Obama first president photographed in flip-flops

Barack Obama's first term has been full of presidential firsts. First African American, first to pass comprehensive health-care reform and first to appear on the "Daily Show."

Now, according to historians interviewed in the New York Post, Obama is the first president to be photographed sporting flip-flops.

During his recent holiday in Hawaii, Obama was snapped wearing the sandals while waiting in line for shaved ice in Kailua.

Speaking to the Post, historian Doug Wead said, "In public, no. I haven't seen the president's toes ... It makes him look like a man of the people, and they (the White House) probably like that it's an informal and inexpensive shoe."

While the image will likely be welcomed by the throngs of college hopesters who embrace the thong sandal as all-weather footwear, others will likely view the exposure of the president's toes as an appalling breach of decorum.

In 2005, a girls lacrosse team caused a scandal at the White House when they arrived wearing flips flops for a formal meeting with president George W. Bush.

However, Obama has worn flip-flops publicly before without causing the sky to fall. In 2008, while campaigning to become president, he was seen wearing the sandals while vacationing in Honolulu.

Past presidents have also encountered attention over their choice of footwear. Richard Nixon was scoffed at by many for strolling along the beach in wingtips while president Kennedy was famous for his love of deck shoes and Reagan and Bush the younger for cowboy boots.

While Obama's flip-flops may be a minor breach of etiquette, at least they place him firmly in the 21st century.

Compare that to our own Prime Minister's now legendary penchant for ill-fitting vests (sweater or leather?) and you begin to see why Obama generates bigger crowds in Ottawa than the PM.

(Photo credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)