Mystery Guest at Blair House Who Took Precedence Over the Obamas is John Howard, Former Australian Prime Minister and Friend of President Bush

Guess who is a more important guest at Blair House than Barack Obama? John Howard, the former Australian prime minister. As you will recall, Howard was one of the leading members of President Bush's coalition of the willing in Iraq.

Howard and his entourage will be bunking at Blair House on Jan. 12, the night before he, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Colombian President Álvaro Uribe are to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bush, said Sally McDonough, a spokeswoman for first lady Laura Bush. The three current and former heads of state are longtime political allies of the president's, and Blair and Howard were key partners in the Iraq war.

Blair and Uribe also were invited to stay at Blair House but declined Bush's invitation, said a second White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Blair, who traditionally stays at the British Embassy, and Uribe apparently found other accommodations, the source said.

There are other scheduled events at Blair House, but no other overnight visits between now and Jan. 15, when the Obama family is scheduled to move in, McDonough said. Source: The Washington Post

Barack Obama had requested an early move0-in at the 70,000-square-foot, 119-room mansion so that his children could settle in to start school this week at Sidwell Friends School. But the Obamas was told the residence had been booked, so they took a suite at the Hay-Adams. At the time, the White House would not say which events were bumping the Obamas. Once again, President Bush has his priorities mixed up.

Mystery Guest at Blair House Who Took Precedence Over the Obamas is John Howard, Former Australian Prime Minister and Friend of President Bush

Guess who is a more important guest at Blair House than Barack Obama? John Howard, the former Australian prime minister. As you will recall, Howard was one of the leading members of President Bush's coalition of the willing in Iraq.

Howard and his entourage will be bunking at Blair House on Jan. 12, the night before he, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Colombian President Álvaro Uribe are to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bush, said Sally McDonough, a spokeswoman for first lady Laura Bush. The three current and former heads of state are longtime political allies of the president's, and Blair and Howard were key partners in the Iraq war.

Blair and Uribe also were invited to stay at Blair House but declined Bush's invitation, said a second White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Blair, who traditionally stays at the British Embassy, and Uribe apparently found other accommodations, the source said.

There are other scheduled events at Blair House, but no other overnight visits between now and Jan. 15, when the Obama family is scheduled to move in, McDonough said. Source: The Washington Post

Barack Obama had requested an early move0-in at the 70,000-square-foot, 119-room mansion so that his children could settle in to start school this week at Sidwell Friends School. But the Obamas was told the residence had been booked, so they took a suite at the Hay-Adams. At the time, the White House would not say which events were bumping the Obamas. Once again, President Bush has his priorities mixed up.

White House Tells Incoming President Barack Obama, Sorry, Blair House is Booked

Blair House, which is situated across the street from the White House.
(Photo: Stephen Crowley/The New York Times)

I think President Bush and his cronies have lost their marbles. Why? Apparently 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 Jan. 5. Gee, I wonder whose accommodations at the Blair House takes precedence over the incoming president? 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.”

“It’s not a public schedule,” said Sally McDonough, spokeswoman for First Lady Laura Bush, in refusing to disclose who was staying at Blair House. “It’s not a question of outranking the Obamas. Blair House will be available to them on January 15.” Ms. McDonough said “there’s nothing more to say other than that it’s not available and won’t be available until January 15.” She added that “you’re trying to make a story out of something that’s not a story.” Source: The New York Times

So, in classic Bush style, ask no questions because you'll get no straight answers. Secrets. Yep. That's what President Bush and his cronies are into. Secrets.

A White House official said that Mr. Bush does not have family or friends from Texas staying at Blair House during the period which the Obamas requested. But Blair House, the official said, has been booked for “receptions and gatherings” by members of the outgoing Bush administration. Those receptions, the official said, “don’t make it suitable for full-time occupancy by the Obamas yet.” Source: The New York Times

Obama transition officials said that the family is considering other housing options and are hopeful the girls will not miss the start of school. Especially in light of the fact that the outgoing Bush Administration takes precedence over the incoming president. Classic Bush, that's all I have to say on that one.

White House Tells Incoming President Barack Obama, Sorry, Blair House is Booked

Blair House, which is situated across the street from the White House.
(Photo: Stephen Crowley/The New York Times)

I think President Bush and his cronies have lost their marbles. Why? Apparently 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 Jan. 5. Gee, I wonder whose accommodations at the Blair House takes precedence over the incoming president? 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.”

“It’s not a public schedule,” said Sally McDonough, spokeswoman for First Lady Laura Bush, in refusing to disclose who was staying at Blair House. “It’s not a question of outranking the Obamas. Blair House will be available to them on January 15.” Ms. McDonough said “there’s nothing more to say other than that it’s not available and won’t be available until January 15.” She added that “you’re trying to make a story out of something that’s not a story.” Source: The New York Times

So, in classic Bush style, ask no questions because you'll get no straight answers. Secrets. Yep. That's what President Bush and his cronies are into. Secrets.

A White House official said that Mr. Bush does not have family or friends from Texas staying at Blair House during the period which the Obamas requested. But Blair House, the official said, has been booked for “receptions and gatherings” by members of the outgoing Bush administration. Those receptions, the official said, “don’t make it suitable for full-time occupancy by the Obamas yet.” Source: The New York Times

Obama transition officials said that the family is considering other housing options and are hopeful the girls will not miss the start of school. Especially in light of the fact that the outgoing Bush Administration takes precedence over the incoming president. Classic Bush, that's all I have to say on that one.