Posted on 01/14/2014 2:45:58 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Michelle Obama at an earlier vacation in Spain.
There have been no media reports on First Lady Michelle Obama’s extended Hawaii vacation since it was abruptly announced she was staying behind when her husband and daughters returned to Washington from the family’s annual Christmas vacation to the state where the president was raised as a teenager.
A Google News search shows only a handful of articles just after New Year’s Day based on local reports Obama was staying at the Maui estate of Oprah Winfrey. Those articles mentioned Maui locals upset by road closures near Winfrey’s estate. Since then there have been no reports of Obama dining out (which she loves to do), hitting the beach or being seen in public at all.
The only reporter to break the news blackout of late is Keith Koffler, who reported that according to a White House schedule, she is expected to headline a White House event this Wednesday, thus ending her nearly four week vacation.
The Obama administration has a history of bullying the press to keep them from reporting on the Obama family’s luxury vacations at taxpayer expense. Once again it appears the media has acquiesced. Not even the paparazzi have dared take pictures of Obama on her extended vacation.
Koffler reported it is estimated Obama’s separate return travel and Secret Service retinue will cost an additional $200,000 on top of the estimated $4 million cost of the family’s Christmas vacation.
The First Lady turns 50 years old this Friday. A gala White House party is planned for Saturday night, but guests are being encouraged to eat dinner beforehand. The Obamas would have had to borne the cost of their guests’ dinner as this is a private party and not an affair of state that could be paid by the taxpayers. There is no word on whether there will be a cash or open bar.
Obama won’t stay home for long, however. She is set to wing her way to the West Coast at the end of January for Democratic Party fundraisers in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Richard Nixon left the White House broke. Harry Truman refused Secret Service protection and went back to his pre-presidential home.
“A gala White House party is planned for Saturday night, but guests are being encouraged to eat dinner beforehand. “
Its strictly sip n’ twerk. :-)
as a man, I’d never heard of a boobbelt until her and freerepublic.com. ...this place is assume
So, they could get to Hawaii and back, rent (or borrow) a condo, etc. just for the price of a round-trip first-class (or maybe economy) airline ticket and discount hotel rates.
That's what they pay...after all, it's not their fault they're the President of the United States, and they need to use Air Force One, Two and Three, and have all this security and Secret Service detail, limousines, etc. to accompany them and stay by their sides.
Their OWN expenses, they pay if they're honorable, but that's a pittance compared to the total.
This is not a picture of the First Lady of the United States that will make us citizens proud...who the heck is her “dresser”???! SHEESH!
“Maybe she’s at the Betty Ford Clinic.”
More like the Betty Crocker Clinic.”
Bahahaha!!
More like the Betty Crocker Clinic
More like Aunt Jemima Clinic, if you axe me.
It’s an Obama birth certificate thing.
Did your voice your displeasure with this through all presidencies? W’s? Clinton’s? George H.W.’s? Reagan’s? Ford’s? Or is it just the present occupant?
They pay the same every other president and his family paid. Did all the rest upset you...W? Clinton? HWB? Reagan? Ford? Or is it just President Obama and his family?
The thing I find interesting is the Obamas haven’t spent a single Christmas in the White House. If I had two little girls I couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful for them than to experience, at least, one Christmas in the White House.
I agree with you. But on the other hand, I understand how isolating DC is. Most of our first families go home for Christmas. I never begrudge them that. I would probably do the same.
Remember how Republican Presidents have to be so concerned with "optics"? But of course he media would NEVER do a side-by-side photo of Michelle on vacation and a homeless family. That's reserved for Republicans.
Sorry. Most first family do NOT “go home for Christmas”. Easily checked.
You’re kidding. I thought they did. Esp W and Laura. Esp Laura. She would have wanted to. I would. Though I still agree with you that esp if I had two children, that would be a wonderful memory I would want for them, Deb.
Oh, Deb. I would never say that. The Bush family could never do anything right. Every time they went to Crawford there was a tremendous amt of criticism.
And you noticed I said Crawford....Not Spain!
My guess is: surgery, and that she’s planning to run for office.
Did you voice your displeasure with this through all presidencies? Not always.
W’s? No
Clinton’s? Yes
George H.W.’s? I don't think so.
Reagan’s? I'm sure not, but it was a long time ago.
Ford’s? a longer time ago, I have no idea!
Or is it just the present occupant? No. I am only "upset" with paying for the "extras"...like taking multiple separate flights...and extended travel destinations requiring multiple accompanying security details...etc.
Once the plans are in hand, I don't suppose it really matters who else "tags along" (we're already paying for Air Force One, etc.)...but I don't recall any Presidential families other than the Clintons and the Obamas taking "vacation" trips separately, or creating opportunities to travel extensively overseas, with or without family...
I appreciate your polite answer. My problem with so much criticism is that the presidents pay for the expenses of their families. I do not know why they flew seperately but it does not bother me. I do know I have friends who are democrats who criticized the George W. family because the girls went on vacations with their parents. I did not think it was any of our business and again, George W. and Laura paid for their expenses. I am very fond of the Bush girls and the daughters of the Obamas. Maybe it is the Mama in me. Also, if my democrat friends complain about the Bush family taking their children on vacation, I thought it unfair they did not do the same when the Obama’s did it. Esp knowing they pay for their own expenses. Again, thank you so much for your kind reply.
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