No optical illusion: Obama balances world crises with golf, time off

Yahoo News ^ | 9 Aug 2014 | Jeff Mason

[mandaladon]

OAK BLUFFS Mass. (Reuters) - President Barack Obama gave Americans an update on U.S. military strikes in Iraq on Saturday from a podium on the White House lawn with Marine One, the presidential helicopter, parked in the background.

Four hours later, he offered an altogether different tableau: a golf game with friends at a lush course on Martha's Vineyard, the upscale Massachusetts island where the president and his family began a two-week vacation.

The contrasting scenes, which quickly sparked some hostile commentary from critics, illustrate the dilemma of taking time off when you are the most powerful leader in the world and, by definition, handling major issues all the time.

Part of the problem is dealing with appearances, or 'optics' as Washington pundits like to call it.

With crises boiling in Gaza, Iraq and Ukraine, Obama - like his presidential predecessors in similar circumstances - proceeded with plans for a summer break, but only after making his Iraq statement against the very presidential backdrop.

Administration officials made clear he would continue to do his job even while getting some time off, and a phalanx of aides, including national security adviser Susan Rice, came along to ensure that a virtual Oval Office was never far away.

"The president will be traveling to Massachusetts with an array of communications equipment and national security advisers and others to ensure that he has the capacity to make the kinds of decisions that are required for the Commander-in-Chief," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Friday.

[mandaladon]

White House officials go to great pains to show Obama is on top of world events even when he is on fundraising trips or family vacations. ..........................The MSM does likewise

[BenLurkin]

“balances”

What a crock!

[mandaladon]

On Monday he plans to attend a Democratic fundraiser and, if previous vacations are a guide, he will spend the rest of his time putting, eating dinners at upscale restaurants, and spending time with his wife and two daughters.................Life is good for the community organizer...

[originalbuckeye]

NOTHING comes between the Bamster and his golf game!

[ClearCase_guy]

[WyCoKsRepublican]

The Muslim/Golfer/Christian-Jew Hater in Chief is a freaking joke. Hope he takes an extra pair of pants in the event he gets a “hole in one.” The Great OZ has spoken.

[shelterguy]

When is he NOT on vacation?

[Farmer Dean]

Reggie will get that hole in one.As usual.

[FlingWingFlyer]

These liberal toads will do and say whatever it takes to make excuses for their failed “messiah”.

[Volunteer]

Michale Moore will be filming O. playing golf juxtaposed with film of ISIS beheading people?

Nope.

The media covers for O.

[GeronL]

Yahoo News.... really?

[FlJoePa]

Ask most employers and the last thing they want to hear from an employee (especially a new, young one) is how great they are at “balancing their work/social lives”...sometimes you hear “work hard, play hard”...it’s all code for slacker.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

but only after making his Iraq statement against the very presidential backdrop.

"See, see you mean-old right-wing googly-eyed monsters! Our President spoke and there was a nice heliocopter in the back to show he meant business and he is very serious about this!"

[cripplecreek]

White House officials go to great pains to show Obama is on top of world events even when he is on fundraising trips or family vacations.

Steady white house postings on twitter that often have nothing to do with reality.

[Fresh Wind]

So, Obonbon’s entire posse is getting a vacation too, at taxpayer expense.

FUBO and the same goes all the other liars, thieves, crooks, and traitors in your administration.

[relictele]

Rankings at this point are irrelevant.

It’s hard to believe that Reagan and this clown have even held the same office.

[manc]

laziest president ever

[manc]

he actually thinks of himself as a cross between Lincoln and Reagan, yes that is how delusional he , and his supporters are.

[MNDude]

This article is like satire! Yahoo posters don’t seem to like him though.

[liberalh8ter]

With crises boiling in Gaza, Iraq and Ukraine, Obama - like his presidential predecessors in similar circumstances - proceeded with plans for a summer break

Which Presidents would they be and what plans did they proceed with?