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Today heralded another historic moment for the country – the first time an African-American set foot in the Oval Office as the incoming President of the United States.  Momentous.

The Bushes welcomed the Obamas to the White House to provide a tete-a-tete between the outgoing and incoming Presidents (talk about a one-sided conversation) and for the First Lady-to-be, Michelle Obama, to tour the White House residences with The Joker Laura Bush.

How did each side dress for the occasion?  The difference between the couples was glaring the minute the Obamas emerged from their car. Barack Obama was confident, relaxed and fit; rumpled George Bush looked like he had already drained a keg of PBR and was headed back to the bar. Michelle Obama was all sleek elegance in her red Maria Pinto sheath (try getting the RNC to pay for that, Governor Palin), while Laura Bush was to be commended for her baked russet potato costume, although I don’t think it was very nice of the staff to "forget" to tell her Halloween was over. 

Watching them, it struck me that the manner in which the women chose to present themselves reflects the way in which the two administrations approach foreign policy.  Bush: provincial, conservative, and, well, with inadequate foundation support. Obama: forward-thinking, cosmopolitan, internationalist.

Now is it fair of me to extrapolate based on wardrobe choices?  Hardly.  But screw it —  it would be irresponsible for me not to try. 

[photo credit: Doug Mills/New York Times]

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