Bush: "Don't Diss My Passion For Fashion!"

So much for George ToughGuyMachoManClearingBrushForFun Bush!


Steve Benen @ TPM notes:

In August 2001, the president read a memo titled "Bin Ladin Determined to Strike in US." Bush didn't much care, telling his CIA briefer, "All right. You've covered your ass, now."

In August 2007, the president read a style article in a mid-size newspaper about the clothes he wears in Crawford. About this, Bush cared very much.

Benen's best jab, though...

I've heard rumors that George W. Bush is a charming fellow who's easy to get along with. Policies aside, he's supposed to be a "great guy." I don't buy it. Incidents like this one make the president sound temperamental and immature.

Indeed, if we take the White House pitch at face value, Bush is a tough guy, hardened by war, and unconcerned about pettiness -- unless the Austin American-Statesman says something vaguely derogatory about his clothes?

I'd laugh if Bush weren't so freakin' pathetic.

By the way, here's the offending article:

Here's a look back at President Bush's ranch wear as he makes the annual trek to his Crawford ranch.


By Marques G. Harper
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, August 09, 2007

Presidents stick to a particular look in their off-time: Photos show Ronald Reagan in Western wear in Santa Barbara, Calif., despite the fact that Nancy Reagan had a serious sweet tooth for high fashion.

In the 1990s, we almost recoiled seeing images of Bill Clinton, pudgy and pale-skinned, in drab polos on Martha's Vineyard, in stark contrast to the dreamy pics from decades ago of John Kennedy's preppy, all-American good looks as he sailed and summered.

In November 2004, Bush wore a jacket suited to the ranch owner look to greet the king of Spain, Juan Carlos, at the ranch in Crawford.

Bush maintained a businesslike look, accessorized with a belt buckle, in May when he and Laura Bush met with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and wife Jeannine in Crawford.

Laura Bush and Colombian first lady Lina Moreno, wife of President Alvaro Uribe, maintain a polished look beneath a live oak tree at the ranch in 2005. A sweaty T-shirt and straw hat make sense if you're taking out cedar; President Bush takes a break from clearing an oak grove with friend Ken Englebrecht in 2002.

A sweaty T-shirt and straw hat make sense if you're taking out cedar; President Bush takes a break from clearing an oak grove with friend Ken Englebrecht in 2002.

Short-sleeved, buttoned shirts are a popular summer choice for the president, as here in 2005.

And how could we forget the vacation wardrobe of President George W. Bush, who is expected to make his annual summer trek to his ranch in Crawford?

Bush has two distinct looks when he's in Texas: the ranch-hand man and the crisp appearance of a ranch owner. In recent months, with his sliding popularity, he's opted to look more like "Walker, Texas Ranger" than a sweaty, tough ranch hand.

"As he loses popularity, his image is more and more critical," said Sara Canaday, an Austin-based communication and image consultant. "He's being advised wisely. He'd better step it up. He wants to have this sort of bravado image when he's on that ranch."

If that's the case, it's unlikely we'll see Bush with his 2002 Crawford photo-op accessories: aviator sunglasses, grungy, sweaty T-shirt, cowboy hat, light-colored jeans and Ford F-250.

It's tough times at the White House on the style front. According to The Washington Post, signs have appeared at numerous White House entrances in recent days, reminding staff members and others that proper attire must be maintained. That means no jeans, sneakers, shorts, miniskirts, T-shirts, tank tops or flip-flops.

The rules might spill over as White House staff such as Condoleezza Rice and others drop by the ranch on business. The summer season at Crawford likely will mean Bush in sports jackets, slacks and the big belt buckle with the presidential seal he likes or the one from Rewards that he received as a gift. And of course, there likely will be those short-sleeved button-down shirts Bush favors.

(So if you're a guest at the ranch in the days ahead, it's probably best to wear crisp dark jeans, a long-sleeve shirt and a Ralph Lauren-style blazer, unless you want to get a new nickname from Bush.)

With only one presidential summer left in Crawford after this, perhaps it's time for Mr. President to line up work for life after the White House. Here's a thought: Follow the lead of Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader who is the new face of luxe brand Louis Vuitton.

In his Western duds, Bush easily could model for Ralph Lauren. But if his popularity is still low through the end of his presidency, he could always try Wrangler.

Bush? Model for Ralph Lauren?

Now that's funny!






Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.