Handshake was perfunctory, White House says

Excerpts from press “gaggle” aboard U.S. One, as Obama returned from South Africa on Tuesday. Meeting with reporters was Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications.

QUESTION: The handshake with Raúl Castro, was that by happenstance or was it planned, and what did they talk about?

MR. RHODES:  Nothing was planned in terms of the President’s role other than his remarks.  So the rest of it, of course, was simply his presence at the ceremony.

He was focused above all on paying tribute to Nelson Mandela. When he went to the podium, he shook hands with everybody on his way to speak. He really didn’t do more than exchange greetings with those leaders on his way to speak; it wasn’t a substantive discussion. But I think the President’s focus was on honoring the legacy of Nelson Mandela, as was the case with many leaders. […]

QUESTION: [About] the handshake with Castro, does the White House think it’s blown out of proportion?  Are you surprised by it?

MR. RHODES:  Well, look, obviously we recognize that it’s been quite some time since the presidents of the United States and Cuba were even in the same place. I think, though, that what people need to remember is what today was about was Nelson Mandela, one of the giants of the 20th century […]

And so that’s where the focus should be; that’s where the President’s focus was — not on any other political or policy matter. He was focused on President Mandela.