Clinton Finds Himself Tied to a New Presidential Image

The day after his election, Bill Clinton was already sobering up his wardrobe. Although Clinton is partial to flowered and bright-striped ties, the President-elect chose a conservative gray number for his first formal statement as President-elect.

“It did look presidential, didn’t it?” spokesman Mike Gauldin said. “I always have to work to keep the flowered jobs off him.”

Clinton wore a pale blue shirt instead of a bright white shirt, his usual preference, during a brief address Wednesday.

But the subtle change since beating President Bush did not stop with Clinton’s clothes.

Gauldin said he noticed a difference when Clinton walked down the steps of the governor’s mansion to greet his staff and friends before the speech. “He didn’t bound down the steps,” Gauldin said. “It was . . . subtle--a quiet confidence, I guess.”