Danger ahead at Barack Obama's White House?

Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House has become a jumble of construction equipment and fencing in anticipation of the assembly of a reviewing stand for the parade marking Barack Obama's inauguration as president on Jan. 20.

But this sign could signal not just the immediate danger at the construction site, but -- as President Bush could attest -- the turmoil, political brickbats and diplomatic contretemps that inevitably befall any chief executive residing here.

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo credit: Ron Edmonds / Associated Press