NIE Special Report

FOR THE WEEK OF NOV. 10, 2008

More than presidency will change with young family in White House

Look for photos and facts about Malia and Sasha Obama or articles about their puppy search.

Based on what you've read about politics, the presidency and Washington, D.C., list five cool things and five drawbacks about being a president's daughter or son.

"We're going to make sure they're protected and that they have some level of normalcy," Michelle Obama says of her daughters. Talk about what privacy limits the news media should respect when covering the First Family.

Historic, emotional images of President-Elect Barack Obama and incoming First Lady Michelle Obama on Election Night included their daughters, 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia. That family portrait was a reminder that a vigorous, appealing young family is entering the White House -- one that will bring a dramatically different energy and style to the presidency.
Some people are reminded of John Kennedy's brief term from 1961-63, distinguished partly by youthful vigor and two photogenic children.

Now the Obamas are getting ready for a big move like any other family, except they're doing it with global media attention and Secret Service bodyguards. Questions for the president-elect during his first post-election press conference included one about a pressing family issue - getting a pet dog. "Our preference would be to get a shelter dog," Obama said, adding: "But a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me." Because Malia has allergies, the family needs a purebred pooch that won't be a problem.

Another decision involves where the girls will attend school. Malia is in fifth grade at a Chicago private school, here her sister is a second-grader. Their new home in Washington, D.C., has a pool, a bowling alley and a 50-seat movie theater.
The household will include maternal grandmother Marian Robinson, who cared for them regularly during the campaign. "I will do whatever Michelle needs," she says, "simply because I know how important it is for her to see that the children ... still have discipline and still have things that children do."

Sisters' interests: Malia enjoys acting and soccer, while Sasha loves singing, dancing, playing piano and tennis.

Past White House kids: Caroline Kennedy was almost 4 when she and infant brother John Jr. moved into the executive mansion in 1961 - the last time a pair of youngsters arrived. Amy Carter was 9 when her father took office in 1977. Chelsea Clinton was 12 when she moved into the White House in 1993.

Insider says: "Any house is so much more alive with children, and it's the same with the White House. The kids come in, they bring their friends. It makes it a home." - Betty Monkman, former White House staffer

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