Obama’s Washington arrival hit by a resignation

US President-Elect Barack Obama has arrived in Washington, on the final leg of his journey to his inauguration as the 44th President on January 20th. Flying in from Chicago, Obama landed at Andrews Air Force base just as news broke that his choice as Commerce Secretary had withdrawn from the running over an investigation into the awarding of government contracts. Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, said he was pulling out because of an investigation into the conduct of a company that worked for the state.

Obama also faces other challenges in the coming days, including a meeting with Congressional leaders later today to promote a stimulus package for the economy.

Virtually all the 9,500 hotel rooms in the District of Columbia have been reserved by people eager to witness the swearing-in of America’s new President. But Obama and his wife and two daughters are lucky – they are staying in a luxury hotel across the street from their new home – the White House.

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tags: USA