Obama Staffers Stocking Up on Midnight Oil

The early-bird White House of the Bush administration is almost history, Politico reports. Unlike President Bush, who was usually out the door by 6pm, President-elect Obama’s staffers are expecting long, late hours to match their heavy workload. The Obama team is already working on ways to keep workers in touch with their families. One idea? Communal meals at the White House.

“You don’t want to burn people out,” warned a Bush adviser, suggesting the Obama team work in shifts. “You don’t want them to become so busy that they can’t function to their maximum potential.” Another change: Obama seems more inclined than Bush to be seen out and about in Washington—he’s already been to cocktail parties and a local chili joint. (More Barack Obama stories.)