Obamas Begin Vacation

Obamas will be in Martha's Vineyard later this month

(NEWSER) - Sounds like Twitter fodder for the White House enemies: President Obama is keeping plans for a 10-day vacation in Martha's Vineyard later this month, reports USA Today . "I don't think Americans out there would begrudge that notion that the president would spend some time with his family," said spokesman Jay Carney. Besides, he added, presidents aren't ever really on vacation. "The presidency travels with you." The Obamas head to Massachusetts on Aug. 18. More»

Obama's vacation book list drives leaps in Amazon sales rankings

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s poll numbers are faltering, but his summer reading choices are getting rave reviews, Politico reports. A survey of the Amazon.com standings of the five books the White House announced he would take with him on his Martha’s Vineyard vacation show a drastic improvement in sales. If you’re doubtful about joining Obama’s Book Club, look at these numbers and follow the pack: More»

New Orleans or Baltimore could use a presidential visit

(NEWSER) - Though he grants that the president may just want some peace and quiet from his upcoming vacation to Martha’s Vineyard, Max Linsky is disappointed by the choice “for a president keenly aware of symbolism,” he writes for the Stimulist. He suggests alternatives:

• California. The state’s budget debacle just forced it to slash welfare, health care, and college aid. Clearly, it needs tourism revenue, and the first family could set a good example.

Price of flying Air Force One has gone up since last estimate

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama has officially arrived in Hawaii for his family’s annual Christmas getaway to the state, and what a pricey trip it is: The Hawaiian Reporter estimated the cost of the vacation at more than $4 million. The exact cost of the trip is unknown, but based on the military’s most recent estimate that Air Force One costs $181,757 per hour to operate, the paper estimates the cost of the flight alone at $3,271,622, plus another $100,000 or so for Michelle Obama’s early flight down. More»

Martha's Vineyard isn't the only game in town

(NEWSER) - President Obama is chilling in swanky Martha's Vineyard this week ... again. And while the Massachusetts hotspot is a vacation destination that has attracted presidents Kennedy and Clinton, Time r uns down a list of other noted places where commanders in chief have gone to unwind:

• Florida White House: Richard Nixon retreated 50 times during his presidency to his Key Biscayne compound. Along with his West Coast version, dubbed Casa Pacifica, the two places were the recipient of some $10.5 million in taxpayer funded upgrades.