I think that one does it because publicly the VP does not come over as touchy feely and when you see something like that photo portrays it means so much more.I believe I read a similar comment you made on another day, and I think you are so right. Makes a lot of sense. He looks so incredibly sincere in these photos--and I am sure that is because he truly is sincere in his grief and in his desire to care for and comfort Mrs. Ford.
I remember during the 2004 campaign the media asked his older daughter Liz if he was the same at home as he comes over on TV etc.
She basically said what you see is what you get except at home you get a lot of hugs.
I suspect therefore the publicly reserved man is a loving caring father and grand father but is not comfortable with showing that type of emotion publicly.
I also think that is true of Lynne Cheney I think on Saturday is the first time I have ever seen pictures of her with tears in her eyes. Yet on the TV coverage it was clear she had been and IMHO was crying at some point in the service.
At home though I suspect the Cheney family are much more tactile than you see publicly and when you do see it publicly it is small snapshot of their private life.
On 9/11 commemoration events I am struck that is about the only time you see Lynne hold or link her hands/arm with the VP and somehow this again makes it even more poignant.
I am sure it is times like this when the VP does wonder or even wish that maybe he was not the VP and just a private citizen and therefore maybe could have been there more for the Ford family in the last few weeks.
Being VP is is not easy for him to go and visit though I understand he did as much as it was possible or just be there for someone. Also when he does the army of photographers, security etc does not lead to one being natural and being able to offer real comfort and care. IMHO this again is another reason I think he shies away from showing affection/emotion in public as he sees it in some way and coming over a false and contrived - photo ops.
I said on another thread yesterday though most of the meetings the President has the VP is in attendance (again counteracting the lie that he is not visible and is kept hidden - visiting heads of State and various Governments can testify this is not the case) by the time the press arrives he is gone and the world perceives as it being an exclusive meeting with the President.
He comes over as as sincere genuine man who does not like what he sees as false contrived photo op even when it is not.
So when we see public affection and emotion with him we know much more that means - at least that is how I perceive it.