The Longest Handshake in the Handshake City? Picente Holds onto President’s Hand

It was a history-making event.  President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. President to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown in New York.  But it was also the first time anyone can remember a President landing at Griffiss International, a former Air Force Base in Rome, New York.

That fact was not lost on those who had the opportunity to catch up with the President, namely the City of Rome's Mayor Joseph Fusco, Jr. and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. who - once a hand was extended by the President - held onto it for a while.

While the handshake seemed to go on forever, it was less than a minute long, but it would have gone on longer had Fusco not stepped in to take the President's hand.

Here is the raw video of the handshake:

Was the handshake too long?  Or did Picente make wise use of his time with the President?  Body language expert Matt Episcopo graded the handshake between President Obama and Picente.  See if you agree with his assessment in the video below.  Note: Episcopo explains his grade about six minutes into the video and County Executive Anthony Picente calls in to tell more about his conversation with the President:

And our apologies to those who have the opportunity to shake hands with the Commander in Chief in the future...he may be more apt to let go more quickly after seeing this.