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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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9

In Obama's White House, Informality Rules

New prez jettisons Bush's insistence on jacket and tie

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(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.
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.
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 leaders at the White House in Washington.
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 Senate Republicans.
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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9 comments
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Thinker
Jan 29, 09 9:25 AM CST
In the corporate world, I've always found that the best minds and most successful management care the least about formalities, while terrible or mediocre management relies on outward appearance a great deal. When you have nothing else, intimidate through formality. Dress codes are a control mechanism, as are stringent time schedules. Obama's shunning of unnecessary and frivolous formality is a sign of a confident, strong mind. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mr.C
Feb 6, 09 4:55 PM CST
http://www.newser.com/story/50132/turns-out-bush-didnt-always-wear-his-jacket.html
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Affy007
Jan 29, 09 10:22 AM CST
What's next? Will he meet and greet foreign heads of state in t-shirt and jeans? This is absurd. The White House needs an air of formality. Reply
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alienvv
Jan 29, 09 10:52 AM CST
May be he IS the messia... and he WILL bring people together...may be he will not help for a great economy but there wont be any war around the world...I start to think he has a vision and what is better- he is pursuing it with confidence.. Reply
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Reader35315854
Jan 29, 09 1:56 PM CST
The hardest workers in this country wear camouflage, overalls and uniforms. The "suits" have destroyed the financial fabric of this country. For all I care President Obama can wear flip flips, shorts and an Ed Hardy tee shirt as long as he does a great job. Reply
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