Obamas’ vacation takes as much planning as a US invasion of Grenada!
June 29th, 2009 - 5:08 pm ICT by ANIWashington, June 29 (ANI): A first family vacation now takes about as much planning as the US invasion of Grenada.
Helicopters and limos have to be forward deployed. Secret Service agents and White House aides fill local hotels and B and Bs. Not to mention Air Force One.
All this, according to the Christian Science Monitor, requires taxpayer dollars, and lots of them. So, extravagant locales are probably out.
Presidential recreation can be hazardous. The most important rule of presidential vacations is that their primary purpose is to convey political symbolism. Relaxation is secondary.
Think of the ranches. On their presidential vacations, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush spent lots of time clearing horses, riding brush and other manly stuff that no doubt appealed to core GOP voters.
Then, after they left the White House, they retired to air-conditioned mansions in Los Angeles and Dallas, respectively.
Bill Clinton even dragged his family to Jackson, Wyoming in 1995 and 1996 because pollster Dick Morris said swing voters liked the idea of outdoor, Western family vacations.
Presidential vacations are no vacation for the media, and they would be happy to document any embarrassing slip, given the yawning chasm of the unfilled news hole they confront every day.
So don’t hit a rabbit with an oar (Jimmy Carter), stroll the beach in a suit and tie (Richard Nixon), or stay away from Washington too long (George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, many others) if you don’t want to get criticized. (ANI)
- Obama's approval ratings 'remain steady' despite several setbacks: Poll - Dec 17, 2010
- Nancy Reagan Celebrates Ronald Reagan's 100th Birthday - Feb 07, 2011
- Sarah Palin to deliver the keynote address at the 100th birth anniversary of Ronald Reagan - Jan 28, 2011
- Republicans must try to aspire for Reagan mantle: Palin - Feb 06, 2011
- Resurgent Republicans likely to surpass 39 seats needed for US House control: Poll - Oct 20, 2010
- Ronald Reagan monument unveiled in Georgia - Nov 24, 2011
- New book spills the beans about saucy details on US Presidents' lives - Aug 03, 2009
- McCain waxes eloquent on Palin while likening her to "divisive" Reagan - Nov 29, 2010
- Sarah Palin To Bequeath The Keynote Address At The 'Reagan 100' Opening Banquet In California - Jan 28, 2011
- Oral history of Bush presidency to be recorded - Nov 14, 2009
- Michael Reagan Refutes Brother's Claim That His Father Had Alzheimer - Jan 18, 2011
- Poll ranks Obama as the 15th best president of US - Jul 02, 2010
- Obama, Hillary Clinton again top most admired list - Dec 28, 2011
- Critics question Obama's priorities as heads for second vacation after oil spill - May 28, 2010
- Americans rate Ronald Reagan as best-ever US President - Feb 19, 2011
Tags: air force one, christian science monitor, dick morris, family vacations, george w bush, gop voters, invasion of grenada, jackson wyoming, no doubt, political symbolism, pollster, richard nixon, ronald reagan, secret service agents, suit and tie, swing voters, taxpayer dollars, us invasion of grenada, white house aides, yawning chasm
