Obama closing in on a dog: labradoodle or water hound
EXPLORING D.C. | Decision made on chef, but not on church
WASHINGTON--President-elect Barack Obama revealed Sunday he is closing in on selecting the first dog -- either a labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound. Here for one week, Obama and his family explored some of the city over the weekend.
The long-promised dog is a gift for daughters Malia and Sasha. "This has been tougher than finding a commerce secretary," Obama told George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC's "This Week."
(AP)
The Obamas moved here a week ago, coming a bit early so their girls could start at the beginning of the semester of their new school, Sidwell Friends.
Obama told Stephanopoulos that his children "seemed to thrive" the first week and "don't seemed to be fazed by anything. People think -- you know, folks think I'm cool, but they are a lot cooler than I am."
In other first family-elect developments here:
• • Marion Robinson, Michelle Obama's mother, has been bunking here with the rest of the family at the Hay-Adams Hotel near the White House. She will probably move into the White House with the family. However, I'm told that Robinson values her independence and is not sure if she wants to live there long term or give up her home on Chicago's South Side.
• • The Obama family visited the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday night; at one point, Obama seemed to pause in front of Abraham Lincoln's statute.
• • Earlier Saturday, Obama visited a famous Washington eatery, Ben's Chili Bowl. When it opened on U Street in 1958, the strip was known as the "Black Broadway." Obama ate a chili half-smoke with sweet tea. He dined with Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty, an early Obama supporter.
• • The Obamas have been without a church since they quit Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ in the wake of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright debacle. Obama said Sunday they will be visiting churches here but don't want to be disruptive to a congregation "being nagged every time you go to church." They will look for a balance. "We want to be part of Washington, D.C."
• • Dashing hopes that a Chicago chef would get the call, Michelle Obama decided to retain the incumbent White House chef, Cristeta Comerford.
The incoming first lady said in a statement, "Cristeta Comerford brings such incredible talent to the White House operation and came very highly regarded from the Bush family. Also the mom of a young daughter, I appreciate our shared perspective on the importance of healthy eating and healthy families. I look forward to working with her in the years to come."