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Obama vacation brings rest, relaxation and rebuke
(CNN) -- President Obama and his family leave Friday for a weekend getaway to Maine, but along with a little rest and relaxation comes criticism that the president is taking it easy with the Gulf of Mexico oil crisis in a critical phase.
The Obamas plan to spend the weekend on Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park. The trip marks the president's third vacation since the oil disaster began in April.
The Republican National Committee launched a website blasting what it considers Obama's "leisure activities or missteps" during the oil disaster, like playing golf, attending concerts and vacationing in Asheville, North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; and now Maine.
Obama has also faced criticism for scheduling a trip up north, instead of vacationing in the Gulf, as he advised other Americans to do.
"Presidents are certainly entitled to vacation, just like everybody else, but there is a fine line as to when presidents should do it, what they should and where they should do it," said Brad Blakeman, a former member of President George W. Bush's senior staff and the deputy assistant for appointments and scheduling.
Video: Obama's 'good news' on oil spill
RELATED TOPICS
Barack Obama
George W. Bush
Vacations
"Presidents have to be cognizant of the fact that everything they do is going to be scrutinized," said Blakeman, who also is a professor for Georgetown University's Semester in Washington program.
Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons said the Republican criticism is "galling," considering Bush's frequent trips to Camp David and his home in Crawford, Texas.
"Barack Obama is working as hard as any president that we've had in recent history and certainly harder than the most immediate previous president," he said.
CBS's Mark Knoller, who keeps track of presidents' comings and goings, calculated that Bush spent all or part of 977 days at Camp David or in Texas during his two terms.
Blakeman noted that visits to those locations were working trips and not getaways. Bush's staff would travel with him, and work would continue as usual. The Crawford ranch was known as the "Western White House" because of the infrastructure there.
As for calls that Obama should vacation in the Gulf, Simmons said, "Where he chooses to take his days off should really be up to him. We don't want to get into a situation where the president is making familial vacation decisions based upon polling or political maneuvers."
Scott Stanzel, Bush's deputy press secretary who often traveled with the president when he was away from the White House, said that changing locations provided a good opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of Washington.
"President Bush, on the weekends, would often go to Camp David because the size of the bubble you are in expands, so you can go out for a walk or bike ride without having to arrange security detail," he said.
Stanzel was in Crawford with Bush for a number of crises that could not have been planned for, like the conviction of Saddam Hussein, the death of President Ford and the assassination of Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto.
Bush was notified of Bhutto's death immediately and delivered a statement to the press pool. "It would have almost been like we were at the White House in terms of the teams that would convene and talk about the issues surrounding that assassination," Stanzel said.
The problem for Obama, Stanzel said, is the visuals that could come out of his trip. A picture of Obama playing golf alongside images from the Gulf could send a negative message.
The president is the president wherever he is.
--Paul Begala, former adviser to President Clinton
Paul Begala, a CNN contributor and former adviser to President Clinton, said that vacationing or not, "The president is the president wherever he is.
"I thought it was silly when people attacked Bush for going on vacation, so I'll be consistent and say it's silly when people attack President Obama for going on vacation," he said.
"Of all of the concerns that Americans may have, they do not need to worry whether President Obama is a hard-working man. They may agree or disagree with his policies, but there is just no doubt that the guy is busting his rear end."
The Obamas plan to spend the weekend on Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park. The trip marks the president's third vacation since the oil disaster began in April.
The Republican National Committee launched a website blasting what it considers Obama's "leisure activities or missteps" during the oil disaster, like playing golf, attending concerts and vacationing in Asheville, North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; and now Maine.
Obama has also faced criticism for scheduling a trip up north, instead of vacationing in the Gulf, as he advised other Americans to do.
"Presidents are certainly entitled to vacation, just like everybody else, but there is a fine line as to when presidents should do it, what they should and where they should do it," said Brad Blakeman, a former member of President George W. Bush's senior staff and the deputy assistant for appointments and scheduling.
Video: Obama's 'good news' on oil spill
RELATED TOPICS
Barack Obama
George W. Bush
Vacations
"Presidents have to be cognizant of the fact that everything they do is going to be scrutinized," said Blakeman, who also is a professor for Georgetown University's Semester in Washington program.
Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons said the Republican criticism is "galling," considering Bush's frequent trips to Camp David and his home in Crawford, Texas.
"Barack Obama is working as hard as any president that we've had in recent history and certainly harder than the most immediate previous president," he said.
CBS's Mark Knoller, who keeps track of presidents' comings and goings, calculated that Bush spent all or part of 977 days at Camp David or in Texas during his two terms.
Blakeman noted that visits to those locations were working trips and not getaways. Bush's staff would travel with him, and work would continue as usual. The Crawford ranch was known as the "Western White House" because of the infrastructure there.
As for calls that Obama should vacation in the Gulf, Simmons said, "Where he chooses to take his days off should really be up to him. We don't want to get into a situation where the president is making familial vacation decisions based upon polling or political maneuvers."
Scott Stanzel, Bush's deputy press secretary who often traveled with the president when he was away from the White House, said that changing locations provided a good opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of Washington.
"President Bush, on the weekends, would often go to Camp David because the size of the bubble you are in expands, so you can go out for a walk or bike ride without having to arrange security detail," he said.
Stanzel was in Crawford with Bush for a number of crises that could not have been planned for, like the conviction of Saddam Hussein, the death of President Ford and the assassination of Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto.
Bush was notified of Bhutto's death immediately and delivered a statement to the press pool. "It would have almost been like we were at the White House in terms of the teams that would convene and talk about the issues surrounding that assassination," Stanzel said.
The problem for Obama, Stanzel said, is the visuals that could come out of his trip. A picture of Obama playing golf alongside images from the Gulf could send a negative message.
The president is the president wherever he is.
--Paul Begala, former adviser to President Clinton
Paul Begala, a CNN contributor and former adviser to President Clinton, said that vacationing or not, "The president is the president wherever he is.
"I thought it was silly when people attacked Bush for going on vacation, so I'll be consistent and say it's silly when people attack President Obama for going on vacation," he said.
"Of all of the concerns that Americans may have, they do not need to worry whether President Obama is a hard-working man. They may agree or disagree with his policies, but there is just no doubt that the guy is busting his rear end."
also lets get real Bush couldn't do anything without the left jumping on him for days... anyone that speaks about obama is instantly racist.. we are hard on all presidents he is not the first.. in fact Obama gets it less because the liberal media is on his side..
I am just going to say it. I am tired of the "poor Obama can't get a break" talk. I said all presidents and Obama takes advantage of each and every perk of the presidency he can as other presidents have. Maybe their perks should reflect what is going on in the country. Not just Obama but all presidents. Plus . . . I take vacation and I pay for it. They take vacation and WE pay for it.
All just my opinion for the day. Not a big deal to me and not something I'm really too upset about. Just sharing random thoughts.
All just my opinion for the day. Not a big deal to me and not something I'm really too upset about. Just sharing random thoughts.
Of course there was a difference. That was Bush, This is Obama. I think that pretty much clears it up.
there was a difference between the type of get aways... also don't think the Dem's didn't talk about Bush's vacations till they were blue in the face, google it
From CNN:
CBS's Mark Knoller, who keeps track of presidents' comings and goings, calculated that Bush spent all or part of 977 days at Camp David or in Texas during his two terms.
Blakeman noted that visits to those locations were working trips and not getaways. Bush's staff would travel with him, and work would continue as usual. The Crawford ranch was known as the "Western White House" because of the infrastructure there.
"President Bush, on the weekends, would often go to Camp David because the size of the bubble you are in expands, so you can go out for a walk or bike ride without having to arrange security detail," he said.
From CNN:
CBS's Mark Knoller, who keeps track of presidents' comings and goings, calculated that Bush spent all or part of 977 days at Camp David or in Texas during his two terms.
Blakeman noted that visits to those locations were working trips and not getaways. Bush's staff would travel with him, and work would continue as usual. The Crawford ranch was known as the "Western White House" because of the infrastructure there.
"President Bush, on the weekends, would often go to Camp David because the size of the bubble you are in expands, so you can go out for a walk or bike ride without having to arrange security detail," he said.
It's all presidents. While presidents are under a lot of stress they also have a temendous amount of perks with the job. It is a little hard for me to feel sorry for them.
STATISTIC OF THE DAY.... During George W. Bush's two terms as president, he spent all or part of 977 days at Camp David or at a ranch in Texas. That's the equivalent of more than two and a half years, and it set a modern record -- no president has taken more time off than Bush since records started keeping track of such things.
With that in mind, it's amazing to see this become a topic of conversation.
President Obama and his family arrived Friday for a weekend getaway in Maine, but along with a little rest and relaxation comes criticism that the president is taking it easy with the Gulf of Mexico oil crisis in a critical phase.
The Obamas plan to spend the weekend on Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park. The trip marks the president's third weekend vacation since the oil disaster began in April.
The Republican National Committee launched a website blasting what it considers Obama's "leisure activities or missteps" during the oil disaster, like playing golf, attending concerts and vacationing in Asheville, North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; and now Maine.
Of all the things for Republicans to whine about, this is the new complaint?
In his first 18 months in office, Obama has taken 65 days off. At this point in Bush's first term, he'd taken 216 days off -- well over triple Obama's total.
Republicans seem to be arguing that it's different now, because the current president takes occasional breaks while there's an oil spill in the Gulf. But Bush took 216 days off in his first 18 months -- a period that included the attacks of 9/11 and the launch of a war in Afghanistan. Hell, a terrorist tried to blow up an American passenger jet in December 2001, and Bush not only stayed on vacation, he didn't even mention the incident for nearly a week.
There have to be more interesting lines of attack for the GOP. This is mind-numbing.
With that in mind, it's amazing to see this become a topic of conversation.
President Obama and his family arrived Friday for a weekend getaway in Maine, but along with a little rest and relaxation comes criticism that the president is taking it easy with the Gulf of Mexico oil crisis in a critical phase.
The Obamas plan to spend the weekend on Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park. The trip marks the president's third weekend vacation since the oil disaster began in April.
The Republican National Committee launched a website blasting what it considers Obama's "leisure activities or missteps" during the oil disaster, like playing golf, attending concerts and vacationing in Asheville, North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; and now Maine.
Of all the things for Republicans to whine about, this is the new complaint?
In his first 18 months in office, Obama has taken 65 days off. At this point in Bush's first term, he'd taken 216 days off -- well over triple Obama's total.
Republicans seem to be arguing that it's different now, because the current president takes occasional breaks while there's an oil spill in the Gulf. But Bush took 216 days off in his first 18 months -- a period that included the attacks of 9/11 and the launch of a war in Afghanistan. Hell, a terrorist tried to blow up an American passenger jet in December 2001, and Bush not only stayed on vacation, he didn't even mention the incident for nearly a week.
There have to be more interesting lines of attack for the GOP. This is mind-numbing.
A weekend off, isn't a vacation?? Geezzzz - I didn't know that. You guys just totally popped my balloon............I have thought for several years now, that if I got a full 2 day weekend, I was on vacation.............I'm totally crushed now............I've actually even come to think of one day off as a vacation...........lol
Who really cares what HE (Obama) does on vacation, as long as he deals with the important things when he's "on duty" (I know - 24/7)? Personally, I can't see what he does most of the time, besides "grandstand", except when Congress is in recess and he can pick his appointees without having them voted on -- how energetic he gets then........but that's just MY opinion...
Have to wonder one thing, though --- does he have to use accrued vacation time to take all these days off? I used to work for the Federal gov't and I had to use accrued time whenever I couldn't be at work. Even now (only working for the county), I have to use accrued vacation/sick time to get a day off; or even take time to go to a doctor appt. I had to earn/save my vacation/sick days in order to have them available when I need them -- does he have to do the same thing? He's only officially, been in office a year and 1/2; can't help wonder how he has that much vacation time accrued??????
Oh, forgot -- laws, rules, policies are made for those who usually don't have to follow them...........
Who really cares what HE (Obama) does on vacation, as long as he deals with the important things when he's "on duty" (I know - 24/7)? Personally, I can't see what he does most of the time, besides "grandstand", except when Congress is in recess and he can pick his appointees without having them voted on -- how energetic he gets then........but that's just MY opinion...
Have to wonder one thing, though --- does he have to use accrued vacation time to take all these days off? I used to work for the Federal gov't and I had to use accrued time whenever I couldn't be at work. Even now (only working for the county), I have to use accrued vacation/sick time to get a day off; or even take time to go to a doctor appt. I had to earn/save my vacation/sick days in order to have them available when I need them -- does he have to do the same thing? He's only officially, been in office a year and 1/2; can't help wonder how he has that much vacation time accrued??????
Oh, forgot -- laws, rules, policies are made for those who usually don't have to follow them...........
I didn't say much till now because I remember all too well what was going on with our former President. It seemed like everytime I turned around he was taking a vacation.
Better minds than mine making these big decisions for our country need this kind of rest. From my point of view, people in the fox holes didn't have the luxury of taking a v a c a t i o n. People who are on expired unemployment cannot begin to afford to take one.
Many examples out there....leaving people in the ditches while taking a break or going on the other side of the road.
Better minds than mine making these big decisions for our country need this kind of rest. From my point of view, people in the fox holes didn't have the luxury of taking a v a c a t i o n. People who are on expired unemployment cannot begin to afford to take one.
Many examples out there....leaving people in the ditches while taking a break or going on the other side of the road.
thats why folks didnt get it hes been up there telling us to go to florida or his czars have when did he ever put his money where his mouth is ...its always dont do as I do, do as I say ..double standard from day one ....
He should vacation in the gulf and bring money to the economy there... like he is encouraging other americans to do.. lead by example..
It doesnt matter to me one way or the other where the pres goes on vacation or when. I still think he is doing a great job! He deserves it. IMO
I'm not personally privvy to what the president does and does not do on vacation. I know that my husband has to check his phonemail and email while on Vay K as well. But . . . my husband can never actually use up his vacation. He's got too much on his plate and has yet to use all of his vacation days. When I give him a hard time about this because he is entitled to take the vacation as part of his benefits---------- he tells me that if he does, his job will suffer. I'm just saying . . .
Oh yeah . . . I know, pres Bush took lots of vacations as had many presidents. This is all presidents that I am a little over. It is stressful being the front man of a band but you have a lot of muscians behind you doing a big chunk of the work.
Maybe President Obama will make some different (better) decisions after he gets his beauty sleep and has his stress relief time.
(Ha. Does anyone think I need coffee? I'm just having fun this morning. No hate mail please.)
Oh yeah . . . I know, pres Bush took lots of vacations as had many presidents. This is all presidents that I am a little over. It is stressful being the front man of a band but you have a lot of muscians behind you doing a big chunk of the work.
Maybe President Obama will make some different (better) decisions after he gets his beauty sleep and has his stress relief time.
(Ha. Does anyone think I need coffee? I'm just having fun this morning. No hate mail please.)
How can they call a weekend off a vacation ? Again just the typical spin. Republicans doing it to the democratic president......just like the dem's did to the repub. pres. This is not a real issue.......just spin.
I don't care what President they may be talking about, the President is always working, 24/7 and always available. It's the hardest, most stressful job in this country. Without any stress relief time, no one performs their job to the best of their ability. So let him play golf in peace.
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