So that’s not exactly the sign that greeted the Obamas, but the message was delivered loud and clear: The New York Times’s Caucus blog reports that the First Family-elect will not find early lodging in the Blair House, the traditional home for the incoming President and his family during January before the White House is being vacated. Apparently, the Blair House — located at 1651-53 Pennsylvania Avenue NW — is all booked up.

The Bush family won’t say who pre-empted the Obamas; Laura Bush spokeswoman Sally McDonough got gruff with Caucus blogger Helen Cooper for “trying to make a story out of something that’s not a story.” Yet with no foreign dignitaries scheduled to visit and no Bush family or friends planning to attend the event, it does not take a significant leap to arrive at the conclusion (as the post all but suggests) that the Bush administration has merely placed a hold on the house. Who trumps President-elect Obama? Unless the Pope’s booked the room, I think Obama should get to play the eminent domain card.

In any case, Obama Family, you can totally stay with me. It might not be the Blair House, but the Flophouse has made it into the Times, too. If it turns out that our dogs aren’t hypoallergenic, though, you might reasonably look elsewhere. Got any ideas about where they should stay?

UPDATE: As noted in the Caucus post, the Obamas asked to occupy the Blair House for a time in January preceding the inauguration leadup — during which time the house is (apparently) occupied. The Obamas weren’t bumped, they were pre-empted. Some language in this post has been changed to better reflect the fact.

Photo used with permission under a Creative Commons license with Flickr user Jeremy Brooks.