The Blue Board

Over eight years. And Bush wouldn't have left DC during something like this cliff crisis. And again doesn't matter what anybody else did, doesn't make it any better.

By the way, I think an agreement will be met and details pending before Christmas. Probably wont see an actual vote until after New Year's though unless things quicken up.

Besides maybe doing an audit, I'm not sure what else can be done. The president has to travel.

"Over eight years."

Wait, so a total of at least $20M spent on vacations is fine, as long as it's spread out more?

"And Bush wouldn't have left DC during something like this cliff crisis."

Really? The president who was on vacation for almost 3 years (1,020 days) of his 8-year term? Obama has used 78 vacation days since he took office. He's on pace to match about 15% of the vacation days Bush took.

"And again doesn't matter what anybody else did, doesn't make it any better."

Wait, so here it doesn't matter what anyone else did, but when we're talking about increases in the national debt, it does matter that debt has risen X amount under Obama as opposed to Bush or anyone else?

It's pretty common for presidents to stump around the country to pressure certain politicans and push their side for a bill.

They shouldn't have done it either, and a little consideration for the times seems warranted.

Who cares who spent more, they both spent way too much on vacations they didn't deserve. We want to find easy cutbacks? Cut back the benefits of the president and all politicians in DC.

I love the "Well Bush spent more, so it's okay" argument. It's not okay, and they all suck.

Only because of their self entitled attitudes. They don't deserve until they do their freaking jobs correctly.

I understand everyone needs a break every now and then and that the President is only human. But when you take this office you get to be the most powerful man in the world for at least four and no more than eight years. You get the opportunity to etch your name forever in history and set a country of 300 million+ on a different course based off your ideas.

That's an incredible benefit. And it only requires at most 8 years of your time.

In addition you get to live in a fabulous house and are waited on hand and foot everyday.

So for just eight years seems you could cut back on some things, if you want to get away, hop in Marine One and head to Camp David.

Is it coincidence he is leaving before dec 21 2012. ooooooooooooooooooo I think not. Something is up.

I'm just confused why this is such a big deal when other presidents have taken more vacation time, travelled more, and spent more money than Obama is now. Are presidents not allowed a vacation if the economy is struggling?

What bothers you more, the fact that this vacation is costing $4M, or the fact that it's Obama who's causing the spending of this money?