I did contact the Canadian embassy but didn't have any luck.

Sounds like Illinois' Senators kind of suck and don't care about people. They must be terrible people who don't ever deserve anyone's support. Now, if I could only remember their names.

There is a big demand for these tours, so unfortunately people living in big states with lots of DC tourists have a harder time gettting in.

Those of us coming from Hawaii have a much easier time...helps that our senators are VERY senior as well.

I used to live and work in Washington D.C. a long time ago, and between one thing and another, I went to the White House a number of times. Of everything there was to do in Washington D.C., the White House tour ranked at the bottom of my list. The lines were always long, and the specific rooms on the tour were underwhelming. I have been in private historic houses in New England in which the interior architectural details were far more interesting. So in this case, I would say that not being able to go on the White House tour is a blessing in disguise because the time saved can be spent doing something else, and frankly, anything else would be more interesting than that tour. Just my thoughts...

When we went to the White House, we were told that we had to be part of a group of 10 and that we had to be there at a certain time. We got there early to meet our group and were allowed in immediately. We never did find out who the rest of our group were or ever meet them.

Exactly, EricH, and believe it or not my State District Rep. from the same voting Prec. - she also can't get an answer out of them for anything.

There names are Durbin And Obama, if anyone forgets.

Neither have ever done less for this state in my lifetime, for the years of service.

Our first trip to D.C. was for the commemoration of the WWII Monument and we had a wonderful time. E-mails to our rep were answered quickly and arrangements made for our tours of the Capitol and Supreme Court. Most everything else we did on our own and got along great. I don't really regret not visiting the White House. Perhaps a more suitable occupant would have increased my interest.

Perhaps you have the rest of your plans already organized baysidegirl, but if not I would recommend the Trolley for a good tour of the city and the opportunity to get on and off, and DC Ducks was fun. We toured the National Gallery or Art and had lunch there. Saw both aviation museums. Look forward to visits to more Smithsonean museums on a future visit.

I reserved tickets for performances at both Kennedy Center and Ford Theatre. We also took a boat on the Potomac to Mount Vernon.

Visited several Memorials: Lincoln's, Roosevelt's, Korean(my husband is a Korean vet), WWII of course. All very impressive.

I'm sure baysidegirl you'll enjoy your visit with much to see and do other than a White House tour.