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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Funny how all the nobodies want to tell the president what to do and focus on dumb things like whether or not he's wearing a jacket. Maybe the president should wear a powdered wig while he's at it?
President Obama is at work in a shirt and tie while you're watching "what not to wear" in your jogging pants!
Good for Obama.
No doubt that the Boards of several American Heavy Industries such as Exxon, General Motors, etc., demanded that Georgie wear a suit jacket. But it begs the question as to who helped him put it on each day.
He's happier now, btw; he can run amuck on his farm in Texas wearing only his Mattel Cowboy Outfit – complete with 10-Gallon hat – and chase the 'Bad Guys'. My heart goes out to the individuals of his Secret Service detail that have to spend their day being chased by this Village Idiot.
It would appear that Obama can think for himself.
And for the record, I voted Republican for nearly 35 years prior to George W's Father having his son elected President. Sad when you think of it really as rumor has it that all he wanted to do was to sell shoes in the local K-Mart, but instead managed to put an entire Nation through the worst eight years since the Stock Market crash of 1929.
The history of the suit and tie is lame at best.Its all about showing that "im better than you or above you in stature",something like the rooster over the flock.
Comments about "fried chicken" and "basketball" are both racist and inappropriate.
I Think the most appropriate comment here would be "Big Deal"
Oh my stars,what next,turtlenecks and birkenstocks?Tiedyed t-shirts and the return to large afros?Maybe the president along with Biden and Hillary could recreate the"Mod Squad"look from the sixties.He could sit there all day in a undershirt and boxers as long as he gets the job done right.The only jacket Shrub should have worn was a straight-jacket.
That's because President Obama will actually be rolling up his sleeves and getting to work. You have to take off your jacket to do that. This new approach shows that Obama is down to earth and approachable. Way to go, Obama! Loving your style.
THIS was the "major" Bush rule that was scrapped?
I'm disappointed. Of all of the possibilities for real news reporting, this sort of sensationalistic journalism is so disappointing.
We have the change we sought for in the Oval Office.
Now if we can just get the change we need in the media.
Some people are quite creative with their hatred and racism. You keep hatin', now, ya hear!
What CNN didn't report is that there are more photos of Obama working in the Oval Office than Dubya.
SouthernGirl850, you state, "as you sit in your office reading posts" It sounds like you are one of the millions to blame for our crumbling economy. If you're in your office shouldn't you be WORKING? Doing what you're paid for?!?
Remember JFK's "Ask not" quote?
Whatever happened to hard-working Americans?
i work from home and i wear my pjs, it does not make me any less intelligent people need to grow up.
Think it's a sign of taking off your jacket and getting to work on the problems of the American people. Something bush never did, just gave us more problems. bush was an "empty suit" that accompanied his empty brain. Glad he's gone. Only thing I'll miss about bush..is his "bushisms.." guy was a joke! Glad to see President Obama is ready to work, someone has to clean up bush's mess!
It's his office, he's the boss, let him do what he wants. Minor, irrelevant story, nothing to see here folks, let's move on to some substance.
Bush "respected" the office when he wore the suit in the Oval Office while "working" but "work" involved Crayons and a baseball coloring book...
President Obama is a "working" President....the kind a man that wants to take off his jacket, roll up his sleeves and get to work. He's not looking for a photo-op. He's got serious work to get done.
I'm sorry...where oh where did it say in this great day and age that wearing a jacket was going to be the defining characteristic of a great leader?
Oh...it didn't? Whew...good.
i thought I was going to have to sleep with one on night after night...in case someone was watching...
I want smaller, less intrusive government and fewer dumb laws. Therefore, I'm delighted Obama has already gotten rid of one silly rule. Beyond that, the symbolism is powerful: this is a man who wants to roll up his sleeves and get to work, not merely look good in a photo op. I think that's exactly the right message right now.
Are you folks on here smoking crack or are you just naturally stupid ???? With all the problems we have in this country and you are worried about President Obama's attire in the Oval Office ???!!!!!
This election has proven one thing for sure,,, just how stupid the American people who believe his attire is of importance are complete idiots!!!
God Bless President Obama!! I am so glad to have him, coat, no coat, tie no tie, shirt, no shirt, ,, he's fine as hell anyway, so as far as I am concerned he can wear it or not, I could care LESS!
That's why everybody here in Europe can't take you Americans seriously. 100+ comments about wearing a jacket. Hilarious.
And all the racist comments about wearing baseball caps and bling bling are the proof that you aren't interested in facts or in the way somebody works but in stereotypes.
To make this clear: This comment is a stereotype bout Americans.
Let's hope that your new administration will make sure that America gets back it's old image here in Europe, when a lot of people saw the US as a role model in democracy and leadership.
PLEASE! It is obvious Bush was all about appearances and look where that got us! A trillion dollar deficit. What executive sits in HIS office all day long in a suit and tie? PRESIDENT OBAMA should be allowed to dress in whatever manner he deems appropriate after all it is HIS office!
The jacket precedent was started by Ronald Reagan who insisted on wearing a jacket because he was president although I am sure Clinton removed more than his jacket.
Something that would help is if Mr. President would make all Federal employees submit proof of taxes they paid. There is hundreds of Federal employees who has failed to pay taxes for years.
Then they should go after anyone else that has not paid their taxes. This might not be much but it would help with the budget.
He should freeze all Federal pay for one year, if not their pay then promotions.
He should also raise the minimum retirement age of Federal employees from 57 to 65. The private sector has to wait until they are 70 years of age for full retirement. They should at least raise the minimum retirement age for Federal workers.
You should get the rule book for FERS retirement for federal employees.
You're kidding me right? This is news? Ok people...Wearing professional attire is important...and it's obvious that President Obama has always valued proper attire in the work place. I don't ever recall seeing a picture where he was inappropriately dressed. By taking off his jacket in the oval office, President Obama is placing emphasis on the old expression of "rolling up your sleeves and getting to work". Who cares that he's in the oval office without his jacket. it's an "office" people...not a "temple". His focus is on fixing the country...and we all know he's got a lot of work to do. The previous president made this great nation go broke while wearing a jacket in the oval office. President Obama has chosen to do the opposite. This..I believe...is a very good sign.
I guess Obama doesn't need a place to hide the microphone pack that has to feed him info
Does this really matter to anyone ??