The White House has refused a request by the Obamas to move in early into the Blair House to facilitate Sasha and Malia’s transition to their new school.
Though Clinton and Reagan both stayed in the Blair House as early as December (h/t askew), typically, the incoming Presidents’ families move into the Blair House five days prior to inauguration. In this case, though, Michelle and Barack—who both treasure education—sought to avoid having their daughters miss their first day of school (January 5th).
Sure, it’s a seemingly reasonable request, but I can’t begrudge the Bushes for rejecting it. They are, tragic as it is, still the current tenants. And, in Bush’s feeble mind, he probably thinks he’s doing them a favor.
But what I do have a problem with is George and Laura’s refusal to disclose the identities of the Blair House occupants who are preventing the Obama’s from moving in. According to the State Department, it’s not a foreign dignitary. And another unnamed White House official admitted it’s not a member of Bush’s family.
So who is occupying the Blair House? As part owner along with all my fellow taxpayers, don’t I deserve to know who could possibly be so important as to sabotage the schooling of the next youngest White House residents?
To that question, the White House revealed this:
"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."
How magnanimous. Reason #6655321 why January 20 can’t come soon enough.