Home > Politics > Political Radar

« Previous | Main | Next »

Obama Learns the Ropes, or At Least the Doors

Share

January 21, 2009 3:52 PM

ABC News' Ann Compton Reports: The usually efficient Obama press team was quick to release landmark photographs of #44 during his first historic moments in the Oval Office, but most of them are new to the West Wing, and perhaps the warren of white painted doors got them a bit confused.

P022109psdng_2 The picture released as "President Obama prepares to walk into the Oval Office" shows the leader of the Free World poised outside the broad automated sliding door to -- horrors! -- the press area! Note the tell-tale brass protective strips on either side where cameramen and photographers clamor through with their gear.

P022109psdng But the second shot, actually shows Obama entering the correct door.

P022109psdng_1_2 He is shown at his Oval Office desk, getting his first day briefing from Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who worked in the West Wing for years during the Clinton administration.

There was one other glitch as well. One of the first press releases proudly reveals the President spent ten minutes alone in the office when he first arrived, to read the private message traditionally left by the departing President.  The release notes the missive "was in an envelope marked "To: #44, From: #43"."

Ht_bush_note_090121_main_3 But a photograph released by former President Bush shows a post-in note on the envelop reading simply, "44."   

But these are small hiccups as the new crew learns its way around. 

January 21, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (19)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Just great, we're stuck with a new administration that has to have on the job training on a daily basis.

Posted by: South_Texan | Jan 21, 2009 4:21:23 PM

Um, who cares about this? It just shows he has faults and is human.

Posted by: ? | Jan 21, 2009 4:22:29 PM

Who hasn't moved into a new house and opened a door, expecting a closet, but finding a bathroom? And that's in a 1500 square foot house! He has to learn his way around 55,000 square feet!!!

Posted by: Julie | Jan 21, 2009 4:34:24 PM

To the author of the article:

'a post-in note' (aren't they called post-it notes?) and an 'envelop' (correct spelling = envelope)
Perhaps we should check our own failings - before pointing out everyone else's. He has an excuse. It is his first day. How long have you been a writer?

Posted by: Vailsee | Jan 21, 2009 4:47:55 PM

America will have a hard time succeeding, because even though the politicians have said that they would do everything they can, together, to make it work. Americans themselves will not. Just read the comments on most of these boards, they are filled with hate and resentment. Americans are clearly still divided. News about an Oath mishap or a door someone who's new to the place, can't find, causes such uproars that it's a miracle that your country has not had another civil war. Americans are constantly focused on the wrong things.

People get over yourselves and quit attacking each other over useless information and FIX YOUR COUNTRY. JUST FIX IT!

Whether you like it or not the World is counting on you. America. Americans. No, America didn't ask for it, it just happens to be that way. We all love America and we want Americans to stop the non-sense and JUST FIX IT!

Posted by: expat | Jan 21, 2009 4:49:04 PM

And this is a story why? Of course it will take a few days to find their way around. Report ono something more pressing like the ECONOMY!

Posted by: Jwench | Jan 21, 2009 4:56:37 PM

At least Obama didn't stand, flummoxed, in front of that wrong door, on international television, as 43 did.

Posted by: Lisa | Jan 21, 2009 5:29:27 PM

Why shouldn't he flub the door....after he flubbed the oath.....

The Obomination: Day 2

Posted by: Ann 141 | Jan 21, 2009 5:39:21 PM

WHY ARE YOU GUYS EVEN DISCUSSING THIS?!?!

Posted by: Marco Jordan | Jan 21, 2009 11:27:03 PM

He remind's me of Mandela (tata) to me they like Jesus .you are the best you were blessed you were chosen for this god knew that this job was for you be strong Obama .

Posted by: swazi nkosi | Jan 22, 2009 2:03:33 AM

He remind's me of Mandela (tata) to me they like Jesus .you are the best you were blessed you were chosen for this god knew that this job was for you be strong Obama .

Posted by: swazi nkosi | Jan 22, 2009 2:03:42 AM

Uhhh which way do I go, which way do I go.

When will we stop electing the incompitent. Seems we never will learn.

Posted by: linda | Jan 22, 2009 7:44:00 AM

Obama won......get over it!

Posted by: S | Jan 22, 2009 5:25:07 PM

Why do those pics remind me of a White House tourist who took an unauthorized detour?

Posted by: Grand Old Party | Jan 22, 2009 8:31:04 PM

Reading some of these really rabidly anti-Obama comments makes me wonder: why do you hate him so? What has he done to you? He speaks a few words in Indonesian and you unfavorably compare his grasp of that language to #43's grasp of Spanish. Someone says he took a trip to Pakistan in college (as if travel abroad is a bad thing!) and you accuse him of being a crypto-Muslim and say that his Arabic must be fantastic (as if only Muslims speak Arabic, and as if you don't know that the primary language of Pakistan is Urdu).

What is your problem? Really? He hasn't been in office for a week and already you do nothing but cast aspersions on him and his family and manner of speaking and everything else. #43 had his eight years to rule us, and look at where we are for it. Why not give the new guy a fighting chance? I'm not saying that you should turn into rabid pro-Obama supporters, those people who believe that he is God's emissary on earth and that he walks three feet above the ground or something, but, please, can you have a little less irrationality and exercise some common sense and good manners? Please? Because the world is watching...and whether we like it or not, our fate and the fate of other nations is irretrievably intertwined, now more than ever.

Posted by: jalabi | Jan 23, 2009 5:30:05 PM

I stayed up and watched the inauguration until 2am. I have never been interested in any American President until Obama got elected because I am hoping that this is the chance for American people to rebuild and live what they have always believed in : equality and nobility of purpose. If the Americans will keep tab on Obama's inconsequential glitches as he gets adjusted to his new role, I am disappointed. The world is watching and waiting how fast they can get their acts together. The American economic turbulence has sent ripples half-way down the globe. The problem is too greatform anyone to be trivial at this time.Cheers.

Posted by: Jo-Manila | Jan 24, 2009 9:49:42 AM

It is so sad, when you are able to read between the lines and still encounter nothing but racism. Get over it!!! The best man won!!!! This is 2009 and people are still living with the mindset of the 60's.

Posted by: Minnie | Jan 28, 2009 12:19:36 PM

These comments are ridiculous. I did not vote for him. I don't agree with the majority of what he stands for. However, the only reason he is President is because God allowed it. Therefore, I will respect that and will continue to pray that he will seek God in everything he does for this country.

Posted by: Jacqui | Jan 29, 2009 3:26:09 PM

I am British living in England and am so jealous of your new handsome very intelligent president. He has a truly horrendous task ahead of him. Its been reported his intray is a mile high! His enthusiasm and zest is truly amazing. The whole world is looking to him to solve the global economic crisis. Hope the American people will give him their full support and patience, to deal with these phenomenal problems he has inherited. My God take good care of President Obama and God Bless America.

Posted by: ann | Feb 2, 2009 7:32:45 PM

Post a comment