WASHINGTON — The Bush administration has denied President-elect Barack Obama’s request to move early into an official guesthouse across from the White House, citing previously scheduled but unannounced commitments, a transition official said Friday.
The Obamas wanted to move into Blair House before Jan. 5 so their daughters, Malia and Sasha, could start classes on time at Sidwell Friends School in Washington. “But there were previously scheduled events and guests that couldn’t be displaced,” said a transition representative, who agreed to be quoted only on the condition of anonymity.
Sally McDonough, a spokeswoman for first lady Laura Bush, said in a statement that Blair House will be “available to President-elect Obama and his family starting Jan. 15, as is historically the case.”
McDonough declined to say what events had been booked at the house.
Transition officials say the Obamas hope to find temporary housing until Jan. 15 so the girls can start school on time.
Blair House, which dates to 1824, has served as the official presidential guesthouse since 1942 for heads of state and other foreign dignitaries. It is a complex of four joined townhouses that is larger than the White House, with 119 rooms and 70,000 square feet of space.
