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White House Defends Obama Golfing: “Does Us All Good, As American Citizens”

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» 74 comments

Bill Burton is pinch-hitting for Press Secretary Robert Gibbs today in the White House briefing, and he was asked about Pres. Barack Obama‘s golf game with VP Joe Biden over the weekend.

And without any further ado, here’s a lesson in making a fair point and then taking it too far.

Here’s the beginning of the answer: “I don’t think that there’s a person in this country that doesn’t think their President ought to have a little time to clear his mind.”

I think that’s something we can pretty much all agree on, right?

Here’s the end of his answer. Pres. Obama’s golf outing this weekend, says Burton, “does us all good, as American citizens, that our President is taking that time.”

Here’s the exchange:

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  • notsofast

    Playing golf 8 times during the leak?

    Yeah, right.

  • Bias-Media

    Where is Michael Moore???

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Jones/1384303476 Chris Jones

    I don’t recall that sentiment being expressed when Bush took a break.

  • notsofast

    Chris Jones says:
    June 21, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    I don’t recall that sentiment being expressed when Bush took a break.”

    BHO has already played more golf than Bush did in 8 years.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Flinner/1438330220 Mark Flinner

    Tony Haward goes sailing = Media/public crucifies him.

    Our Prez goes golfing again = See above.

    2012 can not come fast enough!

  • Haimerej

    This is obviously due to his great intellect. His mind has been so full, it’s taken 8 golf outings just to get it clear.

  • MichelleF

    I don’t think that there’s a person in this country that doesn’t think their President ought to have a little time to clear his mind.”

    I totally agree, but it’s not just golf. It’s golf, baseball, and today a BBQ. And that’s just the last couple days. How much rest does he need?

  • rushyoungberg

    I don’t recall that being the sentiment when Howard was in the Isle of White sailboat race. And this race was after the overall supervision of the BP spill was assigned to another BP executive. I don’t recall Obama being called before a Senate committee to explain his handling of the spill and not authorizeing Federal permission to Jinal of Louisiana to deal with the aftermath.

  • Bias-Media

    Adding more fire to the fuel…

    Obama have had 8 rounds of golf, attended a Paul McCartney concert at the White House, took a vacation to Chicago, met with Bono of U2, participated in 2 fund raiser events for Barbara Boxer…all since the explosion on April 20 (this is just the things that I noticed…I’m pretty sure he’s done other non-presidential duty stuff…maybe the posters on Mediaite can help)

    But, he only have 20 minutes to spend with the BP CEO…

  • Bias-Media

    Incidentally, how many people do you know can afford to play 8 rounds of golf in 60 days? …

    … let me re-phrase…

    how many WORKING people do you know can afford to play 8 rounds of golf in 60 days?

  • tjl

    Bush spent 879 days at his ranch during his presidency, making that a record for most vacation time by a sitting president. That’s 30% of his time as president. Awesome!

    http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/11/politics/uwire/main3927378.shtml

    I look forward to your right-wing, tea bagging spin!! Thanks guys!

  • notsofast

    tjl says:
    June 21, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    Bush spent 879 days at his ranch during his presidency, making that a record for most vacation time by a sitting president. That’s 30% of his time as president. Awesome!”

    He didn’t take vacation during a national crisis.

    Thanks for your lib spin!

  • Bias-Media

    @tjl

    Bush spent 879 days at his ranch during his presidency, making that a record for most vacation time by a sitting president. That’s 30% of his time as president. Awesome!”

    …and that makes it okay? esp in a crisis like this?

    is the goal as President to 1-up his predessor? to spend 35% of his presidency playing golf?

  • tjl

    Here you go NotSoSFast!… a clip of Bush playing golf during the war. It’s adorable!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3p9y_OEAdc

    Thanks again for the spin!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Flinner/1438330220 Mark Flinner

    tjl – Lets hope that BHO does not have 6 years to reach W.

  • notsofast

    tjl says:
    June 21, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    Here you go NotSoSFast!… a clip of Bush playing golf during the war. It’s adorable!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3p9y_OEAdc

    Thanks again for the spin!”

    Oh, so the war is a national crisis??

    So BHO is playing golf and relaxing during two national crises.

    Thanks for the free one, tjl!

  • Bias-Media

    @tjl

    you do realize that Obama have played more rounds of golf than Bush did in 8 years, right?

  • tjl

    Bias-Media: I take it you think the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are national crisis, no?

    My point is that you remained silent while Bush vacationed like the true champ that he is, yet you have a big problem with Obama playing golf. No, it’s not about a president 1-upping another, but it is clear that there are plenty of blinders on in this case. Like NotSoSmart, who forgets that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are national crisis. Good to know…

    Thanks again guys! Love the spin!

  • notsofast

    Oh, and tjl:

    “Obama plays more golf than Bush – where’s the outrage?
    Posted on October 26, 2009 at 11:18 am

    President Barack Obama has only been in office for just over nine months, but he’s already hit the links as much as President Bush did in over two years.

    CBS’ Mark Knoller — an unofficial documentarian and statistician of all things White House-related — wrote on his Twitter feed that, “Today – Obama ties Pres. Bush in the number of rounds of golf played in office: 24.

    Took Bush 2 yrs & 10 months.”

  • Bias-Media

    @tjl

    who said I remained silent?

  • tjl

    Annnnd you burned yourself, NotSoSmart… And I recall you saying that it’s not right to play golf during a national crisis. Not me… thanks for the free one!!

    Right, so this is about golf. Got it! Any other vacation is cool. Got it!

    Thanks again guys!!

  • notsofast

    tjl says:
    June 21, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    Bias-Media: I take it you think the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are national crisis, no? ”

    Crisis? So a President should not play golf while the nation is at war?

    barry certainly is. He has played golf at least 32 times in 18 months and bush play 24 rounds in 8 years!

    Oh, snap!

  • notsofast

    tjl_ Thanks for the free one!

  • tjl

    Bias-Media: you are remaining silent right now. I;ve yet to see you dissent against Bush… All I’ve heard about is Obama and golf and his vacation time. AND you just tried to make the point that Obama played more golf than Bush in 8 years… yup, the silence is deafening…

  • DrFunke

    I am confused….Republicans told me that golfing after 9/11 was fine by Bush….what changed?

  • notsofast

    tjl said you can’t play golf during a war.

  • tjl

    I never said I have a problem with him playing golf! Wow! Comprehension is not your bag, I presume. You continue to pay the role of the uneducated tea bagger… I suggest you quit now, notsosmart… Thanks!!

  • tjl

    Where did I say that, notsosmart??? I know you’re not a college educated man, but c’mon this is ridiculous!

  • notsofast

    tjl:

    tjl says:
    June 21, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    Here you go NotSoSFast!… a clip of Bush playing golf during the war. It’s adorable!

    tjl says:
    June 21, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    Bias-Media: I take it you think the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are national crisis, no? ”

    You lose. You lost before you even got here.

  • RichardBraincase

    As usually with the media the greater point is missed, sure there is the usual double standard and Obama can do no wrong. The oil spill aside, were the economy running on all 8 cylinders and the unemployment rate around 6 and defictits were under control, then fine the Presidient (ANY president) can blow tax payer cash on a few outings. Having said that, none of those conditions exist and he’s pushing it to the point where he’s rubbing our noses in it … when middle class tax payers can’t take a vacation and are cutting back on everything, he’s living large on our dime without any concern … that’s the point – you know it, I know it, the American people know it. The oil spill just highlights it.

  • tjl

    Ugh! You really are dumb. This is great, though…. You said that Bush never vacationed during a national crisis. I sent a video of him playing golf to disprove your point…. then I said that wars are considered national crisis, but I never once said that Obama OR Bush were “wrong ” for playing golf. What is this obsession with golf??

    You lose. You lost before you even got here. I love when idiot tea baggers write posts on the internet! Thanks! Smooches!

  • notsofast

    NOTSOFAST:

    He didn’t take vacation during a national crisis.”

    jl says:
    June 21, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    Here you go NotSoSFast!… a clip of Bush playing golf during the war. It’s adorable!

    tjl says:
    June 21, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    Bias-Media: I take it you think the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are national crisis, no? ”

    game, set, match!

    Oh, snap!

  • Bias-Media

    @tjl

    the biggest problem I have with media and individuals like you is that you rate issues based on politics rather than right vs wrong. Since someone else did it (even though it was wrong when they did it)…it should be okay for Obama to do it also…

    where is the integrity in this attitude? We didn’t put this guy in office so that he can have his bi-monthly party with his Hollywood and Entertainment industry cohorts, play basketball and golf with his Chicago buddies, and spend time flying around the world on Air Force One for family or personal popularity campaign…

    In the mean time, in the REAL world that we live in…

  • notsofast

    BHO playing golf during 2 concurrent Crises according to tjl!

    Thanks for the free one!

  • Bias-Media

    @tjl and all closed minded libs on this post…

    this story is NOT ABOUT BUSH! so quit diverting attention to justify Obama’s behavior…we’ve done beating up on Bush

    (and to tjl…YES! I have been a vocal critic of Bush when he is wrong!)

  • notsofast

    tjl, isn’t HC reform a crisis and so is immigration reform and the economy?

    BHO is playing golf during 5 crises!

  • tjl

    first, i’m going to stop addressing notsosmart because he really is dumb and beneath me. wow!

    @bias-media: what do you do on your free time? And what are your expectations for the president? those are the real questions… would working 40, 60, 80 hours a week be sufficient? If so, what is he supposed to do in his free time? Is he allowed free time? Would you prefer he stayed holed up in his room reading? Just because you can’t golf and vacation does that mean he shouldn’t?

    It’s ridiculous. In the REAL world we allow for people to have time to themselves. I’m not sure what you do for a living or if you are in a role as a supervisor, but I would hope that you get some time to yourself to play golf, go out to dinner, or whatever it is you like to do in your free time. I for one do what I want. And I hope for your sake that you do as well. And if you think that the president is not working at all or wasting his time, well, the REAL world misses you….

  • notsofast

    tjl says:
    June 21, 2010 at 3:42 pm

    first, i’m going to stop addressing notsosmart because he really is dumb and beneath me. wow! ”

    tjl got his ass handed to him and as a lib he resorts to personal attacks.

    LOL

  • Bias-Media

    @tjl

    in the real world, very few people can afford to work and play 8 rounds of golf in 60 days… trust me on this one…

    in the POTUS world, where he is the leader of the free world, how does he find that time…hmm…

  • tjl

    notsosmart, you strike me as such a clown. you’re not going to win a war of wits. you are a simple man. your logic is that everything is deemed a crisis so the president should not, under any circumstances, use his free time as he sees fit. tea bag much?

    not my logic, yours.

  • Bias-Media

    @tjl

    for clarification…I’m okay with him taking time off to relieve some stress…but 8 rounds in 60 days? wow!

  • notsofast

    tjl, how does barry play during 5 concurrent crises?

  • notsofast

    tjl says

    tjl, you village is missing its idiot :YOU!

  • tjl

    Well, in my world we can, Bias-Media. I apologize for not living in yours…

    the question is how much time do you want him to be at your service. that’s the question…

    notsofast says:
    June 21, 2010 at 3:44 pm
    tjl got his ass handed to him and as a lib he resorts to personal attacks.

    LOL”

    you are adorable! where do people like you live??

  • tjl

    Oh SNAP! A recycled joke! Loooove it!

    notsofast says:
    June 21, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    tjl, you (SIC) village is missing its idiot :YOU!

  • notsofast

    tjl

    Your dad said you would not amount to shit, but you proved him wrong.

  • notsofast

    tjl,

    Man, your mouth is so big, you eat your bananas sideways.

  • tjl

    Bias-Media: that’s a mere 7.5 weeks. What do you do on Sunday morning? How long does a round of golf take? 3 or 4 hours? So he can’t play golf for about 3 to 4 hours a week? You won’t grant him 3 or 4 hours of free time?? That’s highly partisan of you!

  • tjl

    Ladies and gentlemen, the comedy stylings of notsosmart! he’ll be here all week… because he has nothing better to do with his time.

    smooches!!

  • Bootleghaircut

    ATTENTION ALL GOP MORONS ON THIS THREAD-YES YOU

    THE AMERICAN PRESS HAS BEEN ASKING THE DOES THE POTUS PLAY GOLF TOO MUCH QUESTION SINCE IKE!!!!!

    GET YOUR PANTIES OUT OF A BUNCH.

    YOU NEED MORE HISTORY AND LES HYSTERICS.

  • notsofast

    tjl and Bottlehaircut:

    You are temperamental: 90% temper and 10% mental.

    Just put your diaper back on and go to bed.

  • notsofast

    I love it ! Libs new defense : Barry is as bad as Bush!

    LMAO

  • Bias-Media

    For the love of heaven…can we please take the GOP vs DEM out of this discussion? If the GOP is guilty of some sin, does that make it okay for the DEM to commit the same sin?

    let’s be independent thinkers, shall we?

  • tjl

    Really, where does someone like you, notsosmart, come from? I am intrigued! Are you an adult?? Can we have Mediaite do profiles on the commenters? You’re a little slice of heaven! I love it!

  • notsofast

    But the real question tjl, is how many times must I flush to get rid of you and all of BHO’s crises?

  • tjl

    Sure thing, Bias-Media. Whatever works for you.

  • Bias-Media

    @tjl

    okay; so let’s assume you’re super rich, and can afford to play golf every Sunday…(and, assume you work too…I suppose…)

    how do you justify not having time to talk to the CEO of BP, or any decision makers related to the clean up efforts during the crisis affecting so many states in the Gulf, while you have time to play golf every Sunday?

    (AND attend a concert, meet with the NY Yankees, meet with Bono of U2, take a family vacation to Chicago? All this, while playing golf every 7.5 days…by your calculation…)

  • tjl

    You’ll never get rid of me, notsosmart! I promise! I adore you more now than ever!!

    This isn’t about me, Bias-Media. It’s about allowing for the man to have free time. You know you can play a 9-hole course in the suburbs for $15-$20. You don’t need to be super rich to play golf…

    Again, this is about how often you want him to work. From what you just listed there, Obama could probably achieve in a span of two weeks (assuming we’re talking one round of golf) and still work 60-70 hours per week… is he not allowed to attend concerts? go to baseball games? meet with Bono? You are acting like a “crazy lib!” Like he’s not a human being! He’s human! He’s allowed to do such things as you listed. I have no problem with that. It’s a highly partisan attack. Really, he’s a human being.

  • Bias-Media

    tjl,

    not about the $Money; but about responsibility. When you work in an industry with a lot of responsibility, you simply do not have the time to play golf every week. And, it is my belief, that POTUS have a lot of responsibility. So, it bongles my mind how he have so much time to play golf, attend concerts, meet with Entertainment industry professionals, etc…

    …and yet, only have 20 minutes for BP executives and those in charge of crisis management…

    to me, this is misplaced priorities…but that’s just my opinion.

    If he had spent the due time necessary to coordinate with those in crisis management to keep this thing from becoming what it is today, he can play golf everyday as far as I care…

    but, again, looking at his reaction to this whole mess…not what I expected in a leader in the WH…

  • Bias-Media

    Also, as an addendum, I am very disappointed that, when the media does bring this to his attention, his immediate reaction is to find someone’s A** to kick; rather to get the people necessary to bring this under control…

    In true crisis management, first priority is always to bring the crisis under control. There will be time to cast blame later…

  • stoogedudes

    Whoa, it seems like a three way argument between Bias-Media, notsofast, and tjl.

    Let me just give my two cents.

    I’m all for the President taking time out of his incredibly stressful schedule to play some golf. In fact, I didn’t really have a problem when Bush did it. I just don’t think it is necessary to do so much of it, especially when the oil spill is going on or any other national crisis. Moderation is the key.

    I want my President, no matter who it is, to have a clear head (fyi, I’m not talking about an empty head, in case someone was wanting to make a smarmy remark about how either Bush or Obama have an empty head) in hard times like these. But golfing all the time doesn’t seem to be the way to do it.

    I like Obama, and I hope that through all the golfing, he’s doing what he can to help fix the situation in the Gulf.

    Maybe he should get a Wii.

  • TfT

    Finally, an article about the golf outings.

    The WH defends himself, the partier, golfer, the baseball game goer…..oh well. No surprises there. I doubt this is the end of this story, especially given how the WH and their media sycophants are excoriating BP CEO while giving a pass to himself, teh one.

  • jrcmi

    Bush spent 1,000+ days on vacation – more than 10 days a month, on average. Has Obama come anywhere close to that? 200 days?

    Not only did Bush vacation during “crises,” he CREATED those crises – i.e., two illegal wars.

    Still, I didn’t begrudge the man some time off . . . but REALLY!

    Obama’s “20 mins. with BP execs” lasted four hours.

  • notsofast

    Obama’s “20 mins. with BP execs” lasted four hours.”

    No true. He spent 45 minutes total in the meeting.

    Try again!

  • notsofast

    Not only did Bush vacation during “crises,” he CREATED those crises – i.e., two illegal wars.”

    Wrong again.

    All he did was listen to what the Dems said about Saddam.

    “Every nation has to either be with us, or against us. Those who harbor terrorists, or who finance them, are going to pay a price.” – Senator Hillary Clinton, During an interview on CBS Evening News with Dan Rather, September 13, 2001

    “In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members… It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well, effects American security. *** This is a very difficult vote, this is probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. Any vote that might lead to war should be hard, but I cast it with conviction.” – Senator Hillary Clinton, Addressing the US Senate, October 10, 2002

    “My position is very clear: The time has come for decisive action to eliminate the threat posed by Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction. I’m a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Resolution that’s presently under consideration in the Senate. Saddam Hussein’s regime is a grave threat to America and our allies. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons today, that he’s used them in the past, and that he’s doing everything he can to build more. Every day he gets closer to his long-term goal of nuclear capability. *** Democracy will not spring up by itself overnight in a multi-ethnic, complicated society that’s suffered under one repressive regime after another for generations. The Iraqi people deserve and need our help to rebuild their lives and to create a prosperous, thriving, open society. All Iraqis, including Sunnis, Shia and Kurds, deserve to be represented. This is not just a moral imperative. It’s a security imperative. It is in America’s national interest to help build an Iraq at peace with itself and its neighbors, because a democratic, tolerant and accountable Iraq will be a peaceful regional partner, and such an Iraq could serve as a model for the entire Arab world.” – Senator John Edwards, Speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, October 7, 2002

    “[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq’s refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs.”
    - Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others Oct. 9, 1998

    “Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.”
    - Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998

    “Hussein has … chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies.”
    - Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999

    There is no doubt that … Saddam Hussein has invigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies.”
    - Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL,) and others, December 5, 2001

    “We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandated of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.”
    - Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002
    “We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.”
    - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
    “Iraq’s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power.”
    - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

    “We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction.”
    - Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002

    “The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons…”
    - Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002

    “I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force– if necessary– to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security.”
    - Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002

    “There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years … We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction.”
    - Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002
    “He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do” Rep.
    - Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002

    “We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction.”
    - Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec. 8, 2002
    “Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime … He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation … And now he is miscalculating America’s response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction … So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real …”
    - Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003

  • Johnny M

    I could care less what Obama does to relax from time to time, although Burton’s smug spin is the reason why so many keep expressing their dislike for it.

    What I have a problem with, is I listened all weekend to this administration throwing Hayward under the bus for taking a weekend with his family and going yachting. I think Hayward has done a horrible job handling this issue, but Im not naive to think that any work towards a fix stops at BP when Hayward isnt around. Hayward is the figurehead but not the problem-solver. But wasnt it the President who said the government is to blame, too? And isnt Obama our figurehead and not the problem-solver?

    Just another example of the double standards and hypocrisy out of this admin.

  • the real john t

    What amazes me is the RW idiots like notsosmart has spent all day on this blog. But they want to bitch and moan about Obama playing golf for 4hrs on a Sunday.

  • jrcmi

    notsoswift: “He spent 45 minutes total in the meeting.”

    From: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N16174261.htm :

    “According to a White House schedule, President Barack Obama was slated to attend the meeting for roughly 20 minutes starting at 10:15 a.m. The meeting was still going — though the president had long left — several hours later. ”

    The MEETING lasted several hours.

    YOU try again.

  • jrcmi

    “Not only did Bush vacation during “crises,” he CREATED those crises – i.e., two illegal wars.”

    Wrong again.

    All he did was listen to what the Dems said about Saddam.”

    So he was a LIBERAL stooge?

    You BOTH fail.

    You plagiarized those Dem quotes verbatim from the freeper site. Double FAIL – and a lawbreaker, to boot.

    Jail fail?

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    See what good that does to Mediaite.

  • ertdfg

    ” tjl says: t’s about allowing for the man to have free time.”

    Right, this makes sense; it;’s like the CEO of BP taking a weekend to spend with his son and watch a yacht race, no biggie… except Rahm and the White House attacked him for this… while Obama and Biden were out playing golf.

    So if downtime is ok for a high pressure job to unwind for a bit; why is it bad for the CEO of BP, and if downtime is bad in a crisis, why is Obama playing golf?

    I dont’ see a way to square the circle without playing a “Obama gets a pass because he’s a democrat” or “but we really hate BP so what they do is wrong even if it was ok if someone else did it”.

    I don’t begrudge him his downtime, but I will point out the hypocrisy that his administration will attack others for any downtime… from the golf course. If Obama and the White House truly beleive that downtime in a time of crisis is a PR disaster, and a horrible idea… wouldn’t it make sense for them to act like they believe this?

    Or do you think having a “do as I say, not as I do” President is a good thing that we should embrace as leadership?

  • cmm912

    Yes, we lowly citizens should be jumping for joy that OUR DEAR LEADER is making room in his schedule for some rest & relaxation.

    I’m sorry kid, but obama constantly spews the words ‘shared sacrifice,’ but HE SACRIFICES NOTHING!!! Heck, forget about sacrificing, he won’t even INCONVENIENCE himself during the largest environmental catastrophe in our nation’s history!!!!! Heaven forbid he misses a baseball game, a photo-op, a concert, or a round of golf!!!

    When you sign on to be the leader of the free world, you should expect to put in some all-nighters!!!!

    All hail the community organizer in chief!

  • jrcmi

    “So if downtime is ok for a high pressure job to unwind for a bit; why is it bad for the CEO of BP”

    Because Hayward CAUSED the BP spill – not personally, perhaps, but through indifference, corner-cutting on safety and sound engineering practices, and poor leadership.

    Hayward has to deal with the oil disaster – and making money. Obama doesn’t have that “luxury.”

    “HE SACRIFICES NOTHING!!!”

    Obama could make much more $$$ in the private sector.

    “Heaven forbid he misses a baseball game, a photo-op, a concert, or a round of golf!!!”

    You make him sound like Hugh Hefner! I’m sure he misses all of those things, many times over.

    People like you kill me when they exaggerate.

    He threw out the first ceremonial pitch at a baseball game. Sure, he could have found a dozen other seemingly more important things to do – but traditions count. They lend continuity to an often disjointed world.

    I don’t even WATCH baseball but I still approve.

    I don’t “hail” him, but I don’t begrudge him or any president some reasonable time off

  • http://none pyrope

    The BEST thing about -0bama playing golf is that it keeps him from meddling in our country’s affairs so much.

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