Blair House

[bookman]

I find it amazing that the Blair House is "unavailable" due to some reception of Bush WH staffers.

Who's in charge?

Nonsense.

[fed_up_mother]

1. And I think it's much ado about nothing

I don't think the Obamas were tacky asking for Blair house "if" it was available, and I don't think it was wrong of the Bush's not to cancel reservations for Blair House that they already made.

It's not customary for the president elect to occupy Blair House this early, or I would feel differently.

Bush had committed enough crimes without complaining about this.

As I said...much ado about nothing, imo.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. I agree with you completely.

I take it as a massive 'fuck you'. Or at least a massive 'you don't count'.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. It's always booked

It's a great place for receptions, and when an administration is changing - no matter how I loathe them - there are events that have always taken place. It's an American tradition. And, until January 20, 2009, the Fuckface people are in charge. That's why Obama didn't make a stink about it. He's respectful of the reality.

The whole Presidential transition thing isn't quite set up for little girls who need to start school, but won't it be a lovely change to have those sweethearts in our White House?

[Captain Hilts]

6. I thought it was great the Bush twins showed the girls around and had fun. nt

[Tangerine LaBamba]

8. That was nice, wasn't it?

Gracious and just as it should be. I've read, too, that Michelle talked with Hillary Clinton about Sidwell Friends and raising a kid in the White House.

Those kids just knock me out. I hope the press leaves them alone like they did Chelsea Clinton.

Think Rush Limbaugh and John McCain will make ugly jokes about them?

[Captain Hilts]

4. The people there have probably been scheduled to be there for about a year.

The Bushes have it available when it is supposed to be available.

NON-issue.

[Captain Hilts]

5. The people there have probably been scheduled to be there for about a year.

The Bushes have it available when it is supposed to be available.

NON-issue.

[L0oniX]

7. Linda is!

:evilgrin:

[Contrary1]

9. What bothers me is that the media makes it sound like Obama wanted special treatment.

Clinton was in Dec.3 - http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,977413,00.html

Reagan, 1st week of January - http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,977413,00.html

[Captain Hilts]

10. It says Clinton held some meetings there. No references to moving in. nt

[spanone]

11. give an asshole a chance to be a prick and you have george w bu$h*

[happyslug]

12. Given that Carter, Reagan and Clinton all used the Blair house from December onward

Carter moved into the Blair House December 1976:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,911855,00.html

Reagan and Clinton moved into the Blair House in December 1980 and December 1992 respectfully:
http://opovet.blogspot.com/2008/12/obamas-and-blair-house.html

Now some cites mention that the Clintons did not stay at the Blair house except for a few days, but that is expected, both had to wind up their lives in Arkansas AND if you have moved temporary to one place to wait to move to a permanent home, you will find that most people do NOT "Move into" the temporary home, it is just a place to stay till the permanent home is ready, and the White House would NOT be ready till January 20th. My point is the fact that the Clintons did NOT move into the Blair house is meaningless, you move in only as far as you need to into a temporary home, what is important is the Blair House was AVAILABLE for their use during the transition, which is why Obama wanted it. The important factor is that the house is Available NOT that Obama uses it.

[SoCalDem]

13. January 15th is the first available date for ANY incoming president

It's the way it's always been..(in modern history, anyway)
MOST incoming presidents do not have school-age small kids, and probably most are content to arrive 5 days before the inauguration..

If Bush had been a decent sort, he would have asked the people who were "booked" into Blair, to join him and Laura at the "big house"...but we know what kind of a guy he is..