Obama wants to open White House to artists, scientists, local kids

Washington, Dec 8 (ANI): US President-elect Barack Obama has revealed that he would like to "open up" the White House to artists, local children and scientists.

Obama spoke on NBC's "Meet the Press," held on December 7 about how he dreams of holding a science lecture series in the White House to inspire the youth, and he also outlined for the first time a way to showcase the "tapestry that is America."

"We want to invite kids from local schools into the White House," the Washington Times quoted him as saying.

Obama also wants the White House to be a forum for "elevating science once again and having lectures in the White House where people are talking about travelling to the stars or breaking down atoms, inspiring our youth to get a sense of what discovery is all about."

Besides science, he would also like to invite jazz and classical musicians and have poetry readings in the White House.

"That, I think, is going to be incredibly important, particularly because we are going through hard times, and historically what has always brought us through hard times is that national character, that sense of optimism, that willingness to look forward, that sense that better days are ahead," he stated.

"I think that our art and our culture, our science--you know, that's the essence of what makes America special, and we want to project that as much as possible in the White House," he added.

It is not just the President-elect who wants to open the house up to the public, his wife Michelle Obama also wants to "open up the White House and remind people this is the people's house." (ANI)