Steps From The Oval Office

The best shots I saw of President-elect Obama’s White House visit?

The image on the left shows 43’s expression right after 44 stepped out of his limo, a real quick sizing-up. No surprise there is wariness there given the gamesmanship between the two.

Most of the shots of Obama and Bush coming down the White House Colonnade show Obama with his hands together laying out a point while Bush, half-listening, has his eye out for the cameras.

This Brooks Kraft image from the TIME White House Photo Blog, however, offers a priceless look at Obama. Titled “Making Strides,” it’s a study in contrast. Whereas Bush looks washed out as he approaches the Oval Office, we see Barack — on the inside track — the picture of anticipation.

(image 1: Joshua Roberts/Reuters. White House. Washington, DC, November 10, 2008. image 2: Brooks Kraft / Corbis for TIME. White House Photo Blog.)