Barack Obama...Oval Office make-over signals 2nd Term expectations!

President Truman's Oval Office

(1948)

Desk shot of Prez ignores decor in Oval Office

A make-over in the Oval Office signals that President Obama was either tired of toiling away in the shadow of George W. Bush - or is sending a signal to the American voter - that he intends to stay for the long haul (a 2nd term) in spite of ominous polls that underscore his approval rating has been down.

The President's office in the West Wing was refurbished while the Obama family was away on vacation recently in Martha's Vineyard.

The face-lift included a spanking new rug, fresh wallpaper (American-made), new paint (one coat covers a multitude of sins, they say), and a few sticks of distinctive furniture positioned here-and-there strategically about the stately office.

To stave off the critics, the President's staff noted in a recent press release, that the designer detailing was all carried out without any expense to the taxpayer.

An Obama spokesperson underscored that the undertaking was a bold-faced effort to put a "stamp" on the Oval Office that uniquely reflected the Barack Obama in style.

Well, the "look" is kinder to the sensibilities than those old "mom" jeans the President wears, I dare say!

The President's request for an oval-shaped rug - wheat- ande cream-colored with blue stripes on the edges bordering a series of quotes - is a lovely touch.

Four of the five quotes are from previous Presidents - Kennedy, Lincoln - and both Roosevelts.

The fifth quote, by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., is probably Obama's favorite.

"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

A rug that rested in the spot previously, got the heave-ho, in spite of the fact it was designed by former 1st Lady Laura Bush for her husband, George
.
In January of 2009, Bill Clinton was overheard to remark that "he loved" the rug with the sunbeam motif.

Maybe the President will pass it on to slick Willy for a keepsake - or at a minimum - for future posterity?

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs described the renovations as "very modest".

The total cost was "comparable" to what former Presidents George W. Bush and Clinton spent.

The White House Endowment Trust - which received a donation from Obama's Presidential Inaugural Committee - coughed up the funds.

Some critics are miffed that the President's staff - not only  held back on the total costs involved - but - refused to disclose the names of the donors involved.

Maria Downs, former social secretary to President Ford who now works at the White House, said that since the modern Oval Office was renovated in 1934, most Presidents have chosen to customize the room (changing everything from the color scheme to the drapes and artwork).

"They're the President. They can do whatever they want to their office," she said.

Just don't ask them to step in and tell a corporate entity like BP what to do when a crisis arises!

Oval Office before Obama tampering!

http://www.julian1st.wordpress.com

Barack Obama...cliches dominate speech! General three prong approach falls flat!

In a bold-faced effort to reflect the gravity of the situation, President Obama elected to address the Nation on the status of the oil spill crisis (for the first time ever) from the lofty climbs of the Oval Office at the White House.

In the spite of the rare opportunity to focus on the lush environs, the probing cameras preferred to focus up-close on President Obama's face - and in the process - managed to capture every nervous tick and subtle nuance.

Face readers must have been having a field day interrupting the wave of emotions that fluttered across the screen non-stop during the course of a three-pronged speech crafted to assuage the fears of Americans - and ultimately - restore their faith in the Commander-in-Chief, BP, and the Government-at-large.

A battalion of journalists and political analysts waited with bated breath on the sidelines to pitch their two cents worth at the conclusion of what amounted to a maudlin dissertation that touched all the bases.

For many, Obama's approach was too generalized, and lacked the specifics to instill much confidence.

In recent days, a host of critics were quite outspoken about his stance on the issues, and wondered aloud if the Chief even had the "right stuff" in him.

"He didn't care," one grumbled when a mic was shoved in their face.

"Well, he never gave it much thought for the first five weeks," another piped in.

"Not until he needed to cover his butt, did he pay attention, that's for sure."

Another lynch mob questioned the extent of the Government's involvement and the wisdom in it.

Coincidentally, a poll out today, underscored that the "people" preferred that BP remain in charge of the "clean up", "that solutions to the devastating problem be left to  the professionals", and "that BP be held accountable for their gross negligence".

If anything, the President used the occasion of the address this afternoon to bring the American people up to speed (though Barack hasn't been, ironically), clarify the status of all pressing issues, and - ultimately - inform the Nation where the industry (and Government) go from here to win back the support of the "people" (and - likewise - scrub up the mess).

Part of that concentrated effort will include the funding of an Escrow account (courtesy BP) to facilitate the claims process for recovery of damages, heal the ravaged Gulf, and answer a call to actively pursue other forms of alternative "clean energy" with the aim of reducing  dependency on oil and gas reserves in the decades to come.

Amen!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Barack Obama...wax dummy! Las Vegas unveils Prez look-a-like...

The powers-that-be in Las Vegas appear to have taken a sly dig at the President on the heels of his last outspoken comments about the desert's Sin city which caused an uproar for the second time in the past year.

If you recall, I penned  a post on the controversy a short while ago, which arose when Obama urged Americans to save their funds for College tuition rather than spend it like a drunken sailor in the Nevada oasis.

Post:  02/04/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/02/barack-obamavegas-slams-prez-sin-city.html

Understandably, the remarks sparked a furor.

After all, Las Vegas - in particular - has been hurting from high unemployment and a downturn in tourism due to a struggling economy.

In view of the foregoing,  one has to wonder about the timeliness of the installation of the wax dummy of Barack Obama, at Madame Tussaud's Museum on the strip.

A hint that the President deserves a place of honor in the "dummy" ranks?

Obama is expected to visit the resort area - to make amends? - in the near future.

Will he have the gumption to inspect his - um - likwise?

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Barack Obama...George Bush photograph at White House amounts to intriguing symbology!

In the morning paper I was quite taken with a photograph which was shot in the Oval Office of the White House when Barack Obama met with George Bush this past week to discuss the transition of the reins of power in January (2009).

Barack and George (who were were photographed from behind) sat in two easy chairs half-turned to each other - and in the distance - the President's chair sat empty.

Symbolically, the imagery inferred that both men were turning their backs on the past and looking forward into the future.

If anything, the dramatic still left a lingering question.

What does the future hold?

Barack Obama...lay off the Missus!

No nookie tonight...


This past week, Barack Obama grumbled to whoever would listen, that the press has been quite tough on his life partner, Michelle.

"Lay off the wife," was his basic war cry.

Well, Barack, the missus is part 'n parcel of it all.

Once the finicky voters gave you the once-over (and a nod to throw up your feet on the desk in the Oval Office) the spotlight turned on your - um - better half?

Americans need to know Michelle can pass the muster, so-to-speak.

We know she's no "Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis" - pill box hat or not - but the former Ms. Bouvier set a pretty high bar, 'ya know?

John Kerry probably lost the election because of his hubby.

Americans just weren't ready to warm up to the idea of a condiment heiress strolling down the hallowed halls of the White House barefoot after midnight swilling a glass of expensive Chablis.

Even if they do like ketchup on their potatoes!

Barack, a piece of advice...

If Michelle perfects the image of the "dutiful" mate, she'll manage to pass the smell test.

At that juncture, Americans may conveniently forget the unsavory remarks about being - "proud of being an American for the first time" - and let the two of you get on with the journey (wherever it may lead) in life!

On the issue of campaign behavior, Eleanor Roosevelt once said,

"Always be on time. Do as little talking as humanly possible. Lean back in the parade car so everybody can see the president."

Is it Barack's time?

George Bush...too late to abort! Voter disapproval up!

Last night, a newsman interviewing George Bush one-on-one, noted that the President's popularity was at an all-time low in the United States.

In response to the reporter's query about how he felt about that, Mr. Bush responded,

"Well, I'm not going to bend over into the fetal position because of it," he laughed somewhat maniacally.

No, George, it's a little too late to abort.