Blair House? So the kids can start school early? Sorry, bub ...... no can do.

[Stinky The Clown]

Obama asks to move into Blair House early

Dec 12th, 2008 | CHICAGO -- President-elect Barack Obama has asked if his family can move into Blair House near the White House a little early, but the Bush administration has said, "Sorry."

The Obamas had asked White House officials to move into the historic house across Pennsylvania Avenue about two weeks earlier than is usual so their two daughters could start school with their new classmates on Jan. 5. Obama aides say the White House told them the request could not be met because the current administration still had plans for the government home.

Obama aides say they understand the complex White House schedules and say the Bushes have been very helpful.

A White House spokeswoman says Blair House is available on Jan. 15.


http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2008/12/12/D951CH906_obama_blair_house/index.html




I am not qualified to be president because, among a brazillian other reasons, there's no way I could be quite so gracious as the Obamas.

[babylonsister]

1. I hear you about the graciousness. Wha, there aren't enough rooms

in the wh for all their supposed guests? :eyes:

[pnwmom]

11. The guest quarters at Blair House is empty in January. See post #9.

[babylonsister]

14. That's even worse. I can't imagine what the Bush's problem is. Cause

they can?

[pnwmom]

17. I think you nailed it. It's a power play. n/t

[robinlynne]

2. I'm sure there is a hotel in washington which will take in the obamas, not to worry.

[pnwmom]

8. And how will the Secret Service secure them in a hotel?

They have several blocks cordoned off around their home in Chicago.

Since the Blair house guest quarters -- which the S.S. is used to securing for important foreign visitors -- is NOT booked, this is inexcusable.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/12/future-first-fa.html

[GrizzlyMan]

10. The same way they will do it when is is president

Presidents do stay in hotels. It's not unheard of.

[pnwmom]

12. It makes no sense to do that when the guest quarters at Blair House is empty.

See post #9.

[GrizzlyMan]

13. Whether or not they are empty is irrelevant

Your point was a hysterical "how in the world will the secret service ever secure a hotel".

My point was they do it all the time. And they do.

[pnwmom]

15. It's not irrelevant. It will be far more complicated and expensive to secure them

in a hotel than in the Blair House, which the S.S. frequently must secure for the use of important foreign visitors.

[GrizzlyMan]

16. Regardless, they won't be staying there

Let's leave the security of the president elect to the trained professionals (as opposed to arm chair DU security experts). Thanks.

[pnwmom]

18. Why are you defending the Bush decision to keep the guest quarters empty,

even though the Obamas requested to stay there?

Are you an arm chair social director?

[GrizzlyMan]

19. Silly goose

I'm not defending the Bush's, I'm living in reality. They said they can't stay there. Bush is still president. The Obamas have said they understand. It is what it is.

[pnwmom]

20. I'm criticizing Bush's decision. You're defending it

by saying it's "reality." Sorry, but it's a "reality" that Bush could change with a phone call.

[GrizzlyMan]

21. Hopefully he will, but as of now he has not

That is reality.

[robinlynne]

24. Who says it is not booked. All articles say it IS booked.

Anyway, I'm not worried. I'm sure the Obamas will be just fine.
maybe the senate will need to move to Chicago for a week.

[bluestateguy]

3. Could the Clintons put them up?

Surely they have guest rooms in their Washington house, and it's already outfitted for the Secret Service.

[napi21]

4. They've got a lot of extra BR's at the WH. Why can't Shrub put the guests up there and

let Obama & his family move into Blair House?

[Mist]

5. Because he thinks it's more fun being a snotty brat. nt

[napi21]

6. It will be interesting to see who these guests are. n/t

[pnwmom]

9. There are no guests. The guest quarters at Blair House will be EMPTY.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/12/future-first-fa.html

The Blair House says that they are ready for the Obamas whenever -- if ever -- they choose to come, yet they have no idea when that will be. They also confirm that there are no other foreign dignitaries scheduled to stay at the Blair House for the duration of the Bush administration.

The president often hosts receptions on the first floor of the Blair House, however -- which may be why the White House was not comfortable with allowing the Obamas to move in when there were scheduled events.

But the Blair House describes the president-elect's residential quarters within the house as a separate area -- purposely designed to provide privacy from the rest of the house. Still, the White House insists that, regardless of the set-up, the dates are non-negotiable, as is tradition.

“Blair House is available for them on January 15th,” says Sally McDonough, spokeswoman to Laura Bush.

[napi21]

28. OH, so now all those fancy rooms in the WH aren't suitable for some receptions?

For god sake Shrub, quit acting like a damn spoiled brat and move the receptions to your own (temporary) house!

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Shhhhh ..... he drinks a bit ...... don't tell no one ..... k?

Prezidint Bojangles

Speaking of Bojangles ..... tell me this performance doesn't move you. Sammy, in Japan (I think) in his later years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcI6XWbQX7o

[11 Bravo]

23. Wow, thanks for that! I never cared much for his politics, but the man ...

was one of the great entertainers of his era. I watched, mesmerized, your clip and others linked to it, for almost an hour. Thanks again.

[Stinky The Clown]

27. Some things are transcendant

Exceptional talent is one of them.

Google up some Ben Vareen and Gregory Hines and see what pops up.

[razors edge]

22. No child left behind.

(this deal excludes children of political rivals, children whose parents oppose the idea of our infallibility, most children of minority status. check with USSC for applicability in you instance. void where prohibited by executive order. your mileage may vary)

[AZ Criminal JD]

25. This is silly

Outrage over nothing. There are scores of DC mansions where the Obamas can live before the 20th and their children can go to school. The Blair house is just one of them.

[Ichingcarpenter]

26. No, you are silly..... The Blair House is set up for Presidential Security

Right now.. the others are not.

[AZ Criminal JD]

31. So Obama should be prohibited from travel

because the various places he would stay is not "set up for Presidential Security"? LOL

[Stinky The Clown]

29. Blair House is a secure government property and the official white house guest house

It isn't 'just another mansion'.

[AZ Criminal JD]

32. You know nothing about DC. Not surprising.

[11 Bravo]

30. Quite possibly the Dumbest. Post. Ever.

Is it really your contention that any unoccupied "mansion" in D.C. should house the President-Elect?
In China, the public display of that level of stupidity might result in forced sterilization.
But this is DU, so I just unclog my nose in your direction.

[AZ Criminal JD]

33. Another person who knows nothing about DC

There are plenty of mansions in the District that have high level people staying and meeting at them from time to time. Somehow security, including the Secret Service, seems to handle it all. Imagine all that snot all over your house. Ugh.