Early Blair House check-in for Obamas unavailable
[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."
I'd like to request that whoever is Anonymous please for the good of the country please refrain from ever voting again. You have proven yourself to be arguably the most uneducated person in the country. Unless your 8 years old i must strongly implore you to never jeopardize the welfare of the nation. You. most. not. vote. ever. After all the founding fathers believed that the greatest threat to democracy is and uneducated population..and whomever Anonymous is, is and uneducated person.
Forgive me for sounding elitist, but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.
Do they think they are the first Presidential family that has had school age children ??
Actually Bill Clinton was impeached, then acquitted two months later. Not sure why one would be convinced otherwise...
In any case, I'd like to think that accommodations are being made for the Obama family somewhere in D.C. People tend to forget that Bush is still serving out his term, and all the perks that go with it.
This is to the 'anonymous" comment to bertha doucet,I don"t need you or noone to corrected me ,,we all make mistakes,noone is perfect. grammar, not g-r-a-m-m-e-r now who is ignorant .LOL Houston Texas
Get over it.
I happened to be looking at all of your comments here and truthfully most of thme disgust me. I am sitting here in Iraq right now while you all sit at home talking how bad Bush is for starting unjust wars and should be thrown in prison and all this. Well I joined the army knowing good and well what I was getting into, as did everyone else alongside me, this is an all volunteer army. If you were here you would know that we need to be here to help these people, and it was only worste before. I never hear people here in Iraq talking about how much of a mistake this is and they want to go home. You at home have no right in the matter, we are the ones serving and if you were to take a poll 90% would agree with what were doing here. All of you movie stars and anti war folk should frankly shut up, we do not want yall speaking for us nor do we want your opinon on something you would have no idea about. So i'll tell you what you go down to that recruiting office, sign a contract and then get your say in the matter.
Tell Bush to get the H#LL out of the way, and let a real leader get our country back on track!
The Pentagon personnel will take care of the family , since he will be the new Commander & Chief. Military know how to take care of each others and know what VIPs are, President-Elect Family and respect. I guess you all will get together when we all meet in the soup lines...GOD BLESS AMERICA...GIVE HIM THE WISDOM TO PUT THIS COUNTRY BACK TOGETHER.......JOBS
Did half you people read this Obama gets the house on the same time as any other pres. elect . He wants it early someone else is there. B.F.D. has he heard of hotels or maybe he can bunk with his budddy Franks he has girls so they will be ok. it's not like he has boys
There is more of a story here, Especially since the Blair house is used by invitation only, and is mainly used for Heads of State. Who has Bush invited and why? And how many? Blair House has 14 bedrooms and 4 dining rooms. What is he up to this time? He makes me nervous. Never know what he is going to pull over on the tax payers next.
Okay right and left wingnuts, get a grip! CNN's irresponsible focus on minutiae has certainly succeeded in pulling your chains! Honestly, if we're going to be able to fix the problems we have in this country, we really have to leave the scorched earth rhetoric behind.
The Obamas are not arrogant – they're just concerned parents.
The Bush White House is not rude – the Blair House is just booked.
They've both moved on; now you all need to do the same.
Heartfelt thanks to those posters who:
1. actually read the article before posting, and
2. resisted the temptation to be rude for rudeness' sake.
Your comments were a breath of fresh air.
For goodness sake people, can't we all get along? Where's the love? I don't know bout yow, but I'm going to pray for us, cause God knows we need it, yes Lawd!
We don't really have a functioning President at this time anyway. How about if Bush moves to Blair House until his palace in Dallas is ready and let the Obama's move directly to the White House as soon as is convenient. works for me.
To the Bush Haters: Blair house was booked(period!).
To the Obama haters: He has a right to request the use of the Blair house, it is actually less expensive for him to stay there than at a hotel(because of security). His transition expenses are covered by the Goverment (as they would be by any President -Elect from Nov.-5 – Feb.20, 2009). He is not asking for anything out of the ordinary.
To everyone:
Try to give the other side the benefit of the doubt !
bertha doucet December 12th, 2008 6:43 pm ET
This is to the 'anonymous" comment to bertha doucet,I don"t need you or noone to corrected me ,,we all make mistakes,noone is perfect. grammar, not g-r-a-m-m-e-r now who is ignorant .LOL Houston Texas
------------
First of all, "bertha," it is "no one," then it is "to correct me," then it is "no one" again - but we don't want to remind of that, sorry - then it is "grammar, "
NOW who is "ignorant," "bertha" - which, by the way, should be capitalized if is REALLY a name.
LOL, indeed! Really, "bertha," if you can't spell or construct a sentence properly - HOW do you expect anyone to take you seriously?
Isn't that a shame that we are swearing in the incoming President of the most powerful nation and World's leading nation in January, and we cannot provide restful accommodation for the President Elect and family. In other nations, the government provides everything for the comfort of the family. If no temporary housing for him and family, rather than renting some mansion shown on CNN for $50K/night, it's cheaper then for him to stay in his house and fly to washington for the swearing in. But what would you tell the world with your videos. Please let's show the world we have standards worth emulation. Show leadership, America is world leader and so be it..
They knew the rules, or should have, and the request should never have been made. Boy, will I miss the Bushes.
matt December 12th, 2008 6:39 pm ET
________________________
Excuse me, matt - but who, exactly are YOU - and what, exactly have
YOU done for your country lately? Just asking . . .
December 12th, 2008 6:48 pm ET
I happened to be looking at all of your comments here and truthfully most of thme disgust me. I am sitting here in Iraq right now while you all sit at home talking how bad Bush is for starting unjust wars and should be thrown in prison and all this. Well I joined the army knowing good and well what I was getting into, as did everyone else alongside me, this is an all volunteer army. If you were here you would know that we need to be here to help these people, and it was only worste before. I never hear people here in Iraq talking about how much of a mistake this is and they want to go home. You at home have no right in the matter, we are the ones serving and if you were to take a poll 90% would agree with what were doing here. All of you movie stars and anti war folk should frankly shut up, we do not want yall speaking for us nor do we want your opinon on something you would have no idea about. So i'll tell you what you go down to that recruiting office, sign a contract and then get your say in the matter.
=====================================================
Nice try, but the military does not let you blog from the war zone!! Republicans and their fear tactics...Please grow up
Give me a break....When Clinton was in office we got hit several times from Bin Ladin....World Trade Center, SS Cole Ship, flight 800 shot down over New York...these were all attacks!! Wake up people, Obama is not going to protect this country, just like Clinton did not..the
people that lost there lives on 9/11 would be here today if Clinton did
his job and went after Bin Ladin.....when he had the chance. Interest
rates have been the lowest in 20 years, more people made money and got rich in the last 7 years then ever before. We spend 3 times the
amount on oil then we have on the Iraq war. War sucks !! But when you
have crazy people in the world who want to take over the US, you have
to make tough choices. If you think the Bush years were bad..just wait
until Obama gets in. Scary!!!
We as a country are at war. And just because some of us are not in Iraq serving should not mean that we do not have the right (constitutionally or in any other case) to say that the war was unjust.
I'm against the war. I do not believe that we should enter into war preemptively just because we have the ability to do so. Yes, Iraq may have been a terrible place, but we can't pick them to help because they have oil and not help Darfur.
in IRAQ,
Being a soldier, whether volunteer or conscripted, doesn't give you the exclusive right to dictate this country's foreign policy.
Just get rid of Bush, what's he doing anyway? Lamest duck of all. Give room to the one person who is actually trying to lead this country and should rightfully be in the White House already at this point.
Again, we were deceived as to the reasons why we went to Iraq. No matter how they hide it or say it, it was a deception.
Frankly, the Iraqis did set a timeline for withdrawal because they can't afford to have us in there. They are being the target of terrorism as a result.
They might not have a lot before the US came in but they certainly have more than where they are now. Al Quada can't penetrate them because of Sadam.
I can see the fact twisting machinery is in full force. No way Bush's reputation will change unless the entire world develops amnesia!
I just read the comment from the Iraq......every word that you wrote is so true, I am so glad you told everyone the truth, I thank God for you guys, know one knows but you.....You took the words right out of my mouth..God Bless You All !!!
May I suggest each of you take a good look at Ron T's comment @ 12:04?
This is how people are supposed to speak to one another. Most especially if our country is going to move in a positive direction.
Also, please note that you can't tell his party affiliation...wish government worked like that.