Obama seeks early January move to Washington

By Steve Holland

CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama explored moving into a guest house run by the White House in early January so his daughters can start school on January 5, but the house was booked up with events, aides said on Friday.

Obama and his wife Michelle have two daughters who are to attend Washington's private Sidwell Friends school and are trying to arrange temporary housing for the family until their move into the White House on January 20.

One idea was for them to move into Blair House, the presidential guest house across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House.

Obama aides asked White House officials and were told Blair House was booked with events and receptions during day-time hours and would not be available for overnight use until January 15.

"We explored the idea so that the girls could start school on schedule. But, there were previously scheduled events and guests that couldn't be displaced. The White House has been extremely accommodating to the Obama family needs -- and the entire process has been smooth and friendly," an Obama transition aide said.

She did not say what alternatives the family might be considering.

The president-elect typically moves into Blair House several days before Inauguration Day as a prelude to taking over the White House.

A White House official said Blair House would be ready for full occupancy by the Obama family on January 15. The official said the events and receptions being held there in early January were scheduled far in advance.

"However, we're happy to work with them if they want to use the building during the day before the 15th, during some of those days, whenever it's not being used for previously scheduled events and receptions," the official said.

Although they represent opposing political parties, officials from the Bush White House and Obama transition team say they have worked relatively well together in preparing for the formal handover of power.

(Editing by Vicki Allen)