President Barack Obama's chief domestic policy advisor, Melody Barnes, boarded the motorcade from the South Lawn of the White House, the first woman to play golf with Obama since he became president. (Photo by Jewel Samad / AFP / Getty Images.)
by Mark Silva
We're sure it's only a coincidence that today, as the presidential motorcade rolled away from the White House for an afternoon of golf on a spectacular fall day -- just days after the president found himself explaining his all-male congressional basketball game at his home court -- a woman was among the president's golfing partners.
The first as president, the White House says.
Melody Barnes, domestic policy adviser to the president.
The first golf party left the White House for Fort Belvoir at 12:23 pm EDT and arrived at the Virginia Army base at 1:04 It was a crisp, beautiful fall day, the leaves turning.
Obama wore a black, short-sleeved shirt. Barnes wore a baseball cap and dark, long-sleeved shirt. The White House trip director, golf regular Marvin Nicholson, loaded the clubs.
At first, the White House suggested this wasn't a first for the president. Then, spokesman Bill Burton allowed: "He golfed with women on the campaign trail,'' but not in office until today, with Barnes.
They made a day of it. The motorcade returned to the White House at 6:35 p.m.
The foursome, for the record: Obama, Barnes, Nicholson and Obama friend Eric Whitaker, the physician who is an executive vice president at the University of Chicago.
Barnes, who carted her clubs away, had no comment on the game.
With thanks to our observant pooler, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times.









Comments
Stop the presses! Cut into programming! News Action Alert!!!!
Ahhh, more Puff on the Obimbo administration!! I'm wondering, are these days considered "vacation days" like they were for Bush?
Posted by: John D, still right, as usual | October 25, 2009 10:41 PM
Americans are losing their jobs in record numbers, the dollar is in the gutter, home foreclosures are at a record rate, the economy is stagnant, deficits and spending are out of control, but the community-organizer-in-chief feeds his dog a veal cake for his first birthday party, while his wife does hoola-hoops, eats fries and then...hey, let's go all the way and really make the middle class love us by spending a few hundred thousand dollars of their tax dollars and go golfing! Yep!...that will get my poll numbers up, right Oprah?
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | October 25, 2009 10:51 PM
Pure cornball with the problems going on in America.
Posted by: inky | October 25, 2009 10:54 PM
I'm stunned...
Posted by: The Real Gary | October 26, 2009 4:19 AM
Troops are dying, his plan to save the economy has failed, congress is stuffing their pockects, jobs are being lost and he is breaking new ground ... what a joke go back to Rev Wrights chusrch and sleep in the front row so you don't hear anything bad.
Posted by: Bob | October 26, 2009 8:21 AM
For once take a que from George Bush. Don't golf while our soldiers are being killed in the Middle East and the country's economy is in shambles. Rich, elite politicians, every one of them living the high life while America suffers. Shame on you all, Democrats as well as Republicans.
Posted by: rider | October 26, 2009 8:44 AM
Another stellar Puff Piece from the LapDog media . . . and here's why:
The liberal press has an "all-in" investment in Obama. They adore him, they helped elect him, and they passionately believe in his brand of liberalism.
If Obama fails, liberalism will be dead and gone and that will leave the liberal press in complete limbo. They will have lost their influence. That's why they are so hysterical about Fox or anyone who threatens Obama's legacy.
What's really terrifying them now is that, despite their effforts to lionize and shield Obama, the American people are beginning to see that the emperor has no clothes. The "moderate, post-partisan" guy they thought they elected is being revealed as a dedicated liberal who does not hesitate to use Chicago-style hyperpartisanship.
So, when the lib press rants and raves, we need to understand that they are coming from a deep pit of abject fear that their time is up.
Posted by: Bobbie Mobbie | October 26, 2009 9:05 AM
[[Stop the presses! Cut into programming! News Action Alert!!!!
Ahhh, more Puff on the Obimbo administration!! I'm wondering, are these days considered "vacation days" like they were for Bush?
Posted by: John D, still right, as usual | October 25, 2009 10:41 PM]]
unfortunately for you, the fact that you're calling the president names is less meaningful than your clicks and page views. if you find it meaningless, then don't read it or comment on it or click back to check responses to your comment.
Posted by: John E. | October 26, 2009 9:13 AM
I cannot beleive all these stupid things this IDIOT and his family are doing day after day. People like myself can't pay their everyday bills and they are spending our money just to have a good time.
Posted by: mom1 | October 26, 2009 9:14 AM
I for one am glad that Obama is out golfing, though I wish he would pick a better sport. For one, I think someone with as many stresses as the President of the United States needs a way to relax every once in a while so he doesn't go ballistic. Plus, look who he was golfing with....a domestic policy adviser and a doctor who's the head of a major medical university. I'm sure there was no discussion of health care, H1N1, or anything like that.
Posted by: Martin | October 26, 2009 9:20 AM
Oh, for Pete's sake! Is the man not allowed to spend an afternoon relaxing? Get a grip people.
I take it since the entire country is in such dismal shape as you all say that NONE OF YOU have done anything even remotely close to spending an afternoon away from the stresses of your lives?
Yeah...that's what I thought.
Posted by: Moncie | October 26, 2009 9:23 AM
ChickaBOOMer: Obama's Hole in One
http://chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2009/10/obamas-hole-in-one.html
Posted by: StewartIII | October 26, 2009 9:31 AM
But the real news here is that Obama has golfed more in nine months than Bush did in nearly THREE YEARS. While Obama enjoys cocktails and sunshine on the links, troops continue to die in Afghanistan despite having asked for reinforcements more than two months ago. Obama is a arrogant, worthless disgrace. What a disappointment this guy is.
Posted by: Derrick | October 26, 2009 9:34 AM
From campaign mode to golf mode. Nice...
Posted by: wingnut master | October 26, 2009 9:39 AM
According to one reliable news organization, Obama has played more rounds of golf in 9 months than Bush did in 3 years.
I am glad that decision about Afghanistan that has been sitting on his desk for 2 months does not interfere with his golf game.
Maybe someday he will be skilled at SOMETHING, because leadership is not one of those things yet.
Posted by: Dan C | October 26, 2009 9:44 AM
per Drudge/Politico, Obama has played golf more in 9 months than Bush in 3 years. Also, newspaper circulation down 10.6%. With these kind of pieces, no wonder no one wants to pay for a paper.
Posted by: ed | October 26, 2009 9:51 AM
Wow....I'm assuming that all of you nay-sayers here NEVER take a breather from any tasking....especially multi-tasking....and I know you don't need any breaks at your jobs. You good, hard workers, you!
Posted by: Rob | October 26, 2009 10:12 AM
but in fairness, obama has also gotten more work done in 9 months than bush did in 3 years.
Posted by: kevin | October 26, 2009 10:20 AM
He'd rather be golfing than spending the day with his family. I guess they are not as important as the portrayal would lead us to believe. How does Michelle REALLY feel about this?
Posted by: JD | October 26, 2009 10:43 AM
I just heard that Barack "NICHOLAE CARPATHPIA" Obama has just been awarded the Ryder Cup trophy, the Master's Green jacket, the Wanamaker Trophy and has been named Golfer of the Year for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
Posted by: DON | October 26, 2009 10:50 AM
Are you guys all serious??? You cannot tell me that a man cannot take a break from his work-life to enjoy 5 hours on the links?? Add it up, 5 hours times 20 rounds is 100 hours of recreation. I am sorry but even the president is entitled to some time off. Do you really want the person at the helm, the one who makes some of the most important decisions in the world, to be make those decisions with a clouded mind? People who never take a break from what they do are usually not mentally fresh and will not exhibit optimum performance. Two rounds of golf a month does not constitute excess and those who think it does need to get a grip.
Posted by: Corey | October 26, 2009 11:00 AM
For once take a que from George Bush. Don't golf while our soldiers are being killed in the Middle East and the country's economy is in shambles.
Posted by: rider | October 26, 2009 8:44 AM
'
'
rifer, I agree that Dubya did say that. The problem was HE LIED about not playing golf, and it was all over the Internet that he lied: interviews with politicians that he played with, photos weeks after he made this proclamation, etc. So are you saying that you want President Obama to LIE like Dubya?
Posted by: BC | October 26, 2009 11:49 AM
Obama has always been a screw-off. That's why he hasn't accomplished ANYTHING in 10 months. Remember how the press would savage Bush for taking a day off in war time? Remember when dissent was patriotic? Obama seeks to use our freedoms and tax dollars as his Marxist play things. Let's continue to stand strong against Obama in every way and get Congress out of the hand of the insane Pelosi and Reid in 2010. Wake up, folks. The Obama experiment is shaping up to end very badly for the nation's working men and women.
Posted by: Jack | October 26, 2009 12:11 PM
This is just the cutest story. Thanks for the news flash. The Ryder Cup is his now for sure. Same for the Heisman - he also watched a footbal game to get it.
Posted by: BDD | October 26, 2009 12:12 PM
but in fairness, obama has also gotten more work done in 9 months than bush did in 3 years.
Posted by: kevin | October 26, 2009 10:20 AM
Yep- and we now have 10% unemployment and a tripling of the deficit to prove it...
Posted by: heartburn | October 26, 2009 12:18 PM
Work you fingers to the bone and what do you get? Boney fingers. Do nothing and fail to deliver on your promisses and what do you get? Vacations and golf. Not surprising thought. Obama is a Chicago politician and they tend to take care of their needs and wants first and foremost. After he takes care of all his political debt, the people will get the scraps.
Posted by: Red Blooded American | October 26, 2009 12:19 PM
Really? The guy has gotten more work done in 9 months than Bush has in 3 years? Turning his back on troop requests, creating an uproar with health care, and appointing Czars to do the work he can't do... yeah, let me sign up for that.
One thing he has done... he's spent more time combatting Fox News in 9 months than Bush did combatting MSNBC during BOTH terms. Get off it Obama... it's called freedom of the press.
Posted by: Tom Foley | October 26, 2009 12:29 PM
How much grief did the car execs get when they flew to Washington in private jets? A lot, and they deserved it, why? Because it was extremely irresponsible based on the performance of the companies they were responsible for. 14 Americans were killed in Afghanistan while The President was playing and 5000 Americans lost their jobs.
Posted by: Greg | October 26, 2009 12:32 PM
obama has done more in nine months than bush in three years??? ... what has he done ?!?!?
Posted by: brian | October 26, 2009 12:36 PM
NEWS FLASH Obama has just put the National Guard on special alert in case they are needed in the war that he is now concentrating on...the war with FOX NEWS. This guy may not be Bush, but he is BUSH LEAGUE!
Posted by: morton mike | October 26, 2009 12:44 PM
Wonder how much it cost for the 4 of them to play for 5 hours?
Posted by: Tan | October 26, 2009 12:56 PM
I agree with Corey 100% - all the haters will find fault with anything that he does... And to those who asked if Bush playing golf counted against his vacation day totals - look it up - research it - and let us know. I would guess that his time in Crawford by this point well exceeded any time that Obama has spent on a real vacation...
Posted by: matt | October 26, 2009 12:57 PM
I am a conservative and disagree with most everything that is Obama, but I have absolutely no issue with the President going out for an afternoon of golf.
Posted by: Rob | October 26, 2009 1:22 PM
I really do not care about this. Is this news?
Support our duffers - HOPE is PAR
Posted by: BigbadSouthsideJim | October 26, 2009 1:55 PM
but in fairness, obama has also gotten more work done in 9 months than bush did in 3 years.
Posted by: kevin
You mean more...debts.
Posted by: alex | October 26, 2009 2:49 PM
Every new day I tell myself that I could not hate this man any more than I do now, and every day I'm proven wrong. He is an elitist, a bigot, a liar and a coward.
Posted by: JoAnne | October 26, 2009 3:42 PM
hey if you were the persident with all of this stufff going on, you would need a break too. He's only human. Give it a rest.
Posted by: Tom | October 26, 2009 3:54 PM
Playing golf on a Saturday afternoon! If there's one thing I can't stand it's a bourgeois Marxist.
Posted by: Tom | October 26, 2009 7:52 PM
Its up to 26 fundraisers now.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | October 27, 2009 11:03 AM
Its the most difficult job in the world so relaxation is a must in that line of work, so fair play to them. He has a staff, so he has to make sure they are in top form, that includes keeping moral high.
Posted by: Chris | November 2, 2009 12:47 AM