Government

Where’s Barack? Report Says Obama Spends Nearly 50% of Time Traveling

Maybe the president doesn’t like Washington, D.C. Maybe he really likes Air Force One. But whatever the reason, recently compiled statistics show he spends a lot of time on the road: 48 percent of his time, to be exact.

CBS News’s Mark Knoller, who regular compiles White House statistics, released numbers on Friday showing that the president has spent nearly 50 percent of his presidency outside Washington, D.C. As of January 2, Obama has been president for 712 days, reports the Washington Examiner. For 339 of those days — about 48 percent — Obama has been MIA from Washington.

“According to Knoller, Obama has spent 176 days on domestic trips, 70 days on foreign travel, 58 days on vacation, and 35 days at Camp David,” The Examiner’s Byron York writes. And “you can add a couple more vacation days to the total before the president returns from his break in Hawaii.”

Knoller’s numbers also show Obama enjoys recreation. He’s played 57 rounds of golf since taking office (29 of them in 2010) and gone on 28 basketball outings (20 of those coming in 2010).

As for the president’s low approval ratings, they’re not for lack of effort. As York points out, “of Obama’s 712 days in office, just 45 days have passed without a presidential public appearance or statement of some sort.”

York’s conclusion: “So as he begins his re-election campaign, Obama can travel even more and engage the people more.  But that won‘t change the fact that many voters simply don’t like what he has done.”

And if that means Obama is unsuccessful in his re-election bid, at least we know he hasn’t grown too attached to D.C.

Comments (163)

1 2 3 ... 5
  • wisehiney
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:43pm

    Sad thing is, this scumbag is BUSH’S fault.

     
  • GnomeChomsky
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:42pm

    But I guess we have no problem with Bush spending 967 days on vacation and at Camp David or 32% of his time in office(ave 121 days a year). Note the 967 days does not include domestic/international trips. After two years Obama‘s total hasnt even matched Bush’s yearly average.

    Report Post »  
    • annieoakley
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 9:10pm

      Prove It!

       
  • powhatan
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:38pm

    From what I have seen…he campaigns and plays all year and signs the bills without even reading them…a user

    Report Post » powhatan  
    • Living In NYC
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 10:17pm

      He is sooooooooooooooooo smart the word jumped into his brain…No need to read…just golf and bike!

      Report Post » Living In NYC  
  • Redsolitaire
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:35pm

    No kidding? So Comrade Obama is only working 50% of the time? Wow! I guess I have to give him some credit. Working only half-time, Barry has nationalized heavy industry (GM, Chrysler); nationalized the banking consortium; nationalized the health insurance industry; nationalized the health care industry; defied a court order to nationalize (control) the oil industry’s drilling concerns; nationalized a controlling interest in Wall Street (AIG, etc.); apologized to the entire world for the nasty ole’ USA; stuck his thumb in the eye of our UK ally; brought the USA to the brink of bankruptcy; ensured gay guys get to shower with straight guys in the military; moved the USA (United Socialist Alliance?) within a hair and freckle of a European model of a socialist state; and excused the New Black Panthers for voter intimidation, but criticized his Grandmother as being a typical white person. Hugo Chavez must be so proud of his bestest little Marxist buddy!

    Dang, like another poster said, I wonder where we’d be if he was working FULL time? The “Red Dawn” vision of huddled masses of CCC’s (Conservative, Christian Crackers) milling about in fenced off local drive-in theaters comes to mind. AVENGE ME, BOYS!

    Report Post »  
    • lobster
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 7:14pm

      I’ve only seen Red Dawn five or six times. Remember thgat Prince William told him to stuff it, as he and his chicky-wumba aren’t inviting the “Royal Couple” from the White House to their wedding in April…

      Report Post »  
  • neverending
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:35pm

    Seems like far more like about 60 percent that he is gone. It is pretty obvious he hates being in the oval office, Everytime you see him seems he is on vacation or getting ready for vacation. Guess he thinks that takes the people‘s attention away from all the damage his czar’s and the entire circle of corruption are busy doing. Drops in now and then to sign the bills!!! What an empty suited, corrupt, dishonest, arrogant sob he is. There have been presidents I didn’t care for but none that I detest like this one.

    Report Post »  
  • leumas
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:33pm

    Obama is a DOLT

     
  • clockwatcher
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:32pm

    The Black Jimmy Carter needs to take more time off. The less damage he will be doing to my country. Two more years till he is placed on the trash heap of history.

    clockwatcher  
  • not funny
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:31pm

    I am very surprised that someone from CBS would put this out. He will be in trouble with the White House. How will they spin this?

    Report Post »  
  • Christian Kalgaard
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:28pm

    People complained about Bush golfing all the time, but Obama gets a free pass.
    He’s black you know, and you’re a racist if you criticize him…

    Report Post » Christian Kalgaard  
    • hulagu
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:45pm

      The term racist rolls off of me like a bead of sweat. If you want to call me that for loathing a communist President that happens to be black then go right ahead.The commies and progressives are applying it so freely and frequently that it gets less and less meaningful every day. Soon it’s not going to have any impact at all. Sort of like the crying wolf story.

      Report Post »  
    • SHASTADIANE1
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 8:50pm

      If you recall, George Bush gave up playing golf after the troops were ordered into Iraq (correct me if I’m wrong), because he thought it would be “unseemly” for him to be out playing golf while our troops were on foreign soil fighting. Most all of his “vacations” were working ones, from his ranch in Crawford, which a lot of the news folks hated, because it was country living and not much for them to do there. In all fairness, no president is ever really “on vacation” and out of the loop. Remember “ The Texas Whitehouse”?

      Report Post »  
  • matt708
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:28pm

    he was elected to be in the white house and instead he likes to be in the outhouse with the rest of his commie friends. If he can’t handle the day to dya then he should resign, because all the traveling has accomplished nothing, except campaigning and look how that helped the dems

    Report Post »  
  • Daniel4
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:26pm

    I can’t wait for November 2012 so that I can vote to give President Obama the vacation that he so richly deserves. On Tuesday November 6, 2012, I’m voting for the other guy (or gal).

    Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:19pm

    There’s another story on The Blaze where the head of Democrat party says that Obama was too busy in his first two years in office to work on jobs. Maybe that’s a good thing, but know we know why he didn’t get a chance to mess up the job situation even worse then it is now.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
    • lobster
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 7:04pm

      Since about 50% of the GDP is related to housing and housing starts are down 77% from 2006 that means 77% of the people involved in housing are know unemployed. Also the vast majority of those are small business therefore they can’t get unemployment…, Holy Crap, what are these clowns doing?

      Report Post »  
  • N37BU6
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:17pm

    Sorry, I have to post this again:

    http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2595/changeintoadork.png

    Report Post » N37BU6  
    • hulagu
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:39pm

      Blame Bush,blame Bush,keep reminding us. Got any video of George calling for redistributiion of wealth or collective salvation? Did George surround himself with a bunch of Communists? Somehow Obama can’t shake the girlyman image. Your photo of George does not conjure up that image. Nice try.

       
    • hulagu
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:48pm

      Sorry N37,didn’t see your previous post.

      Report Post »  
    • GEW
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:57pm

      Hey, he’s riding a Trek, that right there explains a lot. He knows his bikes!

      Report Post » GEW  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 7:46pm

      @HULAGU:

      “Sorry N37,didn’t see your previous post.”

      That’s alright. But yeah, there’s this from his father:

      http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8259800846851144110#

      Sounds like George Soros… actually, it’s a bit more ominous than a lot of what Soros has said. Then you have the Patriot Act from George W, which was the foundation needed for pretty much everything Obama’s DOJ and DHS is doing now.

      Running the country shouldn’t be a family game. Clinton, Bush, Kennedy… I’m tired of those names. Aren’t you? It’s not a popularity contest. Anyone who has been in power for the past 20 years has been there because they complied with the agenda. That’s easier to do in a tight-knit group, hence the inbreeding. It’s not hard to tell a group of insiders have taken over. All you have to do is look at the “unfortunate compromises they had to make” to see it’s been nothing but construction of the framework for global government. It’s a scam.

      Watch that video 3 or 4 times… memorize it. I did. He makes his intentions pretty clear; “When we’re successful… and we will be…”

      So yes, I think Bush 1 & 2 are about on par with Obama. They served different immediate purposes, but it all worked toward a common goal. Politically, I think they are all trash. But on a personal level as far as likability goes, Bush Jr seems like a cool guy.

      Report Post » N37BU6  
    • hulagu
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 8:09pm

      N37, This new world order crap has been brewing a long time. Yes,I am sick of them all too. They all take an oath to uphold the Constitution,very few do so. It’s time for this to change. Blue helmets enforcing international law in the USA? There will be a lot of blood shed if they try.

      Report Post »  
  • Paul G
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:16pm

    must be working on his tan….

    Report Post »  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:16pm

    I am actually surprised these stats come from CBS but my hat’s off to them for their candor. I think this is something the average American voter probably doesn’t know, and since they probably watch CBS and not FOX, they may never have known had CBS not compiled the information. I certainly hope they are as appalled as many voters will be, which begs us to ask, “Who is actually running the government and making key decisions on his behalf?”. Thanks, Mark Knoller.

    Report Post »  
  • texasfarmer
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:14pm

    Where’s Waldo? What a wuss with that helmet.

    texasfarmer  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:27pm

      And that bike… and that stance… and those clothes…

      I’m not fan of George Bush, but he looks like he knows how to bike. He’s on a hardtail with shocks, leaning into turns… and despite going 10 times faster than Obama, doesn’t have his fingers on the brakes the whole time.

      Definitely more of a leader than Barry. I know it’s 50% propaganda, but image is important either way. Obama just looks like a dork. I have no idea what his PR department was thinking.

      Report Post » N37BU6  
  • oldguy48
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:12pm

    How do we get him to spend all his time outside of Washington? We would be much better off for it,

    Report Post »  
  • texasfarmer
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:11pm

    What a puss with that helmet. He needs to be MIA 100% of the time.

    texasfarmer  
  • DonaldH
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:11pm

    He would better serve the nation if traveling took 100% of his time

    Report Post » DonaldH  
    • treshall
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 7:32pm

      and if his faraway destination were permanent!

      Report Post »  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 7:38pm

      Agreed! — And he needs to burka’s for the women folk.

      Report Post »  
  • AmericanLass
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:09pm

    The surprise is when he actually works from the Oval Office in DC. Facts are he has never worked a full week in his life. Not as College lecturer or an organizer, a State Senator, a US Senator.

    Report Post » AmericanLass  
    • Fina Biscotti
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 8:49pm

      Two weeks…after becoming a US Senator, obozo started campaigning for president……still needing ACORN’s VOTE RIGGING schemes….. that he obstructs from being prosecuted…..and Holder refuses to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate ACORN as a CRIME SYNDICATE.

      Just like our Good Congressman stated……Eric Holder as US AG refuses to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate ACORN….bc any investigation into ACORN and their vote rigging schemes….will lead right into the White House.

      Report Post »  
  • John 1776
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:09pm

    50% ? Thank heavens! Imagine what harm he could do if he spent 100% of his time “Governing.”

    Report Post » John 1776  
  • Marylou7
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:09pm

    Personally I wish he would go on permanent vacation and I‘m glad he doesn’t like DC. Just look at all the damage he’s done in the short time he has spent there.

    Report Post » Marylou7  
    • seeker9
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:18pm

      He doesn’t actually do much except campaign. Remember his election campaign statement that he delivers the “vision”? Turns actual work over to Pelosi and Reid.

      Report Post » seeker9  
  • DMD
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:07pm

    lets hook a 50% brother up in 2012 and give hime some free time.

    Report Post »  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:18pm

      @TOWER7FEMACAMP

      Who doesn’t?

      Report Post » N37BU6  
    • lobster
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:59pm

      I was kinda hoping he could spend some time with the brothers in Leavenworth…hopey-changy

      Report Post »  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 7:37pm

      @Lobster Maybe he will give an inspirational speech the the PA black panthers – you know the baby killer ones.

      Report Post »  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 8:42pm

      n37bu6, True enough

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • TruthTalker
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:07pm

    The less time in the White House, the better.

    Report Post »  
  • DonnaA
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:07pm

    vacations are private, right? maybe thats where he meets with spookydude and other bosses…just sayin…

    Report Post »  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:19pm

      Nero fiddled as Rome burned….Obama plays golf.

      Report Post »  
    • Cobra Blue
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:20pm

      We all know he knows nothing and he does nothing. He’s an organizer for crying out loud. He is no businessman. Not a leader. Just an organizer and agitater. Big woop! He likes to talk important…and act important and appear important. Its all smoke and mirrors. The guy is an empty suit. HE’S SIMPLY PLAYING PRESIDENT.

       
    • Flagwaver
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 6:24pm

      I’m just interested in that he has spent 57 days of his “public service” on vacation when our men and women in the military get only 30 days a year, and can’t take off from the WAR to go on vacation.

      Report Post » Flagwaver  
    • Dandylyon
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 8:26pm

      This moron is riding the wave on the tax payer’s dime,he never intended to do a damn thing except what the boss’s told him to do.Now that the control and power is gone and the socialist coup failed this is just a guy who would’nt make a pimple on a bad presidents(Carter) ass takeing a vacation for the next two years..

       
    • TruthLover
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 8:42pm

      Yeah, well it doesn’t change the fact that Chris Christie was on Space Mountain while everyone in New Jersey died under 80 feet of snow.

      I’m always interested in the comparisons. What kind of travel/vaca time did the Bushes rack up? What about Clinton? Reagan? (I’d say Carter, but nobody cares about him.) Let’s see a chart, Blazers!

      TruthLover  
    • GdavidH
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 9:14pm

      According to his bestest bud in the WH he spends every waking hour in DC doin‘ the people’s bidness.

      http://www.breitbart.tv/valerie-jarrett-obama-regrets-spending-almost-every-waking-hour-in-washington-did-he/#idc-container

      Report Post » GdavidH  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 10:15pm

      Affirmative action trash.

       
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 10:28pm

      The reason he‘s away so much is so he doesn’t have to answer questions.

      It’s the same reason he hardly takes questions, except from those who he knows will throw softballs.

      It’s the reason he can leave Bill Clinton to field questions.

      It’s the reason why, instead of addressing the fundamental objections behind the Right Wing’s opposition to Obamacare, he chose instead to “focus on what we have in common” (paraphrase); and why, to this day, he won’t let himself be put on record as to the arguments he would offer regarding its Constitutionality. The media let him get away with saying “Everything that needed to be said about it has been said, by just about everybody”, when, in fact, those things that were said were not actually addressed.

      See the Bipartisan Health Care Summit, here:

      White House Health Care Summit, Part 1
      http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/292260-1

      Report Post »  
    • SusansSS
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 11:42pm

      Total time President Bush spent at Camp David, all or part of 487 days.

      He took 77 visits to his ranch in Crawford during his presidency, and spent all or part of 490 days there.

      Over a period of 8 years, 977 days or 32% of his total time in office, was spent on vacations or retreats.

      While at his ranch he gave interviews, press conferences and met with world leaders. He also got out and worked on the farm, in my opinion that helped keep him grounded. Unlike President Obama who seems to be so confused about what POTUS is. Its a paying job, he works for us. If we don’t like his work, he loses that job that allows him cooks to travel with him and take over restaurants. He has his staff of several hundred are in $400 a night rooms as I write this! His wife and children have vacationed even more than he has!

      Obamas vacations are vacations. Bushes vacations were going home, eating at home and working. There is just no comparison.

      In the end its interesting, but all this is just meant to get us looking at “this hand”, while “that hand” does the dirty work. Don’t fall for it, back to the serious issues =)

      Report Post »  
    • SusansSS
      Posted on January 3, 2011 at 12:05am

      Jimmy Carter. President Carter spent 79 days on vacation during his four years in office. He normally vacationed at his home in Georgia.

      President Bill Clinton took all or part of 174 days of vacation during his eight years as president, most of it during the summer. Clinton only took 21 vacation days during his first year.

      Report Post »  
    • NotWaiting4Godot
      Posted on January 3, 2011 at 5:26am

      He probably cheats at golf!

      NotWaiting4Godot  
    • CYCLONE
      Posted on January 4, 2011 at 7:32pm

      … it looks like he is spending over 50 % of his time behind a crack pipe… (*pics of skeletor*)…

      http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20110104/i/r2107112856.jpg?x=241&y=345&q=85&sig=.u3xocY6OhpMou_9HI_ekw–

      Report Post »  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on January 5, 2011 at 2:25am

      tell ya what I’d rather him be on vacation then on the job…

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
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