Obama gets hero’s welcome in Senate

Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) received a hero’s welcome home in the Senate Wednesday as he returned to vote on the budget a day after he clinched the Democratic presidential nomination over his colleague Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.).

Obama strode into the chamber shortly before noon, led by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and headed to the desk to cast his vote in favor of the Democrats' budget. He did not make it far, though, before being greeted by a bevy of members wanting to share a handshake, a hug and a few laughs with the new Democratic standard-bearer.

{mosads}Clinton, who did not concede the contest to Obama, did not make it into the chamber and did not vote. It was not immediately clear if she returned to the Senate at all on Wednesday. Earlier, she was speaking to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington.

But if Tuesday night’s delegate count wasn’t proof enough that the nomination is over, Obama’s Senate colleagues reinforced the message in full.

First to greet Obama on the floor was Sen. Chris Dodd (Conn.), a former primary opponent and one of the first 2008 Democratic contenders to endorse the Illinois senator after it became a two-person contest.

Dodd gave Obama a hug and the two shared a laugh. Obama quickly gave an extra-long handshake and shoulder-squeeze to Sen. Frank Lautenberg (N.J.), who on Tuesday night survived a primary challenge of his own.

He also put in some extra face time with a colleague whom many have declared certain to be on his vice presidential short list: Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.).

Many of Obama’s other supporters — including Sens. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) — quickly came in for accolades.

And Clinton supporters, including Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), joined in the parade as well, offering Obama their own congratulations.

Even Sen. Charles Schumer (D), Clinton’s colleague from New York and one of her most important supporters, seemed to grasp fully the meaning of the moment.

“Hey, big guy!” Schumer shot to Obama as he walked by.

Obama did not converse with any Republicans, and their presumptive nominee, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), also missed the vote. However, while on the floor, Obama talked extensively with one of McCain’s most important advocates, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee.

Lieberman approached Obama for a handshake and a word, and Obama immediately pulled Lieberman into a corner where the two could talk privately.

For five minutes the two men engaged in what appeared to be a serious discussion, each wearing somber expressions and emphasizing their words with gestures.

After a few minutes, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), sitting a few feet away with Schumer, shouted to Obama to keep his voice to a minimum and pointed to the gaggle of reporters assembled at the ledge of the press gallery.

The two continued their discussion, then shook hands politely and even shared a half-hug.

Afterwards, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) approached Lieberman and motioned to the gallery. Lieberman looked up aghast, then broke out into a wide smile and a laugh, as Roberts joined in.

Roberts then pulled the same routine with Obama, who also acknowledged the gallery with a point, but with a far less enthusiastic expression on his face. Roberts, though, appeared to get just as much of a kick out of it as he did the first time.

After some 15 minutes, Obama, just as he came in, jaunted out the door alongside Durbin and Bingaman.