White House Laughs Off Obamas Staying Across The Street

If President Bush is at all peeved that his predecessor is moving across the street from the White House Sunday, his staffers are hiding it well. Asked by CBS News' Senior White House correspondent Bill Plante how the President feels about "having a parallel administration across the street," White House Deputy Press Secretary Gordon Johndroe laughed and assured him "we are still pretty busy around here."

4588988 "President Bush uniquely understands the role and job that President-elect Obama is about to take in, I think, eighteen days and understands that he needs to put a team together and work for the future of the United States," Johndroe explained. He added that, "President Bush's instructions to us have been to assist the transition team and make sure we provide them with the information and access they need so they can start right away on January 20th."

"He's gonna be right across the square there," Plante pushed Johndroe. "They could wave to each other probably from the second floor."

Watch The Exchange Here:

"The good thing is they won't have to wave at each other because President-elect Obama will be here with the former presidents on Wednesday. So they will not only have the chance to wave to each other but have the chance to have a nice conversation and a good meal," Johndroe responded. Former Presidents Carter, Bush and Clinton will join President Bush and Mr. Obama for a tete-a-tete Wednesday at the White House. It is the first time the four living former presidents have been together since President Ford's funeral in December 2006.

President-elect Obama and his family will arrive in Washington, D.C. on Sunday in time for the girls to start school at Sidwell Friends on Monday. Plante noted that Mr. Obama is wasting no time getting to work and has meeting plans on Capitol Hill Monday to discuss an economic stimulus package.

The Obamas will shack up at the Hay Adams Hotel leading up to the inauguration and their move to the Blair House. The ritzy digs are right across Lafayette Square from the White House -- approximately .2 miles from the Oval Office.

"You know, I just get two more weeks in a hotel, I've done that enough," Obama joked with members of the press flying back to Chicago from his Hawaiian vacation last night.