The Obama Diary

You know all those Teapublicans and their media buddies who are complaining about the amount of time the President takes off?

In fairness to them, they were just as critical of President Bush. And they concede that he took waaaaaaaay more time off than President Obama. Ho ho, kidding …. they tend to, um, overlook these pesky facts and figures:

President Obama (over two years)

Vacation trips: 10 (spanning 58 days)

Trips to Camp David: 15 (spanning 35 days)

Total over two years: 93 days

** Percentage days ‘off’: 12.7 **

George W Bush (over eight years)

Trips to Camp David: 149 (spanning 487 days)

Trips to his Texas ranch: 77 (spanning 490 days)

Trips to his parents’ home in Maine: 11 (spanning 43 days)

Total over eight years: 1020 days

** Percentage days ‘off’: 34.9 **

Source: CBS/Mark Knoller - President Obama ‘By The Numbers’ here; Bush ‘By The Numbers’ here

 

But, but, but: what about all the golf President Obama plays?!

Well, if he, say, played Monday to Friday or canceled his State of the Union speech or postponed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks so he could play an extra round, I’d understand the Teapublican OUTRAGE (capital letters are important when you’re talking OUTRAGE).

But…. he plays at weekends and during his vacations. He’s active, fit, healthy - you know, good things. Bush spent most of his time off (over a third of his Presidency) watching sport on TV, sometimes getting so excited he choked on pretzels. I dunno, do Teapublicans believe pretzel-choking on the couch to be a more noble Presidential pursuit?

But, but, but: when Bush was at Camp David he was still working! Presidents are never off duty!

Okay, let’s do a deal - we’ll deduct the Camp David days … for both Presidents.

Deduct the Texas ranch trips too!

No.

But, but, but: what about the cost of President Obama’s trip to Hawaii?!

That once-a-year-trip? Teapublicans? Do you really want to go there? No, no, I don’t mean Hawaii, I mean the cost thing.

Source

So, President Obama? Get yourself to the golf course: now. And enjoy your time off, you deserve it. ;-)

(Although….honestly Mr President, I just don’t see how this golf thing can be relaxing)