Obama Cranks Up White House Thermostat: "You Could Grow Orchids In There"

Uh oh.

Hey, remember all that fuss about how Obama was bucking tradition by not wearing his suit jacket in the Oval Office? And how it was going to be much more casual in there? Well, there's this other side to it: energy waste.

The capital flew into a bit of a tizzy when, on his first full day in the White House, President Obama was photographed in the Oval Office without his suit jacket. There was, however, a logical explanation: Mr. Obama, who hates the cold, had cranked up the thermostat.

"He's from Hawaii, O.K.?" said Mr. Obama's senior adviser, David Axelrod, who occupies the small but strategically located office next door to his boss. "He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there."

Sure, but didn't he spend some time in Chicago? And don't they make their politicians go through some kind of rigorous acclimation training to get used to the cold? Why, just look at these Chicago politician stock photos I've found:

In any case, I think Obama wears a suit better than most politicians. Keep the jacket on, I say, and the thermostat down around 68.

I pledge to wear a suit jacket in the White House!

Me? No, I'm not too cold. Besides, I've got this jacket. And I look awesome in it.

Comments

[sherp]

I am out here in Sin City and during the winter months, I turn the thermostat to 80 and will pay what it costs. Where is Obama smoking? I have this visual of him hopping around outside the oval office, smoking in the freezing cold like the rest of us with the smoking vice.

[corrigan21]

Wow, a lot of people are missing the point here. It's not about what temperature the thermostat is set at...it's about preaching about one thing and then doing the opposite. Look, presidents are constantly put under the microscope, regardless of political party. "The One's" honeymoon won't last forever, so he and his apologists better get some thick skin...and fast!

[ThirdSection]

Funny. Here in Colorado, when the temperature rises above freezing, out come the shorts and t-shirts. I can't wait till March when I'll be able to dress like that on the slopes!

[getacluepeople44]

This is not suprising but it is funny. So much for that enviroment talk. I guess it is a case of.... do as I say..... not as I do!!!!

[FabulousAt52]

Maybe they need to winterize the white house / oval office a little better? You know, it's got LOTS of windows and doors leading outside, provably not insulated very well, either. Maybe the whole white house needs to be renovated Green so that the thermostat can go back to 68....or better yet, put back the SOLAR PANELS that Reagan removed for no reason, and toss a few wind turbines up on the roof peaks as well

[COINTELPRO]

Guess our next President should be from Alaska... Humm??

[ThirdSection]

Yeah, she'll install a cooling system powered by ANWR oil with the thermostat set at 39°.

[Brute]

"We can't drive our SUVs and, you know, eat as much as we want and keep our homes on, you know, 72 degrees at all times, whether we're living in the desert or we're living in the tundra, and then just expect every other country is going to say OK, you know, you guys go ahead keep on using 25 percent of the world's energy, even though you only account for 3 percent of the population, and we'll be fine. Don't worry about us. That's not leadership­." ~~ Barack Obama

[Brute]

Typical Limousine Liberal and you suckers fell for it........­.I see he "leads" by example...­.Hardy, Har, Har.....Do I say, not as I do Liberalism


"We can't drive our SUVs and, you know, eat as much as we want and keep our homes on, you know, 72 degrees at all times, whether we're living in the desert or we're living in the tundra, and then just expect every other country is going to say OK, you know, you guys go ahead keep on using 25 percent of the world's energy, even though you only account for 3 percent of the population, and we'll be fine. Don't worry about us. That's not leadership­." ~~ Barack Obama

[dognut]

What bothers me the most is that David Axlerod would say such a thing knowing the press would jump on it. Don't these people think before they speak? As for what he said, well, I am getting really tired of lugging in cordwood for my wood stoves. It hasn't gotten above 30 here in months and I refuse to buy oil so the "terrorists" get richer. Obama could keep the thermostat at 68. From what I hear Chicago is colder than Central Mass where I live. He should be used to it.

[MissElaineous]

He'd do well to turn the themostat down in order to curtail the inevitable manufactured outrage by right wingers who still haven't found anything substantial to complain about beyond the tin foil hat issues like his birth certificate not being fancy enough, his funny middle name, his being black, and that mysterious "devil worship" hand gesture he (and everyone else in Hawaii) makes to say hello.

[laceyrobb]

Did you notice the Prez was sitting next to a large fireplace opening? Yikes, all that heat going up the chimney! How 'bout closing off the opening OR putting a fireplace insert there. Wood heat is nice and cozy and you can really crank it up.

[msean]

Beware! Jimmy Carter's (One Term Jimmy Carter), White House went through the same "Who needs a coat and tie" phase. But as the economy didn't improve, and pictures of his aides, in jeans, with feet up on desks began to appear, the public began to lose faith.

[negogato]

cut the guy a break.
he is doing good work at longer hours than most all Americans work and no complaining, and guesses who sets the thermostat? This is the follow on for docile bush who did nothing for nobody but his pals? come on. please!
let’s all take a big breath. step back. Reality is available

[mamacat]

I think it is fair to say that if he wanted to run around the White House naked, and crank up the heat, that would be fine with me, as long as he continues to work for the welfare of the country, instead of the welfare of the rich elites, like the last bozo we had in office.

Talk about being penny wise and pound foolish, this article fits the bill.

[greencowgirl]

I love you Mr. Prez but if you're going green, than you better not be doing what they say you are doing in this article. Now if you're using solar or wind generated heat, than OK. But taking your jacket off and turning up the heat because you're a delicate little Hawaiian orchid? In a giant house? Puhleeeez. Besides, what happened to yesterday's: Obama Braves The Cold Without A Coat, Demonstrates "Flinty Chicago Toughness" ? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/28/obama-braves-the-cold-wit_n_161695.html

Are you - Flinty or a Flower? Or is this all press BS?

What's your opinion Mr. Gore?