Who is criticizing him? The press! Who got beheaded? A member of the press. I think that speaks a lot to the issue. It's much the same reason I can't stand to watch a movie about those who are part of the industry. They are seldom about anything real, and usually the makers are blinded by their own narcissism, so they can't develop a story from the perspective of the audience, and what would be of interest to them. But hey, I guess enough people go to see such movies, so perhaps I've got it all wrong.
Another thing, the liberal press has felt that, what they perceive as their loyalty, should be honored by Obama, and yet he has not given them the access that they feel entitled to. One more thing, just because some of them might have voted for him, at least the first time, doesn't generalize to them "agreeing with him politically. There are plenty of very far left liberals who disagree with him on several issues. Just ask Willy.Interesting thing going on right now with liberals taking shots at Obama for playing golf 10 minutes after his presser re: the Foley beheading. The NY Times took a big shot on their editorial page and Maureen Dowd took another shot today.
Presidential vacation time has always been used by both sides to trash the other. IMO, most of it is bunk. Is a president really ever "on vacation"? I think not. He is being briefed multiple times per day, has the nuke briefcase by his side at all times and is just one phone call away from a major emergency that will potentially give him several sleepless nights in a row.
But this seems different. For people who agree with him politically launching the criticism, it strikes me as more serious issue.
So, is this specific issue fair game? Did his handlers botch the PR on this issue or does he not listen to his handlers? He gives the impression he is so detached that he doesn't care about the job anymore.
Does optics matter? Did he botch this and is the NY Times criticism valid?
-- Modified on 8/24/2014 2:26:27 PM
but I think the criticism is unwarranted, and while he has botched many things IMO, this is/was not one of them.
It wasn't valid criticism when used against past Presidents, and it's not any more valid today despite the fact that I wish this POTUS would spend ALL his time golfing and leave leading the country to someone more capable.
He went directly from his 5 minute press conference about the beheading of am American citizen shown on international TV to the golf course 10 minutes later. The press corps followed him there, as is there job.
The criticism is coming from the Left too re : this event which makes it quite unique.
My question is why are some liberals taking the shot at Obama re: this specific instance when this would almost always be only a partisan complaint?
I think the reason that the "liberal" press is giving him so much grief about this is the fact that it was "one of their own" that was killed and they think that the death of a reporter is more important than the death of any other person.
I think it's more of a "fourth estate" issue and less of a lefty, righty issue. I bet if it were a righty POTUS the uproar would even be louder from the press.
And, as you know, I've supported Obama on a lot of things. This was a really "tone deaf" thing to do and Obama has been tone deaf on a lot of things, especially in his second term.
That said, Jack's right, no President is really ever "on vacation." Also, there are a lot of people who track Presidential vacation time and O's not at the head of any list I've seen.
While I agree it would not be a bad idea for obama to spend all his time on the golf course, but who in his administration would be more capable?
Thank you
2014 = 28
...in lockstep like cons do. They are not afraid to criticize their own like cowardly cons. Can you recall even ONE conservative criticizing Dubya for the optics of "watch this drive?" To refresh your failing memory...
It seems like you are saying you agree that Obama didn't handle his situation well and you agree with criticism coming from the left. With regards to the Bush video, it clearly was not his best moment and I honestly don't remember whether cons criticized him over it.
But your suggestion that he wasn't criticized by cons is way off base. You have forgotten that there was mutiny over his choice for the SC, Harriet Myers. They also ripped him for the Dubai ports issue, Medicare part D and him not pardoning Scooter Libby.
To be playing golf while we had service men and women in harms way.
This fucking jack hole has played 190 rounds of golf.
Actually, I think he's hiding because he's way over his head .
But your suggestion that he wasn't criticized by cons is way off base. You have forgotten that there was mutiny over his choice for the SC, Harriet Myers. They also ripped him for the Dubai ports issue, Medicare part D and him not pardoning Scooter Libby.
...Harriet Myers, Dubai ports, Medicare Part D and Scooter Libby but it's conveniently foggy regarding the identical optics in your OP.
"...clearly not his best moment...?" He made the statement about terrorists FROM the golf course and then bragged about his golf prowess in the same breath! Can you understate Bush's gaffe a little more?!?!
Who is criticizing him? The press! Who got beheaded? A member of the press. I think that speaks a lot to the issue. It's much the same reason I can't stand to watch a movie about those who are part of the industry. They are seldom about anything real, and usually the makers are blinded by their own narcissism, so they can't develop a story from the perspective of the audience, and what would be of interest to them. But hey, I guess enough people go to see such movies, so perhaps I've got it all wrong.
Another thing, the liberal press has felt that, what they perceive as their loyalty, should be honored by Obama, and yet he has not given them the access that they feel entitled to.
One more thing, just because some of them might have voted for him, at least the first time, doesn't generalize to them "agreeing with him politically. There are plenty of very far left liberals who disagree with him on several issues. Just ask Willy.
Yes, quite possible they view him as one of their own and are circling the wagons, so to speak. I still wonder if Obama just got bad advice or if he didn't listen to the advice he was given.
-- Modified on 8/24/2014 7:01:05 PM
...was given when he talked to reporters about terrorist while ON a golf course and then bragging about his golf prowess in the same breath?
One of the problems of being managed, you need good managers, and you need them all on the same page. I suspect it was a break down in that regard vs. him just ignoring good advice.
in Washington at the moment. I don't see why any President would need to sit in Washington while on Vacation. Why are the liberals concerned with what any elected member of government doesn't do?
I find the issues to be more of a conservative issue regardless of party affiliation.
I think it's been mentioned on this board before that Obama will not be loved by the liberal left once his term is over. I believe this to be true, I also believe that in and of itself is rather irrelevant.
Wouldn't it be something if Obama became a pro-golfer as a second career?
Presidential vacation time has always been used by both sides to trash the other. IMO, most of it is bunk. Is a president really ever "on vacation"? I think not. He is being briefed multiple times per day, has the nuke briefcase by his side at all times and is just one phone call away from a major emergency that will potentially give him several sleepless nights in a row.
But this seems different. For people who agree with him politically launching the criticism, it strikes me as more serious issue.
So, is this specific issue fair game? Did his handlers botch the PR on this issue or does he not listen to his handlers? He gives the impression he is so detached that he doesn't care about the job anymore.
Does optics matter? Did he botch this and is the NY Times criticism valid?
-- Modified on 8/24/2014 2:26:27 PM
Obama will take W to the hole!!!! And then "in yur face, disgrace!"...
Just because Congress is on vacation does not mean there is nothing for the President to do. Since O is not involved in the legislative process (lead from behind), it is no different from any other day.
Regarding "is a president really ever 'on vacation'" - There is a big difference between working from your office and working from home (or a remote location). I would say that in planning and making decision on military plans, being brief with face-to-face meetings are much more productive. When you are trying to convince your boss about something important and complicated, would you prefer a phone call, or a face-to-face meeting?
Note: There is a difference between vacationing in 3rd party locations (Martha's Vinyard), and Bush vacationing at home in TX. In a fixed location, a lot more communications gear can be setup (elaborate video conference with lots of independent monitors, high bandwidth connections, hard copies of documents, etc.).
Going to the links 10 minutes after the speech showed that he doesn't care, and it is more leading from behind. At a minimum, he should have been on the phone with leaders of other countries building a coalition of the willing. Something that should have been done a year ago.
In contact is one thing. Actively working the problem is another. At least Bush had Cheney to delegate a lot of the work. Who does O have
" At least Bush had Cheney to delegate a lot of the work."
I wish Cheney had been on continuous vacation! I my opinion, all Neo-cons can stay on vacation! 
-- Modified on 8/25/2014 9:52:59 AM
Maybe, Bush/Cheney, Obama/Biden can alternate playing golf one day and basketball the next and the world will end up being a MUCH better place
That saying "what you see is what you get" is true in obama's case
What I see in obama, whether on the golf course, in the oval office, at a press conference is someone who is self centered, arrogant, condescending, and at the same time totally clueless , incompetent, and in it for the perks.
Thank yo