VIP Guest House Occupant Who Kicked Obamas to a Hotel Is...

The VIP who blocked Barack Obama from moving into the White House guest house turns out to be George Bush pal and former Australian prime minister John Howard, the Washington Post reports. The Obamas, now staying in a posh Washington hotel, asked to move into Blair House early but were told the mansion was already booked.

Howard is in town with ex-British PM Tony Blair and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to receive the Presidential Medal of Honor. Blair and Uribe were also offered space at Blair House but made plans to stay elsewhere. The Bush administration plans to have a few parties in the 119-room mansion before Obama moves in January 15, but Howard is the only overnight guest. (More John Howard stories.)