WASHINGTON–The Obamas will have to find other living quarters for their family if they still plan to move to Washington before the official guest house for the presidentelect is available.
WASHINGTON–The Obamas will have to find other living quarters for their family if they still plan to move to Washington before the official guest house for the president-elect is available.
Quoting anonymous sources, the Washington Post and Associated Press report the Obamas had asked White House officials about moving into Blair House about two weeks before the traditional date so their two daughters could start their new school when classes resume Jan. 5.
President-elect Obama’s two daughters—Malia, a fifth grader and Sasha, a second grader—will attend Sidwell Friends School, a private school with a campus in northwest Washington and another in suburban Bethesda, Md.
Classes start more than a week before the incoming first family could stay at Blair House.
Aides say the White House told the Obamas that the request could not be met because the Bush administration still has plans for the historic government home across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House.
An Obama aide said the family was told there were previously scheduled events at Blair House and guests could not be displaced.
Sally McDonough, first lady Laura Bush’s press secretary, declined to comment on the transition conversations but said Blair House would be available on Jan. 15, the traditional date it becomes available for new presidents and their families.
Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers
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