Obama, back in Washington, has busy week ahead
| • | Obama may have to wait for stimulus |
By Philip Elliott
Associated Press
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. — President-elect Barack Obama landed in the Washington area last night, setting up the final march toward his Jan. 20 inauguration.
He has a busy week ahead of him. Today, after his girls leave for their first day of classes at the private Sidwell Friends School, he has a meeting planned with Democratic and Republican leaders about a proposed economic plan. On Wednesday, he is to attend lunch at the White House with former presidents.
He also has some high-profile members of his administration to name, including a director of national intelligence and a CIA director. Robert Gibbs, Obama's top spokesman, told reporters he anticipated those posts to be named soon.
Obama also has to find a replacement for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, his pick for commerce secretary and a top-tier Hispanic politician who added diversity to his inner circle.
Richardson took his name out of the running amid a federal grand jury investigation into government contracts.
But as Obama prepared to leave his hometown of Chicago, he kept talk personal.
"I've got to tell you, I choked up a little bit leaving my house today," Obama told reporters aboard a government 757 plane typically used by vice presidents and first ladies.
Obama said photos of 10-year-old daughter Malia and her friends triggered the emotion.
"Malia's friend had dropped off an album of the two of them. They've been friends since preschool. I just looked through the pages, the house was empty. It was a little tough," Obama said.
Asked if he was looking forward to arriving in Washington, Obama smiled and said yes, "although living in a hotel for two weeks? We did that for two years."
The president-elect is staying at the Hay-Adams Hotel across from the White House. His wife, Michelle, and daughters — Malia and 7-year-old Sasha — made the trip from Chicago on Saturday.
The family plans to stay at the hotel until the White House's guest quarters are available Jan. 15. They moved early so Sasha and Malia could start on time at Sidwell, an aide said.
