President Obama's 'well-earned' vacation on Martha’s Vineyard is drawing to a close as he heads back to Washington tomorrow. And what a time it's been. As WaPo notes, [5] his summer vacation has been a mix of golf, world crises, golf, domestic crisis, golf, time on the beach, and -- well, you know...
[6]
The answer won't surprise you...
Here's the president's vacation, by the numbers:
Days on Martha's Vineyard this month: 15. The president returned to Washington briefly late last week for two days of meetings, but has otherwise been enjoying the island since August 9.
Rounds of golf: 8. The most notable activity of the president’s vacation, which has brought him criticism from some and defense from others. At the time of writing, the president has hit the links eight times. Given his love of the game, it is likely Obama will try and squeeze in another round or two over the weekend.
Press statements: 3. The president addressed the traveling White House press corps twice last week, and again on Wednesday. His remarks have covered elections in Iraq, the unrest in Ferguson, Mo. and the killing of James Foley. One of the statements took place outdoors, the others came from the canteen of Edgartown School.
Dinners out: 3. The president and first lady have dined out on the town three times while staying at Martha’s Vineyard — in Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and West Tisbury -- including a quiet meal with Attorney General Eric Holder and his wife, as well as national security adviser Susan Rice and her husband. The Obamas dined in their house in Chilmark for the rest of the week.
Beach visits: 2. The president, first lady and their family have made two excursions to a beach in Edgartown.
Fundraisers: 1. Two days after Obama arrived on the Vineyard, he hosted a fundraiser in Tisbury at the home of Roger H. Brown and Linda Mason. The tickets ranged from $15,000 to $32,400.
Hikes, bike rides, fireworks displays: 1 each. The president, along with the first lady and their daughter Malia took a ride through a heavily wooded area last Friday. All three were dressed in athletic wear and cycled at a leisurely pace. This Friday, the president and first lady went for a morning hike in the Chilmark woods. Later in the evening, the Obamas took in the annual Oak Bluffs fireworks show.
Possible hugs: At least 1: With his former secretary of state, Hillary Rodham Clinton. After her spokesman promised that she and the president would "hug it out" over their differences on foreign policy, the pair met at a birthday party for Anne Jordan, a longtime friend of the Obamas. According to the White House, the president was “happy to spend time” with the Clintons and “a good time was had by all.” There was no confirmation or denial from the White House of whether the hug actually had taken place.
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Next week, the president's schedule is back to what passes for normal -- but he won't necessarily be back at the White House. He hits the road for a speech to the American Legion in Charlotte, N.C. on Tuesday, and plans to head to New York and Rhode Island for more fundraisers Friday.
Source: The Washington Post
