It was unlikely that President Barack Obama, a big basketball fan, was going to miss the seventh and final game of a hard fought NBA playoff series between his hometown Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics on Saturday night. 
 
But it happened to fall on one of the regular “date nights” that the U.S. leader had promised to First Lady Michelle Obama upon their arrival in Washington in January. 
 
Solution: an early dinner at French restaurant Michel Richard Citronelle in Georgetown. A 14-vehicle Presidential motorcade pulled up outside the swanky restaurant, drawing hundreds of onlookers and blocking traffic as the upscale area’s Saturday night party scene got underway. 
 
The restaurant is one of Washington’s mostexclusive eateries. A table was not available on its online booking system until May 29, and that was before the Obamas’ appearence made headlines and was widely Twittered. After the U.S. leader dined with Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty at Ben’s Chili Bowl in January, the landmark DC institution had queues outside for weeks.
 
Although Citronelle’s website boasts that Conde Nast Traveler magazine called it “one of the world’s most exciting restaurants,” Washington Post restaurant critic Tom Sietsema was not so flattering in an October 2008 review.
 
“Throughout a recent dinner at what used to be a four-star experience, an unmistakable joylessness courses through the fading underground dining room that bears the name of one of the country’s most esteemed chefs,” Sietsema wrote http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/michel-richard-citronelle,795996.html#editorial-review
 
Nonetheless, Sietsema added in his review that Richard and his staff still put on an impressive show. “I adore Citronelle’s tomato tart, which springs from a pastry base (and cucumber gelee) like a colorful bouquet. And sablefish marinated with sake, miso and mirin before hitting the broiler is about as good as that creature gets.”
 
Like clockwork, two hours after departing the White House, the Obamas’ 14-vehicle motorcade departed cheering crowds in Georgetown and arrived home apparently in time for the Bulls-Celtics 8 p.m. tip-off. 
 
The President then took the First Lady for a brief stroll across the White House grounds, waving to photographers. Game Night could now begin.

“Click here for more Reuters political coverage”

WASHINGTON - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his defeated Republican rival, John McCain, are engaged in somewhat of a rematch. The two are trying to help their respective parties win a razor-close U.S. Senate race in Georgia. 

McCain has accepted an invitation to attend a rally in Atlanta on Thursday for Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss, while Obama aides are being dispatched to the state to provide a hand to Democratic challenger Jim Martin, a former state senator.

A Dec. 2 runoff is being held because neither Chambliss nor Martin obtained the majority required under state law in the Nov. 4 election to be declared the winner.

A Democratic aide said no final word has been given on whether Obama will visit Georgia on behalf of Martin. A Republican aide said there’s a chance former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin may show up for Chambliss.

While Obama won the White House, McCain took Georgia.

Georgia is one of three states where tight U.S. Senate races have yet to be decided.

The two others are in Minnesota, where Republican incumbent Norm Coleman is trying to fend off a challenge by Democrat Al Franken, and Alaska where Republican incumbent Ted Stevens, convicted last month of political corruption, is clinging to a narrow lead over Democrat Mark Begich.

Democrats gained six seats in Tuesday’s election to increase their majority in the 100-member chamber to 57.

If they win the three remaining races they would reach for the first time in three decades the 60 needed to pass legislation over Republican hurdles.

Both political parties along with political analysts say they don’t expect Democrats to run the table and pocket 60.

For more Reuters political coverage, click here.

Photo credit: Reuters/Tami Chappell (Sen. John McCain grabs arm of Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss during campaign rally last February in Georgia)