Bush sets record-longest vacation in recent history

[Professor Mouse]

Now that Bush does not have have to worry about re-election, he is not going to skimp on his vacations. Vacationing Bush Poised to Set a Record

WACO, Tex., Aug. 2 -- President Bush is getting the kind of break most Americans can only dream of -- nearly five weeks away from the office, loaded with vacation time.

The president departed Tuesday for his longest stretch yet away from the White House, arriving at his Crawford ranch in the evening for a stretch of clearing brush, visiting with family and friends, and tending to some outside-the-Beltway politics. By historical standards, it is the longest presidential retreat in at least 36 years.

The August getaway is Bush's 49th trip to his cherished ranch since taking office and the 319th day that Bush has spent, entirely or partially, in Crawford -- nearly 20 percent of his presidency to date, according to Mark Knoller, a CBS Radio reporter known for keeping better records of the president's travel than the White House itself. Weekends and holidays at Camp David or at his parents' compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, bump up the proportion of Bush's time away from Washington even further.

Bush's long vacations are more than a curiosity: They play into diametrically opposite arguments about this leadership style. To critics and late-night comics, they symbolize a lackadaisical approach to the world's most important day job, an impression bolstered by Bush's two-hour midday exercise sessions and his disinclination to work nights or weekends. The more vociferous among Bush's foes have noted that he spent a month at the ranch shortly before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, when critics assert he should have been more attentive to warning signs.,,,

Just as Bush has made these August trips a regular feature of his presidency, so, too, have Democrats made a tradition of needling him about them. This year, opposition politicians are tying his departure from Washington to the CIA leak case that has swept up his top adviser, Karl Rove.

"The White House stonewalling operation is moving to Crawford for the dog days of summer, but they can't hide from the legitimate questions dogging the president and his refusal to keep his promise and fire Karl Rove," said Josh Earnest, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee.

Being President is hard work. I just hope that Bush does not fall off his bike too often while he is in Texas.

 

[lyeag]

Wow, I agree. I like Bush, but 5 weeks? The troops get 2 weeks for a year tour. I know there are lots of ways to stay connected, but just saying vacation for 5 weeks...... Wish I could take one! I am not grudging the man a vacation. But five weeks is a bit much.

 

[Puffy2]

I guess they don't need the mouth piece actually in Washington these days.

 

[kasar]

What does he care? It's not like he has to run for president again.

Looks bad - which to me, would be enough to not want to do it. I know he's working there but our president, in a time of war (and an ugly one at that) should be in the White House, the seat of power in this country. That's my opinion (and I rarely ever post to political threads, I'm just mad that all those soldiers died today).

 

[toto2]

5 weeks vacation , while the country is at war , when he himself is asking his people to sacrifice

This is ...vulgar !

I know that being president is '' a difficult job'' to use is own word , but none the less , a soldier on the battlefield is '' a difficult job'' too !

 

[inaminute]

Isn't the Senate and Congress on vacation for the entire month of August, as well? Don't they do that every year?

 

[tikkipoo]

As if his vacations are true vacations. Where he gets to turn off his cell phone and everything goes away? Right. Five weeks out of Washington D.C. is all he's getting. People are going to complain about him no matter what he does. I don't blame him a bit for taking the vacation.

 

[snappy]

Isn't the Senate and Congress on vacation for the entire month of August, as well? Don't they do that every year?

Gosh, I wonder why that wasn't mentioned in the article?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

It is becoming an annual ritual in which the White House press corps rakes Bush over the coals for taking "vacation". The reason they do this is because they have to leave their little soirees and cocktail parties inside the beltway and go to Texas for 5 weeks or whatever. They resent the assignment so they whine.

Anyone who thinks Bush will actually be incommunicado for that time isn't thinking right. In this era the "working White House" is wherever the president is. I applaud President Bush for taking a breath for a while out at the ranch. Rest and reflection is a crucial part of leadership.

FWIW, the White House press corps has been raising this same issue as far back as Eisenhower.

President Bush will be no less concerned about current affairs in Texas than he is in Washington.

 

[Professor Mouse]

5 weeks vacation , while the country is at war , when he himself is asking his people to sacrifice

This is ...vulgar !

I know that being president is '' a difficult job'' to use is own word , but none the less , a soldier on the battlefield is '' a difficult job'' too !

I am sorry but you may not have heard. We are no longer at war. We have rebranded the conflict in Iraq. Merely changing the labels won't make the job easier

Rebranding is tricky business. Just ask the folks at Coke. Or the artist formerly known as Prince (who, marketing being marketing, is once again known as Prince and not that silly Egyptoglyph).

Over the last few months, the Bush administration has labored determinedly, if not too overtly, to trade out "the global war on terror"(GWOT) in favor of the "struggle (or strategy) against violent extremism" (SAVE)...

The shift from GWOT to SAVE is not happenstance. It's the result, like many an ad campaign, of brainstorming.

In late May, the Washington Post reported a high-level Bush administration review of how to shift from an emphasis on terrorism to violent extremism. The article quoted Frances Fragos Townsend, Bush's top terrorism adviser, who said the review was needed to take into account the adaptive abilities of al-Qaida. Another issue under consideration was the broader issue in the Muslim world of radical Islam.

The New York Times just last week said the meetings dated back to January.

"It's more than just a military war on terror," Steven J. Hadley, national security adviser told the Times (in a telephone interview that would not have occurred if the administration were not comfortable in having the change aired). "It's broader than that. It's a global struggle against extremism. We need to dispute both the gloomy vision and offer a positive alternative."

If we call it something other than a war, then is still okay for Bush to go on vacation for five weeks or longer??

 

[inaminute]

If we call it something other than a war, then is still okay for Bush to go on vacation for five weeks or longer??

If it's o.k. for Congress and the Senate, then it's o.k. for the President. After all, he can't get much accomplished without them.

 

[tubaman]

I think he should go to Disney World instead.

 

[xCourxCorex]

I wish I were President ...

 

[Peter Pirate]

I don't care if the Senate and House are adjourned and I don't care how easily he can do his job from Texas with today's technology, bush is the Commander In Cheif and should be setting the example for the troops fighting under him. But once again the rich, arrogant frat boy has shown whom he really has respect for...No one. Defending him is unconscionable.

 

[HTH]

I think he should go to Disney World instead.

 

[gradtchr]

With the world as in touch with all other parts of the world I am sure he is doing his job from Texas. Seems like on his "vacations" visiting dignitaries and many others come to visit and work. I hate posting on political threads but geesh let the man breathe the Texas air and enjoy some peace.

 

[lyeag]

I really like Bush. I voted for him both times. He has a tough job and he will have a lot to face when he comes back to DC. However, I really think taking 5 weeks when the troops only get 2 is a slap in the face given all that they are being asked to do. I still think Bush is the man for the job. I know he isn't going to be blowing off the presidency for 5 weeks, he will be working, but a good commander doesn't ask his troops to do any more than he would. If two weeks is good for the troops, it should be enough for him as well.

 

[Puffy2]

If it's o.k. for Congress and the Senate, then it's o.k. for the President. After all, he can't get much accomplished without them.

Hum, except THEY aren't the commander in chief. Really doesn't matter to me if the shrub takes a holiday or not - perhaps he'll be less dangerous that way. It is an insult to the soldiers in Iraq, however - just the same.

 

[shortbun]

As if his vacations are true vacations. Where he gets to turn off his cell phone and everything goes away? Right. Five weeks out of Washington D.C. is all he's getting. People are going to complain about him no matter what he does. I don't blame him a bit for taking the vacation.

Me too! As a matter of fact, I wish he'd take a permanent vacation! Poor guy HAS to be President because someone MADE him run! Waaaaaaa! That darn Karl Rove!

 

[JimB.]

Hey Prof - Slow night, eh, what?

If two weeks is good for the troops, it should be enough for him as well.

Hmmmm, I got 30 days a year. I also took 34 in a row once........ Heeeeey, maybe that qualifies ME to BE PRESIDENT!!!!!

is still okay for Bush to go on vacation for five weeks or longer??

Are you saying he has been away from the job totally for this time?? Or just away from Washington? Your pal Karl Rove hasn't talked to the President in 5 weeks? Condi Rice? Any other govt official?? Did he just park his Nextel in the charger & walk away?