The Obama Pound

I noticed this at the time but never understood it's significance.

Obama told NBC's Brian Williams Wednesday night he is proud of that magical moment.

"It captures what I love about my wife, which is that there is a reverence about her and a sense that for all the hoopla that I'm her husband and sometimes we'll do silly things.

"She's proud of me and she gives me some credit once in a while, when I actually pull some things off."

The affectionate 11-second exchange before Obama claimed victory as the Democratic presidential nominee Tuesday emphasized Obama's youth and ability to transcend the stereotyped political gestures of campaigns past, experts said.

"I would imagine to a young voter, this was another sign that these people are one of us," said psychologist Drew Westen, author of "The Political Brain: The Role Of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation."

"People saw their willingness to display their affection in the way they really do - at home, or in private moments."

Tags: Obama, the pound