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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Obama's Style Shift Working for Voters

Dem buttons shirt, dons necktie to convey authority

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(Newser) – It’s no wardrobe malfunction: Barack Obama has ditched his trademark casual look for buttoned-up Washington style, Politico reports. As Hillary Clinton carped about his lack of experience, the Illinois senator began donning suits and ties. Aides shrug off the switch, saying it was prompted by weather, but political consultants insist it’s no accident.

There’s “nothing that isn’t calculated,” one said. “Everything is strategy, especially image.” Another added that Obama’s everyman style needed a revision: “He had to look the part.” A reporter noticed his new attire when Obama stumped through small Iowa towns "where ties are few and far between." Two weeks later, he had matched Hillary in state polls and stuck with the new style.

To help convey the presidential look, Democratic hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has forsaken the tieless suit look in favor of the more buttoned-up Washington look familiar to his peers, like former Democratic presidential nominee and fellow senator John Kerry. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
To help convey the presidential look, Democratic hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has forsaken the tieless suit look in favor of the more buttoned-up Washington look familiar to his peers, like former...   (Associated Press)
The tieless look is out for Senator Barack Obama, Politico reports, as the Democratic hopeful has needed to look more presidential on the campaign trail. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The tieless look is out for Senator Barack Obama, Politico reports, as the Democratic hopeful has needed to look more presidential on the campaign trail. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)   (Associated Press)
Wearing a guayabera shirt, Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, pauses during a speech at a campaign stop at the Jorge Mas Canosa Youth Center in Sweetwater, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Wearing a guayabera shirt, Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, pauses during a speech at a campaign stop at the Jorge Mas Canosa Youth Center in Sweetwater, Fla., Sunday,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gradually shed his casual Friday attire for the suit-and-tie look of a president as his poll numbers surged through December, the Politico says. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gradually shed his casual Friday attire for the suit-and-tie look of a president as his poll numbers surged through December, the Politico says....   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, of Illinois, addresses the biennial General Synod meeting of the United Church of Christ, Saturday, June 23, 2007, in Hartford, Conn. The tieless look is out for Senator Barack Obama, Politico reports, as the Democratic hopeful has needed to look more presidential...
Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, of Illinois, addresses the biennial General Synod meeting of the United Church of Christ, Saturday, June 23, 2007, in Hartford, Conn. The tieless...   (Associated Press)
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