January 3, 2009
Posted: January 3rd, 2009 04:18 PM ET
The Obama's are staying at the Hay-Adams hotel for two weeks.
The Obama's are staying at the Hay-Adams hotel for two weeks.

(CNN) - President-elect Barack Obama will head to Washington, DC Sunday afternoon, a transition aide tells CNN.

According to the aide, Obama will depart Chicago for the nation's capital around 5 p.m. ET.

The Obama family is moving to Washington early in part so daughters Sasha and Malia can begin school when classes reconvene after winter break.

The Obamas are set to stay at the Hay-Adams, a hotel directly across from the White House.

Earlier: Obamas checking in to hotel steeped in D.C. history

They had hoped to move earlier into nearby Blair House, which presidents-elect traditionally occupy five days before moving into the White House. But the Bush administration said the house, which is used as a guest house for visiting dignitaries, already had events scheduled there and guests who could not be displaced.

The Obamas will move into Blair House on January 15.

Filed under: Barack Obama


Independent FL voter   January 3rd, 2009 9:16 pm ET

@Ted, 8:25 pm

You are an idiot. Barack Obama is an American. Hillary is not going to be named president in his place. Get over it.

Linda B., Ga   January 3rd, 2009 9:11 pm ET

It's a real shame that the Obama's can't have to Blair House earlier and whoever is staying there be moved to a Hotel. This means those little girls will have to move 3 times, in a short period of time. You would think somebody would think about that.

There's a comment above about Barack Obama not being a "natural born citizen", ummmmmm he was born in Hawaii "after" it became a state, in "OUR" United States of America. And he won by over 3 million votes, so get over it and get on with trying to make OUR Country a better place.

Have a Great Day ALL :-)

Name   January 3rd, 2009 9:06 pm ET

Well, Bush just put another bullet hole through his political legacy! Denying the next President of the U.S. to stay at the Blair House! It just goes to show, Bush is truly an idiot!

Chicago Red   January 3rd, 2009 9:05 pm ET

TO- Anna Merkens January 3rd, 2009 8:38 pm ET
Uh oh, Too bad for DC and the nation. I wonder if his buddies in HAMAS has been calling his private cell phone, asking for his intervention**** I wonder* WHY* you breathe

Ravi in MO   January 3rd, 2009 9:05 pm ET

Ted, just let it go. Barack was born in the US, and he has already proven it. In just over two weeks, you are going to be calling him Mr. President.

Janice   January 3rd, 2009 9:05 pm ET

Hey little susie, he only wanted to move into the Blair House so his 2 girls could start school on Jan 5th. Are these guests that important to be occupying the house. i guess Bush needed to get in one more frat party before he leaves.

Fay Tx   January 3rd, 2009 8:59 pm ET

The Obama's are staying at the Hay-Adams hotel for two weeks..... is it necessary for you guys to report the Date Time and location

tim   January 3rd, 2009 8:58 pm ET

Obama never had a job, never responsible for a payroll, never
did anything of any importance by himself, never in military–who
is going to run the Country? I can't see this guy deciding what day
it is by himself. Big talk . You guys are all in lal la land believing
this guy will really make any decisions. Total pawn.

Charlie in Maine   January 3rd, 2009 8:45 pm ET

Welcome to the Capital City sir. I feel better already.

Historical note: not that long ago the only black man in that place would be shining shoes or bussing tables.

They say "nothing ever changes" I say "Bunk"

Cheryl Tx   January 3rd, 2009 8:44 pm ET

CNN_ Is it necessary for you guy to report PE Obama every move ...DATE TIME and WHERE

William A. Schaedler from St. Louis   January 3rd, 2009 8:43 pm ET

Be sure and let us know when he blows his nose and sneezes. It is so important to all. You are becoming a joke in the news business.

Sherrol in Canada   January 3rd, 2009 8:40 pm ET

Welcome to the big show Pres-elect and Mrs Obama, hope it won't be too much of a bumpy ride.

Anna Merkens   January 3rd, 2009 8:38 pm ET

Uh oh, Too bad for DC and the nation. I wonder if his buddies in HAMAS has been calling his private cell phone, asking for his intervention...

susie   January 3rd, 2009 8:34 pm ET

Why should Obama get Blair house earlier than any other president-elect?

Kaye -Jacksonville FL   January 3rd, 2009 8:28 pm ET

So why is it that the White House can't accommodate the Blair House guests elsewhere and allow the Obama's to move in this week? Geez. ot may make sense to some folks, but to me it seems ludicrous. The Obama's need to get their daughters started in their new school – a perfectly logical reason for the early move to DC. George and Laura can't accommodate that? My guess is it has more to do with Dick and Lynn Cheney – the evil duo!

Ted   January 3rd, 2009 8:25 pm ET

Here’s why no Blair House —

MESSAGE TO EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS:

When counting the electoral votes, either Congress finds by 1/8/09 that Obama, not being an Article II “natural born citizen”, fails to qualify as President whereupon Biden becomes the full fledged President under 3 USC 19 (free to pick his own VP such as Hillary) or thereafter defers to the Supreme Court to enjoin Obama’s inauguration with Biden becoming only Acting President under the 20th Amendment until a new President is duly determined.

The preferable choice, at least for the Democrats, should seem obvious.

Cheryl Tx   January 3rd, 2009 8:23 pm ET

Cnn –is it neccessary for you guys to report PE Obama every Move (Where) (When) and Time

Antavius S.   January 3rd, 2009 8:13 pm ET

It'll be like Christmas all over again, in just a few weeks. But maybe this time all the pomp and circumstance, can convince all of us (and the world) that America really is the greatest symbol of freedom in the World.

Who was Mike Connell?   January 3rd, 2009 8:02 pm ET

PSSSST,bet you cant find out who the guests are,and why they booked this week to block this move.hahaha.CNN doesnt have any investigative reporters anymore like the old days.

Dan, TX   January 3rd, 2009 8:01 pm ET

As we all know, Obama is perfectly fine with the Hay-Adams vs Blair House. I'm glad Obama is in Washington getting ready to start work on Jan. 20.

Joe Fattal   January 3rd, 2009 7:34 pm ET

Personally I don't care where he stays, about that innauguration. The only thing I need to know, how he is going to handle the Gaza conflict, and the economy. The Iraqi problem is been solved by the Iraqi, in 30 month the troops will be back, not in 16 month as Mr. Obama said. One minus on him.

Willy Brown   January 3rd, 2009 7:32 pm ET

Free housing on the taxpayer nickel.

S Callahan   January 3rd, 2009 7:31 pm ET

Moving is such work....but this is a new adventure and may you ride it smoothly.

Please support Israel unwavering.

MK   January 3rd, 2009 7:30 pm ET

It's a shame W couldn't or wouldn't give the Obama family more respect and hand over the Blair House to them. Who is staying there that is more important then the future President and his family? If the future first family can be "displaced" to the Hay-Adams surely the visiting dignataries could be "displaced".

jake   January 3rd, 2009 7:24 pm ET

Pres-elect Obama's situation is an example of why the policy should be changed, to make the residence available to the pres-elect starting on Nov. 5; whether they need it for their residence during transition, or the perfectly reasonable situation of their child(ren) starting school w/ the Washington area students returning from their break.

BB   January 3rd, 2009 7:04 pm ET

So what? They are good parents and want to educate their children. The Bushes are the ingracious people in this for pre-filling the Blair house when they knew the Obama's would be putting their kids in school and need a place to stay. W isn't even being a president any longer (not that he ever did anything but strut and brag) – maybe they should move to TX and let the Obama's get into the WH. The whole world would be better off.

Ana Rivera   January 3rd, 2009 7:02 pm ET

History is being writen. May God bless them all. His wife and daughters. May God give him the wisdom to work for and with us and if there is unity things will be muuuuuuuuuuuch better this time.

clifford   January 3rd, 2009 7:01 pm ET

Is this like the first insult of many more to come for the Obama's??

Elizabeth Connor   January 3rd, 2009 6:57 pm ET

"...already had events scheduled there and guests who could not be displaced."

Okay, what events and what guests are these? Just what people or events are so important that they can't move for the incoming president of the United States? I realize that events are scheduled far in advance. Just wondering.

barackobama4prez   January 3rd, 2009 6:53 pm ET

why is this not a security breach?

Just Asking   January 3rd, 2009 6:37 pm ET

Who is staying in the Blair House? I understand it is for use of foreign dignitaries, but which ones exactly. Has Bush's office reported who is more important than the President-elect of the United States? Couldn't they switch and the dignitaries (or are they campaign donors, perhaps?) stay at the Hay-Adams so the Obamas can stay in the Blair House?

Sarge in Florida   January 3rd, 2009 6:18 pm ET

Please as a Floridian I ask all people who plan on visiting our state not to come here if Former Governor Jeb Bush plans on running for the US Senate. We don't need another Bush near the White House....Boycott Florida because the most of the people here in Florida are IDIOTS who would vote for another BUSH. I know his sick plans are to get him to run for President...Jeb went to work for a consulting company that got a bailout from the Government..Corruption Corruption from another BUSH...He already left this state in a huge financial loss...

Texas Teacher   January 3rd, 2009 6:10 pm ET

I feel that it is a bit callous to say that Obama cannot move his family into Blair house. That should go without saying no matter which party is coming into power. There is always a transitional period between the election and the inauguration. I am stunned that the PE, whomever he may be, has to stay in a Hotel before being sworn in until the last five days before that ceremony! I am amazed that this has not become an issue before this! :(

rich   January 3rd, 2009 6:07 pm ET

The sooner all of the bushes are gone from Washington, the better off the country will be. They are just being piss ants about the Blair House.

kris in atlanta   January 3rd, 2009 6:05 pm ET

I guess this is Bush's final dig. All I have to say is Bush should be the one who should be moving out early. Hopefully, the subpoenas will roll pretty quickly in 2009, and I'm hoping Bush gets the first indictment.

Steven in Charleston   January 3rd, 2009 5:58 pm ET

I'm unclear as to what "events" and "visiting dignitaries" are so important as to make it unfeasible for the Obamas to move into Blair House a bit early. Their reason for wanting to do so - to allow their girls to start school in a timely manner - is certainly legitimate. Once again the Bush Administration responds in a partisan manner (I can't help but feel rules would have been bent all over the place to accomodate Sarah Palin and her brood) and looks petty doing so.

SMR   January 3rd, 2009 5:49 pm ET

PE OBAMA is not only working hard for our Country, but at the same time doing whats best for his family. What a great leader we have . Lets ALL rally around him now to bring our Nation back to GREATNESS once again.

Canadian View   January 3rd, 2009 5:44 pm ET

Is it just me or do others see the possible danger in publicly announcing the time, date, of every move by the Obama Family?

FreeNLovIt   January 3rd, 2009 5:43 pm ET

God answers all my Grandpa's prayers so I thought I'd share these two books with you. He became a Christian because there was POWER when he prayed. In addition, he was able to know God personally and talk to God. It's great to be a Christian. It's great to have a personal relationship with God.

John G   January 3rd, 2009 5:34 pm ET

This just in!

The Obamas plan to order cheeseburgers and milkshakes for dinner from room service tomorrow evening. It is not known at this time whether or not there will be bacon on the burgers but you can count on CNN to keep you updated as this story continues to develop.

wouldn't want to be in the Blair house with kids   January 3rd, 2009 5:29 pm ET

undoubtably they are doing teq. shots, beer bongs etc and it wouldn't be fit for the under 18 crowd

what a joke the Bush years have been, a sad crime of a joke

Proud American   January 3rd, 2009 5:27 pm ET

Thank God, and not a minute to soon. George Bush should be handcuff, blindfolded and locked in the basement of the White House until Jan. 20th at noon. I just don't trust that Idiot I can see this country fighting 3 wars when Obama take the Oath.

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