January 21st, 2009
08:18 PM ET
9 years ago
A major Bush rule gets scrapped by Obama
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/21/art.ovaloffice.cnn.jpg caption="What’s missing in this picture?"] (CNN) - It's the same Oval Office. The same desk. Even the same curtains. But President Obama has already made one major change: Go through eight years of White House photos, and you won't find one of former President Bush in the Oval Office without his jacket on.
It wasn't just a personal preference. In the Bush administration, it was a rule: Jackets in the Oval Office - and now, it seems, one of the first Bush-era regulations to get scrapped in the Obama White House.
- CNN's John King contributed to this report
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It didn't do Bush much good. Enough said!
Why would he need a jacket to show respect for the office. What he DOES in the office demonstrates his respect more than what he wears. All the people complaining about not wearing a jacket must be over 50.
You know why Bush never had his coat off??? Thats because he never really did anything behind that desk but take orders from others on what decisions to make. President Obama is getting down to business and not waiting on any speeches to be prepared for him to be read off of paper!
rachael
You are ignorant. Get rid of all the smoke screens. we all know who are the hard workers and quick thinkers. Don't believe the sterotypes or your HYPE. I see the truth everyday.
Obama represents new and younger generations. No jack in office works for almost everybody in today's business environment.
Though Clinton did make the tough decision to not keep his pants on, we can all agree that he was willing to make that tough decision. As we all know, its not about whether the decision was right or not, just the fact that you had the courage to make that decision. Oh how I am going to miss the decider.
Lolita – You hit the nail right on the head –
"If taking your jacket off allows you to get more work done than President Bush did, then be my guest. I don't care if he takes his shoes off as long as he gets this country back on its feet!!!"
The sooner I don't hear the name Bush anymore the better I will feel.
He can wear whatever he wants. He is already hard at work attempting to fix the Bush debacle of the last 8 yrs. In this case, it certainly does not matter what clothes a man is wearing. Bush could have worn 10 suits at once and it would not have mattered. The man was NOT Presidential material. He would not have even been in the Oval office had it not been for his daddy's friends, the Supreme Court. Have you all forgotten how he got there?
It's 2009, not 1959. "Traditions" of the past, like...institutionalized racism, bigotry, ignorance, and bullying have just been replaced in the Oval Office, but obviously not among the GOP's constituency.
Welcome to the new era. The train is leaving, and no one is waiting for you.
Good luck.
The jacket does not define the man. It is the work done by the man that defines him. With or without the jacket, President Obama must do the task before him and do it well. To everyone that says his attire is disrespectful to the Oval Office answer this question:
Is it dissrepestful to ___________ while in the Oval Office?
a) to dress in a coat and tie while destoying the foundation of America
b) dress comforably while restoring America
Lighten up people. Its his office, you know, the place he works...I am sure when he meets with important people in that office he'll put his stupid coat on. Wearing a coat doesn't make you a professional it just makes you warm. I would be more concerned with his actions. Besides, it wasn't a presidential rule it was George Bush's rule and he's not the boss anymore. When you call a place of service do you care what the person on the other end of the phone is wearing? No. You worry about whether they can get the job done.
He could work naked for all I care. I just want him in the Oval Office.
There is nothing sacred for Obama, No tradition or fortitude either, He's a chump. Next He'll be wearing an Aloha Shirt or maybe even his Somalian cloth... I won't even be surprised. And all you Lefts will still make excuses.
Um ....Obama grew up in Hawaii-we have a different dress code here.
If you do happen to see a suit-a rare occasion,you wonder what's going on? is it the FBI? some sort of Federal worker?
I honestly can't remember the last time I saw any one in a suit.
can't blame him for not wanting to be uncomfortable when he is trying to think about more pressing matters than his wardrobe
Joyce you're right. Just a little over 24 hours and some people are determine to go back in time to the 60s, 50s, back till 1776. People are making these stupid statements over an article about not wearing a suit jacket. Instead of questioning his respect for the office. Respect the Man in Office!!!!!!!
I am not an Obama supporter, but I really don't think that Obama's lack of wearing a jacket is the worst thing to ever go on in the oval office.
Actually, I see it as relevant. To me it validates that Bush was all about pomp and circumstance and "appearances" to make him LOOK like he was working to get the job done, but it was a charade. Like a kid dressing up to look like an adult. Obama is obviously more interested in getting things done and less concerned about what looks good in photos....thank goodness.
not wearing a jacket doesn't mean your work is sloppy – get a brain
I wouldn't care if he wore a big pint bunny suit, he'd still look smarter than the last guy.
Stupid coverage. This is why we're so divided.
First time any real honest work has been done in the Oval Office in 8 years! The only real way to get the job done is to roll up your sleeves and get the dust off! Congratulations Barack!
Wow, as I sit here in my office reading these posts I am completely shocked at some of the asinine comments. It's sad that your perception of African Americans is so tainted. After everything that has transpired over the last couple of months, I see racism is alive and well in the United States. Who cares whether or not Obama wears a coat or not. I am most concerned about the work he does for the people of this great nation. Bush ran this county for 4 years without a coat and look where we are. Perhaps some of the negative posters have forgotten that YOUR President is a Harvard Law graduate. I wonder how many of you are bitter because an educated African American male has been elected to the highest office in the country. Shattered dreams perhaps?
I'd like to see him roll the shirt sleves up. I mean after all... it's time to get down to business.
Whoop dee freakin doo!
I am glad to see my president bringing some reality to the oval office.
After all, it is work, not a fashion show. Whoever said "the clothes make the man" was an idiot.
Some folks walk the walk but don't talk the talk.
Some folks talk the talk but don't walk the walk.
My president does both.
A new direction in every bit of the word! Thank you for being an average person President Obama. Now please talk to Congress about all of their pay raises. The "Average" person does NOT make $172,000 per year. Not even some of the top directors of non profits. I thought that this is about service for your country NOT getting wealthy off of the backs of the hard workers here.
Peace 🙂