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
From CNN Politics
- With Trump facing legal peril, DeSantis steps out and sharpens attacks
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- White House to disband Covid-19 response team in May
- Iowa's governor signs law banning gender-affirming care for minors
- Your Trump questions answered. Yes, he can still run for president if indicted
- 'This is ridiculous': Congress and White House careen toward default deadline as standoff grows
THANK GOD, anyone with any sense knows that NO ONE who really works all day longs stays in their jackets. What planet was Bushman on? George W. Bush obviously was clueless in the 21st Century and was an even bigger idiot for even creating such an absurd rule. Bottom line.
Hey Chuck,
The country not only survived but blossomed during the Clinton years.... It barely did during "the-white-house-respecting-citizen-disrespecting" president Bush...
Get your data and mind right...
Chuck Walla wrote
No surpise here. Like the Clintons, Obama has no respect for the office. Or its traditions. I just hope the country survives the next 4 years.
I don't care if he's sitting in the oval office in his underwear with a toothbrush sticking out of his mouth and a messy sandwich on the Resolute Desk (please, don't do that though Mr. President)...as long as he gets the job done that we hired him for.
So what. All we have here is a matter of personal preference and an interesting footnote, nothing more.
One more primitive ornamental ritual flushed, it feels good to have a White House atmosphere that looks, and feels real.
Here's some hard-hitting journalism. But I see all the disciples lapping it up.
Lets face it – its time to work not attempt to look pretty and polished. I guess when all you have is your looks to be concerned about nothing else really matters. Glad that dumbo is gone.
It doesn't matter what he wears. Bush wore a jacket for 8 years, looked presentable and all, and where did that get us?! Who cares!
I love Cnn. I LOVE Obama.
In Hawaii where President Obama went to school, aloha shirts are normal for men in professional or formal settings. For example, want to tell who is a visitor from out of state at Church on Christmas Eve? It is a man wearing a tie.
Why do you need a suit jacket anyway. I wear a suit everyday, and the jacket comes off as soon as I walk through the door. The only time your jacket is needed is when you are in a meeting. Is Obama in a meeting in this photo? No. You try sitting for 8-10 hours in a suit jacket and see if you like it. Also has anybody heard of symbolism?
I have read some of the comments of the people above,it seem that they are a lot of ignorant people still in the U,S,A, and back ward thinking, like Andy L and the rest who is complaining about how the president is dress,do you alway sleep in pajamas to go to bed? do you alway wear the same outfit to work ? so why are you airing your mouth about the president ? don't you know most business men hang their jackets when in the office,for more than one reason it could get wrinkle and when they are ready to have they meetings it would not be in good shape, If you have nothing to say shutup.
This is ridiculous. Jacket on, Jacket off, who cares. Mr. President has more important things to do than worry about his Jacket and rules. Former President Bush should have been more concerned about other RULES. Like NOT breaking the law. Now that's news to debate!!!
Get a life and stop criticizing, already!!!
Lawyers wear Suits when appearing in Court. In office quality of work is more important than dress. A person needs to be comfortably dressed while at work. Being too dressy will not enhance thinking process, work quality and ability to handle complex issues, which is really required of a President rather than a President who always remains dressed up in gaudy clothes to enhance his looks and appearance.
It looks like our new president is ready to get down to work rather than let the whole country go to heck!
You people are silly. CNN says it "seems" like he changed the rule. That doesn't mean that he put it in writing or even made it a rule. So calm down please people.
If the guy performs half as well as I'm hoping, I don't care if he wears a tutu with swimming goggles.
Chuck Walla, I hope we survive the next 4 years as well... we almost didn't survive the last 8. I think the fact that getting work done in the oval office means more than wearing a suit jacket.
Whatever it takes to get the job done...who cares what he wears. Thank goodness he cares more about getting the job done than appearances. Go Mr. President!
its role up the sleeves time and get the hard work done that BUSH didn't not do!!!
Its a new era. Can't hind behind a coat from things like Bush did!
Bush probably needed to wear a jacket in the oval office so he would know he was there for his 10 minutes of work. The rest of the day he was probably in sweats riding his bike.
I would think that this was a simple way that Bush tried to tie himself to Reagan, who had the same preference. Probably the only thing the two had in common.
President Obama looks hard at work in this picture. Who cares
if he has his Jacket on or off. I believe we are going to see alot
of things in this administration that will different. It doesnt
mean hes not a good man or that hes not going to do a good job.The
voters of America let it be known that it was time for a change. I
find everything about President Obama refreshing. I enjoy seeing
little things that remind me that he is a person just like me who enjoys music, dancing, laughing, having a good time but,who knows
this country is in a mess and its going to take alot of work from all
of us to fix it.
I don't care how he dresses as long as he can help this country out of the mess that the last administration left. It's obvious that wearing a suit didn't help Bush.
Andy L....Everyone is smarter the Bush.