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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Grant: do you see visiting dignitaries, or do you just see a guy at his desk on the phone? Of course President Obama will wear his jacket to receive visiting dignitaries.
President Bush wore his jacket in the oval office because he believed deeply in tradition. For eight years, he worked in the Oval Office, but he knew that it wasn't his office. It was bigger than him. Only 42 men before him sat in that office and made decisions that the typical person cannot even come close to grasping. Enough of the stupid comments.
To heck with the GOP traditions, Obama can dress any way he wants and he can have anyone who comes into the Oval Office to do the same. Some folks have too much time on their hands to talk about such petty things-this is a none issue. Bush didn't do anything in the Oval Office anyway, except talk to his Oil buddies and Hailburton guests of his idiot VP.
Just because he has lifted the "always wear a jacket" rule, it doesn't mean he'll never wear a jacket. It's not all or nothing. I'm confident that when the occasion calls for a more formal, professional mode of dress (such as when "prominent individuals...enter the Oval Office to discuss matters of national interest"), President Obama will dress appropriately.
It wasn't just a personal preference. In the Bush administration, it was a rule: Jackets in the Oval Office —
So he had a rule about jackets...big deal. I wish he would have had a rule about helping people (Katrina), not lying (Iraq war), accountability (banks, insurance companies, and years of missing emails), and by all means a rule about protecting liberties (Patriot Act).
The last 8 years have been an illusion. We have been watching shadows dancing on the wall cast by the likes of Fox news and Rush Limbo, and Karl Rove. The American people finally stopped looking at the shadows, broke free of the shackles, and are now starting to exit the cave into the sunlight.
So there was a rule about jackets. This helped the world, America, how? Good riddance, Bush administration. Wear your jackets all you want in Midland. You have done enough harm to America. Now better people, more honorable people, will have to clean up the disaster left in your wake. It has already started with ethics reforms and opening wide the Freedom of Information Act.
Sit back while you are in Midland, and see how real work gets done. Jackets in the oval office – what a bunch of nonsense when practically everything else was a deception, wrapped in a lie, packaged in box of half truths and misleading statements.
If I recall Bush and Browny had their coats and sleeves off and rolled up during Katrina and they screwed that up big time.rethugs your party has come to an end,I see 20years before you will get a look at the inside of the white house
He looks like any WORKING executive, crisp white shirt and tie. Who cares if Bush could play dress up. That is all he could do in the Oval Office...look like he was playing a part. I care what President Obama does. By the way, he is much better looking anyway. This is sooo non news.
I found a great Obama Blog at: http://TalkObama.blogspot.com !!!
The fact that Former President Bush was dwelling on small little details such as wearing a suit coat in the Oval Office just further proves that he was asleep at the wheel.
He should have spent more time on making sure there was proper oversight of the banking industry and Wall Street.
Figures he would zero in on small mindless things. That's about all we were ever going to get from a "C" student.
I expect we will hear about a lot more stupid rules and regulations before long.
It is Obamas office now and he can wear or not wear a jacket. I hope he changes the curtains though. UGLY
It truly sickens me to read the racist comments. Of course that is so easy when you have no name. Shame on you and on your parents!
GOP's #1 crackhead is good old Rush,put the pipe down.he's your prez to
Some of you need to get a life. Hanging around a messageboard only to give repeated critical remarks. I just hope he can get results.
No respect for the office. It was not a 'Bush tradition,' it was a "Presidential Tradition."
most if not all of my post are under watch by cnn... so here goes.
Listen ladies and gentlemen. I am not here to declare you stupid nor ignorant . I got to say this and I want you to pay attention. I read this ticker every day and some times the news is more fun to read than the comments. I thought I did not have a life. Compared to many of you I am doing just fine. Now..... lets get to what needs to be said.
If you did not vote for Barack, I would imagine most of you will have nothing good to say for the next 4 to 8 years. Hint: saying bad things screws up your karma. Why take that chance? Prepare yourself for the next change. Go to school, learn something new that will position yourself for that next window of opportunity. Republicans. don't hate. I don't hate you for screwing up my 401k. When it comes to making the economy run like it should be running, you guys need to chill out. I don't care if Obama does not wear a jacket. Does it matter if the people that attend your funeral wear jackets? You are dead at that point . You wont know.
My brother & sister Dems ... lighten up and stop saying stupid things that make people upset. Yes; we had to live though 8 years of .. well I am at a lost for the perfect word here. But .. think about it! you are still here and if you had prepared yourself for the change and the opportunity we have in front of us now; you would have and would be making some Republican friends right about now. . All is still not lost and that window is just beginning to open.
If I could give you all some advise, the answer to this nation's problems are not as difficult as you think they are. What is going to be difficult is for all of you to realize that we all have good ideas. We need best of breed technology. The sad truth is that we own it as of now, but if we keep fighting over things that waste time , we will truly lose our innovation. The good news is that in the time of crisis we really do have tremendous opportunites to move forward and secure a solid future for all Americans. You can do one of two things.........., stand on the side lines and play dumb or get into the game and make a true difference.
What you do is up to no one but, you!
Hey-The President works from home like most of us–put the baseball cap on at 8AM with the sweats and Voila! Give him some room people!–Since I'm a work a home Dad (with Mom working also–just like me–kids come home from school at 3 and it's homework time between conference calls)...so what's the problem...Geez cut him some slack !!!
Not just Bush's rule about leaving your jacket on, Obama also broke Bill Clinton's rule. He left his pants on.
Dear Mr Steve Foster,
I think it is you sir with the lopsided view of what this country has been subjected to by the worst politician from Texas I have ever been unfortunate to see. I am 50 years old born and raised in Texas, not Dallas or Houston and certainly not the North East where Bush is really from. In all my years... never have I seen a worse government for my country. NEVER.
You need to take those blinders off. No hate here, just facts.
Why all the sudden is everyone saying you must respect him since he is the President. Never heard that with Bush in office. I do respect him but I hope he fails with any policy that aims toward Socialism.
Socialism will never work in a country with a huge population. Thats a fact.
This is absofreakinglutely ridiculous. What's the next headline......."Obama uses double-ply toilet paper as compared to single-ply preferred by the bush administration" Who care?!!!! I see all these headlines on every major news network like Obama is some type of god almost. Yesterday on CNN intreactive vote was a yeah or nay if you liked Michelle Obama's inaugural dress. What has this country, news media, and good journalism come to when this is all we care about. COME ON PEOPLE stick to the issues. geeeezzzzz
Amazing...so many experts here. Didn't realize it was so easy to be in the Oval office. Like any of you really know the goings on of the President. Good grief! The blame game needs to stop. Look in a mirror...maybe then you can get a clue on who to blame for the last 8 years. Grow up and take responsibility for once in your life!
I am an interior designer and would love to decorate the Oval Office...but I hope you leave it just the way it is President. Use the money elsewhere to show America that people and their families welfare mean more than material things, more than a redecoration of your Oval Office. This would send a great message to the people of America that are looking to you to remake our economy.
Good luck...our prayers are with you....onward...
Mr. President please go to work now and arrest Bush And Cheney and all their co-horts and send them to Gitmo. You look comfortable thats cool, but please take care of the last eight years first. Our country needs to be rid of this sewage for good. Please flush them to the place they made for themselves.
People. Relax. It's just a ticker. A little tidbit that isn't meant to be taken this seriously. See it as a random fact of the day and let it go.
Are you freaking kidding me?! The man took off his suit jacket and its a big deal?! Wow, America are we THIS petty?! First and foremost, this was the ex-president's rule. BUSH IS NO LONGER THE PRESIDENT PEOPLE (thank God!). Second of all, how does Obama taking his suit jacket off insinuate that he is less of a President? Third of all, what if he was nervous and got hot? I mean its his first day on the job. Probably the most important job on the planet, I might add. You got the best country with the worst economic situation its ever been in on your syllabus. Thats enough to make anyone break out in a sweat! Let alone all these dang on people around taking pictures!
I don't really care what the man wears to work as long as he gets the job done! He can come in with flip flops for all I care!
Do your thing Obama. America, quit hatin'!