by Mark Silva and updated
President Barack Obama's long-promised trip to Indonesia, where he spent some time as a boy, will be delayed by the ongoing fight over healthcare reform at home.
And because of the delay -- with the departure for Indonesia and Australia pushed back three days to March 21 -- the White House says the president will not be taking his family along for the ride. In Jakarta, a statue of the young Obama was moved to the school that the president attended as a boy after its placement in a public park was disputed by some. The president's children might have liked to see it.
Obama, born in Hawaii, lived for four years in Jakarta in the 1960s after his divorced mother married an Indonesian. The bronze, designed by Indonesian artists, depicts a 10-year-old boy in shorts and a T-shirt with a butterfly perched on his hand. It was moved last month from a public park to the elementary school that Obama attended as a child.
Officials in Jakarta, the capital, acceded to protesters complaining that the park should be reserved to honor Indonesians. Financed by a $10,000 donation from local supporters of the president, the 43-inch bronze statue was unveiled in December in the neighborhood where Obama lived with his mother and Indonesian stepfather.
The president plans to return from Asia on March 26.
However, the White House also announced today that First Lady Michelle Obama will be making her first international trip alone as first lady -- a solo trip to Mexico April 13-15.
"The focus is on education and economic advancement.,'' the White House says of the first lady's planned trip. "he visit will build on her recent conversations with Mexico's first lady, Margarita Zavala, who met with Mrs. Obama at the White House last month.''
The president has been there already, meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Mexico City in April, then traveling to Guadalajara in August for a three-way summit among leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Michelle Obama has accompanied her husband on several international trips, the White House notes, and they were to travel with the president to Asia next week, "but canceled their plans because the trip was delayed so the president can deal with the health care debate.''
(A careful reader noticed (see comments below) that a reference here to Spring break for the girls made no sense -- indeed the delayed Asian journey fits more cleanly into the spring vacation at Sidwell Friends School, where the Obama girls are enrolled. Maybe they can still work on dad.)
Comments
In other words, president panty waist is delaying his Asian trip so he can stay here a few more days and govern [against the will] of the American people.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | March 12, 2010 12:17 PM
While the reporters are in Indonesia with the president, it would be interesting for them to research the curriculum at his old school that he attended in his formative years and compare it with a typical curriculum in American schools. Other than a total absence of American history, the views of the United States in text books should be instructive. It might help explain his disdain for so many things American.
Posted by: Darius | March 12, 2010 1:03 PM
Someone asked me this morning why Obama is so intent on forcing his version of healthcare reform on the American people when we obviously do not want it. I said that I do not know. But what I DO know is this: the economy is in the toilet, millions of people are out of work, people continue to lose their homes to foreclosure ... and Obama is focused on healthcare.
Obviously, he is out of touch.
Posted by: Kevin | March 12, 2010 1:09 PM
Please go, and stay there. While you're at it, be sure to make some apologies for the United States, and bow to all the foreign leaders.
Posted by: Adolph | March 12, 2010 1:23 PM
That is one scary looking statue!
Posted by: wingnut master | March 12, 2010 1:31 PM
More talk. More lies. It's never been about "reform." It's about power and control over our lives on the way to creating his Euro-trash, socialist wealth redistribution nanny state. Obama could care less what Americans want. He is completely blinded by his ideology and salivating at the prospect of stealing 17 percent of our private economy in one grab -- along with the student loan industry, which he has hidden in the healthcare bill. Wake up, folks. Obama and the democrats are not our friends. Vote. Them. Out.
Posted by: Derrick | March 12, 2010 1:46 PM
SOunds like the boy king is not havbing a great deal of success with his socialist agenda. Not enough juice to get healthcare done. Go ahead vote on it already and watch it dies a quick death.
Posted by: roundlaketom | March 12, 2010 1:54 PM
You mean foreign dignitaries are going to have to wait a few more days before Obama bows before them?
That's not the kind of "smart power" they have come to rely on from Captain B+.
Posted by: Chris | March 12, 2010 2:05 PM
Why is this vote being rammed through AGAINST the will of the people? Is this change?
Posted by: Paul | March 12, 2010 2:44 PM
All this Obama-bashing for the sake of Obama-bashing is just so thoughtful and awesome. But sarcasm aside, I can't wait till the democrats grow some spines and push through a public option so I can finally have health care instead of being at the mercy of a capitalistic oligarchy that values money over life.
Posted by: Derek | March 12, 2010 2:46 PM
Go ahead and go to Asia. Your socialist healthcare is dead anyway. Perhaps you can pose for some more statues while you are there.
Posted by: BDD | March 12, 2010 2:47 PM
Now, tell me again the purpose of this trip, please.
Posted by: Joyce | March 12, 2010 2:51 PM
Just the next leg of the apology tour.
Posted by: Honest Abe | March 12, 2010 2:56 PM
Obama and the democrats are not our friends. Vote. Them. Out.
Posted by: Derrick |
Unless you're a millionaire or billionaire buddy, I wouldn't count on Republicans as your friends either. You need to get a clue.
Posted by: Doug R. | March 12, 2010 3:03 PM
Mark, your explanation that the girls only have so much spring break makes no sense whatsoever. The trip is now SHORTER, not longer. If they could go before, they certainly can go now. It's been said that Obama isn't taking his family, because there is much grumbling on the HIll that he's off on break, while they're doing the work. At least he's listening to somebody. Lord knows he's not listening to those of us who think this bill is horrible and will not do what it's supposed to and will bankrupt us financially all at the same time.
Posted by: Beth | March 12, 2010 3:19 PM
Wow, you Republican tea-baggers are full of foam in the mouth. But, you offer no clear alternative. Your leadership ranks are full of crazy nutjobs that continue to cost us American lives and reputation. Sarah Palin? Really????
Posted by: Neil | March 12, 2010 3:42 PM
The idiots are out in force today. Did someone leave the cage door open?
Posted by: jle44 | March 12, 2010 3:51 PM
To all the negative people, don't we want our country to be educated and healthy?
I mean, OK, maybe it is the perfect way, but then you have some idiot in Texas telling the school board that creationism should be taught as required curriculum in public schools.
We have Rush Limbaugh telling us that Costa Rica has great health care.
Guess what, I want their health care too, which is a government run system. I want my children to be highly educated by FACTS, not something in the bible that has no bases in truth or can be proven.
Dummy down and be sick, is the mantra here. I guess I'll live with it because the United States is still the best.
Posted by: Joe | March 12, 2010 3:59 PM
Most of you partisan idiots don't even know what is in your best interest. Turn off fox news and study the issues for yourself fools.
Posted by: SEAN | March 12, 2010 4:59 PM
Why is this vote being rammed through AGAINST the will of the people? Is this change?
Posted by: Paul | March 12, 2010 2:44 PM
;
Sorry if you don't like it but if we followed your logic Civil Rights would've never been passed because you racist bigots would've cried about making blacks drink in their own fountains being the will of the people
Posted by: Show Democrats your bravery | March 12, 2010 5:13 PM
Hey, maybe Obama can stop in Kenya and give his half-brother $12 and double his annual standard of living.
Here Obama gets a few million for two biographies on him -- who gets one biography when they have accomplished nothing yet alone two -- and hasn't given his half-brother who survives in a hut on $12 a year.
Now Obama wants to take ALL of our money yet won't give one dime of his own money to a family member.
Why doesn't he re-distribute his wealth!!
What a hypocrite!!
Posted by: NAVYFLYER09 | March 12, 2010 5:25 PM
Navyflyer,
He just donated his $1.4 M Nobel Prize money to 10 different charities today.
Like he said he would.
But, of course, no mention of that in The Swamp today.
Posted by: Bubba | March 12, 2010 5:40 PM
Fox news is biased, but I don't know anyone who would argue that any of the following offer fair and balanced coverage - NBC, MSNBC, CBS, ABC or CNN. 5 left one right sounds about right.
Guess which is rated highest?
Not to mention the drivel on PBS - my tax dollars are being used to finance the Bill Moyers show.
Posted by: Terry | March 12, 2010 5:53 PM
Once again, the Obamabots come out in full force showing everyone how educated they are! Check out these examples of English grammar at its WORST!
Sean wrote: "Turn off fox news and study the issues for yourself fools."
Show Democrats your bravery wrote: "...would've cried about making blacks drink in their own fountains being the will of the people"
Joe wrote: "...no bases in truth..."
And these people vote?!
Posted by: Mack | March 12, 2010 5:54 PM
Posted by: Mack | March 12, 2010 5:54 PM
Dems like it when their voters don't think. It is nice that their loyal followers don't ask to read these bills before they are crammed down our throats.
Posted by: Hans | March 12, 2010 7:22 PM
Internationally, Barack is the most popular President in history.
He's about to be greeted with acclaim on a foreign trip.
You would think this would be GOOD for America.
But Nooo: right wingers have nothing to say beyond
that tired "apology" canard.
Which is very tired indeed.
Quote one sentence from any Presidential address where he "apologized".
Posted by: ornery | March 13, 2010 1:28 PM
Let them go to Indonesia on their own dime after The One leaves office.
This President seems to want every day to be party day.
Posted by: Disgusted | March 13, 2010 1:35 PM