Roger’s Rules

December 16th, 2008 3:01 pm

The “Office” of the President-O Elect

Is anyone else irritated by Team Obama’s insistence on trotting out a placard that says “Office of the President Elect” every time Obama opens his mouth to opine? I was just reminded of this violation of good taste a few moments ago when I watched–and watch only: fortunately, the sound was off–Obama explain why he knew nothing, nothing about Rod Blagojevich, how he was shocked, shocked to discover that such corruption should be abroad in the land–and in Chicago! Imagine that. But getting back to the “Office of the President Elect” sign: Has any previous president-elect gone in for this mode of self-advertisement? Not that I can recall. Perhaps some better-informed reader can tell us whether there really is an “Office of the President Elect”–a real, honest to goodness office so designated, not a “let’s put on a show” make-believe institution. I mean, Team Obama is strutting around as if they already owned the joint and the previous tenants aren’t even due to leave until next year!

It reminds me of that famous chorus from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado . . . Let’s see, how does it go?

Mikado: I’m the President of U.S. . .

Katisha: And I’m the President-O elect!

Mikado: My morals have been declared
Particularly correct;

Katisha: But they’re nothing at all, compared
With those of the President-O elect!
Bow — Bow –
To the President-O elect!

Chorus: Bow — Bow –
To the President-O elect!

I wonder if Obama went in for musicals in high school?

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18 Comments

1. Fausta:

I find it most annoying, yes. There is no such thing, aside from O’s plackard, as an “office of the president elect”, unless you count what they printed on their own post-it notes.

And “of course” Obama’s the only uncorrupted virgin in Chicago. Or in the Mikado’s terms, uncorrupted maid.

(Humming Three Little Maid from School We Are)

Dec 16, 2008 - 3:37 pm 2. vanderleun:

Make that “The Office of the President O’Lect.”

Dec 16, 2008 - 5:12 pm 3. vanderleun:

I tell ya, it gets me Irish up, it does.

Dec 16, 2008 - 5:12 pm 4. vanderleun:

“…this violation of good taste…”

And furddermore!… I think, as this show goes on, we will discover that “good taste” in this administration starts and stops with the suits.

Dec 16, 2008 - 5:14 pm 5. Mrs. Jackson:

Obama has always struck me as being well versed in show tunes….

Dec 16, 2008 - 7:02 pm 6. MacBurney:

We need a Protocol Czar here, or a White House Miss Manners. I can’t remember,ever, an elected candidate so anxious to push himself into the public spotlight, and so presumptuous. Informing Congress of what he wants passed and on his desk immediately after the Inaugeration, the weekly news conferences, the YouTube chats. Perhaps I misremember, but previous president-elects laboured to assemble their choices for cabinet and appointees quietly, out of public view, politely waiting until they took office to start acting as if they were President. Obama’s ill-mannered assumption of power to which he is not entitled is embarrassing. Whether he likes it or not, George W. Bush is the President, and will be until January 20th. No matter if he is the One, a little deference is in order.

Dec 16, 2008 - 7:07 pm 7. Alex:

Annoying, yes. Pretentious? Yes, much like the New Criterion’s claim to “a monthly review of the arts and intellectual life”. What, or rather who, is an intellectual after all? Phony!

Dec 16, 2008 - 7:52 pm 8. Pinkie Ann LeBrainne:

“The Office of the President-Elect?”
Unseemingly boorish.

Dec 16, 2008 - 10:13 pm 9. arktkek48:

Well after all he is the little president who could! yes he is! He is the one we have been waiting for..or are we the ones we have been waiting for? Whatever. Hope our little president who could is not derailed by a singing Tony Rezcko. The Office of the Indicted President Elect is lot to get on a letterhead.

Dec 17, 2008 - 6:33 am 10. Brian:

Not only do think that placard is in generally poor taste it looks like a campaign lawn sign they had printed up at Kinko’s, which cheapens things even more.

While I don’t think Senator Obama is that naieve about the sorts of tasks that await him as president, this is clearly a guy enthralled with presidential imagery. Recall that goofy pseudo-Presidential Seal (complete with Latin) he trotted out during the campaign.

Dec 17, 2008 - 9:20 am 11. Mark, San Diego:

Irksome, yes, but perfectly in line with the showmanship that characterized Obama’s candidacy. I find the use of the Obama-for-president seal, this Office of the President Elect nonsense, and the Hope and Change branding imagery to be not only annoying, but quite creepy, in a proto-fascist way.

Dec 17, 2008 - 9:47 am 12. Robert Pinkerton:

Mr. Obama is a showman who carries his own mise-en-scene with him, same in kind as John F. Kennedy, but in greater degree.

Dec 17, 2008 - 11:12 am 13. bull-gator:

Just think, at least four years of this narcisstic ego inflated punk trotting around the White House in his smoking jacket play acting as the most powerful man in the free world. How can anybody take this dude serious except fot the fact he WILL be the President of these here United States and will be more dangerous than a drunk sailor on leave with somebody else’s credit card. Just imagine Putin and the rest of the hate America thugs snickering behind the back of this wet-behind-the-ears naive neophyte…what a disgrace and shame to our forefathers. Thanks to all you idiot voters of all colors, faiths and creeds for this hell of a mess we’re about to experience. God bless us and help us in our time of need.

Dec 17, 2008 - 11:21 am 14. Robert E.:

I’m not surprised by Obama’s use of faux iconography, mottos, and make believe offices. He’s a stuffed suit and an entirely contrived creation of longtime PR and ad-man David Axelrod. What does surprise me is that no one in the national press has bothered to ask him about it.

Dec 17, 2008 - 2:53 pm 15. Adrian Bleifuss Prados:

…said the baby-faced man with a silk moth fluttering beneath his soft chin. My compliments on your satin pocketsquare, Mr. Kimball — you are a gentleman in an age of common ruffians.

The New Criterion is a very serious, very excellent periodical. EXCELSIOR!

Dec 18, 2008 - 1:43 pm 16. Skippy-Georgia:

I suspect that if our president-elect were to burst out in parodies of Gilbert and Sullivan it might be more along the lines of “I am the very model of a modern president-elect … “

Dec 18, 2008 - 2:05 pm 17. TigerHawk:

Mrs. TH has expressed irritation at this, but after some reflection I am cautiously positive. For whatever reason, George W. Bush has been essentially a non-entity for months, appearing only in time to socialize some new old industry. Given the difficult and uncertain times, people want to believe that somebody is in charge. Obama is trying to give them a bit of that, and I think it is wise of him, not just politically but also for the country.

Of course, your results may vary.

Dec 19, 2008 - 8:41 pm 18. Reverend G:

Ah, but remember….Obama is no longer a Senator. He is now a former Senator. He gave up his seat….another unusual act. Usually you would wait until you are inaugurated to do that.

Jan 8, 2009 - 9:43 am