Politicians are taught to be careful about the angle of the wrist and arm specifically to avoid invoking memories of "that" salute. Notice that in all the "this is just as creepy" examples offerred, the hand is held at an angle off the horizontal; vertical is the favored position for emphasis. Also, the arms are usually bent at the elbow and not so straight. The creepiness factor in this one photo is that Bush's hand is held perfectly horizontal with the palm down, and his arm is held rigidly straight.

Not to beat the dead horse. This really is a tempest in a teapot. No doubt his handlers will give him some remedial lessons in Political Gesturing 101 to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Cute Clinton photo, BTW.