White House Readying for More Sparkle

It must be exciting for White House staffers to have a new vibrant first family in the White House.

Scotsman: STAFF at the White House are bracing themselves for a new and glittering era with the arrival of Barack Obama, whose family is expected to turn the page on the buttoned-down years of the Bush administration.
George Bush was famously tucked-up in bed by nine each night, and held just six state banquets in his two terms – including one for the Queen – believed to be the lowest total of any president of the modern era.

The drinks cabinet will also be back in service – Mr Bush was a reformed alcoholic – and the introduction of two young children, and their friends, along with Mrs Obama's mother, will add sparkle and noise to the corridors.

Add in the Obama's feting of showbusiness contacts – Bruce Springsteen entertained the crowd at his final campaign rally and talk-show host Oprah Winfrey was a key supporter – and some are predicting a return of "Camelot", the heady mix of celebrities and power-brokers seen under John F Kennedy in the early 1960s.

Bush Rescues McCain

Bush invites Obama and McCain to the White House, rescuing McCain from his loser move. That means the debates may be shifted. Obama has agreed to go:

"A few moments ago, President Bush called Senator Obama and asked him to attend a meeting in Washington tomorrow, which he agreed to do," Obama-Biden spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement. "Senator Obama has been working all week with leaders in Congress, Secretary Paulson, and Chairman Bernanke to improve this proposal, and he has said that he will continue to work in a bipartisan spirit and do whatever is necessary to come up with a final solution. He strongly believes the debate should go forward on Friday so that the American people can hear from their next President about how he will lead America forward at this defining moment for our country."

McCain hasn't been seen in these bailout negotiations