All Blog Posts from Political Hotsheet

The White House has announced its 2009 holiday theme: "Reflect, rejoice, and renew."

The earth-friendly theme means the use of recycled ornaments, natural materials and energy-saving lighting for their 18.5-foot Douglas fir Christmas tree. The tree, which stands in the Blue Room, was purchased from a farm in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, the Washington Post reports.

Among the decorations are a gingerbread model of the White House (pictured below) - which includes Bo, the family dog, standing guard out front - and First Lady Michelle Obama's vegetable garden. The tree is festooned with golden ribbons, red bulbs and smaller white lights. Some of the ornaments were used by Mr. Obama's predecessors.

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This post was written by CBS News' Jamie Farnsworth, who is traveling with the president-elect on his Hawaii vacation.

HONOLULU, Hawaii — Christmas Day arrived for President-elect Barack Obama and family far from the cold and snow of Chicago. Here in Hawaii, the temperature is consistently in the high 70s and sunny.

The president-elect spent Christmas Eve golfing with friend Dr. Eric Whitaker and staffer Eugene Kang, along with local friends.

In the morning, he started the day like every other in Hawaii — with a workout at a nearby military base.

Christmas Day will be spent opening presents with Michelle, Sasha, and Malia. Dinner will be traditional holiday fare, complete with turkey and ham. At various times, the future first family will be joined by their friends the Whitakers and the Nesbitts.

There is no church appearance planned.

This post was written by CBS News' Jamie Farnsworth, who is traveling with the president-elect on his Hawaii vacation.

Honolulu, Hawaii — Christmas day arrived for President-elect Barack Obama and family far from the cold and snow of Chicago. Here in Hawaii, the temperature is consistently in the high 70s and sunny.

The president-elect spent Christmas Eve golfing with friend Dr. Eric Whitaker and staffer Eugene Kang along with local friends.

In the morning, he started the day like every other in Hawaii - with a workout at a nearby military base.

Christmas day will be spent opening presents with Michelle, Sasha, and Malia. Dinner will be traditional holiday fair, complete with turkey and ham. At various times, the future first family will be joined by their friends the Whitakers and the Nesbitts.

There is no church appearance planned.

President-elect Barack Obama is still enjoying his vacation in Hawaii, but his office today released his weekly radio address ahead of Christmas Eve tonight. The message was recorded in Chicago before his trip.

In the holiday greeting, Mr. Obama turns his attention to U.S. troops serving overseas and to those hurting from the economy.

"As we celebrate this joyous time of year, our thoughts turn to the brave men and women who serve our country far from home," Mr. Obama said. "Their extraordinary and selfless sacrifice is an inspiration to us all, and part of the unbroken line of heroism that has made our freedom and prosperity possible for over two centuries."

"This holiday season, their families celebrate with a joy that is muted knowing that a loved one is absent, and sometimes in danger. In towns and cities across America, there is an empty seat at the dinner table; in distant bases and on ships at sea, our servicemen and women can only wonder at the look on their child’s face as they open a gift back home," he continues. "Our troops and military families have won the respect and gratitude of their broader American family. Michelle and I have them in our prayers this Christmas, and we must all continue to offer them our full support in the weeks and months to come."

On the economic turmoil, the president-elect urges Americans to think about those who don't have a job. "From students to seniors, the future seems uncertain," he said.

"That is why this season of giving should also be a time to renew a sense of common purpose and shared citizenship," Mr. Obama continued. "Now, more than ever, we must rededicate ourselves to the notion that we share a common destiny as Americans – that I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper. Now, we must all do our part to serve one another; to seek new ideas and new innovation; and to start a new chapter for our great country."

The weekly address will be on radio at its normal time shortly after 11 a.m. ET. But you can watch the video now or read the full text below, released by the transition office.

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The president and his family, including daughters Barbara and Jenna with her husband Henry, his parents, siblings and their families are all spending Christmas at Camp David. The president and Mrs. Bush have spent each of their Christmases in office at Camp David, and the White House notes they spent four Christmases during his father's term in office there too.

CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller reports that President Bush called nine members of the U.S. Armed Forces around the world to thank them from for their service. The White House released a photo of Mr. Bush making the calls, seen at left.

"He requested that each member serve as his messenger in passing along Holiday wishes from him and Mrs. Bush to all troops, as well as the special appreciation he has for our military men and women serving our country," said White House press secretary Dana Perino.

Knoller reports that back in the early days of the Clinton Administration, the White House actually allowed reporters to listen to an audio feed of the president's holiday phone calls to members of the U.S. military overseas. The practice was ended after a year or two.

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