TODO UN HOMBRE DEL PUEBLO, SÍ...

A new feature in the ever-evolving bag of White House party props is causing more trouble than Nancy Reagan’s tablecloth crisis or Harry Truman’s fuss about doilies and finger bowls. To be sure, President Obama and the First Lady have agreed to honor donors to some of the nation’s top cultural institutions with an ongoing string of pre-gala, black-tie receptions. But they’ve also taken a big step back when it comes to their body language — WAY back. In fact, so far back that they’re behind a campaign-style rope line.

Instead of welcoming guests in a formal receiving line with a White House photographer on hand to help visitors capture their historic moment, or simply strolling through the Red, Blue and Green rooms chatting informally with invitees, the Obamas prefer to stand in a designated spot, such as one end of the East Room or in the Grand Foyer, safely positioned behind a red velvet rope. The kind of red velvet rope clubs use to keep out the riffraff. From there, the presidential couple smiles, chats, makes eye contact and waves as their guests jockey for position to touch their hands. No mingling.

“For a campaign rally, sure, that’s fine. But not for the White House,’’ says one museum board member who, like many, requested anonymity. “Every president — Bill Clinton, both Bushes, the Reagans — they would always have a quick receiving line. Each couple would be formally announced. A few words would be exchanged. But this President thinks he is such a rock star. It’s like he’s inviting guests to the White House just to snub them.”