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In Obama's White House, Informality Rules

New prez jettisons Bush's insistence on jacket and tie

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 29, 2009 8:43 AM CST

(Newser) – When George W. Bush was in charge, no one was allowed to enter the Oval Office without a suit and tie—and 43 even demanded business attire on weekends. Barack Obama's White House is a more casual place, where even the president himself works in shirtsleeves, the New York Times reports. It's only one of several changes Obama has made to daily life at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Obama starts work around 9, hours later than Bush—he spends his mornings working out and seeing his daughters off to school—and often returns to the Oval Office after dinner. His meetings last longer and go into greater detail, often running overtime. One other change: Obama has cranked the thermostat up to near-tropical levels. "He's from Hawaii, OK?" said David Axelrod, his senior adviser. "You could grow orchids in there."

President Barack Obama speaks to members of media, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, between his meetings with the House and Senate leaderships. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The White House is illuminated as the sun sets, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, as President Barack Obama waits to hear the final vote on his stimulus plan on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

President Barack Obama smiles in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, as he is introduced prior to making remarks on the economy following a meeting with business... (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Snow is seen on the south grounds of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, as President Barack Obama walks back to the Oval Office after a trip to Capitol Hill to meet with House and... (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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In Obama's White House, Informality Rules

New prez jettisons Bush's insistence on jacket and tie

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In Obama's White House, Informality Rules

New prez jettisons Bush's insistence on jacket and tie

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • White House • Hawaii • Oval Office • David Axelrod • Obama administration • President Obama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

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Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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What is Newser?