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


Filed under: Popular Posts • President Obama
soundoff (803 Responses)
  1. C W

    Sounds good to me – I'm sure if people are more relaxed, they'll do a better job. I can't imagine having to wear a suit all day – yuck!

    January 21, 2009 06:35 pm at 6:35 pm |
  2. Robin Harris

    I think it was a good rule of Bush's, just out of respect for the office. At the same time though, I don't think this is news. People showering praise on Obama for every little thing he does is getting really, really old. I kindof expect to start seeing reports on how many times in a day he goes to the bathroom, and an analysis of what that says about his work ethic.

    Someone on here said Bush treated the White House like a frat house. How does that compare to how Bill Clinton treated it?

    January 21, 2009 06:36 pm at 6:36 pm |
  3. Kevin

    It's been my experience that scoundrels insist on wearing their suit coats when they're about to fleece you – lawyers, brokers, insurance agents, you know the type. People that actually provide value and are here to help you – like doctors, teachers, etc, have shunned suit coats for quite some time.

    January 21, 2009 06:39 pm at 6:39 pm |
  4. Tim

    W just liked to play dress-up. Now, he is dressing-up like a cowboy. I hope someday he gets to dress-up like an inmate.

    January 21, 2009 06:39 pm at 6:39 pm |
  5. andrea

    Everybody keeps pointing on how they are the first black family to look up too, why cant they just say they are a family that all americans should look up too. not black or white, obama had never said anything about race and neither should we including NAACP or the media we need to start calling each other americans and that is it. because that is what we all are no matter the color of our skin

    January 21, 2009 06:40 pm at 6:40 pm |
  6. Estee

    Who cares!

    January 21, 2009 06:40 pm at 6:40 pm |
  7. Sye the Pychic

    I see some CEOs on here,they never work,just make an average of 400 times the pay of their laborers.

    January 21, 2009 06:40 pm at 6:40 pm |
  8. James

    Seeing Obama in the picture in his shirtsleeves reminded me of JFK. And seeing Michelle yesterday in her inauguration attire, reminded me of Jackie Kennedy. They are an inspiring couple. And, although I am a hard right Republican with a strong dislike of all things liberal, I must say the country is fortunate to have this First Couple to lead us, encourage us and wrangle the dag nab rustlers.

    January 21, 2009 06:41 pm at 6:41 pm |
  9. Debi Mitchell

    President Obama shunned a jacket, he is not shunning responsibilities. It is ridiculous to begin judging a man as important as president simply because he isn't wearing a jacket. And yes, I am white, no I didn't vote for him, but I am glad to see that he won because I believe its time we had change. LOL, Bush wore jackets and spent tons of money, perhaps President Obama is starting to make the budget leaner by shunning the jacket. As long as wears pants I could care less as long as he does a better job than Bush.

    January 21, 2009 06:42 pm at 6:42 pm |
  10. John Poggendorf; Prescott, AZ

    Mr. President:

    Show up in your SWEATS man! Who CARES?!? You go catch 20 minutes of hoops between meetings with your own folks (and maybe full court hoops if they fix the court) and everyone will be ahead for the time and money savings!

    It's not the wardrobe, it's the person! We just got done with 8 years of the clothes having no emperor. ENOUGH OF THAT NONSENSE!

    January 21, 2009 06:43 pm at 6:43 pm |
  11. Jon in CA

    What does Obama and the Desk have in common?

    They're both empty!

    January 21, 2009 06:45 pm at 6:45 pm |
  12. karen

    To show respect Ronald Reagan always wore a jacket and tie in the Oval Office.

    January 21, 2009 06:45 pm at 6:45 pm |
  13. Kate

    What a useless article. Next are we going to get to read articles about what Pres. Obama ate for dinner?

    January 21, 2009 06:47 pm at 6:47 pm |
  14. MJ in Cal

    Why is it most of the comments below supporting Obama have spelling, syntax or tense errors? Think I'm biased? Look for yourself. Like the song says, "Things that make you go Hmmm".

    January 21, 2009 06:48 pm at 6:48 pm |
  15. Rusty

    It's because monkeys don't like to wear jackets.

    January 21, 2009 06:48 pm at 6:48 pm |
  16. Change Has Come

    Obama can sit in the oval office in his draws if he wants to... it's his office he makes the dress code...Bill Clinton got down to his draws a time or two and he was a helluva President!!!

    January 21, 2009 06:49 pm at 6:49 pm |
  17. Anonymous

    That's because its a little hard to roll up your sleeves and get to WORK
    with a Jacket On. B.O. knows this, too bad Bush did not.

    January 21, 2009 06:49 pm at 6:49 pm |
  18. Not Suprising

    Is this surprising? Bush brought a firm level of respect to the office. Obama could learn from that.

    January 21, 2009 06:49 pm at 6:49 pm |
  19. Rastus

    less hope he don't bees turnin de oval offis back into da oral offis.

    January 21, 2009 06:50 pm at 6:50 pm |
  20. Stephy

    totally agree with Jim!

    January 21, 2009 06:51 pm at 6:51 pm |
  21. Jen, NYC

    Charles Atlanta – Yeah, and you can see how great business is going these days. Right.

    January 21, 2009 06:52 pm at 6:52 pm |
  22. Colorado

    Why are you surprised by Obama not wearing a jacket? Haven't you heard...Change has come to America. He's not being disrespectful. I've seen worse outfits during services at my church. Embrace the change and stop looking for something to complain about. If you really care about fashion...let's focus on getting rid of flip flops and crocs!

    January 21, 2009 06:55 pm at 6:55 pm |
  23. Sid Nickels

    Please remove Soledad O'Brien from discussing african american issues. She doesn't have a clue!!!

    January 21, 2009 06:55 pm at 6:55 pm |
  24. Tom Kalmaku

    I'm sure the leaders of foreign countries will love it that Obama has a lax dress code. Perhaps he will also allow staffers to drink on the job. Up next: look for the fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror in the presidential limo.

    January 21, 2009 06:55 pm at 6:55 pm |
  25. sidneyallenjohnson

    Just more proof that this man is not serious.He does not respect the office and he certainly does not respect the history, heritage and traditions of this country. A pure democrat alright. He is "too cool" to be president...this is the remaking of America?

    January 21, 2009 06:56 pm at 6:56 pm |
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