President Obama has a rather fascinating political instinct, and it's kicking in once again: when the going gets tough, he gets going -- and keeps going.
During the Gulf oil spill, he jaunted off on several vacations.
When he launched us UnWar on Libya, he started it while on a junket in Brazil.
And now when the shutdown of the federal government is looming, he's off to Williamsburg for a family vacation.
Apparently, the shutting down of the federal government will not affect the White House's travel, entertainment, and social budgets. And that's OK. The whole idea of "shared sacrifice" is overrated, anyway.
It would be too much to ask that those budgets get frozen and shut down while he's away from the White House, but a fellow can dream...
Actually, as I think about it, Obama being away from the negotiations is probably for the best. The more he gets "hands-on" with a situation, the worse it tends to turn out. His greatest "successes" are when he makes his big speeches, talks about how important something is, and then goes off for some R&R while other people do the hard work and hammer out a deal. Then he can parachute back in and take all the credit. The less involved he actually is, the more he can brag about the results.
And as I think about it more, why am I so concerned about a government shutdown? The more I think about that, the more the phrase "please don't throw me in that briar patch, Br'er Fox" comes to mind.
In the meantime, Mr. President, go and enjoy your vacation. And try not to think of all the people who will be seriously boned by the federal shutdown while you and the family enjoy colonial Williamsburg.
During the Gulf oil spill, he jaunted off on several vacations.
When he launched us UnWar on Libya, he started it while on a junket in Brazil.
And now when the shutdown of the federal government is looming, he's off to Williamsburg for a family vacation.
Apparently, the shutting down of the federal government will not affect the White House's travel, entertainment, and social budgets. And that's OK. The whole idea of "shared sacrifice" is overrated, anyway.
It would be too much to ask that those budgets get frozen and shut down while he's away from the White House, but a fellow can dream...
Actually, as I think about it, Obama being away from the negotiations is probably for the best. The more he gets "hands-on" with a situation, the worse it tends to turn out. His greatest "successes" are when he makes his big speeches, talks about how important something is, and then goes off for some R&R while other people do the hard work and hammer out a deal. Then he can parachute back in and take all the credit. The less involved he actually is, the more he can brag about the results.
And as I think about it more, why am I so concerned about a government shutdown? The more I think about that, the more the phrase "please don't throw me in that briar patch, Br'er Fox" comes to mind.
In the meantime, Mr. President, go and enjoy your vacation. And try not to think of all the people who will be seriously boned by the federal shutdown while you and the family enjoy colonial Williamsburg.
Permalink | Linking Blogs | Sphere: Related Content | Digg this! | FARK It!
Filed under:
Politics
Comments (14)
Think SNL would be brave en... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Michael Laprarie | April 8, 2011 7:05 AM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Think SNL would be brave enough to do a skit where Barry is out with Michelle and the girls, and his credit cards get declined at gift shops, restaurants, the hotel, etc. due to the government shutdown?
1. Posted by Michael Laprarie | April 8, 2011 7:05 AM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 07:05
2. Posted by JLawson | April 8, 2011 8:54 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Michael -
Nope - it wouldn't be 'respectful'.
2. Posted by JLawson | April 8, 2011 8:54 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 08:54
3. Posted by just bob | April 8, 2011 9:08 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Once again king putt shows just how focused he is.
3. Posted by just bob | April 8, 2011 9:08 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 09:08
4. Posted by Razorgirl | April 8, 2011 9:45 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Why wouldn't shutting down the government include shutting down Air Force One and Marine One?
4. Posted by Razorgirl | April 8, 2011 9:45 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 09:45
5. Posted by Les Nessman | April 8, 2011 9:50 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Michael, sure they could - as long as they blame the shutdown on Republicans. Nevermind that the Dems controlled the presidency, the House and the Senate - and they still couldn't pass a budget; which is why we are in this mess.
5. Posted by Les Nessman | April 8, 2011 9:50 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 09:50
6. Posted by GarandFan | April 8, 2011 10:31 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Country would probably be better off if Barry took of until Jan 2013. And he wouldn't have to rush packing up all his stuff and moving out of the White House.
6. Posted by GarandFan | April 8, 2011 10:31 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 10:31
7. Posted by Tina S | April 8, 2011 1:18 PM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
Apparently, the shutting down of the federal government will not affect the White House's travel, entertainment, and social budgets. And that's OK. The whole idea of "shared sacrifice" is overrated, anyway.
Jay, it would be nice to see you print corrections. Obama had a trip to Indiana scheduled for today that he canceled.
http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/04/08/obama-trip-and-vacation-plans-fluxagain
7. Posted by Tina S | April 8, 2011 1:18 PM |
Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 13:18
8. Posted by Tina S | April 8, 2011 2:44 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Jay, the entire premise of your article has been proven wrong. Will you ever post a correction?
8. Posted by Tina S | April 8, 2011 2:44 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 14:44
9. Posted by Jay Tea | April 8, 2011 3:16 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Tina, cut the cutesy bullshit. I posted this at 6:00 a.m., and at that point, the trip was still on. Your "correction" was seven hours after than, and I'm at The Day Job.
Guess this proves that he can actually do the right thing -- once dragged kicking and screaming to it.
But while I have your attention, Tina, pray tell, could you explain why it took this long for him to postpone his vacation and campaign trip?
J.
9. Posted by Jay Tea | April 8, 2011 3:16 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 15:16
10. Posted by Tina S | April 8, 2011 3:47 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Tina, cut the cutesy bullshit. I posted this at 6:00 a.m., and at that point, the trip was still on. Your "correction" was seven hours after than, and I'm at The Day Job.
Again you are wrong. He postponed his trip yesterday, before you wrote your article. You never bothered to check the status of his trip before writing about it.
http://articles.wsbt.com/2011-04-07/postpones_29395138
10. Posted by Tina S | April 8, 2011 3:47 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 15:47
11. Posted by Tina S | April 8, 2011 3:55 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
But while I have your attention, Tina, pray tell, could you explain why it took this long for him to postpone his vacation and campaign trip?
If you were planning a weekend trip with your family and you knew that there was a possibility your job might prevent you from taking the trip, what would you do?
A. Imediately tell your family the trip is canceled because of a possiblity that you might have to go to work?
B. Wait until you found out for sure that your company would need you to come in, and then cancel your trip.
The smart answer is B.
11. Posted by Tina S | April 8, 2011 3:55 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 15:55
12. Posted by Brad | April 8, 2011 5:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
But what about the acid trip Obama is continuously on?
12. Posted by Brad | April 8, 2011 5:07 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 17:07
13. Posted by Oldpuppymax | April 8, 2011 5:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Ramblin' Man, Gamblin' Man. Bob Seger System. They played at my high school in 1968 or '69 (funny I can't remember.) Still remember 2 big curved, cone shaped drums.
13. Posted by Oldpuppymax | April 8, 2011 5:08 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 17:08
14. Posted by retired military | April 8, 2011 9:55 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Tina
Obama's trip was front page on the drudge report until like 2 pm today. There were several other newsites that had this story today.
Stop trying to cover Obama's ass.
14. Posted by retired military | April 8, 2011 9:55 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2011 21:55