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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]
172 Comments
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Did you get a job offer from the Washington Post for your “analysis” yet? I see six figures and a seat next to Sally Quinn at the next Christmas Party.
judas priest, did pickles put her bra on backwards again?
Thanks watertiger.
digg
whoo-hooo! I love canapes.
j… f… c…
It’s true! It’s true!
I admire Barack and Michelle but they are too damn tall. One of their kids is probably already taller than me and the other likely will be in a year or two. To add insult to injury, in a few more years I’ll probably start shrinking.
watertiger – any idea what you will be targeting after the inauguration. hell, more than half of your stuff is inebriated bush and pickles.
I am finding it difficult if not impossible to read this thread and try to listen to The Daily Show simultaneously
guess The Daily Show has got to go *click*
Maybe people will start mistaking you for Yoda.
Yup, and Dubya failed another field sobriety test when he tried to take his pants off over his head. I hate when that happens.
Okay, that’s just f**king disturbing!!
LOLOL!
*heavy sigh*
I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’ve felt like a kid in a candy store this campaign season.
So I’ve got THAT goin’ for me…
I like how L-bot must keep one foot out front as a cantilever to keep from falling forward!
Well, she’ll still have the Congressional Republican caucus.
To heck with wardrobe choices, I was really worried for the Obamas when I heard they were meeting privately with dumbya and Laura. What if the stupid rubbed off? Barack and Michelle could easily lose 40 IQ points.
I like the guy right over her head…it’s like Mr. Bill goes Matrix.
Take heart, wt. Bachman and MeanJean are still critters, and Marilyn Musgrave may still not have conceded as late as March. You’ve got subjects for a while.
Looks a lot like John McCain in a green wig.
What, no Ethan Allen Upholstery Fabric for Laura today?
there is always the hope of fashion forkups in the obama cabinet.
look at all that condi provided.
thanks WT.
good evening firepups.
I saw a photo from another angle that had Dubya facing the camera. For some reason I’d never realized how bowlegged he is. Thank god he doesn’t ride his bike dressed in a kilt.
I think McCain is more of a Two-Face.
You have a future on the editorial pages of the NYT & WaPoo with analysis like that! But what are you going to do for material after Dubya and Pickles are gone?
No worries, Michelle is going to replace the curtains that Pickles has been having her clothes made out of, there will be lots of material.
Yuk Yuk.
Hey Bets!
How did he get so bowlegged when he’s terrified of horses?
Set shoulder straps to full-on-droop
I don’t mean to step on your point, but I think it’s the other way around.
Inbreeding!
Hmmmmm. Anukite (Double Face) is the Lakota patron goddess of women’s crafts and transgenders.
howdy
Might have happened during that summit he spent gazing into Putin’s eyes…
Jeff Gannon?
Sarah Palin’s not going away any time soon.
So there’s that…
He shoots, he scores!
Tim Gunn’s Style Guide would be aghast!
Palin comes with a strong fashion angle, too….
True. I hear she says God is going to show her how to make an even bigger laughing stock out of herself than she already is.
God’s gonna have to spend less time watching football.
You haven’t shrunk yet? It’s da bomb. You’re closer to the floor for those inevitable falls.
‘inadequate foundation support’
Ha!
Heck of a job, Playtex
;>)
hey db
Bon soir, mon ami
does that depend on who’s buying the wardrobe?
I think the god she has been talking to is Iktome (Wolf Spider), the Lakota trickster. He has always enjoyed playing tricks on prideful girls.
Nothing says Xanax like a picture of Laura Bush.
I probably have. Most of the time I’m not conscious of being short. I used to work with a guy who was 6′ 10″ though. Made me feel like a munchkin even when I was standing and he was seated.
DB! I am so going to miss your site. Now where do I get world class photoshopped snark?
Appears to be an unwilling suspension.
Quite a contrast between the two couples
Sarah Palin will be around for a good long time.
From all those lovely people out there in the dark, dear Doctor.
;>)
When I was in high school a couple of freinds were dating and it always raised eyebrows when they were together. He was 6′6″ and she was 5′1″. Her head came to just about his …waist.
Did you notice that Michelle’s hips are on the same level as Laura’s bust?
Who are we gonna pick on once the Bushes are gone?
Ed Wood strikes again!
gravity
Now that’s just scary! Thanks!
ack! brain bleach!!!!
hey db
Oh Jeebus…keep Sen. Obama away from the pool.
-G
The Obamas look polished and fresh,while the Bushes are stale and rumpled!!
My dad was 5′ 11″ and my mom was 4′ 10″. All the kids got our height (or lack thereof) from her side of the family.
self dispensing brain bleach button (the red one ) at each power station
Let Joe worry about the pool.
;>)
Eight years’ll do it to ya!
-Jack Daniels
One couple is in ascension while the other is returning to Earth, some parts faster than others, apparently.
I’m rather hoping that they are descending a tad farther down. 8-)
I’m the tallest in my family and i’m 5′ 8″
I don’t have any tall genes either!!
…although if I remember correctly, Riff-Raff turned the tables on poor ‘ol Frankie and came out on top in the end…
I have always said that being short has never kept me from looking down on others.
I’m 5′4″ in the morning, probably 4′4″ by night.
Dubya to the American people.
I wonder what Bushes favorite drink is ? What’s his poison?
(besides kool-aid)
This actually reminds me of one of my favorite memories! My boyfriend and I had a wonderfully productive voting experience playing with the black sticky dots. Remember those?
My family has a history o diarrhea.
It runs in the jeans.
Ba dum bum.
-G
Kind of like one of my favorite Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy. “If I ever get rich I hope I’m not mean to poor people, like I am now.”
Have you no decency, sir? Such vulgar imagery on a family blog.
Couch…salts…
;>)
5′4″ isn’t really short, at least for our generation. As I recall that was about average for women. These young girls on the other hand a freaking giants.
BLEACH!!!! STAT!
You should consider running for office.
gah!
I hate going places where there are alot of young people,they all tower over me!!!
Except that I’m not a woman (yet).
Oh… my.
Made me blush.
And that’s no simple task.
schweet
I never did manage to reach 5′1.
was just back in central supply and swapped out the brain bleach for the triple strength good stuff
Oooops.
i have that problem with anyone past age 8 when i am out in public!
Pansies!
My son’s mother was 5′ even and weighed in at 90 lbs. when we got married. I am 5′11″. Our son is 6′1″.
Ågreed! Greg, you live in New Hampshire, right? Go for it!
Next generation: Shaq attaq
;~P
One little election and they go all soft.
;>)
lightweights
Uncle Jeff?
Barstool Blues.
…heavy, black & pendulous…
(RIP Charles Grey)
Yeah, but the little bastards are only 11 and 12 right now, so I still stand a chance.
ACK!!!
Remember that really stupid song,Short People?
I’d like to punch that singer right in the knee!!
In Woody Allen’s movie Love and Death, Diane Keaton’s character tells him she wants to have children.
“What kind of children?”
“Little children.”
“Good, the big ones are mentally slower.”
I love that movie…
Yah mean this one?
Randy Newman is a short guy too.
A little self deprecating humor?
I’m one of the shorter of the younger ones at 5′2″. Haven’t budged from that since i was 13, pretty much. All my cousins on both sides of my family tower over me. *grin* There are some petite types in the newer generations, but not many.
How tall is the UPS guy?
I had a kid tell me once, “I’m only in 2nd grade and I’m as tall as you.”
That be the one!
good night friends.
i still need the pain-free wishes and/or prayers and/or e-healing. saw the chiropractor today and am a bit better than yesterday, but still in no condition to move around or anything.
More of a protest song, really.
Consider it done. Sleep well, TB.
warm healing nite-nite hugs!
me too
zzzzzzz!
pain free sleep wishes, tex
Night, DB.
My turn, see y’all.
O.K., short jokes, I got short jokes.
;>)
Don’t know if I really paid much attention to that song ,it came out in ‘77 I was into Zeppelin And Black Sabbath in those days!!
Nope. No escaping the fact that he is mine.
good grief!
Night Betsy. Healing thoughts headed your way by express.
Good night sleep tight don’t let the bed bugs bite!!
thanks y’all
A little Dick and an executive wedgie.
yeah. like i could even stop them!
Night DrB & ratfood.
G’night Ratfood
Robin Givhan must be guarding her ill-gotten Pulitzer and looking in the rear-view mirror at the aquakitty behind her. Excellent analysis.
waving g’nite to the leaving sleepy pups
My turn, catch you all later!!
Night BB.
Well, I’m not tired, but I have to work…So, good sleeps to all, FDL.
;>)
nite db
Night DB. Sleep well.
that one is very nice, db
by “that one” I meant the picture you linked to, not the President-Elect :)
although he is nice, too
nice hole neuro (laughing)
This is from a britcom right? As was another, further up.
Dubya’s parting song to America.
Just that photo of the two couples — it just makes me cry. Dreams come true.
So that’s how they populate the strip clubs in New York City!
America’s response to Dubya.
geez, where did everyone go? is everyone crying over the niner’s loss or celebrating?
And this one is dedicated to all the Republicans out there.
i hope Michelle Obama wears, in time, or NOW, the inauguration would work!,
totally African inspired pieces. Like the mom in The Fresh Prince!
African Royalty Queen wear, INCLUDING those HEAD DRESSES!!!!!
LOVE IT
LOVE IT
LOVE IT!!!!!
hehe
love you guize tooooooo
nite nite!
Yes, where is everyone?
*wipes tears away*
At least they showed something.
Hey, Chris!
Pretty impressive couple.
they musta all gone ka-thud at once
I’m still here, but I was thinking the same thing.
I know it’s petty. But Bush always looks as if he is wearing his father’s clothes which have been altered by a fairly inept tailor. I know this isn’t so because an article in the New Yorker about a year ago was about W’s tailor and it said his suits cost about $1500. I only see what I see.They are so big, especially the pant’s legs. Maybe that’s because his manly parts are so large the legs need to be flappy (see MISSION ACCOMPLISHED) to accommodate this manliness..
Damn. Now they have all gone away again. 8-(
Just popped back in for a minute. There is an episode of Blackadder IV in which George wants to paint Blackadder in the buff for a cover of Queen & Country.
George: “It’s artistic license sir, a willing suspension of disbelief.”
Blackadder: “Well, I don’t want anyone staring in disbelieve at MY willing suspension.”
Over and out.
And, with the surprising thread here about being short (less than 5′1″), I would love, love to go to D.C. in January.
all this in and out – is that what is called blog p0rn?
Heh.
Uh, and that would be me.
There something about redneck girls ….
Me, too.
The millennium celebration pales in comparison.
Unfortunately, I will be deep in teaching.
I was a girl at the Moritorium March, D.C. in May 1971.
no forking utube of lyle lovett’s give back my heart chipkicker-redneck woman
I think I will dedicate this one to Sarah Pale and Tall.
the sound of silence?
of one hand clapping perhaps?
late late nite upstairs
here ya go–they had my favorite lyle tune
bears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..re=related
sweet dreams, nite.
Michelle displays genuine emotion. Isn’t she lovely? A genuine person. In the White House. Satan needs a parka right now.
I’m all for snark when it leads to meaningful criticism, but being catty about clothing and pretending there’s some kind of political meaning in it is so very Maureen Dowd. I expect better from FDL.