Lavish Obama vacation in time of economic turmoil

[Barefootsies]

Apparently another Republican investigation...

First lady Michelle Obama is on a five-day trip to a luxury resort along with a handful of friends, her younger daughter, Sasha, aides and Secret Service personnel.

By Peter Nicholas and Katherine Skiba

Tribune Washington bureau

Related

WASHINGTON ? As the U.S. economy endures high unemployment and a jittery stock market, President Obama has preached sacrifice and fiscal discipline. But the pictures coming out of a sunsplashed Spanish resort this week may be sending a different message.

First lady Michelle Obama is on a five-day trip to a luxury resort along with a handful of friends, her younger daughter, Sasha, aides and Secret Service personnel. Her office said the first family will pay for personal expenses, but declined to reveal the taxpayer cost for the government employees. The president stayed home in the United States, as did daughter Malia, 12, who is at camp.

The trip provided plenty of fodder for television news shows, talk-show hosts and bloggers.

Critics portrayed the foreign getaway as tone deaf to the economic anxiety back home. Earlier in the week, the first lady was photographed walking through the streets of the Costa del Sol region wearing a one-shouldered Jean Paul Gaultier top.

Every first family takes vacations. The criticism aimed at Michelle Obama is that she chose to visit a foreign country rather than remain in the United States and support its fragile economy.

In July, the first lady flew to the Florida Panhandle, a tourist spot hit hard by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and delivered the message that for parents "looking for things to do with their kids this summer ... this is a wonderful place to visit."

The opulence of the European trip also has drawn scrutiny. Michelle Obama is staying at the Hotel Villa Padierna, a Ritz-Carlton resort in the mountains outside Marbella. The resort has two golf courses, a posh spa with Turkish baths, views of the Mediterranean Sea and a high-end restaurant specializing in avant-garde fare. Room rates start at $400 and rise to $6,500 for a two-bedroom villa with a private pool and 24-hour butler service.

The danger for the Obamas is that the trip may feed perceptions they are out of touch with struggling American families, said Chris Wilson, a Republican pollster.

"This in and of itself doesn't hurt President Obama, but it plants a seed in voters' minds ... that 'they're not like me,' " he said.

While her friends arrived in Spain on their own, Michelle Obama flew in on a type of aircraft also used by Vice President Joseph Biden. It costs the government $11,555 an hour to operate the plane, according to the Air Force. Assuming a nearly eight-hour flight to nearby Málaga, the total round-trip cost of the flight is about $178,000.

The Obama family will reimburse the government an amount equal to two first-class tickets ? for mother and daughter Sasha, Air Force officials said. A round-trip first-class flight to Málaga costs about $7,400 apiece, without discounts or restrictions.

Anita McBride, who was chief of staff to former first lady Laura Bush, was not surprised the trip has its critics.

"When you are a public figure, it can be difficult to lead a private life. Despite the fact that much of this trip is paid for personally, the American people know that there are costs borne by the taxpayers and it's to be expected that the more expensive the trip, the greater the risk of criticism," McBride said.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs declined to answer questions about the vacation, saying it is a "private trip."

An unspecified number of Secret Service agents and aides are staying at government expense. Edwin Donovan, a spokesman for the Secret Service, declined to say how many agents are with the first lady in Spain.

An Obama administration official said the first lady is accompanied by "a handful of longtime family friends ? it's moms and daughters ? and it's minimal staff." One aide on the trip is the first lady's deputy chief of staff, Melissa Winter.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the destination was chosen by Michelle Obama and her friends.

On Friday, Spanish police cleared off a 100-yard stretch of beach in Marbella for Michelle Obama and Sasha, 9. As the first lady rested inside a canvas hut by the shore, Sasha splashed around in the sea and a security guard swam with her.

The first lady is to meet with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia on Sunday at their summer residence on the island of Mallorca.

After the first lady returns home, she and her family will travel to the Gulf Coast for the weekend of Aug. 14, followed by a 10-day vacation on Martha's Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts.

Full Article

[sortie]

Good point.

The president of The United States and his family should stay at the Red Roof Inn and
eat oat meal and water for every meal.

Idiot.

[IsisLee]

Saw an article last week.
Obama has spent $31 MILLION tax payer dollars on vacations and Golf in 18 months.
They showed Bush spent 16.8 million in tax payer dollars on vacations over 8 years.

As Bill Clinton used to say "I feel your pain" Mr. President!

[IllTestYourGirls]

Originally Posted by IsisLee

Saw an article last week.
Obama has spent $31 MILLION tax payer dollars on vacations and Golf in 18 months.
They showed Bush spent 16.8 million in tax payer dollars on vacations over 8 years.

As Bill Clinton used to say "I feel your pain" Mr. President!

If you have a link to that that would be great.

[Amputate Your Head]

He's the fuckin' Pres. of the United States. Don't you think that position comes with a few perks? It's not like he's working the counter at Taco Bell like Demon.

[Sly]

I don't really care what she does in regards to vacations, POTUS either. They are the First Family, they can get special treatment every now and then. However, it does look bad and if they want to do things like this they should be prepared for the backlash. At a time when many people are having trouble making rent, nobody wants to see in the headlines that the First Lady is enjoying a fancy vacation in a country that many people dream of visiting.

[IllTestYourGirls]

Originally Posted by Sly

I don't really care what she does in regards to vacations, POTUS either. They are the First Family, they can get special treatment every now and then. However, it does look bad and if they want to do things like this they should be prepared for the backlash. At a time when many people are having trouble making rent, nobody wants to see in the headlines that the First Lady is enjoying a fancy vacation in a country that many people dream of visiting.

Using the tax money many self-employed people are having a hard time paying....

[Vendzilla]

they should have spent the money on Vacation in the gulf.

Presidents have been doing this for ever and I don't have a problem with that, but damn our president is always throwing parties and vacationing

31 million in 18 months, does he have a fucking clue?

[IllTestYourGirls]

Originally Posted by Vendzilla

31 million in 18 months, does he have a fucking clue?

You have links for this? Because I cant find anything.

[Odin]

Sounds like our ousted PM Kevin Rudd.

In 2007 Kevin Rudd campaigned on the phrase Kevin 07. He took so many trips he became known as Kevin 747. Funnily enough Obama described Kevin Rudd as his closest political match on the world stage. Hopefully Obama goes the same way...

[The Demon]

Sorry guys, it's Bush's fault!

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by IsisLee

Saw an article last week.
Obama has spent $31 MILLION tax payer dollars on vacations and Golf in 18 months.
They showed Bush spent 16.8 million in tax payer dollars on vacations over 8 years.

As Bill Clinton used to say "I feel your pain" Mr. President!

you have a link right?

i heard bush took a lot of vacations to crawford and had 400+ vacation days over 8 years of presidency.. and that's before the shit hit the fan

[IllTestYourGirls]

ah I did find some new articles saying he spent $10 million on personal parties in 09.

[Sly]

Originally Posted by _Richard_

you have a link right?

i heard bush took a lot of vacations to crawford and had 400+ vacation days over 8 years of presidency.. and that's before the shit hit the fan

I think they are both pretty heavy on the vacations, LOL. I never really minded Bush having vacations and I don't mind Obama playing golf. Everyone needs "me time", and if that's what they enjoy and helps them recharge, then that's what they should do.

Though the public will be critical of such vacation time either way. Bush got hammered on it, I'm sure Obama will get the same.

[IllTestYourGirls]

Originally Posted by Sly

I think they are both pretty heavy on the vacations, LOL. I never really minded Bush having vacations and I don't mind Obama playing golf. Everyone needs "me time", and if that's what they enjoy and helps them recharge, then that's what they should do.

Though the public will be critical of such vacation time either way. Bush got hammered on it, I'm sure Obama will get the same.

Queen Obama has taken an avg of 10 tax payer paid vacations per month since the King took the throne.

[Amputate Your Head]

Originally Posted by IllTestYourGirls

Queen Obama has taken an avg of 10 tax payer paid vacations per month since the King took the throne.

It's good to be King, yes?

[Tom_PM]

A weak distraction.

Anyone see Boehner on Meet the Press this week? His half a wit was working overtime as he avoided answering whether or not tax cuts pay for themselves. 5 times asked, zero times answered. Heck of a job, brownie.

[directfiesta]

Originally Posted by IllTestYourGirls

You have links for this? Because I cant find anything.

needs to be repeated a few times .. then some bloggers will pick it up and turn it into a FACT ! ...

[Sly]

Originally Posted by IllTestYourGirls

Queen Obama has taken an avg of 10 tax payer paid vacations per month since the King took the throne.

How do you take 10 vacations a month?

Most of this is public outcry and bad perception. When we talk about the federal budget, $31 million over 18 months is nothing. That is a tiny little miniscule blip of a blip.

There are larger problems that need to be worried about.

[justinsain]

In one thread here on GFY some pictures were shown of a lavish work place that
everyone loved and thought it was cool to provided employees with a comfortable environment with the goal of better production.

I guess it's ok when someone else is paying for it

It has to be a very stressful job being president of the united states and the burden that job places on his family.

I have no problem with them doing something like this. Staying at a five star hotel for it's security and privacy makes sense to me.

I believe the location was picked because Mrs. Obama had some personal business with a long time friend there. We pay him to do a job and we pay to protect him while doing it. The president and his family have a life too and I don't have a problem with them living it.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Here come the conservative hypocritical crocodile tears...

Try sourcing your comments, like this:

His first year in office, Obama spent 26 days on vacation, compared with:

Reagan = 42

Bush Sr. = 40

Bush Jr = 69

Carter = 19

Clinton = 21

Source: FactCheck.org

------

As if July 17th, Obama's vacation days totaled 65 days, as compared with Bush Jr's 120 vacation days over the same timeframe.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

I could go on, but my point is that if you are going to throw out numbers as facts, at least provide a source for us to consider the validity of the information (or disinformation) which you are trying to disseminate.

ADG

[directfiesta]

Originally Posted by IllTestYourGirls

Queen Obama has taken an avg of 10 tax payer paid vacations per month since the King took the throne.

per month ?????

lol .... repeat again, shake, repeat again, put in oven at 350 for 10 minutes= a brand new fact !!!

Back in the U.S., anger was mounting - especially as it has emerged the First Lady will have enjoyed eight holidays by the end of the summer.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...h-holiday.html

But I agree that in these hard times for the USA, restraint should be applied ... It does not LOOK good and is not good.

[IllTestYourGirls]

Originally Posted by directfiesta

per month ?????

lol .... repeat again, shake, repeat again, put in oven at 350 for 10 minutes= a brand new fact !!!



But I agree that in these hard times for the USA, restraint should be applied ... It does not LOOK good and is not good.

Ok, must have been a bad source. I read it on a few different websites, both left and right.

[Holly Lez!]

NO matter what any president does or doesnt do people will bitch

[UniqueD]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

Here come the conservative hypocritical crocodile tears...

Try sourcing your comments, like this:

His first year in office, Obama spent 26 days on vacation, compared with:

Reagan = 42

Bush Sr. = 40

Bush Jr = 69

Carter = 19

Clinton = 21

Source: MediaMatters.org

------

As if July 17th, Obama's vacation days totaled 65 days, as compared with Bush Jr's 120 vacation days over the same timeframe.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

I could go on, but my point is that if you are going to throw out numbers as facts, at least provide a source for us to consider the validity of the information (or disinformation) which you are trying to disseminate.

ADG

thanks for dropping some facts on us!

[Caligari]

Let them eat cake!



Or any other variety of leaven desserts.

[TheSenator]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

Here come the conservative hypocritical crocodile tears...

Try sourcing your comments, like this:

His first year in office, Obama spent 26 days on vacation, compared with:

Reagan = 42

Bush Sr. = 40

Bush Jr = 69

Carter = 19

Clinton = 21

Source: FactCheck.org

------

As if July 17th, Obama's vacation days totaled 65 days, as compared with Bush Jr's 120 vacation days over the same timeframe.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

I could go on, but my point is that if you are going to throw out numbers as facts, at least provide a source for us to consider the validity of the information (or disinformation) which you are trying to disseminate.

ADG

Pfffff... facts

[Gouge]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

Here come the conservative hypocritical crocodile tears...

Try sourcing your comments, like this:

His first year in office, Obama spent 26 days on vacation, compared with:

Reagan = 42

Bush Sr. = 40

Bush Jr = 69

Carter = 19

Clinton = 21

Source: FactCheck.org

------

As if July 17th, Obama's vacation days totaled 65 days, as compared with Bush Jr's 120 vacation days over the same timeframe.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

I could go on, but my point is that if you are going to throw out numbers as facts, at least provide a source for us to consider the validity of the information (or disinformation) which you are trying to disseminate.

ADG

You're using Media Matters and Chicago Sun-Times as your source of information? Did you purposely look for biased news or do those sites represent your political views to support your agenda?

[fatfoo]

Richer people live more richly. It's not surprising.

[Agent 488]

http://www.factcheck.org/2010/01/pre...vacation-days/

President Obama has spent all or part of 26 days "on vacation" during his first year as president, according to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FactCheck

some of you are fucked in the head.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by Gouge

You're using Media Matters and Chicago Sun-Times as your source of information? Did you purposely look for biased news or do those sites represent your political views to support your agenda?

Actually, I used FactCheck.org as the source for the number of days the various recent Presidents had taken while in office, not Media Matters.

As for the Sun-Times numbers, here are the same numbers from a few weeks ago listed on the Fox News Insider. Happy now?



To answer your question(s), I gather information from a variety of news sources, conservative and liberal, US and international, to formulate my opinions.

I don't think I have an agenda, per se.

ADG

[ottopottomouse]

Poor bastard has less holiday time than me

[ReGGs]

I am against black people going on vacation. There I said it... /s

[directfiesta]

Originally Posted by Gouge

You're using Media Matters and Chicago Sun-Times as your source of information? Did you purposely look for biased news or do those sites represent your political views to support your agenda?

[NetHorse]

Originally Posted by IsisLee

Saw an article last week.
Obama has spent $31 MILLION tax payer dollars on vacations and Golf in 18 months.
They showed Bush spent 16.8 million in tax payer dollars on vacations over 8 years.

As Bill Clinton used to say "I feel your pain" Mr. President!

Don't listen to that, our "Messiah" is different and is going to change all the "destruction Bush has created".

[epitome]

He is a millionaire and is not unemployed. I expect his family to take vacations similar to those they have become accustomed to.

When/if he gets voted out in a little over two years he will still be a millionaire, probably have even better opportunities and take even better vacays.

[epitome]

Wait a second, everybody here knows that there is no such a thing as a "vacation" for the President of the United States, right? His closest advisers are still with him, he still has meetings, he still makes the big decisions he always makes. They just happen to relocate the White House to wherever he is.

It's not like the President is a data entry clerk that is losing productivity. All the position calls for is making decisions ... and those decisions can be made anywhere.

[GotGauge]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

Here come the conservative hypocritical crocodile tears...

Try sourcing your comments, like this:

His first year in office, Obama spent 26 days on vacation, compared with:

Reagan = 42

Bush Sr. = 40

Bush Jr = 69

Carter = 19

Clinton = 21

Source: FactCheck.org

------

As if July 17th, Obama's vacation days totaled 65 days, as compared with Bush Jr's 120 vacation days over the same timeframe.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

I could go on, but my point is that if you are going to throw out numbers as facts, at least provide a source for us to consider the validity of the information (or disinformation) which you are trying to disseminate.

ADG

There is a BIG difference between DAYS and MONEY spent.
Also the numbers you showed do they include the First Lady???
That was what the Thread was started about her Lavish spending of American Tax dollars in another Country!!!

Oh, and I do believe the BUSH vacations we at a Ranch he owned, who knows...

Ok, most of what I said was what I HEARD,
I do want to know if Ms Obama is using Tax dollars?

I believe every President should take Vacations, Very stressful job!
But come on, keep it in your own country at times like these!

[brassmonkey]

if i was president id have vacations as well.

[GotGauge]

I think Obama has had Very Little Vacations, most was Christmas Holliday time! It is this current one of Mrs Obama, that gets to me! I "heard" it was costing Tax Payers $75K a DAY...
Think we will see transparency on the bill????

[Tom_PM]

Weak. Distraction.

What was she wearing? Who did her hair? What other breaking news happened with her wardrobe or dinner? We're hanging on every word. It's important.

Anyone see Charlie Rangels rant today? That was pretty kick-ass.

Wait, did michelle obama fart? no fucking way omg.

[kane]

While I don't care if she takes a vacation or not, I do think it is somewhat in poor taste to tell people here in the US that they should consider vacationing in Florida and the gulf coast to help out those economies and then run off to Spain. She should have followed her own advice.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

While right wing anti-Obama wags are trying to stir up hate and discontent about the First Lady's vacation, the President is at work today on a $26 billion jobs bill which should save over 140,000 to 160,000 jobs for teachers, police and firefighters:

Standing in the Rose Garden with two teachers facing job loss by his side, President Obama Tuesday urged Congress to pass a multi-billion dollar state aid bill that aims to prevent thousands of impending teacher and local government worker layoffs. "We can't stand by and do nothing while the pink slips are given to men and women who educate our children or keep our communities safe," said Obama, who noted that states were among the hardest hit by the recession.

With a new school year just around the corner, Democrats say the bill will save an estimated 140,000 teaching jobs. The bill will give $10 billion to prevent teacher, police officer, firefighter, and other private sector and local government job layoffs. It also includes $16 billion to help states fund their Medicaid payments. Obama said the bill is fully paid for by closing tax loopholes that encourage corporations to send American jobs overseas and if passed in the House today, he will sign the measure quickly.

Obama warded off criticism that passing the bill caters to teacher unions and other advocacy groups whose support is critical for Democrats heading into the November midterms. "I suppose if America's children and the safety of our communities are your special interests, then it is a special interest bill," Obama said.

The measure passed in the Senate last Thursday, after the House had already adjourned for summer recess. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called members back to Washington from break, a valuable campaigning time for members during election season, for an in and out vote on the measure.

Source: US News and World Report

ADG

[18teens]

Originally Posted by IllTestYourGirls

Using the tax money many self-employed people are having a hard time paying....

Amen to that.

[Gouge]

Originally Posted by epitome

Wait a second, everybody here knows that there is no such a thing as a "vacation" for the President of the United States, right? His closest advisers are still with him, he still has meetings, he still makes the big decisions he always makes. They just happen to relocate the White House to wherever he is.

It's not like the President is a data entry clerk that is losing productivity. All the position calls for is making decisions ... and those decisions can be made anywhere.

I'm glad someone here other than me knew this and pointed it out before me. Rancho Del Cielo was not called the White House of the West for no reason same thing goes for Prairie Chapel Ranch in the south.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library lists 21 foreign dignitaries to visit Rancho Del Cielo including Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth II, and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Bush for example had all these foreign dignitaries out to his ranch.

* Russian President Vladimir Putin, November 2001
* British Prime Minister Tony Blair, April 2002
* Saudi King Abdullah, April 2002, April 2005
* Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan, August 2002
* Chinese President Jiāng Zémín, October 2002
* Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar, February 2003
* Australian Prime Minister John Howard, May 2003
* Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichirō, May 2003
* Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, July 2003
* Mexican President Vicente Fox, March 2004, March 2005
* Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, April 2004
* Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía, November 2004
* Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, March 2005
* Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, April 2005
* Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, August 2005
* German Chancellor Angela Merkel, November 2007
* Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, February 2008

However most of the number still include all of these meetings as vacations even though they where working vacations.

[Gouge]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

While right wing anti-Obama wags are trying to stir up hate and discontent about the First Lady's vacation, the President is at work today on a $26 billion jobs bill which should save over 140,000 to 160,000 jobs for teachers, police and firefighters:



Source: US News and World Report

ADG

Another huge scam by Barry and his band of Corruptocrats, why not use part of the 421B left over from the last 700B stimulus package for this. Easy answer, hes is appeasing the teacher unions for votes they so desperately need coming up in 85 short days.

I'm not that smart but im pretty sure 421B - 26B = 395B.

[GotGauge]

Originally Posted by Gouge

Another huge scam by Barry and his band of Corruptocrats, why not use part of the 421B left over from the last 700B stimulus package for this. Easy answer, hes is appeasing the teacher unions for votes they so desperately need coming up in 85 short days.

I'm not that smart but im pretty sure 421B - 26B = 395B.

Print More Money!

"Fed gave its most bearish outlook in more than a year, saying the economic recovery is weakening."

[Sly]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

While right wing anti-Obama wags are trying to stir up hate and discontent about the First Lady's vacation, the President is at work today on a $26 billion jobs bill which should save over 140,000 to 160,000 jobs for teachers, police and firefighters:



Source: US News and World Report

ADG

By pulling a lot of money from the food stamp program, a lot of the House is rather upset that the administration's first suggestion for cuts was the food stamp program.

I wouldn't mind knowing more about that bill. Were the unions asked for concessions or is it a total bailout bill? I read an article a while back about the teachers union in Milwaukee... the school board needed some benefit cuts in order to save a few hundred teachers jobs. Instead of the union going to the teachers with the proposal, they straight up said no and went running for bailout money. Now not every situation is like that, but I'm sure more are.

[Bryan G]

Originally Posted by IsisLee

Saw an article last week.
Obama has spent $31 MILLION tax payer dollars on vacations and Golf in 18 months.
They showed Bush spent 16.8 million in tax payer dollars on vacations over 8 years.

As Bill Clinton used to say "I feel your pain" Mr. President!

LMAO

I call bullshit until I see a link

[TheDoc]

Originally Posted by Gouge

Another huge scam by Barry and his band of Corruptocrats, why not use part of the 421B left over from the last 700B stimulus package for this. Easy answer, hes is appeasing the teacher unions for votes they so desperately need coming up in 85 short days.

I'm not that smart but im pretty sure 421B - 26B = 395B.

Of course if he didn't save the teachers jobs, he would be ripped apart for it. If you have 421b left over, it makes no difference were the new money comes from, it's not like they ever actually printed 700b worth of money in the first place and then just left 421b laying around.