White House Talks Details of President's Vacation

For weeks rumors swirled about President Barack Obama’s intention to vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, yet all the while the White House stayed mum.

Yesterday, as Obama traveled from Washington en route to the Island for the start of the president's vacation, officials finally started talking.

So what should we expect from Obama’s nine-day stay on the Island? Not much, said Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest.

“I think the activities during this trip to Martha’s Vineyard will be very similar to the activities from the last couple of years,” Earnest told a pool of White House reporters traveling on Air Force One with the president.

“This is an opportunity for the President to spend a little time away from the spotlight with his wife and two daughters,” Earnest said.

Obama will likely spend time golfing, riding bikes and venturing out for ice cream, Earnest speculated. “I don’t have a comprehensive itinerary for you, but those are the kinds of things that he’s done in the past and we expect that he’ll do again on this vacation,” he said.

Obama has no public appearances scheduled for his vacation. During his past two presidential vacations to the Island, he has stayed largely hidden from public view.

Earnest also responded to criticisms that the president should have canceled or shortened his vacation, given strident complaints over the state of the economy. 

“The President understands that he has important responsibilities to fill, and . . .  it’s his job to fill those responsibilities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” he said.
 
Top counterterrorism advisor John Brennan and economic advisor Brian Deese will accompany Obama for the duration of his stay on Martha’s Vineyard, in order to provide the President with daily briefings, Earnest said.

Reporters are waiting outside the Chilmark estate where Obama is sating with his family; they are awaiting word of the President’s next move.