As Presidential 'Bubble' Closes, Obama Pokes Back

President-elect ditches the reporter pool to take daughters to a water park

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 28, 2008 6:29 PM CST

(Newser) – There's a growing gaggle of press and Secret Service standing between Barack Obama and the outside world—not to mention the corner hotdog stand—and the president-elect is showing signs that the presidential "bubble" is wearing on him, Politico reports. Obama ditched the pool of reporters assigned to follow him on Friday, taking his daughters to a nearby water park unannounced.

When the reporters caught up, Obama appeared mildly cranky, informing a Washington Post reporter that he “didn’t really need” to document his lunch order (tuna melt on 12-grain bread, duly noted). Bill Clinton famously chafed against the restrictions of the office, but Obama’s meteoric rise has meant that his family has had to adjust that much quicker: “You don't have a lot of privacy," Obama told a group of grade-school kids.

Hawaiian Police and Secret Service guard the beachfront near President-elect Barack Obama's beach house in Kailua, Hawaii, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

President-elect Barack Obama greets onlookers after working out at the Semper Fit Center at Marine Corp Base Hawaii in Kailua, Hawaii, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

President-elect Barack Obama exits after his workout at the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base in Kailua, Hawaii, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

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As Presidential 'Bubble' Closes, Obama Pokes Back

President-elect ditches the reporter pool to take daughters to a water park

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White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

Barack Obama: Luckiest Man Alive?

It certainly appears so, based on re-election prospects: Dana Milbank

Now Obama Gives Blessing to Democratic Super PAC

President switches position so as not to give GOP the advantage

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As Presidential 'Bubble' Closes, Obama Pokes Back

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Barack Obama • media • security • reporter • bubble • President Obama • President-elect Obama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

Barack Obama: Luckiest Man Alive?

It certainly appears so, based on re-election prospects: Dana Milbank

Now Obama Gives Blessing to Democratic Super PAC

President switches position so as not to give GOP the advantage

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Newser By Users

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