Should Obama jettison the jacket on 'Tonight Show'?

After our cousin blog The Dish Rag posted the news that our commander in chief would be making a presidential pit stop on "The Tonight Show," we got to wondering how he might be dressed (yup, that's what we do over here at the Rage).

The Obamas have already been the recipients of more than their fair share of sartorial sniping since taking up residence in the White House, from her bare arms to his graying temples and everything in between. But few things have drawn more wardrobe wailing from the previous administration than President Obama's Oval Office business casual attire -- jettisoning the jacket, rolling up the sleeves and taking off the tie (even though photos of dressed-down Bush surfaced just a short time later).

So what's No. 44 going to wear on the NBC sound stage when he takes a seat on the couch? When he last appeared -- as candidate Obama -- he wore a white button-front dress shirt and navy blue suit. Will he -- and more important, should he -- do the same or does his new job mean he has to kick it up a notch and wear a necktie?

Or perhaps he should forgo the tie and the jacket -- and roll up his shirtsleeves like he did on the campaign trail when he was trying to get his message out to Johnny Lunch Bucket in the Rust Belt; a way of telling us he's hard at work on bailing out the U.S. economy.

The way I see it, anything short of those high-waisted Drew Peterson jeans are fine by us -- as long as he's keeping his eye on the ball.

What do you think?

-- Adam Tschorn

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Photo: Then-Sen. Barack Obama on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on Oct. 17, 2007. Credit: Reed Saxon / Associated Press.

Comments

[Shane]

Nowhere does the Times mention what day or time Obama is scheduled on "the Tonight Show." Way to go, LA Times. That 75 cents buys a lot.

[Jeff Lopez]

I have no problem with the President wearing casual attire. If he's working hard and doing his job well, what does it matter how he dresses? He should be comfortable not constricted.

[Roger Galloway]

I voted for Obama --but, I'm just settling into the fact that he's now president. I'm all for his Leno appearance --but, I just dont like the president to be too accessible. He needs to be on a small itty bitty pedestal --so I hope the Leno appearance doesnt become a common thing -- goota do Letterman, Conan, Regis and Kelly..yada yada yada

[disappointed]

When is he going to start acting like a president instead of how he is acting, a rich kid wanting celebrity status

[DonnaP]

He could go in his boxers and I would still enjoy hearing him and what he has to say.

[LKitsch]

Why do men from the East Coast (especially the NY-DC axis) always go tie-less when they are in CA? And to make matters worse, they go tie-less wearing white shirts and business suits!

Anderson Cooper had that look tonight as he broadcasted from LA Live downtown. Charlie Rose always loses the tie whenever he does his show from Hollywood or Silicon Valley.

Do they think that it's doing as the Romans do? Frankly, I think it looks dumb---first of all, we do wear ties here in CA, and secondly, if you go tie-less, at least do it right and wear a sport shirt and sport coat.

[Adam Tschorn]

Actually, if you click on the original post, you'll see that it says Obama will appear on " The Tonight Show" on Thursday. It airs at 11:35 pm.
Thanks for your input.

Adam

[Joe Nelson]

I think he'd look great in a Karl Marx outfit to match his philosophy.

[Mimi]

How trivial can you get?

[Roman]

Graying temples, toned arms, and now the "jacket."
Another hard hitting article on Obama by the L.A. Times,
way to go!

[Haitiana4Obama]

President Obama earns my respect anew each day, this man came into office as the People's Champion, and is now governing as The People's President. What better way to reach out to the average joe then on Leno? I know some people our "outraged" by this insult to the presidency, but I just see a citizen who's been elected to the highiest office in the land, keeping in touch with his peers. I am so refreshed by this attitude in the White House. I hope he wears a joggingsuit for all I care, I just want to hear what he says, it;s the substance that matters when it come to THIS President.

[John Barwikowski]

I think you should get a real job.

[Jo]

I think he should wear a sleeveless shirt to show us his in shape arms!!!

Is this a trival subject or what!...

[Sharon]

He should not even go on the Leno Show, or any other show. He is the President of the United States, not George Clooney. He is acting like a celebrity instead of a leader. It's bad enough we have seen a large photo of him at a basketball game with a beer at his mouth (I'm sure the group MADD just loved seeing that!), but he is starting to look like an immature person instead of the President. What is wrong with his PR people? Are they caught up in this celebrity also and have lose their common sense?

[Jenn]

who cares what he wares? I don't get the hype around what the President and Mrs Obama wear. She got so much critiscism for having bare arms in her portrait. Is this the 1950's people?! Who cares what they wear! Personally, I am much more interested in his policies then what he wears. So casual, formal whatever!

[jesse pina]

I like that he has the time to spend some time with the people that voted for him in the first place.
I think his our next jfk people president.

[James]

I don't care what the President wears. We all need to hope he and his administration can help people weather this economic depression as responsibly and creatively as possible.

[Nancy Artz]

No. He should keep the jacket on. It's his uniform. It is distinguished. It is a cross between religious and military. I like it.

[aj]

All well

[aj]

Yes. As long as he doesn't come or associate himself in any way with the JOnas Brothers.

[Lindy]

What in the world have we become? A nation of Idiots? When has a sitting President ever crossed the line of Commander in Chief to become nothing more than an incredibly immature entertainer? This is not what I expect of my President. Going on the Tonight Show for God's Sake? HELLO????? What is wrong with this picture?

[Pripi]

Hmm...Lets think about it...
What dress should he wear so that the economy turns around ? Its not the dress stupid, its the man.

[Debbie]

Obama is a total joke! i have lost all respect for him. Obama, please go to hollywood and let someone with experience save our COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Matt]

I think this is kind of a silly topic of conversation. That being said, I would assume a traditional suit and tie - I think it'd be unlikely he's going to appear on the program in anything less formal.

[Anne]

This is a disgrace that our so-called newly elected president is appearing on the Jay Leno Show tonight (3/19/09)! He should be in Washington instead of flying all over the country as he has been since he was sworn in!
For someone who wanted to be president, it seems he's out of that White House more than he's there! He also seems to be still campaigning for the office! This country is in a severe crisis & all he wants to do is act like a 'showman'! Get with the program, Mr. President, & do your job!! Thank you.