Althouse: Man not in shorts.

August 24, 2011

Man not in shorts.

And still he is criticized!

55 comments:

Jay Fellows said...: His advisers need to tell him to "get off the goddamn bike!" He looks like Shabu the Human Dork!; 8/24/11, 11:23 AM
Tyrone Slothrop said...: Great contrast with W, who always looked like he knew what he was doing on a bicycle. Obama looks like he needs training wheels. Now that I think of it, that's a great metaphor.; 8/24/11, 11:24 AM
Anonymous said...: The article headline refers to Mrs. O's "tiny" shorts - WTF? They look normal to me. Besides, nothing she wears could be called "tiny" - which isn't a dig at her, just a recogntion that she is a tall woman of average proportions.

Personally, I don't get why people nit-pick at others' clothing. Who cares? I care much more about what those people are doing to the country, regardless of what they wear while they're doing it.; 8/24/11, 11:33 AM
Pastafarian said...: "Tiny" purple bike shorts.

"Tiny."; 8/24/11, 11:33 AM
Pastafarian said...: denmotherblog: "...of average proportions."

That's very charitable of you, denmother.; 8/24/11, 11:34 AM
Carol_Herman said...: Bush flew over the top of his bicycle handles, when he was president, vacationing in Crawford.

Obama peddles much slower.

What's the big deal about "whose on first," or, "whose in front?" The cameras are there to see both of em. While Laura Bush never got on a bicycle.

It would be a much funnier picture, though, if he drove into a gas station looking to "fill 'er up."

BORING STORY; 8/24/11, 11:35 AM
Pastafarian said...: From the article: "her enviably toned thighs."

Is this the Onion?; 8/24/11, 11:37 AM
Anonymous said...: Nero fiddled. Obama peddled.

Same leadership approach.

Likely same outcome.; 8/24/11, 11:37 AM
Lucien said...: In the photo from the front it looks like PResident Obama's shirt is loose enough to conceal soft body armor, but from the rear, his scapulae show enough to mean he's not wearing a vest -- which is more comfortable, though less secure.

Can the rider passing the PResident really be surprised, since he was likely searched & his bike scanned & sniffed, before he was allowed on the path?; 8/24/11, 11:39 AM
TWM said...: For the love of God, can no one see this woman has NO style? None. Nada. She is almost anti-style.

As to him, I can't figure out why he wears jeans when he bikes. Surely people have seen his legs when he swims, so what's the deal?; 8/24/11, 11:40 AM
Hoosier Daddy said...: Um... Those shorts aren't tiny and those thighs ain't toned.; 8/24/11, 11:41 AM
bagoh20 said...: The President needs some tats. I'm thinking a big menacing forearm... unicorn?; 8/24/11, 11:41 AM
Pastafarian said...: Who are these people riding the other way, also wearing these absurd bike helmets?

I can see a helmet if you're averaging 20mph, and hitting 30mph going down hill, on a road with some traffic.

Of course, I don't wear one, but I'm not a pussy. But I can understand a pussy wearing one...if he were going that fast.

I don't see that here. And I don't see many adults wear helmets on a leisurely pedal on bikes with 2" diameter balloon tires.

I bet the President's people put helmets on these carefully screened bikers so that the president wouldn't be the only one looking like an absurd Erkel-esque pussy.; 8/24/11, 11:42 AM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: Michelle Obama showed off her enviably toned thighs

Do these people have dementia?

She has thunder thighs!!

Her thighs are as thick as many people's waists.

Toned? What does that mean anyway? I guess it means they aren't flabby or cottage cheese.

Thunder thighs. Not that there is anything wrong with that. However, the media just must try to make something out of nothing when it comes to the Obamas.

It isn't Camelot. Who CARES.....we don't have any jobs and bread is $5 a loaf.; 8/24/11, 11:43 AM
Hoosier Daddy said...: "... As to him, I can't figure out why he wears jeans when he bikes..."

I didn't notice if he had his cuffs rolled up. If not that's a great way to get your pant keg caught in the chain.

That's why you wear shorts.; 8/24/11, 11:44 AM
traditionalguy said...: This is how Obama will win the Althouse vote again and thereby carry Wisconsin.

He will do a bike trail campaign trip through Wisconsin in long pants.; 8/24/11, 11:47 AM
edutcher said...: The Mom jeans and the helmet do not project an image of strength and confidence.

The fact that he follows, not leads, well...

PS Some women wear plump thighs well, particularly if they taper nicely. She doesn't really have thunder thighs, but they don't look that swell, either.; 8/24/11, 11:47 AM
MadisonMan said...: One of the captions says 'tired-looking husband'. I didn't get that vibe at all.

Daughters are looking old!; 8/24/11, 11:47 AM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: And what is up with those stupid helmets? Other people in the photos have normal looking helmets that fit their heads.

They are supposed to protect you if you fall off of the bike. Unless Malia plans to land directly on the top of her head, I see no protection potential.

Obama is probably wearing his Mom jeans so we don't have to see his skinny knobby legs again. After Hawaii, no one wants to see that. Plus.....he probably shaves his legs. Just sayin'; 8/24/11, 11:50 AM
MadisonMan said...: As far as who is leading and who is following, I'd say young daughter is leading the way, with MO trailing her, and older daughter is lagging, with BHO with her.

Man-to-man parental coverage. We do it all the time.; 8/24/11, 11:50 AM
Anonymous said...: Ann Althouse's commenters sound like a bunch of bored housewives clucking spitefully about the neighbors down the street.

Is this typical of this blog?; 8/24/11, 11:50 AM
Anonymous said...: Ann Althouse's commenters sound like a bunch of bored housewives clucking spitefully about the neighbors down the street.

Is this typical of this blog?

Only when it is necessary, and when the neighbors down the street deserve it.

We pattern after the New York Times and The New Yorker.; 8/24/11, 11:56 AM
Robert said...: I had enviably toned cauliflower as a side dish for dinner last night.; 8/24/11, 11:56 AM
AllenS said...: litterial said...
Is this typical of this blog?

Usually, we're not that generous.; 8/24/11, 11:58 AM
traditionalguy said...: Litterial...We really think Obama is awesome.

But like the whisperer in the Triumph chariot ride through Rome, we do our best to help the Emperor.

This is the Rush Limbaugh strategy in action.; 8/24/11, 11:58 AM
Pastafarian said...: I guess we should consider ourselves fortunate: Yes, we elected a closet socialist President, one with closely guarded ties to former Weathermen and raving black nationalists, who appears bent on the destruction of our country by collapsing it from within.

But at least he's a feckless, lazy pussy.

I mean, imagine if we'd instead elected someone with the same agenda, but with some ambition.; 8/24/11, 12:01 PM
Joe Hogan said...: Obama wimped out and won't wear shorts because he's afraid that Althouse will rip into him over her favorite obsession.

Excuse me while I pull on my shorts and go for a ride.; 8/24/11, 12:01 PM
Pastafarian said...: litterial, I only cluck spitefully about others' vacations when they're on my dime.

This asshole is on the clock.

When he heard about the earthquake, he was on the fucking golf course. Where he steadfastly remained, until his round was complete.; 8/24/11, 12:05 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "Great contrast with W, who always looked like he knew what he was doing on a bicycle."

Obama looks like he knows what he is doing: He is hanging around with his 12-year-old daughter and his not particularly athletic wife.

Bush was doing something else: Mountain biking with athletic guys is a pretty competitive way.; 8/24/11, 12:23 PM
LilyBart said...: I can understand Ann being against men in shorts in the city or on airplanes, but I think shorts are often appropriate for relaxed vacation spots and for sports (such as biking).

Like any attire, they can be well done, or not. But you can't be against all shorts on all grown men at any time/place.; 8/24/11, 12:27 PM
Teri said...: "toned thighs" - and still I say, what is this woman doing championing a crusade against fat kids? Beam, eye . . .; 8/24/11, 12:37 PM
Mary Beth said...: DBQ is right about the helmet Malia is wearing. It needs to come down lower over her forehead. I can't tell if it's too small or if it's just not on properly.; 8/24/11, 12:51 PM
MB said...: He is not lagging, he is leading from the rear and "drafting" off his wife's "rear."; 8/24/11, 12:52 PM
Tyrone Slothrop said...: @Ann Althouse

Just because you're riding with the wife and kids doesn't mean you have to look like an immature geek. To borrow from the equestrians, he just doesn't sit a bike well.; 8/24/11, 1:11 PM
Holmes said...: Are those jeans...rolled up? President Urkel.; 8/24/11, 1:12 PM
ndspinelli said...: They're riding Trek bikes, made in Waterloo, Wi.; 8/24/11, 1:20 PM
Third Coast said...: Jeebus, does the guy always ... lead from behind? Who wears the pants in the family (MOM jeans don't count)?; 8/24/11, 1:26 PM
prairie wind said...: She looks fine, though nowhere near stylish. The insistence that she is toned and stylish Is completely patronizing. If she were stylish, we'd notice without being told. Really. And those shorts aren't tiny...they'd better not be, with those legs.

We survived Mamie Eisenhower and Bess Truman; we can survive another first lady like that.; 8/24/11, 2:01 PM
Pragmatist said...: It is amusing to listen to the childish giggling of the Right and then listen to them claim they act that childish because that is what the "Liberals"! do to them. Well, no, it isn't. About 90 % of the noise is coming from you and has been coming from you for years. Most liberals are adults and have jobs. And even if you were just responding back there is a old saying your mommy should have told you...just because someone else acts like a jerk there is no reason for you to do so. Making fun of the First Family is pretty silly and juvenile. I am sure Michelle could put her thighs up against most of yours without to much worry.; 8/24/11, 2:29 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: Economy Tunnel Ahead!!; 8/24/11, 2:32 PM
Holmes said...: Pragmatist- I think everyone would agree with you that this is childish fun. They're celebrities enjoying a nice vacation on our dime. We are entitled to our own $.02. Though you still felt the need to defend the first lady's thighs, eh?; 8/24/11, 2:47 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "I can understand Ann being against men in shorts in the city or on airplanes, but I think shorts are often appropriate for relaxed vacation spots and for sports (such as biking)."

My men-in-shorts rule always had exceptions, and one was: in a sport where shorts are the conventional attire. Tennis, biking, basketball, running.... those are all shorts sports, so it's not a problem.; 8/24/11, 2:48 PM
Holmes said...: Pragmatist- also recall how much enthusiasm for the President was about aesthetics. His skin color, yes, but also his voice, his tone, the way he carried himself. Some of the more overwrought supporters had fantasies about him. And now we see him with rolled up jeans sitting awkwardly on a bike.

In any event, Althouse here was mostly criticizing the criticism. Here bizarre disdain for men's shorts is a theme here, you see.; 8/24/11, 2:50 PM
TWM said...: "Most liberals are adults and have jobs."

Union protestor being one of the biggies.; 8/24/11, 3:09 PM
Toad Trend said...: "Michelle Obama showed off her enviably toned thighs as she powered past..."

Enviably toned thighs?

I hardly think so.

Those are from climbing and descending endless aircraft stairs at the expense of the American taxpayer.

She should be proud that we helped pay for those thunder thighs.; 8/24/11, 3:23 PM
Toad Trend said...: @Pragmatist

"Making fun of the First Family is pretty silly and juvenile."

Do you deny that it is exactly what transpired for 8 years under George W. Bush?

Please excuse my exasperation...are those on the 'right' as you say supposed to 'suspend disbelief'???

Please.; 8/24/11, 3:27 PM
Known Unknown said...: I'm not about to give the guy guff for bike riding with his family.

He has plenty of other, more important, faults.; 8/24/11, 4:28 PM
Tyrone Slothrop said...: Ann, you really have to get over this shorts thing. When I go home to my non-air-conditioned home in a few minutes, it will be 109 F there. If you think I should swelter in long pants because you don't want to look at my white, hairy legs, then I have no sympathy at all. Sports, hah! Unless doing the backstroke in your own sweat is a sport.; 8/24/11, 4:52 PM
Peter V. Bella said...: Where is the so called fashion here? It's not like she was wearing an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini or anything.

The only thing remarkable is she cycling with a weenie- her husband.; 8/24/11, 4:56 PM
Deborah M. said...: This kind of ribbing is the price these folk - politicians, celebrities, anyone constantly in the public eye - pay for the money, attention, and perks they get for being famous. In the Obamas' case, the are certainly coddled enough that a little harmless kidding shouldn't hurt them too much. But they put themselves out there so they have to put up with it. Either that, or move out of the White House.; 8/24/11, 5:45 PM
jamboree said...: I don't really care why they think he has been sucking as long as they acknowledge that suckage exists. That's their problem; 8/24/11, 5:45 PM
Jason (the commenter) said...: The President seemed to have his clothing hoping for a more lesiurely paced cycle than his wife...

...as Mr Obama's approval rating reached a record low of minus 26.

...showing the results of her gruelling exercise regime.

We are meant to wonder, if the President were as hard working as the First Lady, would his poll numbers be as low as they are?; 8/24/11, 5:54 PM
Toad Trend said...: Jason said

"We are meant to wonder, if the President were as hard working as the First Lady, would his poll numbers be as low as they are?"

If the president worked harder at what he has been working at, I contend his numbers would be lower still.

Digging a hole for 10 hours a day instead of 8.

wv- unflop

Ha ha ha; 8/24/11, 7:07 PM
JAL said...: We want to see Meade in shorts.

He cycles.

As for the pictures -- I have an idea.

When the first family -- whoever they are -- go on a family vacation, on our dime or not, why do we have to have pictures.
?

Can't the family take a vacation? Why does what they look like riding bikes on vacation matter?

Shut off the cameras. Let Michelle and the girls use their little point and shoots.; 8/24/11, 10:42 PM
Methadras said...: It's because he's a douchebag and he looks like a douchebag.; 8/25/11, 1:05 AM