news-record.com

Like most parents, Barack and Michelle Obama must arrange their lives around their children's school schedule. So they've got a problem.

Their daughters are supposed to begin classes at Washington's Sidwell Friends School on Jan. 5, but Barack's new job doesn't start until Jan. 20. So the Obamas asked George and Laura Bush if they could move into Blair House in early January so the girls could start school on time. Blair House is located across the street from the White House and is used to house visiting dignitaries.

Sorry, the Bushes replied, but no early check-in. Blair House is booked up. The Obamas must wait until Jan. 15 to move into Blair House, the customary date that presidents-elect move there before inauguration.

So why don't the Obamas move into Barack's pad near the Capitol? Because it's a tiny rental apartment that's been described as a dump. One staff member said Obama was the only U.S. senator who lived in a rental worse than his own staff's housing. Obama lived there alone, commuting home on weekends to be with his family in Chicago.

One reason the Obamas requested Blair House is because of security hassles. Blair House is already secured by the Secret Service and would not disrupt the neighborhood. Other Washington residences will have to be cordoned off by the Secret Service, inconveniencing neighbors.

That said, I think it's best for the Obamas not to move into Blair House too soon. As Barack frequently reminds us, our Constitution provides for only one president and he's not it. Having the president and the president-elect living across the street from each other for very long would be awkward. The media would be clamoring around Blair House, giving the impression that Obama is the president. It's best for Bush and Obama to keep a geographical distance.

Nevertheless, I suspect that Bush is counting the days until he can move back to Texas. His popularity is in the pits, and he's been so overshadowed by Obama that some folks forgot he was still president. Until, of course, that Iraqi journalist threw shoes at him and called him a "dog." Not nice. But at least it was a reminder that Bush is still president and is nimble at ducking, too.

The Kennedy dynasty

Next subject: Caroline Kennedy for the U.S. Senate. What's gotten into her? Why would this most private of Kennedys suddenly wants to be a senator?

Some say she discovered a taste for politics when she campaigned for Obama. Others say she's been waiting for her children to grow up before plunging into politics. (She has two daughters in college and a son in high school). Others say she's doing it for her Uncle Ted Kennedy, who is suffering from brain cancer and who encouraged her to seek Hillary Clinton's seat.

The Kennedys have a sense of dynasty, and I think it's a carry-on-the-torch thing. For decades there have been Kennedys in the U.S. Senate -- her father, Uncle Bobby, Uncle Teddy -- and she may feel it's her destiny. Not only that, she would be the first Kennedy woman to become a senator.

But is she ready for prime time? Is she qualified? Well, not exactly. She has never held elective office and her views on most issues are unknown. On the plus side, she worked on the mayor's commission to help New York's public schools and served on the Obama transition team. She was also a successful money-raiser for the Obama campaign, an important trait for politicians.

But if her name were anything but Kennedy, her chances of getting the nod would be nil. Instead, she's the daughter of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and symbolizes the continuum of "Camelot." And for some, those credentials are enough.

Caroline's future will depend on New York Gov. David Paterson. The governor will not appoint Hillary's successor until she is confirmed as secretary of state and resigns her Senate seat, probably in late January. So there will be a month or so for Caroline Kennedy to tour New York state and show if she's got the right stuff. Her work is cut out for her.

Rosemary Roberts writes a Friday column. E-mail: rmroberts@triad.rr.com