White House To Obamas: Sorry, We're Booked

New York Times:

The White House has turned down a request from the family of President-elect Barack Obama to move into Blair House in early January so that his daughters can start school on January 5.

The Obamas were told that Blair House, where incoming presidents usually stay in the five days before Inauguration Day, is booked in early January, a spokesperson to the Obama transition said. "We explored the idea so that the girls could start school on schedule,' the spokesperson said. "But, there were previously scheduled events and guests that couldn't be displaced."

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[pattyrenee]

Why would Bush schedule out Blair House, when he knew the Obama's would be moving in with school age children? The White House is huge. Why can't they party there? Or, rent a fancy hotel? Or, use Cheney's house since he seems to have flown the coop, anyway? Bush is going out with a low class bang. He is so "uncool" as Jen would have said.

[nancytheragingliberal]

That perpetual "smile" on Laura's face is just plain eerie and phony. She and w. are the perfect pair, well suited. I pay for the Blair House and I say, let the Obama's in....Now.

[larmarch5]

Look for more on this including just who it is that is having going away parties at Blair house. I know if I were one of these elites, I would be rescheduling MY party right NOW. This is right up there with Sarah's wardrobe as an embarrassing insight into the real values of this administration and it spills over into the whole Republican party. This is not what you want people talking about when you've just sent out your talking points on legacy.

[KareninSac]

Hmmm, No Child Left Behind--unless your Dad is Barack Obama. Come one, George, this is for the kids' education. I thought you were real big on education. Oh, that's right, you don't understand the concept that you have to ATTEND to receive education. I forgot--Daddy bought your diplomas.

[amyeom]

lol CLaSSy

[kareemachan]

...not.

[Whycee54]

Oh let the Bushes have their FINAL parties, their behinds are out of there next month. I am sure the Obamas will find a way to get their girls in school in Jan. HOWEVER... KARMA is a force always at work in the Universe. IT is always in action. Watch and see if this does not backfire on the BUSHES....­.

[MossyOak]

Karma in action, for sure, except leaving the Obama girls to fend for themselves is the least of their worries...

[stevi]

The cost to the tax payers for setting up Presidential Security at another location is substantial and unnecessary since Blair House is ready to go, but Bush/Co has no concern for that sort of thing. Spend, Spend, Spend until it gone, that is their motto.

[janeInCA]

The Blair house is already booked for the celebration of the people whom Bush will pardon before leaving the WH.

[aFlyoverPerson]

Does anyone really think that the Bush staff going away parties qualify as "previously scheduled events and guests that couldn't be displaced.­"

Get real. The Bushes knew this was coming and are doing everything they can to be inhospitable and country club exclusive.

I'm sure there are plenty of other places for their office parties.

[ohyes]

What do you expect of the Bushies?

They all are mean spirited, spiteful, selfish and class less.

[Harmony1812]

The POTUS doesn't have enough power to change the reservations at Blair House? Wow. Talk about an ineffective world leader.

[KarenT]

He's not POTUS yet and he's much too classy to demand the reservations be changed.

[eden4barack08]

I believe he was talking about Bush.

[JamesAndre]

Whoops! There goes any possibility of a positive legacy...

http://mentalshift.newsvine.com/

[IkeChicago]

Perfect solution, hire a private tutor for 2 weeks and stay in Chicago. Let the Bush staff party in Blair House.

[channelerchik]

That's not perfect. The girls would miss the opportunity of being one of a bunch of kids starting school together and getting to know each other. It would be awful for them to have to miss two weeks of school. Besides, I'm sure there's a house the country could rent for the Obamas in DC for two weeks since the Bushies are being so obnoxious. Or they could stay with the Bidens, that could be fun.

[janeInCA]

Great ideas.

[texastrixie]

I think the Bidens would love to host the Obamas, but I don't think Biden has a big residence in DC, even now. He may have an apartment, but his home is still in Delaware.

[eden4barack08]

Not good. Every other President in recent years moved to Blair House as soon as they needed. Why should it be different for the Obamas?
Parties are not even in the official list for which the Blair House is funded anyway, and by public money.
Would the people rather pay for the next POTUS, or for the last one's parties?

[quiviran]

Bush must demand Cheney and Rices resignations, appoint Obama as Secretary of State and then resign himself. Give us a break, just this once.

[BrahminNoodles]

You are leaving out Pelosi and Byrd.

The succession is President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State, ...

[ritenow]

Just let the sorry a$$ Bush's (George and Laura) have their last minute of delusional royalty. We'll be rid of them not soon enough!

I'm sure the Obama's will be fine.

[janeInCA]

Is it reasonable to ask Bush vacates the WH now? since his rating is so low, the country is in disarray, Obama deserves a piece of mind regarding his kids so that he can see the big picture and estimate how huge is the damage Bush and his administration have done.

[pvo]

I haven't read all comments yet, so my thought on the "matter" might be redundant.­..yet, I can't help but think this is the perfect opportunity for all the GOP to snoop around and see who would offer the Obamas some rooms and and then scrutinize the whole "favor" exchange for political gains, years from now (or as long as Obama is still in office). Guilt by association has been exploited at mere, impersonal meetings..­.. Imagine the delight they (and FOX News) would have if (hypothetically) someone offered the Obamas his/her residence for TEN DAYS and did something "immoral" down the road.