Quiet first day for Obama after his historic win

CHICAGO — Barack Obama began his first full day as president-elect with the simple pleasure of having breakfast with his daughters, the type of everyday family activity he often had to sacrifice during the long campaign.

Afterward, Obama left the house alone, clad in workout clothes, a ball cap and sunglasses, and spent an hour at a friend's apartment building, where he uses the gym. Then it was back home to clean up before heading to the office _ a downtown office building where he was holding a conference call to thank campaign staff around the country. The president-elect wore a suit but no tie, and carried a black satchel.

Asked how much sleep he'd gotten on the night of his historic victory, Obama told reporters: "Not as much as I'd like."

Obama planned to stay in Chicago through the week, with a quiet weekend at home. He was still trying to figure out arrangements regarding his grandmother, who died Sunday. A trip to Hawaii for the small private memorial she requested was likely by the end of the year.

Obama's staff said he would address the media by the end of the week, but Cabinet announcements were not planned that soon.

In addition to the many decisions he faces in getting the Obama administration up and running, he has personal decisions to be make, too. Such as when to move his family to Washington and where his 10- and 7-year-old daughters will go to school.

And then there was the matter of choosing the family pet. "Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House," Obama told his daughters in his victory speech.

In a congratulatory call to Obama Tuesday night, President Bush pledged to make a smooth transition and extended an invitation to the Obama family to visit their new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

On Wednesday afternoon, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama spoke by telephone, and the first lady also invited her successor to visit the White House with her daughters, according to Michelle Obama's spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld.

Lelyveld said a date for the visit would be set soon.

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On the Net:

Obama campaign: http://www.barackobama.com

Comments

[bluecatz]

i hope the puppy will be a rescued one .... seems appropriate to me.

[tammany]

Michelle said they'll get a shelter dog.

[9angels22]

Senator McCain's speech was the finest I have heard him make throughout the entire election. It was the old John McCain, and I am very grateful he did not show up until the end of the campaign or we might have had a different outcome.

President elect Obama needs all of our support and our prayers. We have so many problems to solve and two wars to end. What a great victory for the American People. Peace and blessing to all.

[TorontoNDP]

My thoughts exactly. Well said.

[collprof]

Wonderful words for both Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama.

Now we must put our actions to change America and work for this man and support him as he goes about taking care of the business of our country. What I want is immaterial to what this nation requires to fix the problems. Last night was a giant step in repairing the divisive nation we have become.

[progressivepam]

Seemed to me that if he campaigned the way he spoke last night, didn't acquiesce to his handlers and had the ability to make his own decisions, we might have been looking at a different result today. I think after he had Palin forced on him, he really didn't even want the job anymore.

[aussiegal77]

Totally agree.

If he had been THIS John McCain during the last 3 months - maybe the race might have been closer.

Who knows?

But I don't envy these coming days for John McCain where he will have to answer the question "What went wrong?"

President-elect Obama has me and my husband's full support. I hope he gets a few days of rest and same to his family.

[Malsie]

Barack Obama is my President. Michelle Obama is my First Lady and Malia and Sasha are First Children.
Oh, what a day!!! America is a great country.
Oh, what a day!!!

[KAYKELJEK6]

The Obama family is awesome. Love shows in everything that they do.
So glad we don't have to hear about the 'First Dude" any more.

[BarackDaVote]

LOVES IT......YES WE DID, USA!

[Motleyblogger]

I too was skeptical of whether or not Obama could do it in this country, but he’s proven that he’s the smartest guy in the room and that’s what’s needed… What’s needed equally as much is someone that can inspire this country like we haven’t seen since the 80’s under Regan… Watching the crowds of people across the country… the only visuals that came to mind to equate it was the images of the people cheering as the Berlin Wall came down…

LAW painted a nice picture of the kind of effect Obama’s win had and will have on the nature of America and Americans as a whole: http://www.motleybloggers.com/2008/10/barack-obama-won-superbowl-and-i-met.html ..

[hippynanainblingland]

Everywhere else and anytime else I'm generally, well, to say the least, not fond of the NOISE of cheering crowds, but this time, it is music to my ears, hearing it again and again as we channel surf and witness the universal joy being expressed. May he be blessed and safe.

[DoctorDonut]

Victory is Tasty

http://www.theweeklydonut.com/index.php/2008/11/04/obama-wins/

[CountryBeforeParty]

Let's be honest. He's getting so laid right now! =)

And well deserved.

Don't take too much time off Mr. President. There's a lot of work to do.

[mapleman]

yoooouuuu betcha!

[collprof]

I am so glad she is going back to whatever. I cannot imagine her in DC governing us all.

[Chaucea]

Haha! True, that! ;-)

[ApolloniaCreed]

lol

[Shashi0224]

Thank You, President-Elect Obama! Thank you for allowing America to be hopeful, not fearful, joyful, not hateful......Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

America - We're BACK!!
YES WE DID!!

Obama/Biden - YAY!!

[EggShen]

John McCain....

"We Got them right where we want them..."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

[pixy242a]

He subconciouslty wanted an Obama win :)

[ominous]

I guess he wanted Obama in the whitehouse too.

[SCG]

I hope everyone can give him a few weeks to unwind and deal with his personal family matters. It's been a long campaign.

[jpshotwheels]

I hope he takes a couple of days rest, and he will have to go back to Hawaii and take care of his Grandmother. God Rest her Soul. I feel bad that she wasn't there to see her Grandson become the next POTUS, but maybe she left to put that final word in for him with God. She probably knew it already.

I hope his family has time to pay their respects, get rested, get prepared for what it to come. This is the happiest day of my life, to see him elected. He will work hard for the American people, but we have to work hard too.

[Indtxwm]

She was. She is the guardian angel on his shoulder now. Taking care of him in spirit and love. I cried last night because I wished she could have seen it.

[msjimmied]

Yes, he needs the time. We have waited so long for this, but he had to work through it all. He looks older and a little wore out. His enormous loss so close to victory. Very bittersweet. The burden that still awaits him...Lord, keep him strong.

[hortonhearsawho]

Thank you President Obama and V.P. Biden....you guys take a few off and get some rest.

[bellrich]

Now the real work begins Obama and the congress have only a short window to bring about change. we can all pray they can get it done.