The Obama Scapular

I admit that I teared up seeing Obama get out of the limo and walk up to the south door of the White House. When I regained my composure I noticed Obama disappearing into the White House with Bush and patting the president's left shoulder. Or, to be precise:  placing his left hand on Bush's right scapula for a second or two as though escorting him into his house. I have seen this gesture again and again over the campaign. From rope lines, in official meetings. It's coolly affectionate, a little formal, protective–and condescending. And in its own American way, regal. Clinton's lip tremble. Bush's smirk. This is the Obama signature: The Scapular. I have no problem with it. It says, I am a great leader. And maybe he will be. And he just did it to Bush.