Re Presidential Vacations: Gee Scott....Thought you were an updated communications guy. Guess not. You haven't heard of teleconferencing, cell phones, daily briefings, and any number of things?
Presidential Vacation
blogsforbush.com
August 03, 2005
It seems like every year since Bush took office whenever he goes on his August vacation, the media dwells on his time away from the White House as if Bush is just sitting on a beach, sipping pina coladas all day and getting a tan, ignoring the problems facing the country.
I remember things being different during the Clinton years... The media seemed to delight itself talking about the Clinton's vacation time, amused over how the President would unwind. It didn't seem to bother anyone that Clinton could not be bothered with national security issues while on the golf course. No one seems to mind that Congress is out of session for August recess either...
The left and the media (am I being redundant?) seem to act as if Bush is completely out of touch with his responsibilities as President and Commander-In-Chief when he is on these so-called "vacations." However, as The Washington Post reports, while on these vacations, "Bush continues to receive daily national security briefings, sign documents, hold teleconferences with aides and military commanders, and even meet with foreign leaders. And from the president's point of view, the long Texas stints are the best way to clear his mind and reconnect with everyday America."
Still, the media loves to focus on how much "vacation" time President Bush takes...
Until now, probably no modern president was a more famous vacationer than Ronald Reagan, who loved spending time at his ranch in Santa Barbara, Calif. According to an Associated Press count, Reagan spent all or part of 335 days in Santa Barbara over his eight-year presidency -- a total that Bush will surpass this month in Crawford with 3 1/2 years left in his second term.
"The Oval Office is wherever the president of the United States is," said Kenneth M. Duberstein, who was Reagan's last White House chief of staff. "With the communications being what they are, the president can communicate instantly with whomever he wants anywhere in the world."
Whether in the White House, overseas, or at his ranch in Crawford, President Bush is the President and Commander-In-Chief at all times.
UPDATE: More reaction at GOP Bloggers...
Posted by Matt at August 3, 2005 12:47 PM
Comments
Yes, saying "the left" and "the media" is being redundent.
Posted by: patrickb63 at August 3, 2005 03:38 PM
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So Bush is going to take more "vacation" days then the best President we've had in my lifetime. Doesn't sound like a problem to me. Sounds like this might be the right idea.
Although wanting to go to Texas in the summer does seem a bit crazy.
Posted by: Carstairs38 at August 3, 2005 04:36 PM
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Well, at least they admit that he has three and a half years to go on his term. This is progress of a sort.
Posted by: megapotamus at August 3, 2005 05:19 PM
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Compare Bush going off to his ranch and still working to Jimmy Carter holing himself up in the White House during the Iranian Hostage Crisis....
Need I say more?
Posted by: Macker at August 3, 2005 07:28 PM
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What's this, five years complaining about Bush going on vacation? Can't they come up with something else to complain about? Oh wait, they complain about EVERYTHING so why not this? Sheesh...
Posted by: Gozer at August 3, 2005 08:06 PM
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THIS, along with all the "other Bush-Hate-Bashing"
is getting OLD....The Left-Mediaites, NEVER minded
covering their "Hero-Clinton"...In tripping over themselves, they covered the "fake, beach-romping
couple dancing in the surf(photo-op to pretend they actually "liked each other"),Bill eating ice cream cones in Martha's Vineyard, Bill wolfing down burgers at numerous places, AND, in the "Gift
Shop", while he supposedly picked up a souvenior for Monica..etc, etc, etc....Guess this "GUSHING
OVER BILL/HILL, is okay cause they had a "love-fest going with these two phonies"....They have,
and always WILL have hatred for President Bush and
his family.....BUT, WE out here, that "Voted Him
For Yet ANOTHER TERM, are laughing our butts off,
as these pathetic Leftists, can't come up with the
NEXT BUSH-BASHING EXAMPLE, "fast enough"...TOO BAD
and TOO SAD....They need to get over their losses,
which are only going to continue, as their
BASHING, OBSTRUCTIONISM AND HATREDS, are like the
gift to the GOP, that keeps on giving...!
Posted by: Jo at August 3, 2005 08:56 PM
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On ABC yesterday they were complaining that he works out too much. He can't win.
Posted by: Kenny at August 4, 2005 02:08 PM
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So, here was the President's first day of "vacation." Later, he had time for this meeting with reporters as well as to do this.
What a slacker. No wonder he avoided his military service with the Texas Air National Guard.
Posted by: adriandrews at August 4, 2005 07:13 PM
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I can never understand all the fuss. During the GOP Convention in 1976 I remember how they called the Crown Center Hotel the White House while Ford was there. I remember how much it cost back then to have everything in the hotel ready for President Ford. There is Camp Dreary David where they don't have just a temporary setup for the President and if Bush finds Camp David as Dreary as the rest of us the God Bless Him for always using the same facilities at his ranch and saving us the money it would cost to have him travel the world as some leaders have done.
I don't believe he has one Golden Temple built on his ranch or a house built for every suit of clothes like some world so-called leaders.
Give the man a break.
Posted by: Dwayne at August 4, 2005 08:14 PM
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President Bush is a human being just like the rest of us. His work schedule is daunting, and demanding. He like those of us who take their responsibilities seriously, are on call 24/7 if needed. Communications today are sophisticated to extreme, and President Bush is not out of touch, just because he is in Crawford,Tx. Everone needs a break, a change of senery, otherwise he/we would burn out, and not be worth a damn mentally.
The News Media constantly looks for something negative to capitalize on, and blow it all out of perportion, relative to the real truth.!! That will never change. If I could purchase a majority of the media blow hards for what they are really worth, then sell them for what they think they are worth, I could retire in style.!! Just consider the source and make up your own mind to the truth.!
Posted by: Don at August 4, 2005 09:46 PM
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Give the man a break!! If he can do this good of a job while enjoying life, I say more power to you, George!! I say that anyway...let's give more power to you, George!!
Posted by: Bev at August 4, 2005 09:55 PM
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I say GREAT to George W. Bush. At least he knows how to work and not sponge off his RICH friends or play with cigars in the Oval office. If Carter and Clinton had done their jobs correctly, we may not be in Iraq now.
THANKS GOD FOR G. W. BUSH
Posted by: Dolores Witters at August 4, 2005 10:05 PM
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