First it was Michelle Obama who was getting all the attention for her wardrobe choices. Now it’s the president himself. While some people thought his pitch at last week’s All-Star baseball game fell a little short, others have criticized his blue jeans and sports team jacket ensemble.
Asked about what he wore to the mound on this morning’s edition of the “Today” show, a popular U.S. morning television program, Obama made no apologies for his style. “I’m a little frumpy,” he said. He added, “I hate to shop,” and “those jeans are comfortable.” He also referenced his wife, saying, “Here’s my attitude: Michelle, she looks fabulous. … For people who want a president to look great in tight jeans, I’m sorry.”
Should we care what the president or first lady chooses to wear? Clothing critiques of world leaders: harmless fun, or waste of time?
Comments (32)
Bwambale Daniel
Location: uganda
21 July 2009 at 14:57 EDT
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i think we should care but then give them a little distance to be what they want to be fashion wise. sometimes we avoid the big picture by focusing on such small things, after all who does not have that favorite college shirt or t-shirt that they have been with for years?
Ray
Location: California
6 August 2009 at 23:43 EDT
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I am afraid that some Amricans (possibly Republicans and those who follow the media rather than their own judgement) MAKEUP THEIR MINDS/ VOTE and act exactly like those idiots who follow Mulah’s in Iran withouth using their own brains / judgement and just listen to the bias news medias like Fox and CNN. No wonder we can not have a honest congress who represents the taxpayers. I love to see the accurate votes for and against the new administration without taking side with Fox or CNN and see how our new administration and congress is performing on behalf of the hard-working and taxpaying people of this great country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike
Location: Brazil
21 July 2009 at 15:31 EDT
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He might no like to shop - but his wife makes up for it with $600 shoes & $,6,000 purse flaunted in front of the American people. SHAME ON THEM
elisabeth liedigk
28 July 2009 at 04:09 EDT
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The First couple represents the US, and all I know is, that they purchase their clothes from their private budget. Shame on you, that you blame them for that, it is wasted time. Overcome your envy.
Ray
6 August 2009 at 23:52 EDT
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It is a pity that some people pay more attention to Mrs. Obama’s shoes than the big picture like ecconomy, health care, corruption, terrorism, etc. That shows how little the minds of some of our voters are and what is important for them!! Mrs. Obama’s shoes or what’s is happening to the people re: economy, corruption, home safety, heath care, jobs, etc.
LegitCompany
Location: India
22 July 2009 at 02:09 EDT
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Well, when you’re in the public eye and represnting a country, it is essential that you carry yourself well. World leaders should carry themselves with dignity and respect! Afterall, a major part of an individual’s persoanlity depends on the attire….Moreso for a leader who has created history!!
[url]http://ezinearticles.com/?Barack-Hussein-Obama&id=2594960[url]
visitacion leticia s. de alban
Location: Tumauini, Isabela, Region 2,Philippinwa
22 July 2009 at 02:12 EDT
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President Obama is on the right track. He is brilliant.
His visit to the african region is an eye opener that should change the fulcrum. There should be more tourist going to those places.
Michelle is proving that black is beauty.
God bless him and his family.
Udoka
Location: Nigeria
22 July 2009 at 03:08 EDT
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Obama is simple and I think is okay. No matter the kind of wear Obama and the wife put on, they never look like a beggar.
So, I beg your pardon my people, leave the young man and the family alone.
They are too okay.
Thanks.
Udoka
Nigeria
siddeshwari rana
Location: INDIA
22 July 2009 at 03:14 EDT
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I think we should not interfere much into there personal lives about what are they wearing etc…until and unless they are doing there duty. we should be concerned about the economy, political relationships and the promises which were made during the campaigns which affects the nation, world as a whole. oterwise we will end up in focussing something of less importance…
Ravinder Kumar
Location: New Delhi -India
22 July 2009 at 07:37 EDT
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Those who are cool focus on mind and not the clothes. President is right to say he hates to shop because he can not allow his energies all the time in work to miss the links of perceptions in him for things by his nature that are not important in him or for him. Therefore, I would say “focus on Obama stands for his energies and not on his clothes”.
Patti
Location: Canada
22 July 2009 at 08:08 EDT
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I see no reason why the American press should expect President Obama to be dressed as if for a state function when attending a baseball game. I mean really, what does the average American wear to attend a ball game?
Yes, he’s the President of the United States. But the press fails to remember that he’s also a person, an individual, with individual tastes, likes and dislikes and that while he was there to throw out the first pitch, he’s not a pro ball player — so the distance doesn’t matter — and he’s there to have fun — so the clothes don’t matter.
Ever heard the phrase “the clothes don’t make the man”?
President Obama is doing a wonderful job and the press just needs to find something to pick at.
Good Lord, people!! Get a life!!
Ann Simpson
22 July 2009 at 08:42 EDT
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Aren’t there more important things than shopping? The guy has the world on his shoulders. Flowers
For A great Job.
Tommy
22 July 2009 at 08:50 EDT
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My two cents: Obama should put this fashion question to the grassroots groups that put him in office. I think the people of America were very organized last year to get him into office, but it’s not the fashion that’s confusing people now, it seems like they are now more confused by the very organized conservatives blasting the message on every Internet news outlet that allows comments. People are not looking to just hear from the President, they want to interact, to know how they can work together, to achieve positive and real and measurable goals.
tze shen
Location: malaysia
22 July 2009 at 10:35 EDT
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Who cares what he wears ??? If he can do what he’s there to do,he can run around nekkid for all i care…..unlike here where they wear nice suit n drive nice cars but the country is in shambles !!!! By the way,who made u god to say he is not presentable or unbefitting of a President.Look at the Great Mahatma Gandhi,he wore his traditional robe everywhere he goes,is he unsightly by your fashion freak standards ???
ilyas mohsin
22 July 2009 at 11:11 EDT
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foppery, generally, appeals when people lack commitment to idealism. Obama appears to be a statesman despite his younger age. His reaction to shopping reflects his own priorities in life. As a gentleman, he has complimented the first lady.
LegitCompany
22 July 2009 at 23:09 EDT
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Indeed! It makes sense to be decently dressed when you’re representing your nation - whether it is a simply dhoti and kurta or a suit.
The point is one should carry the self with dignity and pride. The first impression is certainly not the last impression since education and academic achievements are extremely important in life.
The Essayist
RENSON.
Location: MOMBASA-KENYA.
23 July 2009 at 03:05 EDT
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Before we point fingers at politicians,let’s start by cleaning our own backyards…..reduce unnecessary expenses.
Be simple.
John Ziba
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
23 July 2009 at 03:44 EDT
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Well,well,well if it aint cute for the First Family to be natty dressers and lead the rest of us into dressing likewise and if they have fun in what they dress in,do we have a say in what they wear?They have their own taste,please leave them alone!
If Barak feells good in his rather large pants so be it, after all I have dressed in asimilar manner for years since my early 20s (now am in my 50s) and i am very comfortable. So Obama is now in my league, congrats Mr President have fun when u go for a week end.
John Ziba, Lusaka, Zambia.
Belle Amie
Location: Dominica
23 July 2009 at 06:49 EDT
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ok….so Mr. Obama chooses to be comfortable at a baseball match and the press goes into a frenzy!! I mean c’mon, there is soooo much more that the press should be focusing on than the man’s individual taste in clothes!!!…… there is sooo much else going on that requires correcting.
I think they should allow the president to excercise his own rights and wear his own attire which makes him a unique individual.
After all the Bible makes it clear that you should “Render your HEART and NOT your GARMENT!!
Moses
Location: Ghana
24 July 2009 at 08:52 EDT
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President Obama and his Wife Michelle should be left alone. This is because they have carried the world on their shoulders. Nobody should be concern with what they wear. we should be concern with what they are doing to bring the world together for mankind to live in peace. I pray for more wisdom for the first family of America to solve the world’s problems. God bless America, God bless Ghana.
Steven
Location: Sri Lanka
27 July 2009 at 01:13 EDT
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What in the world is all of this fuss about President Obama and his dress at a baseball game!? I agree, there are more important issues to be concerned about. For example, last week I noticed that his necktie wasn’t quite right at the collar.
Saka-Marsh Derrick
Location: Ghana
27 July 2009 at 13:22 EDT
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In fact most critics should and mast be under-estimated since the physical appearance of the president and wife has no effect on their jobs.Well president Obama as noted is doing his work with credibility and that needs to be applauded instead of being criticized.
elisabeth liedigk
Location: 20146 Hamburg
28 July 2009 at 04:02 EDT
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What the president wears is not that important, I think it is only wasted time to write about it. (By the way, I think he looks great, whatever he chooses to wear.)
Every time I see him at work,in the media, I only hope he remains in good health, for he has ’something’ to resolve.
visitacion leticia s. de alban
Location: Tumauini, Isabela, Philippines
28 July 2009 at 05:34 EDT
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The president must dress in the clothes he wishes to wear that will make him as comfortable as he wants, so that he can make the best decision for his people and the world.
Amen.
jahangir kabir
Location: Toronto, Canada
28 July 2009 at 06:11 EDT
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He is loosing flare and ground. Money is the only effective weapon in Afghanistan.
Ray
7 August 2009 at 00:00 EDT
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You must be one of those Afghan terrorists/drug producer and dealers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and full of it!!! are’nt you???????????????????????
mcjohn
Location: Dubai
28 July 2009 at 07:53 EDT
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The president is a human being as well as you. So, focus on your own business and let the President do his part. Whatever he wears let him wear, dont get personal here. We have a choice so does he. Look at the Iranian President? Does anyone comment about his attire? Please mind your own business.
Mathew Kabanda
Location: uganda
7 August 2009 at 05:29 EDT
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s such they are free to please themselves. But they are slaves of “public opinion”. As such they cannot wear outragious outfits because their sence of judgement was tested during the 2008 presidential campaigns.
Ivy
Location: UK
20 August 2009 at 20:01 EDT
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Clothes are important for first impressions. But I would want my president to be more interested in things that matter rather than shopping.
Ivybot
Terry
Location: The Netherlands
21 August 2009 at 04:56 EDT
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Is TOTALLY WRONG..free time holidays, what is wrong with people why they do not talk about the way the President Obama and First lady Michelle wear at official receptions? Btw in USA everyone likes to wear jeans, shorts, sport shoes, is summer not ?First lady Michelle is showing as that more important thing is what are you doing for your country not what I do wear to be in the magazines, The Obamas are given a good example of how we need to take care about our money in crisis time.
Victor C T Ofinam-Antwi
Location: Accra, Ghana
20 September 2009 at 15:15 EDT
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A little bit of attention to protocol and the sensibilities of others could be required of people on the spot, like the President of the United States of America. But, please, the president is also a rational being and should be allowed to decide how to turn out so long as the final picture does not take from his high office.
Mike Mahoney
22 September 2009 at 21:33 EDT
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I think he should dress to suit the occasion which he did. You can’t expect him to wear a suit and tie at a sports game now do you?
Perhaps he could of dressed in a full sports uniform but then he would of got criticised for supporting a particular team.
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