Obama Opens the Doors to his New Home: ‘Don’t Break Anything’
EmailThe president and first lady held an open house at their new home today.
Mr. and Mrs. Obama spent some time in the Blue Room this afternoon greeting guests that just so happened to be passing though on their tour at the time.
The first couple stood as the line filtered past them, shaking the hand of each guest and engaging in some very short small talk.
Obama was at one point handed a business card by one guest. The new president, handing off the card to his body man, Reggie Love, joked that, "generally giving me cards is a bad idea," which made the room erupt into laughter.
An African-American woman seemed overcome by the first lady’s beauty. “You’re beautiful,” she exclaimed, “You’re gorgeous!”
A brave twenty-something woman was the only one –- while the pool was in the room –- to give the president a hug. Afterward, she seemed overcome with emotions — put her hand on her heart and appeared to get emotional after their embrace.
The four minute photo op with the first couple was mostly small talk with many “Welcome” and “Thank you for coming” comments by the president and first lady.
But Mr. Obama jokingly gave a warning to one man to be careful in his new home.
“Welcome. Enjoy yourself. Roam around. Don’t break anything."
– Sunlen Miller
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These Obama off the cuff quips really are the worst. There is no point is reporting them for posterity.
Posted by: BertieW | January 21, 2009, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
Maybe in his health care plan he can provide for glasses, some people need their eyes examined. Don’t break anything??? is he going to hang those tacky little signs that say “pretty to look at nice to hold but if you break it consider it sold”
Posted by: samhiguchi | January 21, 2009, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm
Goodness!! samhiguchi & BertieW…. Try posting something less petty, and more thought provoking…. it’ll brighten your outlook!!
Posted by: webguydave | January 21, 2009, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
Yeah, he’s the only one allowed to break anything. And I’m sure he’ll break a lot.
But I never believed in any of them (promises), so it’s all good.
Posted by: LaughingCynic | January 21, 2009, 8:49 pm 8:49 pm
Wow, there are a lot of really sore people out there. Obama gets his shot for the next 4 years – get over it. I hope he DOES create a few miracles. I for one would love this country to turn around and be secure and productive again. I am sure the same gripers today were the ones complaining earlier that people are unpatriotic if they don’t agree and love everything about the President. What happened to that philosophy now?
Posted by: jfa | January 21, 2009, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm
I wonder why President Obama is being refered as Mr. Obama several times in this piece how rude.
Posted by: Renee | January 21, 2009, 9:05 pm 9:05 pm
“I am sure the same gripers today were the ones complaining earlier that people are unpatriotic if they don’t agree and love everything about the President.”
Blah, blah, blah. Sure about that, are you? Bush is an egotistical megalomaniacal moron, and quite frankly, I’m tired of it. Not looking forward to another four years.
Did you already scrape off your “Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism” bumper sticker? Dissent now being verboten.
Posted by: LaughingCynic | January 21, 2009, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm
Give the President a break. Obviously some of you people have no sense of humor and can’t recognize or appreciate a joke from a witty man. Get used to it, we have an articulate, intelligent take charge leader in the White House and my faith is restored in the USA once again knowing that the majority of us agree. May God Bless them and guide and protect the Obama Family.
Posted by: GAIL | January 22, 2009, 3:01 am 3:01 am
Har, har, har. I agree with BertieW…Obama needs to hire a better speech writer. His humour is dry and starchy. He is wishing to appear approachable. He reminds me more of Howdy Doody or Richie Cunningham when he shares his little one liners!
Posted by: just me | January 22, 2009, 3:18 am 3:18 am
What kind of guests does this guy have that he has to tell them not to break anything.
Very troubling.
Posted by: Tune | January 22, 2009, 7:39 am 7:39 am
He IS witty. Lighten up sour pusses! Even if he wasn’t your first choice, he is our country President now; he is worthy of respect. Let’s turn the tide on this pattern of disdainful talk that seems so fashionable. We ALL need to work together now, and there is no point in being unpleasant and emotionally toxic. Join an Anger Management group for crying out loud!
Posted by: livingpruf | January 22, 2009, 9:59 am 9:59 am
What kind of guests does this guy have that he has to tell them not to break anything.
Very troubling.
Posted by: Tune | Jan 22, 2009 7:39:15 AM
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Maybe he was afraid there would be looting.
Posted by: Mildred | January 22, 2009, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
“What kind of guests does this guy have that he has to tell them not to break anything.”
It was a public White House tour as part of an open house.
Right wingers have to be some of the most willfully ignorant people on the planet.
Posted by: Ryan C | January 22, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
Everything President Obama says until he is out of office, in 8 years, (no that is not a mis-type) is going under a microscope, so to speak. Give the man some slack, he may not be much of a jokester but, he is pretty humorous at times. He WILL prevail to be our best President EVER. He seems to be very wise & with wisedom comes knowledge.
I, for one, am excited as hell that this vibrant, compassionate, young man is OUR President. Beautiful & loving wife as well as beautiful & loving children. It looks to me like there need to be more “fathers” that follow suit.
President Obama, you will always have my vote. Count on that.
Posted by: Stacey | January 22, 2009, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm