Maybe Obama Needs A Stay-cation

For the most part, President Obama has been hard at work his first eight months on the job.

He has traveled to the Middle East, Germany, Russia and most recently Mexico. 

He has pushed through a stimulus package — though the verdict is still out on that — and he found time to insert himself into an overheated racial profiling debate. He’s even fighting off a potential flu pandemic..

In fairness, U.S. voters also gave Obama a long list of chores when they elected him. Among his tasks: fix an economy left largely in shambles by a few of the previous stewards; recast our sullied image abroad; figure out how to get our military out of Iraq responsibly; and do something about the ailing health care system.

With the kids out of school and such a hectic schedule, it is understandable that the Obamas just might need a break. So the first family is headed to Martha’s Vineyard next week, some would argue, for a much-deserved vacation.

According to celebritycafe.com, Martha’s Vineyard — a favorite spot for the elite and celebrities — is buzzing with not only Secret Service personnel, but Obama-mania as well: “From drinks called the Obamarita, to ‘I vacationed with Obama’ T-shirts.” And the folks at Offshore Ale in Oak Bluffs are brewing “Ale to the Chief”

That all sounds really nice. But — and I’m not trying to be a spoilsport — with real health care changes hanging in the balance, maybe the president ought to rethink spending time at an exclusive island hideaway and take a stay-cation instead.

CQ’s Craig Crawford advised Congress to do the same a few weeks ago but they didn’t listen. Confusion and fury directed at lawmakers over health care overhaul at town hall meetings are perhaps why Crawford suggested members stay in Washington and finish the job.

Of course, Obama’s advisers will say the president will be busy working the phones trying to ramp up support for his health care goals while vacationing. But in politics — as with any other business — perception is reality.

It’s way too risky right now.

You think supporters of a reportedly abandoned public health care option are hopping mad now? Just wait until they see photos and video of our “too cool” commander in chief kicking back at Blue Heron Farm, a 28-acre retreat in the town of Chilmark, once deemed one of the most expensive towns in America?

That alone conjures up images of George W. Bush flying over a sinking New Orleans during the aftermath of a deadly Hurricane Katrina. Before Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, Bush was finishing up a monthlong vacation in Crawford, Texas, but had been briefed the day before on the potential devastation that could occur.

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