All Eyes On The New First Family

CBS Evening News: For First Time In 48 Years, Young Children Will Be In The White House

(CBS)  President Bush said Wednesday: "It will be a stirring sight to watch President Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their beautiful girls step through the doors of the White House."

When the Obamas arrive at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in January, it will not only be a powerful symbol of how far the nation has come, but it will also be the first time in 48 years that a pair of young children moved in, CBS News anchor Katie Couric reports.

Caroline Kennedy was just 3 years old when her father took the oath of office, and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was John Jr.'s address practically since birth. Their tender ages caused their 31-year-old mother to fiercely protect their privacy.

"You can go on Web sites and read history books that show the Kennedy kids scampering around the Oval Office. It was atypical," said presidential historian Doug Wead. "Jackie Kennedy did not want any pictures taken of the children."

Wead is the author of "All the Presidents' Children." He's interviewed 19 presidential children, and said most of them loved living at the White House.

"They can have a good life in the White House, but it won't be normal."

Susan Ford, daughter of the late President Gerald Ford, impressed her friends when she was allowed to host her prom at the White house. But she agrees that pomp and circumstance comes with a price.

"It's the articles that are written, the critical letters that you get in the mail from people who don't even know you who just read something in a magazine or a tabloid or whatever. And you really don't ask to be there," she said.

Chelsea Clinton was 12 when she came to the White House. And for eight years, she enjoyed mostly off-limits status by the mainstream media.

The Obamas may want to strike the same deal with their White House press corps.

A simple stroll with 7-year-old Sasha this past Halloween almost became a circus for Obama. It's just one of many adjustments Michelle Obama says her older daughter, 10-year-old Malia, knows she will be making.

"You know, you'll get a sense within her of the anxiety of a shift, like if Dad wins, then will we move? So they have some real practical considerations about 'what does this mean? Do I go to a new school? Will I make new friends?'" Michelle Obama said.

At least we know they'll definitely have one new friend.

In Obama's acceptance speech, he said: "You have earned the new puppy is coming with us to the White House."

And all eyes will be on the new first family moving into the nation's neighborhood.

[onarollagain]

To: sjbj2322

I admit he said what you said he aaid but what does it mean? Bush said we must pass another economic package...what does Obama feel should be in the package...that would be nice to know...to what extent is he thinking the unemployment benefits should be extended; we have no idea what he is thinking about anything...it''s all hot air; he is so plastic. While it''s true we have one president at a time, he certainly has the freedom to say what he is thinking...or has he taken that freedom away from us and himself as well?

[onarollagain]

A woman in a hot air balloon realizes she is lost. She lowers her altitude and spots a man fishing from a boat below. She shouts to him, ''Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don''t know where I am.''

The man consults his portable GPS and replies, ''You''re in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.0 9 minutes west longitude.''

She rolls her eyes and says, ''You must be supporting John McCain!''

''I am,'' replies the man. ''How did you know?''

''Well,'' answers the balloonist, ''everything you tell me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I''m still lost. Frankly, you''re not much help to me.''

The man smiles and responds, ''You must be for Obama.''

''I am,'' replies the balloonist. ''How did you know?''

''Well,'' says the man, ''You don''t know where you are or where you''re going. You''ve risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and now you expect me to solve your problem. You''re in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but, somehow, now it''s my fault.''

[bjcone8559]

***....how dare he insult Nancy Regan like he did? He is nothing but a rock star who is gonna be D''''listed in about 4 years.


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Posted by talk2kim67


Nancy Regan is an airhead... always has been. You think she is this sweet old lady who always has a smile. It''s all those face-lifts, she can''t stop smiling. Obama did not insult her, she is very open about her belief in the occult. Get over it.

[sjbj2322]

ONAROLLAGAIN...for the record....

President-elect Obama said Friday that the country is facing the greatest economic challenge in a lifetime and "we''re going to have to act swiftly to resolve it." In his first news conference since winning the presidency Tuesday, Mr. Obama said Congress must pass an economic stimulus measure either before or just after he takes office in January. He also said unemployment benefits need to be extended. But he deferred to President Bush and his economic team on major decisions in the coming weeks. "The United States has only one government and one president at a time," Mr. Obama said.

Bet you aren''t willing to admit that you were wrong in your statement that he said NOT ONE WORD about the economy - huh!!

[onarollagain]

This is news??? We deserve better from the media....this man had his first press conference yesterday and we heard questions about the dog, and speaking with the dead, and that he is a mutt.....his first big mistake was that he didn''t reassure the American people that he recognizes the seriousness of the economical crisis that has worsened since he became pres-elect...NOT ONE WORD!! and he knows that Wall Street is reacting to the election and refuses to say he will give up his promise to increase capital gains which is absolutely necessary to woo back serious investors. This one is an indecisive, undisciplined politician who is full of words without meaning. He said he was going to focus on the economy but didn''t once say to the uneasy, uncertain investors what his specific plan is. Can''t wait for 2012.

[talk2kim67]

Ugh...who cares what kind of *** dog they are going to get?! The more pressing issue should be O''Bama making good on all the *** lies he spouted off during his election. The guy is an ***....how dare he insult Nancy Regan like he did? He is nothing but a rock star who is gonna be D''listed in about 4 years.

[vmcneal2]

"Who cares?? The family isn''''t important. Their not running the country. He is." Posted by IAWildcats72
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People who believe in family values care!!!!

[likeitis5050]

when was the last time a new born was in the White House, can Michele and Barack make it happen?


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Posted by bks59


the Kennedy''s had a miscarriage...all she''d have to do is carry longer than Jackie to beat her...since we seem to be in the comparison mode with the Kennedys.

[bks59]

when was the last time a new born was in the White House, can Michele and Barack make it happen?

[irmcvet97]

Coming from the Neighborhood they lived in here in Chicago to the White House will be quite a change indeed. The folks around here really didn''t make anything special of them one way or the other, although they do LIKE their Senator and NOW PRESIDENT, very much.

[chitown4716]

Obama should make the first reaching across the aisle gesture by adopting a Alaskan Husky for the White House. Although, I am not sure if a Alaskan Husky would wear LIPSTICK....

[ccc071]

I wish the entire family nothing but the best.

Also, it seems CBS did a bit of history revision. They forgot Amy Carter. I am sure she was younger than Chelsea when she went to the WH.

[ccc071]

jadejaguar, You are an idiot. Please crawl back under your rock.

[renonv5]

Those two beautiful little girls will brighten up that house like it hasn''t been in a long time. As for the puppy, let them decide, they don''t need any outside opinions.

[gambi3]

The Obama''s are a loving family and a great example to all of us. My prayers are with them for all the joys, adventures, adjustments and sacrifices they will face while living in the White House. God Bless and protect them.

[barbaraf4]

"Who cares?? The family isn''t important. Their not running the country. He is." Posted by IAWildcats72
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You are mistaken. This family is very important. They represent the model that says with education and hard work, just about anything is possible. While the Blacks of this country embrace them as simply being the first Black family in the White House, they would do well to observe how they got there. Education and hard work!

[kashmirbaby]

Aww, no! Pet adoption would be a great idea! It would benefit the millions of animals in shelters, sponser awareness of that fact...great idea!

[golightly62]

I feel a little lame for even saying this,, there are so many other issues to focus on, but about that puppy..wouldn''t it be a lovely gesture if they were to skip the pedigrees and rescued some deserving pup from a shelter?

[imotorist]

Why would anyone want to "rise" to the level of Bush? The last approval rating was down at about twenty percent and that''s being generous.

[rixmix98]

Amen Armydog2. I couldn''t agree with you any more.