Obamas to stay at Hay-Adams

Posted: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:16 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From Chuck Todd and Savannah Guthrie
NBC News has learned the Obamas will be staying at the Hay-Adams in Washington, D.C., until they can move into the Blair House on Jan. 15th.

The New York Times reported this morning "...Obama and his family will move to Washington this weekend in time for his daughters to start school... ."

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Comments

It seems as though everyone and anyone who want to know the whereabouts of the Obamas have free access! Thaks to the internet and news media

Sarah Jones, Jacksonville, Fl (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:32 AM)

Wow, nice digs.

It even has a view of the White House so the Obamas can keep an eye on their new home as the transition takes place.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:36 AM)

Well, so much for security.

Leah B., Eugene, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:36 AM)

3-19

thanks for letting us all know where the Obamas are staying. and I do mean letting us ALL know.

Kay P Tempe Az (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:37 AM)

Inching closer to the Oval Office. How nice. I watched the historical playback of Obama's campaign; his speeches; the crowds at his convention appearance and in Chicago after winning the Presidency on Olbermann last night and was once again moved by the passion and hope that people displayed. As Obama has stated this is all about us, you. So let's continue letting our voices be heard loud and clear when we wish our country to take a certain direction, on any issue. And when those miserable people who wish to argue all the time, play politics, play with our lives, take advantage of people, get in the way, let's steam roll right over them.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:41 AM)

Oh good! Make sure everyone knows exactly where they're staying... IDIOTS!!!

John M., Everett, WA (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:43 AM)

FR - can someone tell me, what would be the necessity to inform the public as to where PE Barack Obama will be staying temporarily?

I mean - I won't be going there to visit - will you?

The only place I care about PE Obama living in - is the White House.

Anything else is just an infringement on his privacy and could place him and his family in possible jeopardy.

I mean – no one would expect the media to be responsible for providing to much information!!!

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:43 AM)

This is such shocking news! The world-wide press must be all over this story.....what a way to start the New Year!

Mike G (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:47 AM)

I read in another news source that the name of the hotel is supposed to be kept secret for the Obama's security - assuming this is the true name of the hotel, why are you making this public?

Cam, Denver, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:47 AM)

Twenty days and whose counting? Answer: EVERYBODY

To Secret Service: Take good care of him. He is a national treasure.

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:50 AM)

Chuck - you guys have a hard job - I bet sometimes you feel as if you can't win for losing.

Keep up the good work....:)

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:51 AM)

Excellent choice! Kind of Motel 6-ish, but it does have a Continental Breakfest and there is a McDonalds right across the street. And Barack, it's no smoking, so take your habit out to the parking lot.

Dean Webb, Washington DC (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:51 AM)

Why would you tell the world exactly where Obama and his family will be staying, when he has had so many threats against his life? What are you thinking?

sedonakaren (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:52 AM)

Well if the current property owners would get out and let the people's choice in to start the work that needs to be done and should have been done 8 years ago, the Obama family could settle in where they belong.

CAV Cincinnati, OH (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:52 AM)

And why again did Bush say no to the Obama's moving into Blair House 2 weeks early...oh, that's right its not being occupied by any head of state's he's just a bitter nasty despot.

Aaron, Annapolis, MD (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:53 AM)

Well now we can all breathe a sigh of relief, right? Come ON. This whole story has been obnoxious. Regular people have to make tough choices everyday. I doubt the Obamas finding a "acceptable" place to reside in DC in time for their girls to make it to their new elite school is hardly atop the minds of the working masses who struggle just to have a home, period. It's not like the move-in date is held out as a surprise, and attempts to spin it as somehow the sitting administration's problem are lame. It's disappointing the incoming First Family appears so oblivious (or at least uninterested) to the impression it gives to the masses--not unlike jetting off to Hawaii again.

MaryJane Murphy, Twin Cities (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:58 AM)

I thought the hotel name wasn't to be released for security reasons. It seems irresponsible to me to put the name out there if it might endanger the President-elect or his family - especially, since it's not even a newsworthy story. We need to keep this man SAFE - don't you people get that?

Milana Dietrich, Los Angeles, California (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:58 AM)

Happy New Year!

I've found that taking a break when President Elect Obama does helps to keep me politically sane! :)

Thanks to First Read and all the posters here for an AMAZING 2008!

YES WE DID! :)

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:05 PM)

I am hoping this is just a false story being floated to make the 24/7/365 News junkies feel like they are in the know. What possible purpose does it serve to disclose a place where the next first family will be staying for 10 -15 days? This is a security breach, if true. I bet they are staying at a Super8 in some obscure place, (well, maybe in a Holiday Inn) and this story is just propaganda.

No news here. When will the media take some responsibility for our nation's security?

John Davis, Cambridge MA (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:08 PM)

MaryJane Murphy, Twin Cities: Your post is filled with false information based on an obvious bitterness towards the new president. Obvioulsy you would not be happy no matter what choices he made.

Obama's administration has never tried to spin his move to DC as a dig against the current adiministration. He asked to use the Blair house, this was not possible, so he made other arrangements. The media has made a bigger deal about this.

I do not believe their is anything wrong with Obama spending Christmas with his family in the state he grew up in, and attending a memorial service for his grandmother.

marc, Brimingham, Alabama (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:09 PM)

Last time I checked, Hawaii was a state, and the place where Obama grew up. So is it not okay to visit home anymore?

Shelby, Charleston, SC (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:11 PM)

Folks, every news organization will be reporting this. Don't blame FR.

Happy new year to you guys. Thanks for your great work all year. Looking forward to Chuck's reports from the WH in 2009.

LK, Chicago (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:13 PM)

Yeah !
What's a little torture between friends ?

'...During a lunch meeting two blocks from the White House, where he served under his longtime friend, President George W. Bush, Mr. Gonzales said that "for some reason, I am portrayed as the one who is evil in formulating policies that people disagree with. I consider myself a casualty, one of the many casualties of the war on terror."...'

How about using the DOJ to affect elections ?
How about only hiring Conservatives ?
How about wire tapping ?
How about Monica Goodling having to 'take the Fifth' ?

BOO HOO, poor little Alberto

MSierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:14 PM)

I pray there will be "no incidences" at the hotel,I observed how negligent the secret service was at the shoe-throwing scene.

Beverly Clarke, Troy, Missouri (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:14 PM)

It's sad that we had leaders of peace to be assasinated in the past by folk's talking to much now here we go again taling to much his residential stay should not have been leaked this is where the trust breaks down for us black folk's and we have been cautious of all of yoy anyway yet just following Obama's lead if no-one knew were Cheney was don't discuss the Obama's and the reporter should be put on leave for if it was a African American he should be fired/said because other races stick together.

Concerned (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:14 PM)

I pray there will be "no incidences" at the hotel,I observed how negligent the secret service was at the shoe-throwing scene.

Beverly Clarke, Troy, Missouri (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:16 PM)

I guess the economy isn't hurting the President-elect at all -- nice digs! There wasn't anywhere in Washington they could be put up at that is already paid for? OMG -- big spenders those Dems! Can't wait to see the billions spent on ingauration -- and all the people the campaign supporters said would be saved are sitting at home watching on tv. That is if they made their cable bill payment!

Becky Wilson (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:20 PM)

Hey, who's paying for that? Oh, money left from all those foreign campaign contributions

Citizen Joe, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:20 PM)

Will he be bringing a copy of his certified birth certificate with him from Hawaii? I understand information confirming his birth in Kenya has been found and will be forth coming soon:
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/williams/081231

If this is correct Obama is not a "natural born citizen" and will be ineligible to hold the office. Hillary/Biden 2009?

John (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:22 PM)

This is the kind of news you just couldn't keep quiet. It's a shame our president elect could not stay at the Blair House intitially and will have to transition twice before moving in to his home, the White House. Anyway, the world is eagerly awaiting the moment the Obama family takes it rightful place in history.

Obama/Biden 08-12

Sheila from Texas (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:24 PM)

This could have all been avoided if the Blair House had been made available for the incoming President. I understand from stories earlier it was "committed otherwise". Who is in charge of that, and why was it not "committed" to incoming officials? Would have made security a lot easier too!!!!!!!!!
Just more poor planning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darrell, Amarillo, Tx (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:30 PM)

Twenty days and whose counting? Answer: EVERYBODY
---------------------------------------------------
I know I am. The sooner the Obama administration starts, the sooner it ends.

A C, Tuscaloosa AL (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:33 PM)

Great piece of investigative journalism. Chuck seems to be struggling to find content now that he is no longer required to analyze which sub-set of 35-37 year old women who earn between 28-29K per year in Montgomery County, PA will be voting for McCain.

Jamba, Phila, PA (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:33 PM)

I doubt the Obamas selected the temporary home, and trust the secret service to choose the safest places for our President. For the sore loosers who disrespect the President-Elect and his family, I say get the chip off of your shoulder. Like it or not, he is your President as well--just as 43 has been for those of us who did not vote for him.

David Brown, Escondido CA (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:35 PM)

I hate to pile on, but the MSM does really need to exercise some restraint/self-censorship when it comes to releasing information that affects the security of the PE. Also, the paparazzi need to be given a verbal smackdown and arrested if they try to pull any more spy-shot stunts like they did in Hawaii. The Secret Service should send all known paparazzi agencies an advisement that any of their photographers will be subject to arrest and imprisonment (not to mention possible accidental death) if they breach the PE's security zone again.

john, phoenix az (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:36 PM)

Obama supporters are absolutely rediculous. Please protect him because he's a national tresure, just tell everyone where he's staying, 20 days and counting.

Blah blah blah blah

Wait until all the Obama-Heads realize that he is NOT going to save the world and he isn't going to do anything that will affect them personally. Hell, he's already to blame for Israel attacking Hamas because Isreal said they act before Obama became president.

Obama is still a fraud (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:41 PM)

It is amazing that people feel that Obama has a right to move into the Blair house early AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE and that Bush is being childish. Remember when Bush came to office and all of the desk and computers in the white house where vandalized? What where you saying then? Bush stopped any investigation into the childish acts and did not allow people to be punished for being so stupid. This was not just one or two computers and offices, but all but one or two. GROW UP people. Obama will take office is due time and be given due respect. I just wish that a little of the respect you demand for Obama had been shown to Bush.

Mark Roanoke VA (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:43 PM)

And this is news because why????

Can't wait for the idiot in charge to leave. 3 more weeks and counting!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year to all posters, and all MSNBC staff!!!!

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:43 PM)

I really don't think it necessary for the whole world to know which hotel the Obamas are staying in. They should be in Blair House but George said no. They have children to put in school so they had to come to DC early.

Doesn't the man deserve a vacation? He hit the ground running on November 5th and hasn't stopped since. As to the "again", he went to visit his Grandmother who sadly passed away before knowing her grandson would be the 44th President of the United States. What's wrong with you?

Sarah Riedmaier, Port Clinton, Oh (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:44 PM)

There are just some things the media should not release for security purposes. Stop it. You may be responsible for a lack of security for the Obama family. We, the American people, want them safe.

Doreen Augusta Maine (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:44 PM)

Gosh...I hope its not one of those non smoking only hotels...all we need is the national scolds whining about this being a good time to quit nag nag nag

Rick, NC (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:46 PM)

I believe that God is at work to right the wrongs of this Country. He has a covering over The Pres. Elect and his family.( If God is with Him, than Who Can be against Him)Be still and Watch God Work my Brothers and Sister.

C.Brown , Richmond Va. (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:47 PM)

Duh Mary Jane, that is where Barack's home is, he has every right to take his family back to their roots. You need to understand, he is not like every joe blow on the block, but he has worked for everything he has. You sound judgemental and bitter.

April Durrant, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:54 PM)

If I were Mahlia or Sasha, i am sure i would have great fun running around a place like this. Nice choice. I hope Michelle can continue to "keep it real" for these two very lucky little girls.

Jule, Milwaukee WI (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:54 PM)

To MaryJane Murphy, Twin Cities - You posted the following:

"It's disappointing the incoming First Family appears so oblivious (or at least uninterested) to the impression it gives to the masses--not unlike jetting off to Hawaii again."

It seems a bit unfair to imply the new First Family is oblivious to impressions because they choose to spend some time in the place Obama grew up. Don't you go home every now and then?

Katie, Portland, Ore. (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:57 PM)

Announcing the new first family digs, for what freaking purpose? What idiot thought the public needed to know, or was the impetus for the criminal minds? Dear Lord, what is wrong with these decision makes?

J D Tynan (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:58 PM)

Why on earth would "responsible" journalists post this?!
There goes my respect for Chuck Todd!

Susan Kunin, Spokane, WA. (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 1:01 PM)

attempts to spin it as somehow the sitting administration's problem are lame. It's disappointing the incoming First Family appears so oblivious (or at least uninterested) to the impression it gives to the masses--not unlike jetting off to Hawaii again.
MaryJane Murphy, Twin Cities (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:58 AM)

The question is why you have such an impression of a vacation, (Bush is at the Ranch in Texas...VACATIONING)and issues of spin when none were mentioned....Except for by a blogger(Aaron)who is as clueless as you are. The residence becomes available on 1/15 (As it has for ALL incoming Presidents)Aaron Have you been smoking maryjane?

Are these people NUTS? (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 1:02 PM)

This is news? Please. Does the Times not have anything better to do? There are wars going on, trouble in the middle east, financial trouble, etc. and they are reporting where Obama is sleeping? This is pathetic. And so is Obama.

Corbett D. Troyer, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 1:05 PM)

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