Obama Says Goodbye To Former Life

Washington Post: President-Elect Who Thrived On Routine In Chicago Now Seeks Comfort In A City He Has Never Embraced

(Washington Post)  This story was written by Eli Saslow and Peter Slevin.

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A familiar number showed up on Terry Link's cellphone last week, the one that belonged to the friend he tutored in politics, dominated in golf and sometimes referred to playfully as "Ears." At least once each week for almost a decade, the Illinois state senator had talked on the phone to Barack Obama, but now the number seemed to belong to somebody else.

"This time I answered, 'Hello, Mr. President,'" Link said. "When he called, it used to just be 'Hey, Barack. What's going on?' But plain old Barack is gone."

Obama's home in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood has become a compound guarded ever more closely by bomb-sniffing dogs and Secret Service agents who peer through binoculars at neighboring rooftops. When he travels around the city, it is in an armored limousine and 20-car motorcade, so he has mainly stayed bunkered at home or a downtown transition office. Last week, Obama told one friend that he felt "a little boxed in."

This is only the beginning of the transformation that awaits the president-elect and his family. In two months, they will move into a sterile house in a unfamiliar city where they have never felt particularly comfortable. Friends say Obama is savoring these final weeks in Chicago and spending as much time as possible with his family before he takes the oath of office Jan. 20.

During his political rise, Obama safeguarded times of normalcy and credited them for keeping him sane. A run on the treadmill in the early morning. An evening meander through 57th Street Books. Date night with his wife, Michelle, at one of their favorite restaurants. Pickup basketball at a gym downtown.

Obama already has learned that his mundane routine will be difficult to replicate as president, but his friends say that establishing some kind of similar comfort zone is critical to his success in Washington. They consider it one of the most pressing -- and most challenging -- issues of Obama's transition: How can he create a life as president that keeps him happy?

"Look, there are just certain things that he can't do anymore, or he can't do as easily, and that's going to be hard," said Marty Nesbitt, Obama's closest friend in Chicago. "The objective is to just make sure that things stay as similar to the way they used to be as they can. The same routines, the same conversations -- that's what he wants."

The Obamas have said they will personalize the White House by buying a dog and hosting sleepovers for their daughters. Friends expect them to occasionally spend time back in their Hyde Park home and take annual vacations to Hawaii. Inside the impermeable White House, Obama, by instinct an introvert, can read in the solarium or write in his office, alone and unbothered.

For almost five years now, Obama has lamented the way his public rise has infringed upon his personal space, calling it the most painful drawback of high-profile public service. During his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign, he chafed when friends suggested it was no longer safe for him to run alone on the shore of Lake Michigan. He argued with aides a few years later when they assigned him a full-time driver, explaining that he preferred alone time in the car.

On the night of his election, Obama questioned whether it was necessary to speak to a crowd of 200,000 in Grant Park behind two panes of protective glass, agreeing to the arrangement only after staffers convinced him that it was. Although his staffers continued to party into the early hours, Obama was home before 2 a.m. He awoke by 8 the next morning, dressed in a sweat shirt and a baseball cap, and rode to the gym in a friend's apartment building for his regular morning workout.

"Like everybody else, he's got his routines," said Alexi Giannoulias, a friend who plays basketball with Obama. "There are some little things that make him enjoy life, and he's not just going to give all of that up."

Many things, though, Obama has relinquished. Only three times has he left home after dark since Election Day. He traveled with his wife to a friend's house to celebrate adviser Valerie Jarrett's 52nd birthday. One night, the couple went to dinner at Spiaggia's, a stylish and expensive Italian restaurant where the Obamas traditionally celebrate Valentine's Day over a quiet meal. This time, Secret Service agents guarded the perimeter and a crowd gathered and snapped pictures of the Obamas on their way back to the motorcade. And on Saturday night, he went to parties at the homes of Nesbitt and Penny Pritzker. He played basketball with friends Sunday afternoon in Hyde Park.

Obama's typical day as president-elect follows a routine that is necessarily spare: breakfast at home with his daughters, a trip to the apartment-building gym, six or seven hours at his downtown transition office and the evening at home. He usually enters buildings through underground parking garages and almost never ventures outside.

Gone are the trips to his cacophonous Hyde Park barbershop to see the man who has cut his hair for 15 years; now his barber, Zariff, comes to him. Gone are lunches at Medici, where servers still wear T-shirts that read "Obama Eats Here." Now, if anything, Obama carries in, although on Friday he allowed himself a rare liberty: a trip to Manny's Coffee Shop and Deli. "I'm just glad to be out," he said.

"There's still some things we're not adjusted to," Obama told "60 Minutes" during his only extended interview since he was elected. "You know, the small routines of life that keep you connected, I think some of those are being lost. One of the challenges I think that we're going to be wrestling with is how to stay pretty normal."

[danielle_mom]

To be the most powerful man in the world, you have to be the most isolated.

[mytoosense]

As a 49 year old, I am very happy to finally have a President from the Mid West.

I don''t blame Obama for perfering Chicago over Washington. Chicago is my favorite city to hang out in for way too many reasons to list here.

[txlakeside]

No matter what ... racists can not hide their racism any more than an idiot can hide their dumb as dirt ignorance.

TheMasses ... get over it! You lost now stop being the whiney cry baby. The true Masses are not crying like little girls about Obama. Get over it!

[javakittee]

Is it true there are flags flying from the lamp posts with P.Elec.Ob''s face on them? On Michigan Avenue? Someone told me that but I''m not sure I heard correctly. I lived in and around Chicago for many many years..... sounds like the city has gone nutz. Can this be true??

[javakittee]

Is this article trying to make people feel sorry for him?? OMG! What''s with the "moving into a sterile house in an unfamiliar city"..... I thought he wanted to be president. Then "savoring" his final days in Chicago. Gak......

[javakittee]

go ruin bigger and better things!
Posted by TheMasses10
*****************
doesn''t look like he did much good for the neighborhoods in Chicago. Especially the west and south sides...... still stinko from what I hear. Guess his community organizing didn''t include community cleaning.

[myobamabiden]

WE SHALL AND MUST IMPEACH DIRTY BUSH AND COMPANY.



HE HAS ROBBED THIS COUNTRY LIKE HIS FOREFATHERS.

[specialty8]

myobamabiden,
Sounds like maybe you are one of the biggest racist on here."white racists pig".The excuses are over.No more of the man holding your sorry butt down.

[airboatboy1]

Chicago to Obammie: Good riddance, go ruin bigger and better things!



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Posted by TheMasses10 at 04:13 PM : Nov 24, 2008


Same post twice? Could you repeat that please?

[flreason]

Puhleeze...I know some of you still resent the election results, but you should at least acknowledge that the change isn''t all beer and skittles for Obama and family.

The isolation of the President, although necessary for security reasons, is one of the sad realities of our gun culture. Please don''t misunderstand me...I know that guns would be available to someone bent on murder even if guns were illegal. But the ready availability increases the vulnerability of everyone. When you''re a high-profile person--whether in politics, movies, TV, or business--the danger of being targeted increases exponentially.

I think we all should appreciate the many sacrifices of those who serve our country, both in the military and in politics. For many of them, it''s not all about gain and glory. IMO, I think that applies to Obama.

[flreason]

TheMasses10:

So...you''re perfect? What is your point? The election is over. You''re not going to undo the results by throwing out examples of his vulnerability to human error. If that''s the worst slip he makes, he''ll end up looking like the smartest President the U.S. ever had.

[specialty8]

myobamabidden,
"He has ruined this country like his forefathers".Well I guess Jefferson,Franklin,Edison,McCormik,and Lincoln were all dumb to just to name a few. Think about that tonight while you eat,in case you didn''t know it does not grow in the store, watch TV, listen to the radio,drive your car,use that cell phone,get a hot shower,and post on your computer,just to name a few of the things. We all should be thankful for the things these people did.

[javakittee]

is one of the sad realities of our gun culture.
*************
couldn''t you just have said "culture". The fact is that Ob. has been crying about the lack of privacy for years. Did he think he would have more privacy as president? For corn sakes, he should just shut his piehole and get on with the job. Does anyone want a crybaby man-child running the country? sounds like wah wah wah,,,,,,, I wanna go outside and play but the secret service won''t let me.... sniffle snork

[javakittee]

btw... take a look at pictures of the presidents when entering the office then at the end of the term...... even after only four years the difference is phenomenal.

[annehere]

I''m confident Michelle will still grouse if he leaves dirty socks on the floor. That''s pretty resistant to any kind of life change in men. And it''s normal life.. :)

[bobnjersey]

[Over the last 15 months, we%u2019ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I%u2019ve now been in 57 states? I think one left to go.%u201D
- Barack Hussein Obama , During a speech on May 9, 2008.]
[Posted by TheMasses10 at 04:30 PM : Nov 24, 2008]

david letterman has been doing a ''great american speeches'' spot every night for the last few years. they''re all funny ... and they could probably keep doing it for years w/ all the bush gaffs already in the can.

[javakittee]

HE HAS ROBBED THIS COUNTRY LIKE HIS FOREFATHERS.
Posted by MyObamaBiden at 04:10 PM
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MyObamaBiden..... am wondering who are "your" forefathers? Wouldn''t we all have the same ones???

[McHineguy]

WE SHALL AND MUST IMPEACH DIRTY BUSH AND COMPANY.



HE HAS ROBBED THIS COUNTRY LIKE HIS FOREFATHERS.




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Posted by MyObamaBiden at 04:10 PM : Nov 24, 2008

Oh please stop this!!! You have no grounds except your foolish predjudices. For every failure you mention I can mention a success. And I can go on to mention a similar failure in your choices for leaders. For what purpose? More division and delay while our country fights the biggest challenges we ahve ever faced.

Ill support your choice for leader if you will support mine. Lets get on with it.

[get_it_str8]

Movin own up!! To Da eas sad!!! He finely got a piece of da pie!!!!

[specialty8]

Javakitte,
I think we ran this idiot off. Sometimes the truth hurts.

[McHineguy]

david letterman has been doing a ''''great american speeches'''' spot every night for the last few years. they''''re all funny ... and they could probably keep doing it for years w/ all the bush gaffs already in the can.


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Posted by bobnjersey at 04:46 PM : Nov 24, 2008

But do you notice he doesnt do many about the Dems gaffes? We all know they make them so the only conclusion we can come to is Letterman is showing preference (often called predjudice). Too bad, laughing with us about each other used to unite us.

[McHineguy]

I''''m confident Michelle will still grouse if he leaves dirty socks on the floor. That''''s pretty resistant to any kind of life change in men. And it''''s normal life.. :)


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Posted by annehere at 04:43 PM : Nov 24, 2008

At least he wont have to take out the garbage, lol.

[flreason]

javakittee:

As far as I know, Obama hasn''t spoken about this. It is observations by friends and the press. From the sound of it, he''s going about the transition with his usual thoroughness. He''s lucky to have such good friends who will help keep him grounded.

[tx4obama]

OMG! There are so many haters around here.

I can''t wait until Jan 20, 2009.

Free at last, thanks God, we are free at last!!!

[get_it_str8]

His old friends will keep him bombed....get it ?

[javakittee]

I think we ran this idiot off. Sometimes the truth hurts.
Posted by specialty8 at
*************
hmmmmm..... he may be gone but I''m sure not for good! You are right,,,,sometimes the truth does hurt but most of us are willing to admit to the truth and admit when we are wrong...without swearing and calling names. I hate being called a racist just because I may disagree with someone of a different ethnicity. It seems lately that if one disagrees with P.E.Ob or any democratic policy they are a racist. Seems "myobaamabiden" has some anger issues.

[javakittee]

As far as I know, Obama hasn''''t spoken about this. It is observations by friends and the press. From the sound of it, he''''s going about the transition with his usual thoroughness. He''''s lucky to have such good friends who will help keep him grounded.
Posted by flreason at
*******************
ok.... I was going by the article. Yes, he is fortunate to have friends who will aid in the transition. I can only hope and pray he is up to the task. The pressure is definitely on.

[annehere]

He''s lucky to have such good friends who will help keep him grounded. Posted by flreason at 04:55 PM : Nov 24, 2008
He''s lucky he has such a grounded wife too.
(get_it_str8, I wonder what''s in YOUR bed, awake posting nonsense at this time of the night? :) )

[bobnjersey]

[But do you notice he doesnt do many about the Dems gaffes? We all know they make them so the only conclusion we can come to is Letterman is showing preference (often called predjudice). Too bad, laughing with us about each other used to unite us.]
[Posted by machineguy at 04:51 PM : Nov 24, 2008]

he (or more accurately his writers) are clearly left leaning ... and in the last few years he has not tried to hide his disdain for bush. but historically he''s been generally a-political ... although lately that hasn''t been the case. he obviously feels the situation warrants his taking a clearly identifiable position.

his predominance for gwb''s gaffs is obvious ... it''s like a 100 to 1 ratio ... which makes the writing easier ... gwb is known the world around ... and they''re hillariously funny. it would be more so if it wasn''t a reflection of the person currently in the most powerful position in the world.

[javakittee]

Free at last, thanks God, we are free at last!!!
Posted by TX4Obama
******************
Huh? I must have missed something....that''s what happens when one gets old. I''m not sure if that is supposed to be funny or sarcastic or both or neither.

[specialty8]

Javakittie,
Yes I agree.I see no reason know why a women can''t walk in the city tonight,or get her car hijacked,raped or murdered.The excuses are over.

[likenoone-2009]

it''s going be a long long four years

[bobnjersey]

[Oh, I can''''t wait until Letterman does the Selma March piece of garage speech ... Or the ''''I visited 57 states'''' speech ... Or the ''''I''''m more patriotic because my distant relative who never knew me helped liberate Auschwich (with the soviets?)! Just simply can''''t wait.]
[Posted by Rowdydfw at 05:05 PM : Nov 24, 2008]

have you ever met anyone with a sense of humor? if you ever do ... you should ask them what funny is ... they might be able to explain it to you.

[specialty8]

Tx4obama,
Sorry you have been free for years but did not take advantage of it.No more of the man holding you down, the man is now you.Sometimes you get what you really don''t want.

[javakittee]

Javakittie,
Yes I agree.I see no reason know why a women can''''t walk in the city tonight,or get her car hijacked,raped or murdered.The excuses are over.
Posted by specialty8
&&&&&&&&&&&&&
That is all a sign of the times.......and you know the Obamas don''t live by the same rules as the rest of us. Us regular folks will just have to deal with the crime for the duration. Personally, I live in a state where we have concealed carry "privileges".... and I do take advantage of that. The Obamas don''t live in the real world and I seriously doubt those two little girls will be going to public school.

[javakittee]

Tx4obama,
Sorry you have been free for years but did not take advantage of it.No more of the man holding you down, the man is now you.Sometimes you get what you really don''''t want.
Posted by specialty8
**********************
and all God''s children said: amen

[seafang]

So the "Change we can believe in " and the "we''re the ones we''ve been waiting for" turns out to be the whole well worn Clintonista gang.
Well just face it, when your whole close circle constists of crooks, and terrorists, and America Haters, you have to fall back on the only other thing you know, which is the Clinton team of crooks and terrorists and America haters.

You know what they say; be careful what you pray for; you may get it. Welcome to the recent past.

[javakittee]

I guess that is what happens when you spend so much time putting "it" in your mouth. LOL
Posted by kershaw_31
&&&&&&&&&&&&
now, hmmmm, should I be insulted...... I think not.. What was it P.E.Ob said...... "just words, just words". But I think I will hiss at you.......hssssssss

[specialty8]

Seafang,
You said it better than I,Be careful what you pray for, it might come true, no more excuses.

[besscannon-2009]

Well! Looks like the old adage"be careful what you wish for" is coming to fruitation. Obama had a passion to be president. What did he THINK was going to happen? In today''s world, dignitaries HAVE to live in a protected bubble. There are too many nuts running around that think it is their mission in life to assasinate someone in power. It is not good to have to live the way our presidents have to in these days, but, that is how it is. If you want the job, you have to take the bitter with the batter.

[javakittee]

Well! Looks like the old adage"be careful what you wish for" is coming to fruitation. Obama had a passion to be president. What did he THINK was going to happen
&&&&&&&&&&&&
Exactly!! He asked for it now he''s gonna boo-hoo, wah wah, I can''t play outside. Something seems amiss. Maybe he didn''t want it as much as somebody else wanted it for him.......

[leeanna58]

When Lincoln moved into the White House, he was so unpopular at the time, he was smuggled in under the cover of darkness. If he ventured out, it wasn''t much. Finally, after the Civil War ended and he dared go to the theatre, he was shot and killed. Not that I''m predicting the same for anyone else, but there seems to be a precedence for the need for caution for Presidents. It is a job I would not want.

[javakittee]

but there seems to be a precedence for the need for caution for Presidents. It is a job I would not want.
Posted by leeanna58
********
leeanna58, absolutely so.....I wouldn''t want it either but those who aspire to such a position surely have an idea of the possible ramifications. Interesting about Lincoln.

[hdc77494]

How can he create a life as president that keeps him happy? I don''t care if he''s happy. He spent $700 million dollars of other people''s money to get the job, he appears to think he''s the smartest guy in the room (a la Enron), and he has all these ideas he wants to impose on the American people. Happy? wait till you''re out of office. Right now, do the job, that''s what the rest of us do every day.

[bjcone8559]

How could he know washington this looser has only been a senator or 14 months!!


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Posted by jerryomara


I can''t be sure, but I think you may be trying to say ''loser''. In which case you have certainly shown yourself to be insane... or worse. This man just became the next leader of the free world. Which planet do you live on ''looser''?

[bjcone8559]

Exactly!! He asked for it now he''''s gonna boo-hoo, wah wah, I can''''t play outside. Something seems amiss. Maybe he didn''''t want it as much as somebody else wanted it for him.......


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Posted by javakittee



"boo-hoo"?? "wah-wah"?? Are you a child or a republican?

[geomanmn1]

These are not Obama''s laments ...... just a manufactured story. I''m sure he and his wife know what they will give up and what adjustments are in the offing, and will cope with them as they have with everything so far.

[geomanmn1]

The only hope for our future after 8 year of mistakes and crimes. Give the man a chance. He won''t be able to correct all the errors in a month or even one term. And then there''s the fact that he, like all of us, is an imperfect human being and will make some mistakes.

[doorgunner3]

He is a going to be a great president!

[spinproof]

Pres.-elect Obama is a quick study, preferring to work out on Sundays rather than just attend "any" Church. During his Political vetting process there is also a religious vetting process going on too. One for Pres.-elect Obama, no more Rev. Wrights, no more religious drama! LOL