Is this the right time for Obama’s Martha’s Vineyard vacation?
Is there ever a good time for a president to vacation? The press is reporting there’s no shortage of opinions about President Barack Obama’s vacation next week in Martha’s Vineyard.
Some question the timing. Reuters’ Patricia Zengerle writes:
Some critics have questioned whether the president should take a vacation at all, especially given the country’s stubborn economic problems and the vehemence of opposition to the $1 trillion healthcare plan.
CNN’s Political Ticker blog reports:
Conservatives for Patient’s Rights, a group founded earlier this year by former health insurance executive Rick Scott, says it will spend close to $150,000 next week to air a 30-second television spot in the Boston media market coinciding with Obama’s vacation in the area.
…Called “Surf’s Up,” the ad’s narrator appears to mock Obama’s beach vacation “while concerns mount about his health care plan.”
“The beach is nice this time of year,” says the female narrator. “But while president Obama vacations, concerns mount about his health care plan. Mr. President, when you go back to D.C., drop your government-run public option plan.”
Some question the location. John Avlon blogs on the Daily Beast:
The next target will be the president’s choice of a summer vacation home — just revealed to be a 28-acre, $20 million property known as Blue Heron Farm in the town of Chilmark (got to love that name) on Martha’s Vineyard, dubbed “America’s most expensive small town” in 2007.
…Real Americans, it will be said, spend their summers cutting brush on their ranch — forgetting the fact that most Americans (the Obamas included) don’t own a ranch. The hefty estimated price tag — north of $30K for the week — will also provoke talking points, just as it did when President-elect Obama rented an expensive post-election property in his native Hawaii.
U.S. News & World Report’s Kenneth T. Walsh says the resort charges $30,000 to $50,000 a week. Walsh reports that “Obama apparently will pay for his family’s lodging, but the taxpayers will foot the bill for Air Force One and for security, communications, and other costs.”
Walsh asks:
How will Americans react? “By and large, people think presidents are entitled to family time,” says Democratic pollster Geoff Garin. “But this is against a backdrop of hard times for a lot of people. People are still forming their impressions of President Obama, and they wonder, does he feel their pain and connect to what they’re going through?” Garin argues that “just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean you can’t feel people’s pain.”
Steve Parker is the deputy managing editor for news, and oversees the Post-Dispatch's front page. STLtoday's online news editors are on his newsroom team. Parker has been at the paper since September 1980. 
I find it amazing that Former Pres. Bush vacationed with family as well as VP Chenney, as well as Former Pres. Clinton and no one said a word about them going to Martha’s Vineyard. Contrary to what people think there are black people who are on Martha’s vineyard for more than just waiting on tables. The president had money before he was elected-both he and his wife worked. Get a life!!! I am so tired of “news” and I use the term news loosely-writers making a big deal out of where he vacations and/or whether or not he is buying a home. Also, he is entired to use AirForce One-he’s the new president. Quit being racist and start trying to find answers to the healthcare and economic problems we are having writers! As one old saying goes-be part of the solution and not the PROBLEM!!!
Signed-
A former republican who is now switching to a democrate!
Mr. Parker:
If George Soros wants to give Obama a vacation, who are we to question it?
Patricia:
Congratulations on leaving the Republican Party. Why not consider becoming an independent thinker rather than another pawn for the Democrat Party?
I’m sure the democratees will welcome you with open arms.
Patricia, you don’t see any hypocrisy in this? Don’t get me wrong, the dude can vacation anytime he wants, but for him to constantly chastise people for their lavish lifestyles and then engaging in the same lavish lifestyle strikes me as hypocritical.
My family hasn’t had a vacation longer than a weekend in 10 years. I think I need to run for office.
Amazedbythelunacy,
So, because you and your family haven’t had a vacation for more than a weekend in 10 years then, the President of the United States shouldn’t. Lol, Lol, Lol!
I suppose the critics would like the president to load up the station wagon, drive to the Wisconsin Dells or the Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota, and stay in a 55 dollar-a-night roach motel. That makes sense.
When corporate titans’ companies are spiraling into bankruptcy, they take their entire executive staff on a luxurious corporate retreat - and that’s fine because big business can do anything they want with their stolen, er, hard-earned money. But the president of the U.S. takes his family to the beach for a few days? How dare he waste money like that!
Appears to be typical liberal hypocrisy. Complain about all those evil rich powerful folks, then go vacation in flipping Martha’s Vineyard.
Maybe he could have a “staycation” . . . I’m sure the PD would be willing to forward him the dozens of fascinating articles they’ve done on that topic.
Oh so what– like hes the only president to take a stupid vacation. Will there EVER be a time that SOMEONE-SOMEPLACE isnt having troubles paying their bills? Ever a time when EVERYONE has a job? NO!!!—Bad crap happens all the time. Thats right– Jobs get lost, homes get lost…Not just since Obama took over.. ALL THE TIME. Me and my family are living proof of that.
People vacation and have fun all the time - while just a few feet away someone could be suffering, dying, hurting… Ever vacationed in Mexico, China, Panama? Heck my mother lost her home and her job all during the Olympics– how dare all those people enjoy themselves while my mother was suffering.
Much like the poster villain, Barry genuinely gives me pain as “The Joker.” It wouldn’t bother me if the Audacity of Hype remained permanently at exclusive Martha’s Vineyard on our dime and I never heard his smoking-ravaged voice again. If this scenario unfolded, I would “act stupidly” and probably “wee wee” as excitedly as Nanny State folks do when they receive a government check.