Posted on 12/12/2008 11:38:36 AM PST by lewisglad
ABC News has learned that the future First Family has been denied a request to move in early to the Blair House –- the traditional temporary housing of President-elects in Washington, DC.
Sources tell ABC News that the Obama Transition Team "explored the idea" of moving President-elect Obama and his family to the nation's capital earlier than normal for an incoming president because of the start of the school year for daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7. Students at Washington’s Sidwell Friends are slated to return to school after Winter break on Monday, January 5.
Since the Bushes aren't leaving their current abode for their new home in Dallas before Inauguration day on Jan. 20, the Obamas need somewhere to temporarily live. Sources say that officials at the Obama Transition Team asked if the Obamas could stay at the Blair House starting around Jan. 5th so that the girls could start school on schedule.
By tradition the Blair House is the President’s guest house for visiting dignitaries and is reserved for the President-elect’s use starting on Jan. 15.
The White House conveyed to the Obama team that due to previously scheduled events and guests that couldn’t be displaced from the Blair House; they could not meet their request.
Officials of the Obama Transition Team say there are no hard feelings and insist that the White House has been friendly and accommodating to the Obama family’s needs.
The Obamas are still actively looking into other options and while plans could change they are still shooting to have their daughters present –- with a DC zip code -- on the first day of school.
-- Sunlen Miller, Jake Tapper and Ann Compton
UPDATE:
The Blair House says that they are ready for the Obamas whenever -- if ever -- they choose to come, yet they have no idea when that will be. They also confirm that there are no other foreign dignitaries scheduled to stay at the Blair House for the duration of the Bush administration.
The president often hosts receptions on the first floor of the Blair House, however -- which may be why the White House was not comfortable with allowing the Obamas to move in when there were scheduled events.
But the Blair House describes the president-elect's residential quarters within the house as a separate area -- purposely designed to provide privacy from the rest of the house. Still, the White House insists that, regardless of the set-up, the dates are non-negotiable, as is tradition.
“Blair House is available for them on January 15th,” says Sally McDonough, spokeswoman to Laura Bush.
If and when the Obamas decide to move in on the 15th, an elegant home on the second story awaits them.
“The Principal Suites” -- where the president-elect and future first lady sleep, is a pair of adjoining rooms. The president-elect's room, decorated in dark blues, is outfitted with an antique four-poster bed, a fireplace, a collection of Wedgwood vases, elegant portraits adorning the walls ... and a new flat-screen TV. The future first lady’s suite also has an antique four-poster bed and is decorated in shades of pale yellow and pinks.
The Obama daughters would have their choice: to share a pale-blue room with two twin beds or each have their own modest room.
“The Private Library” is a family sitting room where the future first family could spend time together. There is a kitchen and brand new bathrooms recently updated. On the third floor is a private exercise room and beauty parlor
It’s probably for white folks only.
Ah, the big Zero and Winnie Mandela are going to have to rent for a couple of weeks ... maybe even spend (gasp!) their own money.
How about a nice hotel??? The Williard is one.
Maybe the Obamas could pay for their own digs for 10 days.
Tradition!
Just get them a donkey and a manger, it will fit the MSM narraitve better.
Can’t Congress shell out a few bucks for a Motel 6 or something? Come on, man, HELP a brother out!
A beauty parlor.....THANK GOD!!
HELLO........and where did you live while serving in the Senate?
In chess terms, O, who is probably not natural born, is trying to occupy the center of the board.
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I’m sure there’s a Red Roof Inn that is zoned for attendance at Sidwell Friends School.
This must mean that Laura Bush and Sally McDonough have information that the SCOTUS plans to invalidate the 2008 Presidential Election sometime between January 5th and January 15th. /sarcasm
How grubby to ask to move in early.
Blech. No class. No surprise.
http://66.34.200.93/storyprint.aspx?SpecialReportID=2325
***Just get them a donkey and a manger, it will fit the MSM narraitve better.***
Who wil play the part of Joseph as “the Messiah” and Mary’s roles are filled.
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