Who's paying for this?

ah, well, why not, i mean its all paid for…i’d take a hawaiian vacation too if a million people chipped in for it.

I’m fine with it. He works hard and I like the idea of his children and he laughing on the beach and having family time. I just hope they stop by my house on the way- I’ll even make cupcakes.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/11/politics/uwire/main3927378.shtml

His family is from Hawaii. Where should he go, Crawford Texas?

I think they’re single-digit millionaires in their own right, but for security, they have to take a private plane and the Secret Service guys.

Is there evidence that this trip, outside of security, is being paid for by taxpayers? Or lobbyists or someone else who may have contributed to his campaign, for that matter? I am a “small d” democrat and any of those instances would bother me.

It’s similar to Regan vacationing in Calif. or Bush or the Kennedys going to Hyannisport and MV.

Hawaii is where he is born and I believe family still reside there. He’s going “home” for vacation. It just happens to be in Ha.

Obama is from Hawaii.

I’m sure many presidents went home for Christmas.

I don’t get that, why do people like you assume the president, of all people, can’t take a vacation for christmas? That’s like saying we should all just stay working and no one gets a break. What would he accomplish if he stayed in the white house that would make or break anything?

I am so glad someone besides me noticed this!!!!!!! Everytime I turn around the Obamas are in the news for some sort of recreational event. “Mr. and Mrs. Obama reserved an entire restaurant for a date night….. The Obamas were at the basketball game last night…... The Obamas go to Hawaii” Does he do ANYTHING??? I don’t care if he is from Hawaii. This whole country is jobless and we are still at war. He doesnt have all Goddam day for vacationing.

He’s going to be sleeping at AIG headquarters in Hawaii so at least room and board is free.

U.S. News & World Report
Posted December 31, 2008

“Bush has now made 77 trips to the ranch during his presidency. If he departs on New Year’s Day as scheduled, he will have spent 490 full or partial days there, according to Mark Knoller of CBS News, who keeps records of Bush’s travels. That’s one of the highest numbers of presidential vacation days in history.”

To really answer your question we are paying for it. That is not the point. No matter if it’s a republican or democrat in office, the fact of the matter is they are still working. He will get a daily security briefing, talk with close advisors, et cetera. Who cares where he is. Let’s focus on what he is doing.

And Bush spent PLENTY of time on the golf course during the Iraq war.

Even people in power want a break. I’m sure he is stressed about the country. I get stressed about my apartment with a cat in it. Can’t imagine millions of people looking to you for help.

@missingbite couldn’t agree more.

@King_of_Sexytown What about Bush? He took more leisure time than any president in United States history.

Doesn’t anyone realize that going home for the holidays is not the same as going to Jamaica for the holidays? Obama happens to be from a state where a lot of people vacation, but I talk to people in Hawaii all the time when I’m at work, and trust me, they don’t think living in Hawaii is one big vacation.

@King_of_Sexytown lol i have noticed this too. i dont enjoy following politics but i do enjoy laughing because every time i turn around they are having a picnic, or traveling, or throwing a dinner party. im not making fun of them, i voted for obama but i do think its funny.

also, i dont think we really need to compare everything obama does to bush. its in the past, people.

@deni I only compare Obama to Bush, because half of the people who complain about Obama doing things, never complained about Bush doing the exact same things. Not to mention, Bush was a complete idiot, and Obama is far from it

any leader or representative should have a good image. i would say it is almost mandatory that he is seen in high profile and exotic places having a good time and what not.

I am just upset I was not invited.

Ya know I am one degree of separation from the big guy.

@stemnyjones Don’t get me wrong, Bush isn’t excused either. It’s just that Bush is done and we have to deal with Obama now.

@ChazMaz i am also at one degree

Very cool!
I bet you were not invited too.

And Obama has to deal with cleaning up the mess that Shrub handed him.

Bush inherited a surplus in the budget when Clinton left. And look what he managed to turn THAT into. Incompetence, thy name is Bush. ( But I still prefer the late Molly Ivins’ nickname for him. Shrub says it all. )

@ChazMaz no Hawaii for this guy.

During the time one serves as President of the United States, there is no such thing as a “vacation”.

Personlly, I wouldn’t mind helping to pay for any brief respite he/she might enjoy.

Their trip will bring no harm to the nation or the economy. I’m sure he’s “on call” in case of an emergency. Besides, the more politicians we can get out of DC the better. Baaazing!

everyone has to take a vacation right?

Its very sad if you think your president can not take a vacation, and as others have pointed out he will still be “working”.

@JuJubee Something tells me if it wasn’t Obama, it wouldn’t be a big deal…

It’s a private matter. His salary will cover this. He grew up there so the desire to return from time to time is strong.

@stemnyjones something tells me you are right