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Posted on 08/14/2011 2:49:41 PM PDT by IbJensen
At a time when many more cash-strapped Americans are stuck at home instead of vacationing at the beach, President Obama next week will lead an entourage of several dozens to exclusive Martha's Vineyard island at a cost of millions to taxpayers.
While technically he is paying for his estimated $50,000 a week rental of the 28-acre beachfront Blue Heron Farm in woodsy Chilmark, the dozens of U.S. Secret Service agents, communications officials, top aides, drivers, and U.S. Coast Guard personnel with him will be covered by taxpayers as with every other presidentialvacations.
His 11-day stay will require the Coast Guard to keep ships floating near Obama's farm, a presidential helicopter and jet at the ready and security agents on 24-hour duty. Armored SUVs dubbed "war wagons" have been flown in to carry the presidential family around the island. It was the same way when former President George H.W. Bush visited Kennebunkport, Maine and Bill Clinton visited Martha's Vineyard during their presidencies. [See political cartoons about President Obama.]
Typically, say former White House officials, the collection of aides is smaller for a summer vacation than for an official trip. And the motorcade is cut in half, to about 20 cars. What's more, the press corps will be smaller, though they largely pay for themselves.
Obama's vacation comes at an awkward time because of the economic turmoil roiling the nation and Wall Street. Surveys show that a growing number of Americans can't afford even small vacations.
But former Clinton spokesman Mike McCurry says that every president needs a break from the confines of the White House.
"We do need to let these guys have vacations and do some reading and thinking outside the box," he said.
What's more, keeping a sizeable crew of aides nearby is critical, he said. "Remember Clinton's trip to Martha's Vineyard in August 1998 when we ended up trying to decapitate bin Laden with a cruise missile strike? That's why the 'entourage' has to accommodate all aspects of the presidency, even on vacation. You never know what might happen. August always produces the unexpected."
And he dismissed the criticism of vacationing presidents. "I think all this 'Why is he taking a vacation?' stuff is ginned up by the media," he said. "I don't think any American will fault him for getting away, especially if he comes back with some fresh ideas on how to create jobs."
Obama will certainly have a lot of space to brainstorm. The $20 million farm on Cobbs Hill Road features four dwellings, a swimming pool and a basketball court. Google Earth shows that there is also a single hole golf area with two bunkers. The president, his wife and two daughters can also go to private Squibnocket Beach or Great Pond. There is an apple orchard, and flower and vegetable gardens. [See photos of Michelle Obama.]
The local Vineyard Gazette reports that the Secret Service is already setting up camp and areas for the media are also being set aside. "Suddenly cell phone service in Chilmark, usually spotty to nonexistent, was crystal clear, another sign that the president is coming," reported the paper's Peter Brannen.
Finding enough housing for staff and security isn't easy. Brannen reported that at the recent town meeting, "Selectman Walter Vail announced that he would be taking a vacation from August 16 to 28 to accommodate Secret Service members who were renting his house."
How many billions would Obozo piss away if he were in Washington locked in full money wasting mode?
Sounds like a bargain to me.
I guess all the destruction of our country has worn him out.
Too bad Teddy Kennedy is not around to take Obama on a driving tour of Chappaquiddick.It is particularly scenic when taken in from a submerged point of view.
Will any Arugula be killed to support this trip?
“Suddenly cell phone service in Chilmark, usually spotty to nonexistent, was crystal clear, another sign that the president is coming,” reported the paper’s Peter Brannen.
This Peter is an allusion to your feeble mind as the SS and Pres probly talk on a secure net and Verison wont and hasnt changed crap for this visit.
The real question is “Why is he on vacation AGAIN?” (Or is that “still”?)
In Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," Cassius asks Brutus, "Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?" to which Brutus responds, "No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself, But by reflection, by some other things." Kudos to Bret Stephens for nailing our egomaniac president who cannot see himself and is blind to his reflection from others.
He's such an egomaniac that he doesn't know AND doesn't care how this plays. Well said.
The One/Won might as well take advantage of his vacations while he’s still in the WH. After all when he’s booted from same in 2012 he’ll be Persona Non Grata there in the future? He’ll have to vacation in Chicagoland exclusively in the future?
Who is advising this Bozo? Posh super luxe vacations hobnobbing with the elite is just politics an worse optics.
He should cancel his vacation, return to DC, call back the Congress, and deal with the problems Americans are facing this summer.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE BARRY!
FWIW The weather forecast for the Vineyard is RAIN ... all week long!
a hardly working man, you mean...
presidential vacations are expensive and this was known from the word go. the general sentiment on FR from the git-go of the Obama regime was that America is better off every day he’s on vacation, the ideal being that he would be on one long nonstop do-nothing vacation for four years then say goodbye. it would be well worth the money.
It’s no illusion; it is brought up to speed so that his propaganda press can breathlessly report every step, nod and fart issued by der Fuehrer and his ass-lickers.
gaaaah, better that obozo be on a constant vacation than throwing more monkey wrenches into the economy.
I can’t remember the last time we took a vacation. ‘06, I think.
Great find! Is it the real deal or photoshopped?
I guess Michelle-Antoinette doesn’t use coupons!
Well, in this case to deny the Queen.
I wonder if this stuff has at least twice as much fat and sodium than she wants the little people to have.
The real question is “Why is he on vacation AGAIN?” (Or is that “still”?)
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Actually, he is not on vacation enough.
I would really prefer a permanent vacation - - the further away and as remote as possible.
(Almost) Like Rush says “What is wrong with the ‘government shut down’? When they aren’t there they aren’t as likely to be sticking it to us”.
(Not exact quote but good enough for this exercise)
If so, I am posting it to my Facebook page to annoy my liberal "friends". If it is a fake, they will nail me for it though.
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