Barack Obama, who has been criticized by racists for his tendency to vacation during times of crisis, and who during the course of his presidency has hit the golf links 186 times (so far), once, while plugging his book, said the following:
“Uh, umm, you give me this office and in turn my, fears, doubts, insecurities, foibles, need for sleep, family life, vacations, leisure is gone. I am giving my self to you.”
This is touching: from a 2008 video that has recently resurfaced, via Weasel Zippers:
Yes, he’s been on vacation 125 days in 6 years. George Bush (the real heavy hitter) had gone on vacation 405 days by this same point in his “presidency”. But there was no outcry then. Bush was laying on the beach, bass-fishing, noodling in muddy rivers, and attending hack baseball games while the Levant burned. Now that’s a hardworking guy. I nominate him for hardest-working. Obama is 5th, at best. At best, Ray.
I take it you didn’t watch the video.
And you will search my words in vain for any defense of George Bush.
I was curious to see if anyone would step in to defend Barack Obama’s hypocrisy and, if so, how. It was even more half-assed than I’d imagined it could be.
Thanks for dropping by, I guess.
A person (and yes that includes the President of the United States) is more productive when they take time off. We’re not robots, we’re human beings. If we expect a president in one of the most stressful and busy jobs on the planet to not spend time with their family and take a breather once in awhile, then you should expect the president to be a burnt-out human being that will make many more mistakes. I say give the guy a break. He’s taken the equivalent of 20-21 days off a year (a govt employee gets around 20-26 days of vacation a year, depending on how many years he/she has with govt) He wasn’t president yet and had not even officially announced he was running yet when this video was made. (although he hinted to that). I think he realized, after becoming president, getting blocked by Republicans for every thing he tried to do, that never taking a break is counter-productive. Remember he’s married and I’m sure his wife had something to do with convincing him to take a break and personally, I’m betting he’d be worse (and eventually divorced) if he didn’t. You should be thankful instead of angry at him for breaking his overly ambitious pledge.
JP wrote: “We’re not robots, we’re human beings.”
That’s really heavy, JP. Thank you for that.
And thank you for dropping by to excuse Obama for his misbegotten remarks. I am, as you say, thankful that he broke his pledge.
Lol. No problem Ray. In the end I hope we can all be Dems and Repubs and still enjoy drinks together (yours especially). This “division” crap going on between the two parties today sucks. I’ve been a member of both in my lifetime and I still get along with me so why can’t we all : ) On a different topic, You are the best combination bartender/blogger I’ve seen yet by the way. A friend just sent me the link a few hours ago. I’m glad he did. You’re videos crack me up! Nice job!
@ JP:
“This “division” crap going on between the two parties today…”
Today?
Right?
P.S. Where the fuck have you been?