Obama: Let them golf (otherwise - I will golf while the Middle East burns)

Mr. President, give it up for the good of the families who have lost loved ones, for the troops who do without the basic necessities, for the millions today who stand against despotic governments and for the millions in the United States who would like to learn and play golf but are homeless or unemployed.  Mr. President, do you have any feelings left?  Do you want the American people to see a man off golfing while the world collapses - the Middle East is falling apart, China is expanding exponentially ... and the question is - is this the end of the United States, and you are golfing - is this the image you want the American people (and the world) to see?



Golf is Back! Obama’s 60th Outing as President



by Keith Koffler
March 5, 2011, 2:26 pm
White House Correspondent


Well, the mercury has crept back up above 60 degrees here in Washington, and so it’s time once again for President Obama to head out to the golf course.

This is the president’s 60th time golfing as president, meaning Obama has spent two months of his presidency on the golf course.

The rounds usually take about five hours, including motorcading back an forth to the course.

According to statistics compiled by CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller, who keeps close tabs on the president’s activities, Obama played 30 rounds in 2010, 28 rounds in 2009, and two this year, including today.

George W. Bush gave up golfing in 2003, explaining why he did it in a 2008 interview with POLITICO.

“I don’t want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf,” he said. “I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal.”

Some think Obama should follow Bush’s example. But Obama clearly is addicted to the game and probably feels he needs to play to get his mind off of Washington, generally choosing the company of young administration staffers instead of lawmakers or senior aides.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is an avid golfer too, and unlike Obama, plays with lobbyists.

Obama’s on the links with his usual posse. From the pool report:

The president, in a black cap and light black jacket, emerged from the White House at 1 p.m. for what I believe is the President’s first golf outing this year stateside. A 10-vehicle motorcade departed a minute later and stopped at all stop signs and mixed with traffic for the uneventful 22-minute ride to Andrews AFB.

POTUS’ golfing buddies today include Ben Finkenbinder of the press office, Marvin Nicholson, the president’s trip director and David Katz, a Dept of Energy staffer.





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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