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

[kellygrrrl]

has Cheney fired up the jet to Dubai yet?

run, piggies, run

[BannedInBoston]

The pigs are leaving the sinking lipstick -- or something.­...

[billbee]

Hope he going huntin' withe the Palin's.

[BannedInBoston]

Find moose and squirrel!

[Swerinjer2]

I hope they get a german shepard.

[mimsnpips]

I'm for a golden retriever or lab myself. The comment about a Humane Society pick is good too.

[KayDGee]

Or a Pit Bull...

[BannedInBoston]

No, I don't think Obama is going to appoint Palin to his cabinet...­.

[Village]

I hope Obama adopts from a Humane Society.

That simple act could lead to millions of adoptions for animals already here.

[lazydog]

Totally agree on adopting a dog. They (rescues) are smarter and more appreciative then most pure breeds.

The Obamas have the compassion to do that, and yes, it would serve to boost adoptions all over.

[PlanetKansas]

We saw Barack in Springfield last week and it was a transformational event. Though I have lived a comfortable and good life, I realized that my accomplishments must amount to more than benefiting only myself and he called on us to give something back if we are ever going to be sucessful. I really am a changed man today.

As he prepares for his new job, he has already warned us that his success won't be without our sacrifice. To actually think the deficit, financial stimuls packages and 2 wars don't have to be paid back is Republican Kool-Aid. It will require higher taxes for everyone, less consumption, and more community service. Our country did the same for WWII, and he must change our shallow culture from one that consumes back into one that produces.

I am more than willing to do this, and will sleep better because of it because my children's future depends on it.

It is the dawn of a new day and I feel great.

[biglover]

I agree with your PlanetKansas. I think we all have to look deep into our own lives and see what sacrifices we need to make. I try to be a steward of the planet, I recycle, I don't waste energy or water and I don't buy what I don't need. We all need to think about how many "gadgets" we need and why we think we need to have a new cellphone or a new I-Phone, I-Pod, T-Ouch etc. We really need to start thinking about how we live our lives and how we can do better. This is just one little thing we can do and I ask all the Huffposters here to do the same and support this wonderful gift of a man who will be our President for the next 8 years.

[Sapna]

Fully agreed.

[Basel]

It was a bright sunny morning today. The events the night before has energized me to roll up my sleeves - it's time to get to work!

[Choicelady]

I totally agree - that is very well stated, thank you! I am excited about the idea that we can all do something that will be beneficial, and that means our contributions MATTER. A very wise woman I met noted that we've become 'a low sacrifice society' in which the biggest issues under the Reeps have been telling OTHER people that their life choices are immoral. Instead, lets indeed roll up our sleeves and find ways to make our communities and our nation a better place. It's exciting to think we can make the change we want to have!

[BunnyMama]

Seeing how this election was won by a grass-roots effort has really shown me how everyone doing their little part can amount to big great things happening. Let's keep going!

[geppetto]

I think a "snoopy" ...

[SCG]

I especially liked that photo of him at the United Auto Workers local No. 550 union hall phone bank. It will be a refreshing change to have a President that respects labor, and doesn't view it as a problem.

[kellygrrrl]

I love that thousands of people stood in front of the White House chanting "OBAMA"
I bet it was hard for Dub-ya to hear his Nintendo machine over the noise

[TAIsabel]

Thanks for the laugh!!

[Lawless]

I am soooo happy and relieved! We'll have a President who is a real statesman and ORATOR. After 8 years of GWB and his mutilation of our Mother Tongue, I could weep with joy. Best of all - he'll take office on January 20 and my birthday is the 21st. Best birthday present. Ever.

I hope Obama and family take the next week and just sleep. McCain and his family too, for that matter. They all must be utterly exhausted. I can't imagine...

[jorge4u]

An early "Happy Birthday." :-)

[chaz69]

Ge them the most wonderful breed in the world, Shetland Sheep Dog. Get them a Sheltie!!

[biglover]

You know there is no such thing as the most wonderful breed. They are all fabulous = we tend to love the breed we own but I know for sure most of them are wonderful and the mutts are the still the best. I hope they do get a dog from the shelter

[2351]

When the trolls start to question every decision, and complain about everything Obama does, it is out time to say, "No More". It is time for we, the people, to speak out and let these nuts that it is time for healing and we will not have this tearing down of our president, as they did Clinton. Clinton was never able to preside because of all of turmoil the republicans kept going. It is time for us to say, " No More".

It is time for a change. It is up to us to make it happen.

[paixa3]

Excellent poste, kudos.

[j0em0mma]

I already had to do that today. It's going to be grim. Take a look at RedState.com for a preview :(

[conductrix]

I'd like to nominate myself for Secretary of Cool.

Just kidding.

Yay America!!! Yes, we DID!!!

[Bitsko]

Did elementary school just get out? Grow up.

[Lawless]

Did cranky school just get out? Lighten up.

[tom s]

easy.

[milehi paul]

Sshhhh....­quiet.....­..listen carefully.­......Can any of you hear the faint whir of a paper shredder and the tapping of the "delete" button coming from 1600 Pennsylvania??

[jodema]

LOL So true.

[kellygrrrl]

oh, that work was done months ago

[KindAndThoughtful]

Barack Obama will be one of our greatest presidents.

[BannedInBoston]

He has the potential. Did you know that "Barack Hussein Obama" is ALMOST an anagram of "Abraham Lincoln" (just lacks the 'l's and one of the 'n's -- but you can definitely spell "Abraham" with the letters in his name....)

[Indy 44]

Only in America.

A revolution takes place and there aren't bodies in the streets. Everyone I've met has been good-natured today. Republican, Democrat, black, white, male, female. It's surreal. Hard to believe just 24 hours ago, everyone was at each other's throats. Obama, it is becoming clear, is the right man for this time.

[Bitsko]

It's been like this all day here in New York City. Let's keep this going for at least a couple of thousand years!

[BannedInBoston]

Is it the "Thousand Years of Peace" yet?....

[Balzac]

Man there was some hooting, honking and celebration in the streets last night.

[thepianodiva]

Yes-it is amazing, a revolution at the ballot box. The best kind. But it would have been in the streets if the American people had decided to dig their heels in with the status quo. As exceptional, brilliant, and fine a person as Barack Obama is, the man for the season, he is the midwife for something that needed to be reborn in the American psyche. As he has told us many times, it really is not about him-it is about US. We were the ones that created the vibration that drew to us such a leader. We are the ones that are going to have to make it work. It is not only on his shoulders.

[j0em0mma]

well said

[SHOPARAZZI]

they will attend my high school sidwell friends.

[Bitsko]

That's where Bill Nye The Science Guy went. Cool. Why do I know that... ?

[kellygrrrl]

So looking forward to watching those beautiful girls grow up in the White House