News One » Martha’s Vineyard

Obama Will Return To Martha’s Vineyard For Vacation

Associated Press — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:06:16 +0000

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will vacation with his family in Martha’s Vineyard at the end of this month as he’s done in years past, the White House said Wednesday, despite the weak economy and negotiations on the nation’s debt problem.

Press secretary Jay Carney defended Obama’s plans to take a break even as he’s pledged urgent action on those issues.

“I don’t think Americans out there would begrudge that notion that the president would spend some time with his family,” Carney said.

Carney added that there’s really no such thing as a presidential vacation since Obama will travel with his aides, receive regular briefings on national security and the economy and be able to return to Washington if necessary.

“The presidency travels with you. He will be in constant communication,” Carney said at the White House briefing.

Last August, the president, Michelle Obama and their two daughters spent 10 days at a rented farm on the wealthy island retreat in Massachusetts.

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Revisiting Black History In Martha’s Vineyard

NewsOne Staff — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:25:27 +0000

As a getaway for two Democratic presidents, including the current one, Martha’s Vineyard is often disparaged as an undemocratic haven for wealthy white elites.

Kathlyn Joy Gilliam and Lorraine Parson thought differently from what they had read in black history books, and longed to visit.

“It’s always been said this is where the elite African-Americans came,” said Ms. Parson, 74. Mrs. Gilliam, her 79-year-old sister, added, “I didn’t realize how many African-Americans were here, though.”

By chance, the two women finally visited last week, while President Obama was here for his second August vacation since taking office. They did not see him, but they saw much of the island on a daylong tour of its African-American Heritage Trail: 22 sites that someday will probably add a stop for the secluded farm the first black president rented.

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Obama Is Off To Martha’s Vineyard For Vacation

Associated Press — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:03:10 +0000

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is fleeing the heat and headaches of the capital in search of summer’s greatest delight: some time to unwind and kiss the office goodbye. Even if it is the Oval Office.

With wife Michelle, daughters Sasha and Malia and pet dog Bo in tow, Obama is hoping for a pleasantly uneventful 10 days as he heads to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., on Thursday.

“Just like a lot of American people, the president is taking a little time with his family to recharge his batteries,” deputy press secretary Bill Burton told reporters.

The long-awaited vacation comes after a hectic three-day fundraising and speechmaking sprint across the country and with new poll numbers showing Americans none too pleased with Obama’s handling of the economy as crucial midterm elections approach.

Then there’s the broiling controversy over a planned mosque near ground zero, which Obama elevated last week by saying the mosque should be allowed, a position a number of fellow Democrats are avoiding.

Continued high unemployment might seem to argue against an extended vacation at an exclusive island out of reach for most Americans. First lady Michelle Obama took flak over her recent jaunt to Spain. But Burton said voters wouldn’t begrudge their president some down time.

“I don’t think there’s an American person who doesn’t know that the president is working hard to do everything possible to get this economy back on the right track,” Burton said.

Burton also noted that any time a president goes on vacation, the word “vacation” has to be in quotes, because the responsibilities of the office don’t take time off. A battery of aides is accompanying the president to Martha’s Vineyard, where he’ll continue to receive his daily intelligence and other briefings.

Then there’s the unexpected. Last summer while on Martha’s Vineyard, Obama nominated Ben Bernanke to a second term as Federal Reserve chairman to quiet speculation about the appointment. He also went to Boston to eulogize his friend and former colleague, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

Obama is the third sitting president to spend time on Martha’s Vineyard. Bill Clinton vacationed there often, and long before that, so did Ulysses S. Grant.

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Bill O’Reilly Talks About Bathroom Encounter With Spike Lee

News One — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:50:08 +0000

From HuffingtonPost.com:

Bill O’Reilly recounted on Monday night how Spike Lee once asked him in the men’s room at a New York Knicks game, “You find any weapons of mass destruction in here?”

O’Reilly was talking to his ambush interview producer Jesse Waters, who had attempted in vain to interview Lee during an event on Martha’s Vineyard over the weekend, when he related an experience with Lee:

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