Michelle Obama surprises White House tourists

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White House tourists got a surprise today.

None other than First Lady Michelle Obama showed up as their greeter to mark the end of Barack Obama’s first year as president.

The first lady brought the family dog, Bo, to the Blue Room. She chatted with guests and hugged many of them as they filed in.

The Obamas began the presidency with a promise to open the White House to more visitors.

The White House says that more than 614,000 guests visited in the first year. That figure includes tourists, participants in the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn, and the spring and fall garden tours.

-- Associated Press