Cameras captured one conversation that looked plenty interesting: an exchange between Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Bush. The president, who signed Jackson’s program, lingered a little bit longer with the Illinois congressman than he did with other lawmakers–even Dennis Kucinich, who seemed to weird the president out by attempting to whisper something in his ear. Asked today what Bush and Jackson were talking about, a spokesman for the Illinois congressman issued a carefully-worded and somewhat cryptic response. “It was a friendly, private exchange with the president,” Jackson Chief of Staff Kenneth Edmonds told NEWSWEEK. “They have a relationship that goes back more than 15 years when President Bush’s father was president. Despite their sharp differences, their conversation was in keeping with the bipartisan tradition and spirit of the State of the Union.”
In other words, Jackson isn’t talking. But don’t worry, Joe Biden is. The Senate Foreign Relations Chairman and 2008 Democratic presidential hopeful told reporters today that Bush grabbed his hand last night and offered some impromptu campaign advice. “Don’t peak too soon,” Bush said, according to Biden. Bush’s poll numbers may be lower than Richard Nixon’s, but at least the guy’s sense of humor is still intact.
