by Mark Silva
The Obamas headed to New York City to see a play tonight
The first couple's Broadway date:: August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone at the Belasco Theater on W. 44th Street, according to theater executives cited by The New York Times' The Caucus blog. The White House has billed it as "a personal visit'' to New York - the couple left the White House this afternoon.
The Republican Party is giving the president something of a hard time of it today, pointing to all the people who are out of work, with unemployment ready to surpass 9 percent and a major American automaker teetering on the brink of bankruptcy - the GOP today hits the president with this emailed headline: Obama "Wings off to New York City for Night on the Town.''
We're having trouble understanding what General Motors' problems, or for that matter the joblessness of a lot of Americans, has to do with the president's Saturday night plans.
Maybe it's the conveyance - they aren't simply taking the keys to the limo - and the dustup that the White House faced over the costly photo-op of the "Air Force One" flyover over the Statute of Liberty. The first couple didn't take one of the jumbo jets tonight, however, opting instead for one of the smaller jets in the presidential fleet.
"Sasha And Malia aren't here tonight because they're grounded,'' Obama had joked one recent Saturday night at the White House Correspondents Association dinner, as the GOP reminds us today. "You can't just take Air Force One on a joy ride to Manhattan,'' the president said then. "I don't care whose kids you are.''
Comments
The RNC has had a very cheap shot at the president. Everyone has a private life beside his/her job that includes the president. I hope that they should figure out why their poll numbers are going south....
Posted by: keith | May 30, 2009 7:01 PM
100% of Repubs voted against bailing out the auto industry, so NOW they're concerned about those poor autoworkers because the president went to a play? Honestly guys, you gotta try harder....
Posted by: mjcvegas | May 30, 2009 7:51 PM
Mr. mjcvegas, many Republicans AND Democrats were against bailing out the auto industry because nothing was going to change. It seems to me polls showed about 70 percent were against it. One argument was that GM and Chrysler were going to end up filing for bankruptcy anyway so why throw away $25 billion in taxpayer money? Hmmm, and now they are filing for bankruptcy.
And, Mark, I can GUARANTEE that you and the rest of the hypocritial left would be crucifying Bush if he and Laura took a flight on Air Force One to New York to catch a Broadway play. In fact, Mark, didn't you and the rest of the media cretins lambast Bush for the money spent on his second inauguration while we were at war and "people were suffering?" Course, Obama spent about four times as much on his inauguration and nary a peep from the media cretins.
Sorry, but how many presidents took jaunts on Air Force One to have a night on the town?
Sorry, but this is a waste of the taxpayer money, especially when we are already runing a deficit approaching $2 TRILLION!
Posted by: John D | May 30, 2009 9:08 PM
I agree with the Reps on this. I thought it was hollow of him to be eating out around DC, tasting different restaurants, while more and more people cant afford the luxury. Now this.
It's time for the President, to show some consideration for the times we are in and the common man, and put on those sweat pants and T-shirts (or go shirt less) that got him into office. At least Bush had a less expensive hobby-- biking, fishing, Camp David and the Ranch...
Posted by: Amused | May 30, 2009 10:07 PM
Oh get a grip Repubs. At least he's out with his wife and not using out tax money for sex, sneaking around with call girls and prostitutes like others we know!
Posted by: kayldoubleu | May 31, 2009 2:44 AM
At tax payers expense to entertain the Dolphin King.
Posted by: Inky | May 31, 2009 6:53 AM
No wonder Obam wants to raise taxes for the taxpayers to support his lavish life style.
Posted by: Inky | May 31, 2009 7:01 AM
He certainly lives up to his motto of 'wealth redistribution' by having the taxpayer foot the bill for his "romantic" nightout with his "fashionable" wife.
I can see the need of the Secret Service Agent for security purpose, but two Jets for a team of staff and reporters to be sent along? for what purpose? Was it a night out for presidential duty? No honey, was nothing but the sort of publicity only some shallow celebrities would crave ( but at least those celebrities pay out of their own pocket).
The American people ought to voice their objections over such wasteful self-serving personal activities from Obama. Who knows what else Obama promised his wife before, now and the future, not even himself has a clue -but surely he will just make it up along the way, why not, someone else is paying for the promises.
Posted by: Juliana | May 31, 2009 9:27 AM
Mark, I don't care for the RNC ads, they're silly. I think its great the president went on a date with his wife. But here's the deal; Obama and Democrats blast everyone for taking private jets for this and that, and it makes the president and his supporters look like hypocrites (do as I say, not as I do.) Democrats and your former press colleagues in Florida are all over the Lt. Governor here for doing the same thing, but nary a peep about the president jet setting around…
Posted by: Blue Lizard | May 31, 2009 9:29 AM
Johnny D,
You used "media cretin" twice (after all, it's the media not the message, right?!). Maybe you should relax at church, bring your gun (after all, it's your right), determine who to deny rights to, find some new tax deductions, and come up with some new insults. In the meantime, keep those positive and constructive ideas comin'.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | May 31, 2009 10:19 AM
It is no big deal unless it becomes a regular occurance.
Posted by: personal trainer austin | May 31, 2009 11:11 AM
And how many days did Bush spend at his ranch in Texas? Give me a break.
And, August Wilson is great. Pittsburgh native, as well.
Posted by: Andy Moore | May 31, 2009 11:53 AM
Given the circumstances of the country should the Obamas have gone out on a date to New York?
http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=5402
.
Posted by: Blake | May 31, 2009 12:34 PM
How many senators stayed in DC working on the problems of our country on Saturday night? It is not the president's fault if George was in bed at 9:00 every night and never took Laura out for a night on the town.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | May 31, 2009 3:08 PM
Bush 41 took many a side trip to Maine to go deep sea fishing.
Clinton's gang would take Marine 1 to a nearby gold course for a little swing.
Bush 43 was always flying to Texas.
It's one of the perks of the job.
Posted by: skeptic | May 31, 2009 6:57 PM
Skeptic, Bush 41 went to HIS place in Maine. Bush 43 went to HIS place in Texas. Presidents always have traveled back to THEIR homes as president. In fact, FDR had the Taconic Parkway in New York built to make the drive to his home easier.
In Febrary, Obama took Air Force One to Chicago so the family could spend President's Day Weekend there. Course, he flew to Chicago, then on Monday (President's Day) flew back to DC and then on Tuesday flew to Denver to sign the spendulus bill and then to Phoenix to sell the spendulus package.
Flying to New York City for a night on the town is quite a bit different than a president flying to his home for a few days. BIG difference!
Posted by: John D | May 31, 2009 8:39 PM