. I think that he is the most likely person to stand up and give the Washington establishment the finger on my behalf.

[Dean Timon]

Oh come on... you are just making stuff up.

[frank mccord]

PLEASE: what exquisite journalism! I actually saw the sign of the cross lingering above his brow there for a moment.

[You wish you knew who]

i certainly does look like he did.
but i don't think he's dumb enough to do something like that.
I sure hope he did though.
haha.
Obama '08!!!

[Vicki]

Not to me. The middle finger is the longest one and does better scratching any one's face. It was carried out with grace and skill. I've never seen a better scratching done in my life. Very well performed. Good enough for the Olympics.

[Tom Nation]

Ridiculous assumption,! What next, are they going to say he held on to someone's hand too long. Some people have too much time and should watch more TV.

[David]

One word: Ridiculous

[Steve]

He's done it many times. Either you are actually an Onion spoof or overtired.

Please, please tell me if you really believe this so, if you do, I can un subscribe.

On the ither hand, if you are joking like I think you are as a way of satirizing last night's nitpicking debate, I give you a lot of credit/

[Benjamin J. Butsechs]

The economy is in the dumps, we are at war, New Orleans is still a disaster, and you are wasting our time with this?

[Bob Slovecki]

You may notice that it's Sen. Obama's forefinger he's scratching his cheek with. Hardly giving someone a rude gesture like "the finger." I can't believe I'm reading such stupidity on the L.A. Times. After last night's idiotic debate, we now read pointless crap like this on one of our major news sources.

Why have American politics become such a circus. Hardly due to the passionate citizens that truly care about the politicians who serve us. It's because of our idiotic media with stupid, pointless stories such as this. Keep it up -- the mainstream media is digging its own grave.

[thomas kelley]

You call this journalism? Give me a break!

[j monroe]

Dear Andrew...get a life! What a waste of time!!! No wonder good people avoid politics. I've scratched my cheek many time in the same manner and wasn't flipping anyone off. After all the BS Obama took over the word "bitter," do you really think that he would intentionally do something this stupid. Obviously, you have much, too much spare time or you're a Hillary supporter. Get a life!

[WTF???]

Just typical Obama. Another example of his demeaning attitude toward Sen. Clinton and women in general. He ignored her on national TV during the State of the Union; he is constantly looking past her or with his nose in the air when he is around her. His obvious and not so subtle attempt to flip her off is so blatant and rude, that the media needs to call him on it. If only he did this before yesterday's debate. Hopefully the media will start asking him about it. Shame on you Obama. For the good of the nation, and the party, you need to drop out of the race.

[Mike Dee]

He did it and it was great.

[ME]

THIS IS WHY YOU DID NOT WIN THE PULITZER PRIZE......YOU WOULD BE BETTER OFF WORKING FOR THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER

[susan]

You should be ashamed.

[Jess]

amen Mike; let's hope he gives the figer for all of us. If he needs a few extra he can count on me...

[Jake Mallik]

This is blog post is of shockingly low quality. I chuckle when newspaper hacks whine about bloggers not being "professional" and then come up with garbage like this.

I have just as much evidence that you, Andrew Malcolm, were sniffing your finger as you dreamed up this mindless, ludicrous, vacuous, worthless drivel. Because it smells like something curious, that's for certain.

[Joshua Kagan]

This type of "reporting" is emblematic of everything wrong with the mass media's role in "informing" our democracy. When will newsgathering operations see that the trivial horse-race style of covering politics results in leaders getting elected to who can perform in front of cameras but who lack ingenuity or wisdom. The mass media's ability to provide the context of our national debate is alarming, especially since we are all preoccupied with b.s. like reverand wright, "bitterness", and now "the finger" rather than the two million people who will lose their homes, the endless war in Iraq, and irreversible warming of our planet. The only finger i would like to give is to The Times

[Travis]

Umm...You are playing the same political games Obama is trying to avoid.

[Nate]

No one should be basing their vote on what happened in the video, but Obama clearly gave the finger in a sly manner. It was actually pretty smooth. So smooth, in fact, that anyone who points out that he did it is being criticized for grasping at straws. Very well done.

[Gary]

This could be the most brainless and idiotic piece I've read in the Times during the entire primary season. Andrew Malcolm should think about retiring to Palm Springs. He's clearly gone batty. Isn't this just the sort of dumbness Obama was talking about in that speech? Grow up, Times. Your readers are not teenagers giggling and pointing.

What do I think, Mr. Malcolm? I think you're an idiot.

[cliff4cal]

The only thing his single finger represents is your IQ....you're an idiot!

[catherine]

I smell media desperation. Yesterday it was his patriotism, today it is his finger? I mean, why don't we wait till he farts, and then we can lynch him! Geeze!

[Steve]

It took me a while, but i just go the joke..

you arent serious.

you do make a good point though about how crazed this has all gotten

to the other commenters; he;s just joking, right

[Jaybrams]

This story represents just another Washington lightweight reporter. If you've ever dealt with news people like I have, they're just after the quick one liner. They want the headline, not the real story. Whether or not Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton can handle the presidency is not as important to these news gatherers as is a quick soundbite. Major issues of the day which require a complex mind to analyze are not half as sexy as flag pins, mild associations with acquaitances, and other irrelevant garbage. These are not the issues that define how a leader will perform. They are irrelevant small minded junk that fits the small mind of the reporters who ask them. last night's debate gave us 50 minutes of crap. Timethat could have been spent on Trade, china policy, global warming, and things that really matter. When issues werea addressed, no one bothered to question Hillary Clinton on her astounding pronouncements on the middle east and her beligerant attitude toward Iran. But these reporters were on top of the slips of the tongue that both candidates had made. Great reporting? I think not! Did I just give you the finger? I'm not telling.

[Chipo1965]

He thinks he is so sly, another nail in his coffin. How does he think he can get away with that?

[Catherine Mc]

Are we living in 20th century Russia?

Does Obama have to prove that he didn't beat his wife?

Whatever one's intepretation is, there are too many interpretation one can make about too many things. This is really crazy. Is this because of this man's race? I can't take it anymore. The press has gone crazy!

[Lisa Marquise]

I am outraged. It is OBVIOUS he gave her an obscene gesture. He does it once, immediately after saying her name, the crowd reacts, and as they continue whooping it up, he can't help himself and smirks and laughs too.

What was the crowd responding to? What was he laughing about? It is very apparent and disgusting.

I'm sure the organized Obama supporters will be out in full force raging and denying this VERY OBVIOUS act.

[Giovanni Pazzo]

Andrew, can you see what I'm doing with my finger?

[Erica]

What I see is Senator Obama Scratching his face with his middle finger, I believe he is smirking somewhat because he got his digs into senator Clinton And got a rise out of the audiences. What bothers me the most is that if you read body language WHEN A PERSON LIES blood races into there face, and the Liar will usually scratch or tug a part of there face. Obviously blood rushing into someones face is easier to detect on light skin.
So He most likely was lying, if not about Hillary Then at least about how he is hypcritically talking about politics in Washington Being dirty, then simultaneously doing the same mud slinging.

This man is a grade a Scumbag.

[Sick and Tired]

This is a joke, right? Please tell me that this is some sort of satire of the triviality of the ABC debate. If so, kudos to you. If not, please stop wasting what little credibility the LA Times has left with this complete nonsense you senile old fart.

[Anee]

Snobama is being revealed for his true colors, a sicko,and the proof is in the people that support him.
More fuel for the republicans to keep the White House, thanks, Snobama and you dummies that follow him like lemmings over a cliff.

[Mindtrain]

Did your brain just fall out of your head? Did some teenagers take over your account and post this to your blog? This is a new low. You've dragged a great paper down into a pile of manure. (Manure of your own making, I might add.) Anyone that thinks Obama is giving anyone the finger in this video is off their rocker. And you, sir, are clearly off yours.

[jj12345]

The Obamabots just don't get it, no one uses their middle finger to scratch their cheek. Index finger? Yes. Using the middle finger is awkward and unnatural.

The Obamaites would find some excuse to try and justify Barack's actions if it turns out that Obama is just another crooked Chicago politician.

[Ernie of New York]

I have only one suggestion for this reporter: you need help.

[Erica]

More disturbing than thge perceived slight to Senator Clinton, is that Senator Obama shows all the tell tale signs of being a liar. Here are a few:

Pay special attention to their eyes. People tend to look towards their left (that's your right) when they are remembering something that actually happened; and look towards their right when they're making things up. Liars also blink more often.
Sweating. People sweat more when they are not telling the truth.
A person who lies may touch and scratch their face, especially the nose.
A liar will feel uncomfortable when answering your questions, and will often turn his/her head or body away.
If you change the subject of your conversation quickly, an honest person will try to return to the previous subject of conversation, while a liar will suddenly become more relaxed and will welcome the change.

I don't think he was flipping Hillary off while he was thrashing her, I think he was lying and he knew it.
Much more disturbing.

[Robert Dale]

>>
What do you think? Leave a comment below.

--Andrew Malcolm<<

What I think, Andrew Malcolm, is that you are either a malicious Hillary supporter, or a complete idiot.

He is clearly scratching his cheek with his index finger and his middle finger, but his middle finger is between the the camera and his index finger.

What I think, Andrew Malcolm, is that you should go to work covering charity banquets and night court in a small city for a while and come back to the LA Times once you learn to be a journalist.

[Lynn]

The reaction from the crowd and his smile indicate he really was giving her the finger!

[amigo2]

Mr. Malcolm, LA Times editors:
You must think posting to this blog is one big joke. The reporting here, particularly from you, Mr. Malcolm is often trivial and asinine no matter who or what you are reporting about.
I read the New York Times political blog and they are mostly getting it right. Then i come back to my local paper in LA, and this is what we get? The LA Times does not get it.
I come back because i believe this paper has something worthy to contribute and a healthy perspective along with other major papers in the US.
I do believe the staff are honestly trying to save the Times from becoming just another local paper, but posting this it obviously shows just how utterly clueless you are to how best to leverage the internet and the opportunity to show the talent the LA Times has.
If it wasn't clear before, it is hereby official, you are now part of the problem of why an informed national debate, such as can happen in a national election, is almost impossible to have. You are hurting America with this kind of trivialization. I dare you to post this. Shame on you!

[d. gibson]

It depends upon what the meaning of "is" is.

[Roadkill Refugee]

Interesting that you should profess such confidence that we should be hearing much more about this "incident" in the coming days. Since you're not in the predictions business, I have to assume your confidence is based on some solid information. So if you were led to this "incident" by the Clinton campaign or its surrogates, I think that is newsworthy enough that it should be disclosed. Clearly Obama's remarks were effective and likely displeased the Clinton campaign, so it would not be surprising that they would look for something to pick at, no pun intended.

[robert Dale]

IT WAS TWO FINGERS!!!

Don't any of you know how to give the finger?

LOL!!

[jamison]

Are you nuts? Are you out of your freaking gourd? He scratches his face. He scratches his face! With one finger, unlike most guys who scratch their faces with both thumbs.

Get a life!

[EricH]

You must be affilated with ABC. They're also a pathetic excuse for a "news" organization. We have brave soldiers and citizens dying in Irag, people who have lost their homes, children without healthcare, an economy in a tailspin and this is what you consider news. What a joke!

[Ellen]

There is another angle of this and it is clear what Obama is doing. He pauses, smiles, laughs and two women behind him whisper to each other and giggle. Then the crowd goes wild. There is no doubt about it, he is giving a subtle message to Hillary to go *&^% herself.
No'Bama

[Palomino]

Go ahead and minimize, Obamabots, but this has gone viral now. He gave Senator Clinton the finger, and it's there for all to see.

[Brian Williamson]

The LA Times used to be set as my home page. After 30 years of using it as my main source of news, I'm giving it up completely. This standard that the LA Times has set is lower than I'm willing to go.

Goodbye.

[MAK]

All of the sudden I'm really dissapointed with the direction this whole thing is headed. What a joke, in light of the pain, suffering and peril our nation faces.

[Babs]

Of course he knew what he was doing, hence the little smirk. Just another nail in his coffin if he is the Democratic nominee. This man is not Presidential material, no way, no how, and if this little gesture is indicitive of what has become acceptable behavior in selecting the leader of the free world, God help us all.

[Mar]

Obama's a tool just like the rest of the politicians in this country. If you really want to change Washington then you ought to pick up a gun an do it 1776 style.

[robinia]

Okay, now this is as ridiculous as Bill Clinton making a gesture with one finger while talking about Monica Lewinsky while smoking a cigar !

What next, the Obama nation bugging Billary's sex life? While In ecstacy you have Bill and Hill joyfully screaming;

"OOOOH? BAM !..Ahhhhhhh".

You be the judge on who is saying what. Does that mean they are both thinking of Barack? Or were they just in the moment, as Obama might have been.

Keep on Clinton nation, it is indeed desperation time. My illustration of Billary's sex life is as far-fetched as this video, for cryin'-out-loud !

[Julian j Javier]

I can not believe that someone posted this video as something meaninful to see. This Clinton machine needs to start addressing important issues. In if I were Barack, I were not even mention stupidity like that, thats what Clintons people want to do, dirty politics.

[Peter Noble]

This is so silly. No way is that a rude finger. Is this what Hillary needs to win now? Pathetic.

[kdub]

Mr. Malcolm you should be absolutely ashamed of yourself for making something out of nothing. Unbelievable.

[mumbojumbo]

That's right, if you play it backwards Obama curses Clinton too - you should try it.

[Ronald]

Hey JJ12345-are you a sociologist? Or anthropologist? Perhaps you should post the research that supports your ridiculous assumption. I happen to scratch my face with my middle finger-use it to clean the gunk out of my eyes too. Its a family trait. Get a grip.

[CJ]

You cannot be serious! Obama keeps his cool through all of the crap thrown out there, crazy emails, insane accusations, and you think he'd risk everything like this? On some petty 3rd grade gesture? You are out of your mind.You have officially lost all credibility.

[D]

If he intentionally did make a slight, he is no better than a pre-teen.

[george]

As a student of journalism and an admirer of the LA Times, I am ashamed this made the news cycle.

[taj]

Exactly the kind of sly behavior I have come to expect from Obama - and the denials are the behavior I expect from his supporters.

[wanda]

i think folks need to visit a library and spend more time reading than all this silliness to feed the media. perhaps, just perhaps we could focus on the real issues facing this country. and I am far from being a young person as people who support Mr. Obama are claimed to be. I am in his opponents age group 65 to be exact.

[jc]

He just got my vote ! Read between my fingers Hillary !

[vinnie]

Never mind the finger, what's all that whining about? What a wimp! got his butt kicked in front of millions in the debate by a girl, and he comes back with these childish remarks. yeah, he's presidential material. This is why McCain is going to mop the floor with Barack....what, does he need his wife to do the debates for him? pathetic.

[Michaels]

I think this is RIDICULOUS....it's not at all "obvious"...his "sly smile" comes much later.

The woops from the crowd are in reaction to what he's saying: that Clinton was right in her element of GOTCHA politics. Let the man scratch his cheek for crying out loud without the tawdry press looking for something to chirp about.

[wanda]

real issues will never be discussed as long as our time is spent on such issues. and this is true of all parties

[didi]

LOL, LOL, LOL,

An African-American male "supposedly" flicking-off a rich white powerful female politician !

Okay, this is supposed to sabatoge Obama's reputation, how?

Hillary is at a point where "she can do no right" and is way over her head in "dishonesty" that Obama's rude gesture -even if it were calculated - just may win him more supporters!

[riki]

HE' S DONE...........stupid thing to do five days before an election...he's gone...........

[Desmo]

Wow, life imitates a Seinfeld episode once again.

I guess that makes Donnie and all the HillBots on this board George. Paranoid. Insecure. Neurotic. Chubby. Slow witted.

If you go to the Atlantic.com and Yglesies's blog, you find a direct video, not a cellphone capture of the TV, you'll see he used two fingers.

But hey, Donnie, politics is hard. I don't blame the retard HillBots, they are old and uneducated and, um, let me see if there is a good word to describe them ... bitter. Ellen and Palamino and the usual old, stupid trolls on this board see what they want, and they could always go to You Tube and get outraged. Or Taylor Marsh's site for single, bitter, menopausal women.

But for an alleged reporter from the establishment press to dignify this is just beyond stupid. After your defense of Boy George and the debate and now psoting this, the MSM rot is deeper than I could ever imagine. No wonder your medium in dying and the LA Times is tanking. Should have taken the buyout, fool. Have fun working for Sam Zell. Stupid fool.

[Uninterested]

C'mon this is dumb. I'm taking LA Times off my favorites in protest. Smarten up the content.

[bearnut]

Hey Andrew,

you are out of your flipping mind!! Take a vacation and don't come back. How dare you post this garbage.

[florescant lights]

Honey,

If Bill was speaking at a press conference and made this same gesture, I don't think he'd be thinking of Hillary ! It would probably be signal for Monica to go to corner market, buy a fresh box of cigars and with his shy-smile serves as a reminder to leave the light on.

Well, if those who created this video have a point of view, I could use my imagination too !

This campaign is getting fun !

[Frenchie]

You know, if we were in France, and thier potential leader prompted the same exact same gesture against his rival, there would not be this much "hoopla".

If Bill Cinton, were at a French press conference, and conducted himself in a similar fashion, it probably means that Gennifer Flowers is waiting to "water his loo".

[elctown]

Thank you so much for exposing this communist, pinko, fascist boy from being elected and ruining God's own America. 96 more years in Iraq!

[Andrews Conscience]

I can't believe I thought this was worth throwing may career as a Really Important Blogger away. What am I going to tell Mom?

[Christopher]

And you call yourself a journalist?

I'm embarrassed for you. More idiocy from the American press.

[chris]

He's a jerk.

[geejay]

are you kidding me? this is ridiculous and shallow. Please grow up.

[blah]

It's official: covering the presidential race causes brain damage.

[theojshuablog]

You're a moron.

[steve]

Stupid story,
I've scratched my face with one finger in the past and probably with my middle finger without even thinking about it

[Kevin]

Folks like you are what's wrong with "journalism" and politics. Engage your brain in something more serious and meaningful, if you're capable.

[eric]

Well if Bill denies having any sex with Monica, why can't Obama deny that this gesture was calculated?

[mario]

America is unique in that most Americans believe we have free press in this country, and so long they believe it the press will continue to praise themselves. It is hard to find a country, historically or now, in which journalists are capable of praising themselves all the time for writing freely whatever they want while disregarding the fact that if they did write anything, over a long period of time, that would not please their owners they would not be in that position in the first place. That is also reflection of a more broader intellectual culture that allows for dissent but only on comfortable issues where outcome, one way or another, does not matter.
In that context, journalists are allowed to write about Obama's finger as much as they want and let the public comment on it. This way we are forced to accept a general frame of debates during which nothing of importance to the people can be discussed.

[Michael]

TWO FINGERS genius!

Look at this video that's not ads grainy and from a better angle, both the middle and index finger are extended:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlR9DNfqGD4&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4/18/0537/55037/262/498070

You guys all so tired of getting nailed by Jon Stewart and Stephen Clobert that you're just parodying yourselves now??

[James David Walley]

If anyone outside of the most overzealous and truth-challenged of Hill's Shills seriously believes that Obama was flipping off Clinton...well, I'd sure like some of whatever it is you've been drinking (or smoking)!

[Lukes]

TOTALLY a FLIPOFF!!

I've done exactly that myself many a time. I'm not gonna take sides here, but I know one when I see it. And he flipped her off.

[Gilberto Gil]

Is this a joke? I watched the video 5 times before coming to this website, and not once did I see the so called "obscene gesture". I guess the media has decided to really take Obama down. This is beyond stupid.

[mike]

I'm a clinton supporter, and even I can support journalism like yours. This is pure garbage, go back to journalism school.

[Brianne Glickman]

I watched this a few times and I have to say its a tough call. He "scratches" his face, but I don't see an immediate smile or smirk. He takes a pause, hooting ensues, and then he continues. Maybe he smiles because he made an obscene gesture or maybe because he is reflecting on what Hilary Clinton has said from before. I think its hard to say.

[elle]

Of course he flipped the bird! It is completely obvious that is what he is doing. The audience knows it too, that is crystal clear.

Taken in context of what he's saying and the other gestures he uses (turning the knife, brushing the dust off his shoulders), it is obvious... not even subtle.

Any young person would immediately read, understand and "get" those gestures he's making (and they clearly did). The brushing his shirt is a rap reference to a Jay-Z song.

What an arrogant jerk. Good grief. Can the press please call him on this bigtime? This guy might be President!?!

[Joe Again]

From a different angle, look at the :39 mark
"back and to the right, back and to the right"
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4025010n

[Gagme]

You Sir, are a brave man, indeed. To leave your picture up while engaging in such fine deeds of journalism. Autograph seekers will be hounding you day in and day out (insert Clinton cackle here).

[Al Preston]

From watching the video, the claim that Barack Obama is "flipping the bird" at Hillary Clinton is a total and complete lie. There was none of that as Obama was speaking, and those who are pushing this story are nothing more than the practicioners of Republican-Karl Rove petty politics-- using manufactured issues like this one against progressive candidates while making sure that out-of-the-mainstream right-wing candidates like John McCain and establishment darling Hillary Clinton get a free ride. Stop pushing lies like this one!

[Keith]

It's time to bring decency and common sense back into politics, VOTE RON PAUL 2008!

(just kidding)

[Linda, Boston]

Oh come on! He was scratching his face people. This is by far the single most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Talk about manufactured distractions! You guys are just proving his points for him.

Keep it up - this will be discussed for 3 days, then it will be concluded (and rightfully so) that it was much ado about nothing. And when it's all over, Obama will be able to score even more points by pointing to it (no pun intended) and saying once again: "see, this is exactly what I'm talking about."

[Fred]

How far the press has fallen, huh Andrew?

[Bruce Whiite]

This is truly insane. He's scratching his nose! Do I have to come over there and show you how a person gives someone else a finger? This is is the craziest crap that Hillary supporters have come up with yet.

[Ray Richardson]

Have you watched Obama speak in front of a crowd before? He does that little absent-minded face scratching thingy ALL THE TIME! It's almost as distinctive as the hand-thrust gesture. You'd have to include it if you were trying to do a convincing impersonation of him. Please get a grip and get a life.

[Ann]

What a sorry life Andrew Malcolm must have! People who live under the rock cannot see much beyond the darkness.

[Tanya Phelps]

How stupid. I mean -- really....

[lm]

Fantastic. I say push it Andrew, push it hard. Make your case. On top of the debacle-debate it'll further cement in the minds of many how trivial, nit-picky and pathetic media coverage has become. And that's just AWESOME - because it drives Obama's sympathy votes up, brings more money into his campaign, and encourages the DNC to bring this thing to a close. So spread it far and wide, I love it!!!

[dave]

want to see how the Bird is given see GW bush do it.Everyone uses their "finger" to for otherthings dummy.

[ted]

Have you all in the press turned into George Costanza??!! Remember the episode where he thinks a drive has given him the finger and follows him in the car through several counties? Only to find the guy was wearing a cast on his hand? Really, how pathetic our press is!!

[Kristina]

This is the most pathetic example of journalism since, well let's see, oh, since last night.

[David]

Mr. Obama is a sly dog. Whether or not it was a conscious impulse to scratch his face with his middle finger, it is obvious that after he did it, he knows what he's done and continues with the inside joke. To anyone who has committed a faux pas or Freudian slip, this must seem familiar. To the rest of folks out there who deny what the video shows, give it a rest. The guy is fallible.

[Chris Blask]

Look! It's a shark!

Quick, get your jumping gear!!

Did you notice that when he crosses his legs the creases in his pants spell out:

WMW?

Well?????

c'mon!! "White Men Worthles!!!!"

go get 'em, journalist dude!

[Davis]

I can't read his mind, but the audience reaction certainly gives the indication that they thought he was, and he did nothing to dispel them of that idea.

[Gina]

Obama is not only immature but a total arrogant jerk. That smirk and smile on his face speaks much and all I can say is, he is one pathetic shameless moron. This is perhaps what he learned from listening to his beloved racist pastor Jeremiah Wright for over 20 years. Remember, birds of the same feather flock together? With his dark dirty finger, does he think he's insulting HIllary? He is insulting every American for thinking people are stupid not to see that. This man has no credibility and his reputation is so tainted. It makes me sick just seeing him speak. Just the sight of this man is now appaling to be. His fanatic and cult-like supporters who I call
OH-DUMBERS are just so blinded by his pretext for change which are all but lies. This man is a BIG FRAUD AND A LIAR!!!

[Another VULGARITY FROM Barack CAMP]

I wont be surprised how low Barack can go. You cant take away the ghetto from Barack.

[Dexter Peabody]

You media types ever wonder why your public esteem is similar to used car salesmen?

[Alex]

I couldn't blame Obama if he did "flip the bird" to Hillary Clinton after last night's slanted ambush debacle. But he didn't.

Anybody flogging this stupid, fake story should lose their health coverage and have their house foreclosed on to teach them about serious problems facing Americans in the real world.

[S]

Are you joking or are you stupid?

[Andy Eppink]

Ye gods. And these are the clowns who want to lead the society? People are morons, no doubt abt. it - too many people anyway.
Who has an IQ of 200? The US, the whole d__ nation.

[OxyCon]

The CBS video I'm posting shows it clearly.

Top row - Lefthand side - Red shirt w/glasses

She saw it and reacts then tells her friend what happened.
The crowd reacts with applause when the only thing that is happening is Obama pushing his middle finger into his cheek, just after mentioning Hillary.
There is no doubt about this.
read her lips when her friend asks her what she just howled at. It sure looks like she's saying "he gave her the finger".

CBS video shows it:

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4025010n

[Jim]

This would be funny if it weren't so, so sad.

[vinnie]

Here's the thing. A friend of mine sent me two clips (this one above) and guess what, there's another clip of Obama in NC giving the same speech, giving the same finger salute to Hillary. Wow, obama, didn't think this was a skit you're doing. I'm sure you can't say it was just a scratch when it's the same speech, same exact moment of the finger scratch. This is the lowest of low, and I'm sure it'll go viral.

[Jim]

This would be funny if it weren't so, so sad.

[robinia]

To the blogger named Brian Williamson...good riddens! Like having one less blogger without a sense of humor and a grip of 21st century opinions will mean a hill of beans.

Why don't you try the Los Angeles Herald Examiner for your source of news. It just symbolizes how "outa touch you are!"

[Chris Parker]

So, let me get this straight - instead of perhaps reading up on some of these issues and actually doing the job of a reporter, you're sitting around watching You Tube for perceived fingers? What the hell do they pay you for? You should see if you can get a job at ABC news working on This Week with George S. You'll fit right in with those hacks.

Please note I'm not an "Obama supporter" (though I'm a bit dismayed that this is somehow a slur these days, it seems); I'm just completely fed up with the substanceless content. Read a book or report something; a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

[Norm Ferris]

Seriously, is this what we've come down to? Turning a face scratch into a scandal? Are your ratings THAT bad? Please stop this garbage. Bad media! No biscuit!

[Harriet]

I hope you're wrong about this slipping into the news cycle. What a total non-story.

This is a presidential election, not "The Hills." With everything on the global horizon that will need attention from the next President -- the looming recession, the health care meltdown, oil prices, food shortages, the war in Iraq, the situation in Iran, the crisis in Darfur, whatever the hell is going on in Zimbabwe -- THIS is your idea of an important, under-examined aspect of the election? This?

LAT editors, for the love of Mike, would you sit down with your staff and talk about what constitutes a valid use of bandwidth?

[bruce becker]

1, He is constantly pointing while he is talking.
2. Now that the latest polls in Penn have Obama leading, HRC's new ploy is to wheedle the female superdelegates on the following lame premise; she says women must vote for HRC because she is the last chance for a female to win the presidency.That is demeaning to all women. It is false. Other women will come along who will not be the former First Lady, and will win on their own "name brands" from all that they have accomplished and because they are recognized on the merits. The other women will be different in all the wonderful ways people can be, some will be more feminine, and younger, some will be more masculine and some less attractive, and all will win. They will win without the constant spin, by ideas and appeal, with speeches that draw choirs of angels, and with armbreaking insider strength too. But surely there will be many, many other women who will win, from the DEMs the Republicans, the Greens too! and parties we dont even have yet.She is not the last best hope. She is just the only woman running. And she is behind in NC and Indiana so she has gone over the top to piteous claims that demean all women forever to come. No.

[Simon Aziz]

This is rediculous. I would expect this from a sleazy tabloid but not the LA TIMES. Im gonna switch to the OC Register for my news if this type of stupid reporting continues. The Timses should be embarrased to make this a breaking story. So sad. So sad.

[bluestocking]

He does the same gesture at the same point in another speech posted on CBS. The speech was done today also.

[Steve]

Oh, sorry, I thought I was reading the L.A. Times.

[michael]

Yep, i've seen the video from 3 different angles now...he's passive aggressive and flipping the bird. He's pretty unconcious, but not that unconcious.

[nobama]

Here is a better angle and you can tell by the lady in the last row she knows what he did and tells the lady next to her something http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4025010n

[bruce becker]

How dumb.
It is time to require an IQ test to get to register to vote or to post a blog.

This is precisely the kind of non-issue that takes people's attention from the fact that the WTO is running our economy. Let's not talk about that. Let never discuss the fact that in CA, corporations place competing referenda on the ballot and prevent citizens from have a fair hearing for their referenda, due to the 'legal fiction' that companies have the rights of a person.
That has to stop or we will never have a democracy.

[Leawood]

Let me get this straight ... HRC intentionally lies on three separate occasions about sniper fire in Bosnia. Obama is tossed that softball in the debate and he is charitable towards her ... courteous even. He could have said "Liar, liar, pantsuit on fire" but he didn't. Then after that you think that he wasn't scratching his cheek, he was flipping her off?

Give me a break. This is the kind of journalism (maybe not the right use of the word) that one would expect to see from middle school boys ... right after they tell the fart story.

[Kane]

I think the Obama supporters that spend all day posting on the net are starting to really panic and are lashing out everytime anyone dares question Obama. It's tiresome.

But then after seeing this clip I can see why he attracts those sort of people. Why does the crowd roar in approval as he starts stratching his face with his middle finger? He's acting like a five year old by flipping her the bird like that.

[jane]

You guys are going to look stupid when they release the SAME video piece taken from a better angle and you can actually see two fingers. Here, check the photo for yourself http://soulmachine.dyndns.org/images/barobscratch2.jpg

[Killjoy]

What do I think? I think Stephanopoulos and Gibson are relieved that they aren't the stupidest members of the mainstream media, that's what I think.

[Kay]

Lets see there are people in Los Angeles living in tent cities because they lost there homes and this stuff is that the American media report on. Do journalists have low IQs or did they cheat their way through college? Oh I forgot most of the media went to modeling school instead of getting a degree in journalism. The European media is doing reports on how American families are living in third world conditions yet the American media only reports a bunch of high school gossip girl stories.

[JohnHo]

Are you completely out of your mind?

[Michael Ritter]

Puleeze!! Just when I thought ABC had defined the mainstream media bottom of the barrel with last night’s PA debate/sideshow, the LA Times publishes this stinker! Don't you media idiots realize the cumulative damage you are doing to our democracy? By relentlessly distracting voters from focusing on the extremely grave problems that confront our society you are literally damaging our prospects for successfully solving them. For shame!!

[Tim]

This just reinforces my low opinion of Obama. Why must he act so condescending and smug?

[Tammy]

Wow, the comments here really show how deranged Obama supporters become when someone dares to question their Messiah.
It's a clear flip off. Obama is the left-wing Bush.

[Adam Arkin]

To what lengths will you go to keep appealing to the lowest common denominator of your audience? The nation's future is at stake and you insist on covering this contest as if it were a professional wrestling event. Your dumbing down of the process is a disservice to both this country and yourselves.

[crimson]

Here's a video from a different angle, he used 1 finger:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4025010n

I agree it's not a big deal, except to the undecideds. If you watch the video in itself, without reading any comments, you'd see what we're all seeing.

[Jason London]

This is news!?! Come on your the LA Times!

[NYC]

This is classic. It's what kids do. Everyone knows that trick. Flipping the bird in a covert manner. Very street. Congrats to O for pulling that one off. As well as the other gestures in that video. But I thought he was about a different kind of politics. How can he change things, if he's still slinging mud too? I'm sure he'll get a pass on this too. But this doesn't help the stereotypes people have of black people. And it doesn't look presidential.

[Jim B]

What a joke.

[Jason London]

This is news!?! Come on your the LA Times!

[Skip]

He thinks he's got plausible deniability but the audience knew what was happening and so did he. It was stupid and juvenile, but that appeals to his followers.

[sue]

I can't believe this appeared as headlines. How low can the LAT get! Shameful!

[Sick of the Press]

Are you serious Mr. Malcolm? No wonder your paper is going under. Your blogs are frequently puerile and often bely the self-importance and arrogance that has doomed your industry to oblivion. How can you "real" journalists complain about bloggers when you stoop to--and sink below--their level. Find some substance or make room for someone who can think.

[max]

Obama is acting like an child/adolescent boy. This is news, he is a scam. He is unfit to be President. His narcissistic rage is dangerous in any position of power.

[sue]

I can't believe this appeared as headlines. How low can the LAT get! Shameful!

[mandy]

This is right in keeping with the "class" that Obama has shown throughout his campaign. But like every other crappy thing he's done, it won't stick. Hillary will probably gt the blame for it. Grrrrr

[Muzza]

This candidate is a DISGRACE. I will disown the Democratic Party if they support this shamelessly desperate man. He cannot take criticism. He gets a few tough questions in ONE debate and he has a complete BREAKDOWN!. His supporters are also hysterical! Now he gives the finger to his opponent showing his TRUE COLORS.

Game over. Obama is OUT with this one.

[bodhi]

I hope Obama flipping off Hillary was intentional. She deseves it. Every Democrat should be flipping her off right now.
Where did George Stephanopoulos get that Bill Ayers question from?
The day before George was on the Sean Hannity talk show and was fed the question from the looney right wing.
shame on Stephanopoulos and the Clintons for sleeping with the enemy!
check out my blog
http://psychedelictourist.blogspot.com

[Alan]

You're reading too much into it. Get a life!!

[Gion]

its very ironic that in a speech chastising the media for this sort of thing, the media is starting at fingers and trying to find things.

Obama wasnt giving the finger, Andrew. But I'd gladly give it to your face for nontroversies like this.

Get bent.

[Palomino]

The reaction of the crowd cannot be explained by anything other than the gesture of the raised middle finger "scratching" Obama's cheek. That gesture is one of a series, including the Jay-Z shoulder dust-off and the "got to scrape that sh*t right off your shoes" gesture, not to mention the Best of Reverend Wright "ridin' dirty" hand motion presented in the guise of a knife twist and quickly performed twice, with cheers from the crowd and smirks from Obama. Everybody knows how to give somebody the finger with "plausible deniability." But when you do it as a supposedly frontrunning male presidential candidate who just got his butt handed to him in front of millions in a debate with a woman, the deniability is no longer so plausible. What a stupid thing for Obama to do. Is he self-destructive or what? What a jerk. As I said before, the Obamabots can minimize and deny all they like. The rest of us know what we saw, and so do the Obama fans in this audience.

[Xu Xu Fang]

You are part of the problem for reporting this.

[Steve]

What an absurd suggestion. The guy scratched his face.

[Pat]

Poor Barack, he can't even get away with a subtle rude gesture.
The silly part is that it most likely wasn't aimed at Hillary.
Like other folks said, he does the middle finger thing ALL THE TIME.
He thinks he is superior to all of us. He is giving all of
us the finger both verbally ( with his excellent speeches ) and manually.

Wait until you see what we get if Obama is in the White House. Right now Obama is the
Freshman Senator with the most missed days for a first term in the Senate.

[Suzan]

I smell desperation too, from Obama's supporters. They know exactly what he did, and they're terrified their candidate is imploding before their eyes. Otherwise, why would he model such appallingly imature behavior for all the young people he's supposed to be inspiring and bringing into the arean of modern politics.

He gave her the finger. You'd have to be blind not to see that, no matter how much Kool Aid you're drinking. She whipped his butt in the debate and he's a sore loser. Great role modeling, Senator. You'll make a great COC. Another arrested adolescent cowboy in the White House.

[Tom]

Desperate media attempt ... non-story

[MW]

Get a life! I don't think even Hillary will be childish enough to go with this alleged insult. There is nothing here, report some real news!

[Christina CA]

What surprises me more than this video are the blog posts. Some of the Obama excusers readily admit he did it, with style, and that they want to do it too... other excusers cry foul, he didn't do it.

You guys can't even make up your own minds.

Pick an answer. He either did it and should be ashamed of himself (not hailed as their hero) or he didn't do it and it's just all one big conspiracy against him

Oh, Obama isn't stuipd enough to do it? No, he's not stupid... he's arrogant.. arrogant enough to continue to think he could get away with one thing after another.. so for all of you who continue to post vulgarity on the internet in support of him, he will be your nominee.. but I guarantee you he won't be President.

[Goldie]

What? I think this is the most stupid thing I have every heard from a paper. So if I scratch my cheek, I am giving someone the finger? How pitiful. What is wrong with you? Andrew Malcolm must have brain disease or something. This is ridiculous. Now everyone will have to be very careful how they scratch a nose, a cheek whatever. I guess we can go back through all the political tapes and see who else was scratching a nose or a cheek in a supposedly suggestive way. This is more revealing of the people who see it where it doesn't exist than anything.

[ck]

How offensively does this man need to act in order for his kool-aid drinking supporters to recognize that he isn’t fit to even think of running for the Presidency? Yes indeed, he deliberately, intentionally and without question gave the international gesture of ill will when speaking about his female Democratic primary opponent. It’s there on video for anyone with eyes to see. But, worse than the fact that he made the offensive gesture at all in front of a public audience (which must’ve included children) is the fact that he so clearly believes that it was not only acceptable but also somehow ‘cool’ for him to do so! The man obviously believes (and has no qualms about teaching children this) that it’s acceptable for him (and by extension, for any man) to behave dismissively and even abusively and offensively toward a woman (and by extension, toward any woman) for no reason other than that she has the audacity to be his opponent, and because she is so obviously better qualified than he is, as was demonstrated during the debate. One has to wonder how he treats his wife and daughters when no one is watching. God help the Democrats if this abusive, adolescent, arrogant, self-impressed misogynist gets the nomination. Does America really want a potential President who resorts to vulgar junior high school hand gestures to express himself when the issues and the questions have become a little too tough and frustrating and he hasn’t been able to fall back on a canned speech from a teleprompter? Could this man who has been so praised for his so-called eloquence not think of any more intelligent assessment of the debate than to raise his middle finger? And Obama claims to be a Christian? Right. So are Louis Farrakhan and Tony Rezko…

[Jermaine A Fields]

!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!what!
Fuck off with that shit. Hillary would't believe that shit.

[JimBob]

This is truly pitiful journalism.

[Dionne]

Andrew Malcolm, you should be fired. This is the height of irresponsiblity. Obama supporters, you should be ashamed to even pander to this piece of crap by posting comments on this site. Rather, you should be writing to the LA Times editor to ensure this ass is fired.

[tbmennett]

It isn't the salute, that may or may not be intentional--it is the "brush-off" that happens next. If this man wins the nomination, we're in for another unfortunate four year ride. I am already getting my "don't blame me" bumper sticker ready.

[steve]

What else have we come to expect from Senator Obama. He is always "ragging" on Clinton and everyone else including middle class Americans.....Why are so many people so fooled by this man. He's positively scary. Another George Bush, in a Democrat guise, waiting to kill off what's left of our society. He's a phony, scary man.....

[C.H.G.]

Anybody who ever taught high school -- or anybody who even went to high school -- ought to know that teenagers use this gesture to give the finger while being able to protest their innocence. "I was just scratching my face! Honest!" Yeah, right, Barry. Detention for you, buddy.

I guess this means most of the Obama supporters posting here are still in grade school or dropped out of high school before they learned all the sneaky ways to flip somebody off. That helps explain their infatuation with Barry the Empty Suit.

[Mike C]

Oh, get real.

It is like the mainstream media is engaged in a deliberate self-parody.

[anthony]

That is the bird if I ever saw a bird!
And good for the Times for telling it like it is. Of course some people will deny it, but it won't make it not true!

REAL GROWN UP OBAMA, REAL GROWN UP!

[Sushmita Bhaskaran]

He made the same gesture in 2 different venues at the same point during the speech.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/04/obama_fingers_a_gotcha_debate.html

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/04/obamaflipsoffcl.html

this proves he did this on purpose.

Obama is toast ... i am gonna call clinton campaign tomorrow.

[Prabhata]

BO does it twice, with two different audiences.

The LA Times is one video

Here is the other
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/4/18/02146/4585#147

Notice the different audiences
Bush, the immature president for 8 years. Do Americans want another whiny immature person?
Not I.

[robin]

At first I didn't want to believe it, but then I saw a clearer clip on CBS and there is no doubt about it. I am really scared for our country. I'm sure he'll deny it and most of the in tank MSM will back him up. I am ill.

[Peter]

I can't believe this! This is really it....

He absolutely did this on purpose, I understand having doubts, I would too. Unfortunately, he did the same exact thing in two different speeches today, at the same point in the speech, he absolutely gave Hillary the finger in two different speeches! Do a quick search, you'll find the other one. He's done, sorry Obama fans I feel for you but this is way too childish for a President.

He's been making me wonder if he's self-destructing on purpose.

His smug, arrogant smirk tells it all. It was OBVIOUS that this man fully intended to give Senator Clinton an obscene gesture because for the first time in all of the debates, the focus was on him to provide explanations. Boo Hoo.

He is in no way qualified, nor does he possess the personal character to hold the highest office in the land.

He has a lifelong history of being given a free ride because he appears to be very personable and possesses wonderful oratory skills. Now the majority of Americans are going to allow themselves to be manipulated by him into yet one more f