Weekend: moving to Washington
Updated on 05 January 2009
Fri 2 - Sun 4 January 2009: On his return from his Christmas break in Hawaii, Barak Obama wasted no time in packing up his Chicago belongings and heading to the capital.
The Obama's took up temporary residence at the Hay-Adams Hotel, overlooking their soon-to-be home, and the girls are due to start school on Monday.
But his last few days in Chicago have not been without controversy.
The Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who is alleged to have attempted to sell Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder, has appointed Roland Burris to the post.
While senior Democrats insist there is no concern about Mr Burris, the refuse to accept anyone appointed by Blagojevich. Even Obama has released a statement on the appointment.
"Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant," it said. "But the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat.
"I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it."
Meanwhile Obama lost the first member of his administration before he has even taken office. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was appointed as commerce secretary, but has withdrawn amidst an investigation into a Californian company being awarded a contract in his state.
Yet the controversy did not deter Obama from sticking to one of his repeated promises in his New Year YouTube address.
"We must make strategic investments that will serve as a down payment on our long-term economic future," he said. "We must demand vigorous oversight and strict accountability for achieving results.
"And we must restore fiscal responsibility and make the tough choices so that as the economy recovers, the deficit starts to come down.
"That is how we will achieve the number one goal of my plan -- which is to create three million new jobs, more than eighty percent of them in the private sector."
