If you cannot get a White House tour at all - pulling strings or otherwise - plan B is to visit the Capital building (the escorted one is nice) and your Congressional delegation for your home district can help you, call their DC staffer dealing with constitudent affairs to arrange/plan it - stop by her/his office to sign the guest book & photo op (unlikely the member is there over the summer/recess time)

Oh, a weekday luncheon inside the Library of Congress - 6/F Madison Cafeteria with excellent view of the Capital & down/across the Mall, etc. It's open to the public - these stops being security-oriented, travel light & keep certain items out of your day pack/personal bag while "sightseeing" http://www.loc.gov/visit/shopping-and-dining/ Independence Ave & 1st. Street, 1 block from Capitol South Metro Station stop.