[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/12/art.obamafamily.gi.jpg caption="The Obamas had been hoping for an early Blair House check-in."]CHICAGO (CNN) - President-elect Barack Obama will not be moving his family across the street from the White House early, despite his request to do so. Blair House, which incoming presidents traditionally occupy 5 days before inauguration day on January 15, is apparently booked in the early part of January.
An Obama transition spokesperson says the family initially "explored the idea" of moving into Blair House early so that daughters Sasha and Malia could start school on schedule. But the family was told there were previously-scheduled events and guests that could not be displaced.
"The Blair House, the President's guest house for visiting dignitaries, is available to President-elect Obama and his family starting January 15, as is historically the case," said Sally McDonough, spokeswoman for First Lady Laura Bush.
"As for any conversation, I don't comment on specific conversations about transition details."
The Obama transition spokesperson emphasized the White House has been "extremely accommodating" to the Obama family, adding that the entire process has been "smooth and friendly."
Okay, board idiots...did no one READ the article?? The incoming President gets to begin using it ON JAN. 15 (5 days before inauguration). The current President gets to use it THRU Jan. 14.
The incoming President wanted to use it BEFORE Jan. 15...but the current President (rightly thinking it was his to use thru Jan. 14) already had it booked for use...so early access was not available.
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL???? DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE MADE INTO A FIGHT??
Anonymous1......"Impeach OBAMA NOW!"
He is not even the president yet.You better stop whatever you're smoking and it's dangerous to your brain.
Ridiculous!!!! Why can't the family get into Blair House now? This President and his entire family are big on Education unlike Bush and his, Karl Rove, Rush Linbaugh and the whole crew. Bad manners on the Bush's part.
~Yawn~
Uh... you have to wonder what genius scheduled "guests" there that week? Do they not realize there's a new President coming onboard?
Bertha and so many others how can you be so nasty on a normal question. It is not arrogant or acting to President already.
I miss too often any common sense in the States! Grow up, please!
Come on everyone!! This is not a story. Just following protocol.
this is for brain,,no not all americans want obama in white house right now,,we have a sitting president in washington,president bush,,,,so you can wait to dance in the streets of washington after jan/20 2009,,,
It only says "they explored the idea"...they were not turned down. It is last minute after all.
The minute Obama is mentioned some people just loose it.
I think that if that is the tradition for the elect to move in, then that is the way it needs to stay. Why should it be changed for Obama? It shouldn't he is no one special, he is just like all the other president's that have moved in before him... I hope that this all get's solved and he is impeached soon. We all know he is a crook, just like all of his buddies in Illinois. Made millions on the bank credit cards, and home owner loans to people that couldn' t really afford it. That is one of the reasons are economy is the way it is... Look it up, the proff is there.
Just more smoke and mirrors...the already compromised press in cahoots with the Obama crew trying to make you believe this guy is just one of us...no he isn't. He's an AGENT of change...just what change means we have yet to find out. Say your prayers children.
@Rebekah,
You say Obama isn't a U.S. Citizen so where is your proof? Oh that's right, you have NONE. All FACTS clearly show Obama is a U.S. Citizen. So I guess you think you know more than the FBI and CIA? They both have looked into it and BOTH have said Obama IS a U.S. Citizen so get over it already, YOU LOSE!
Oh and let me inform you on ACORN since your intelligence is clearly lacking. It was confirmed by the FBI that there was NO voter fraud. Yes, there was voter REGISTRATION fraud, but NO voter fraud. Need me to explain for your lack of intelligence? Ok, what this means is that even though mulitple people could have registered under many names there was no possible way they could have voted MORE than once. It was confirmed by CNN, the FBI, and even your favorite network Faux News! Again, GET OVER IT! YOU LOSE!!
Morons like this "Rebekah" is the very reason why it is such a great feeling knowing that Obama WON! I laugh every day at these fools that come up with excuse after excuse. Blame after blame. etc. etc.
John McBush and Sarah FAILen LOST!! Get over it hahahaha! You WILL be living with that FACT for the next 8 years. 100% guaranteed!
But hey, look on the bright side, you will bet better off under Obama even if you claim otherwise. Now, you Obama haters can crawl back under that rock and stay there...LOSERS!! HAHAHAHA!
I have never ever in my life seen so much stupidity and stupid people going insane over just another president-elect, who is on course to be just another business-as-usual politician. Oh, that's right, he's black, so everything he does is open for scrutiny. I call this reverse racism.
So, finish the story. Who is actually staying there? What finctions are booked? Who's being entertained at the Blair House and is that party more important than our President-elect?
This is awful journalism.
You ever notice how nasty the majority of the liberal comments are.
Interesting
This is one moronic waste of time. I can't believe that people from both sides of the tracks are acting so stupid over a non-event. I guess that most are from the lunatic fringe of their respective parties. It was a simple request by parents and a simple answer by the current administration as "reserved" until the 15th. Nothing more attached to this as far as I can see. Apparently the Congress will be the only ones to act bi-partisan. The idiots checking in here sure won't do it.
This is so B.S. They can accomidate the Obamas, they just chose not to. I hope the new admin craps on the people that are keeping them from getting their kids into school on a timely basis. Maybe lock them up in Guantanomo
the problem? The media and the public.
To quote Ernie "Who is anyone to tell the Obama's that they CAN NOT move in there when they want to." Are you mentally challenged? Just because you are "president elect" doesn't give you the right to demand quarters. I voted for Obama but I don't think I'd kick my kids out of their rooms to make room for his family.
I guess Bush isn't through pandering to his rich cronies and has them booked into Blair house lining up favors for his post-presidency. How can anybody else possibly trump the needs and wishes of the next President, and the first real one we've had in many years?
Rebekah, one of the most right-wing websites, World Net Daily, POSTED Obama's birth certificate for your blind eyes to see. Yes, they verified it even after state officials in Hawaii verified it. Obama IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. The Acorn issue was about voter fraud REGISTRATION, not actual voter fraud. If you actually read into what happened, you'll understand (hopefully) that it was the people who were soliciting signatures who committed the fraud by submitting fake names so they could get paid. I guarantee you, Rebekah, that Mickey Mouse and Joe Dimaggio did not turn up on election day to vote. Now, why don't you actually take a look into voter disenfranchisment committed by the republican scum that actually affected the 2000 and 2004 elections. Can you say Katherine Harris, Jeb Bush, and Ken Blackwell?
Your ignorance is astounding.
And to "bertha doucet": Of course Obama has been acting like he's POTUS already. Someone needs to! Oh, a quick grammer lesson – "Obama" is not plural, but "changes" is.
To Anonymous 1.......are you nuts.....I'M LOL!!
We're making a bigger deal of this then the PE is!!!! He made a reqeuest, it was denied, oh well. I like it. He's not acting like he's entitled.
How is this elitist? If any of us could help our children adjust to anything easier than we'd take steps to do that. If he handles everything else in this manner I think we'll be alright!!!
Bush is a vindictive horses behind, and making it more difficult for two little girls is so shameful.
Anonymous 1 – SHUTUP!!!
If you do not love the United States of America then move some where else because we are in crisis and your angry words are hurting, not helping.
You are a sick, angry, bitter person. It was not Obama that shattered your fantasy world, it was reality; that is, the reality that the neo-cons were wrong all along and the Republicans have lost their way.