Jan. 21, 2009 : President Obama walks into the Oval Office for his first full day in office.
On the first anniversary of President Obama's historic inauguration, I thought it would be appropriate to review what he has accomplished in the past year. Okay, I'm not talking about his performance as leader of the free world. No war, no economy, no health care. Nope. What I wanna see is what he's done to redecorate the Oval Office. Yes! (Aside from airing out the sulfur fumes.)
The White House
Pete Souza
Jan. 21, 2009 : Briefing before his first meeting as President of the United States.
Jan. 28, 2009 : President Obama in the Oval Office.
June 29, 2009 : Musing over a portrait of Lincoln while awaiting the President of Colombia.
Feb. 2, 2009 : White House valets had moved the sofas in the Oval Office to accommodate the large number of press photographers that were covering the President’s meeting with Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas. When the photo-op ended, the President said to Gov. Douglas, "let’s move the sofas back in place." Gov. Douglas didn’t quite know what to do as the President did the heavy lifting. The valets now cringe when they see this because it was their responsibility.
June 10, 2009 : Studying a map donated to the White House by the National Geographic Society.
Sept. 9, 2009 : Going over his health care speech with speechwriter Jon Favreau.
Nov. 26, 2009 : Talking with American service men and women on Thanksgiving Day.
Feb. 3, 2009 : Taking a phone call in his private study off the Oval Office.
Jan. 15, 2010 : Offering assistance to Haitian President René Préval after the earthquake.
Aug. 19, 2009 : Sitting behind the Resolute Desk during a conference call with people of faith.
June 10, 2009 : An ever-present bowl of apples sits on a table.
June 8, 2009 : Grinning during a meeting with Senior Staff.
Mar. 25, 2009 : Resting his foot on a football during a meeting.
Aug. 4, 2009 : Following his birthday celebration, President Obama jokingly points out cake crumbs that Vice President Joe Biden had dropped on the floor.
May 19, 2009 : Standing in the entrance to the Oval Office.
May 29, 2009 : Returning from a hamburger run for West Wing staffers and aides.