Free Republic

PRETORIA — Michelle Obama began what officials have billed as her first major overseas trip as US first lady Monday, a visit to South Africa and Botswana focused on young women leaders and the legacy of the anti-apartheid struggle. She is travelling with her daughters, Malia and Sasha, and her mother, Marian Robinson -- but without her husband, US President Barack Obama.

Howie Carr thread starting off with his Sunday Herald column. I believe he's on vacation all week from the radio show

WASHINGTON – Over the years, presidential downtime has fleshed out the image of the man - whether it be clearing brush (Reagan and Bush II) or speed-boating (Bush I) or hunting (Teddy Roosevelt). All presidents need to show the public they're not captured by work, and that they know how to recharge their batteries. But what about presidential- candidate downtime? As Democratic standard-bearer John Kerry relaxes at his home in Ketchum, Idaho, there's a calculation at work that he can vanish from public view for five days without the Bush campaign filling the void with the definitive (read: negative) take...