Obama Says Aloha to Hawaii
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: Upon landing in Honolulu, Sen. Barack Obama held a welcome event at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park.
Obama starts his weeklong vacation today and warned the Hawaiian crowd that he is not going to be mixing too much political business with pleasure while on the island.
“I just want to give you a little secret here: I am actually here on vacation,” Obama said to the thousands of Hawaiians who had gathered. “So I want you to know that we’re not here to politic.”
Obama told the crowd that his plans were to eat at Zippy’s, have a “plate lunch” at the Rainbow Drive Inn and gets some shaved ice — all local favorite spots.
“I’m going to go body surfing in an undisclosed location,” he added jokingly.
Obama said in addition to enjoying his vacation playing on the beach with his family, he is also here to say "thank you" to Hawaiians who caucused for him during the primary. This is Obama’s first visit to the island since December 2006; he has not yet campaigned on the island.
“The main purpose of me being here right now before I head off and see my grandma is to say thank you to all of you, because all of you worked so hard to put me in a position where I may have the honor of serving as your President of the United States.”
Obama gave an abbreviated stump speech, speaking for nearly 20 minutes — hitting on energy policy, education, health care and the Iraq War — never mentioning McCain.
The Illinois Senator who was born on the island highlighted his own biography as an example of how government should be working for people.
“This is a government of the single mom who, like my mother, who when living here in Honolulu, had to get food stamps sometimes but still was able to get me an education and still was able to send me to college,” he said. “This is the government that when my grandfather came back from WW II gave him a GI bill …and gave him the kind of burial he deserves on Punchbowl cemetery.”
Tonight Obama, his two daughters and his wife, Michelle, are visiting his "Tutu" — his grandmother — at her home on Oahu.
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Thank god Obama is off the mainland! Americans here are so sick and tired of him….pleeeeeze stay away!
Posted by: JackFrost | August 8, 2008, 11:09 pm 11:09 pm
Back in Paradise. Good for Obama.
The mainland is so full of stress and indignities and rudeness.
That is why some Americans claim to not know Obama: Hawaii offers a more dignified living. The uncultured mainlanders cannot relate.
Posted by: Patriot | August 8, 2008, 11:42 pm 11:42 pm
Good for Obama! He and his family deserve a break before they have to move into the White House! :) Take that, haters!
Posted by: pam from tx | August 9, 2008, 12:12 am 12:12 am
Yep, Americans are so sick of him that the 75,000 convention speech tickets were gone in less than 24 hours….
McCain 08
No Country for Old Men
Posted by: Just wondering | August 9, 2008, 12:16 am 12:16 am
Obama’s his own worst enemy.
Posted by: BoneheadedObama | August 9, 2008, 12:21 am 12:21 am
Rest up Obama so you can come back and stomp McCain and his Rovian flying monkeys.
Can’t wait till your President.
Obama/Biden ’08
Posted by: Mike Lopez | August 9, 2008, 12:28 am 12:28 am
I am somewhat confused about Obamas past. Where was he born? Is there a birth certificate? Is he really a natural born citizen? Will the NY Times come forward with this info? I have nothing against Obama, but I do want my US Constitution upheld. Without that, we are nothing as Americans. Will someone answer this very basic and simple question? PLEASE !
Posted by: VABeachNana | August 9, 2008, 12:39 am 12:39 am
Actually McCain/Edwards is the better choice as they seem to have a thing for cheating on their sick wives.
Looks like Edwards will stay with his wife while McCain “traded up” his disfigured wife for Cindy “the heiress” McCain.
McCain/Edwards ’08
Posted by: Paris Hilton | August 9, 2008, 12:47 am 12:47 am
Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is, in fact, a U.S. citizen.
McCain, however, was born in Panama and there were a lot of questions surrounding whether he is a “natural born citizen.” I think it was cleared up, however and he is considered legit to run for office.
Posted by: Freddie Eubanks | August 9, 2008, 12:52 am 12:52 am
Poor Poor Baby Bama
Needs a rest.
Lying and deception does take a toll on people.
Plus it is hard to try to keep and act up over long periods.
Posted by: seah | August 9, 2008, 3:39 am 3:39 am
I saw Obama here in Hawaii and he was wonderful – warm, friendly, glowing and happy to be home. We are so thrilled our local boy is doing good and is on the verge of the presidency.
(For all those smearing him – I guess you must have concluded that lies are the ONLY way you can win. Pretty pathetic.)
Go Obama 08!
Posted by: KNSato | August 9, 2008, 4:02 am 4:02 am
Senator Obama, please, please stay in Hawaii. Us real Democrats don’t want you back here in the race. You are a socialist to the core.
Posted by: Mary | August 9, 2008, 5:57 am 5:57 am
Maybe he could come up with a REAL birth certificate while he’s there!
Posted by: Thermal | August 9, 2008, 8:02 am 8:02 am
It all comes down to whether or not you think we should continue the bush policies. If you think the war should continue indefinitely, while we spend $10,000,000,000 a month, and you think that bush has done well with the economy then mc-more-war is your man. If you think that it’s time we start to get out of iraq and do some positive things for the average American instead of just the top 1% then vote for Obama.
Posted by: pt | August 9, 2008, 8:13 am 8:13 am
Obama seems faker every time he makes a speech. It’s not just one big thing, it’s a litte bit of everything and every issue. I hope he eventually gets recognized for being so fake.
Posted by: young_voter | August 9, 2008, 8:33 am 8:33 am
Obama is bad news for America!
Posted by: Thermal | August 9, 2008, 9:02 am 9:02 am
This guy (Obama) has a lot of class, all high! What a welcomed change he will make in the White House come January 2009.
Posted by: Lou R | August 9, 2008, 9:56 am 9:56 am
Obama=Idiotic Energy Plan
McCain 08
Hillary 12
Posted by: david from texas | August 9, 2008, 9:59 am 9:59 am
Thank god Obama is off the mainland! Americans here are so sick and tired of him….pleeeeeze stay away!
Posted by: JackFrost | Aug 8, 2008 11:09:17 PM
I totally agree!
Posted by: david from texas | August 9, 2008, 10:00 am 10:00 am
In the new survey, McCain has tripled his lead on the topic of immigration. He now has a 45% to 36% advantage over his Democratic opponent, up from a three-point lead two weeks ago.
The Republican also has pulled ahead on the issue of balancing the federal budget. Two weeks ago, the candidates were tied on this issue at 40%. McCain now has a 43% to 40% lead on the issue among voters.
McCain used to be behind on the issue of Social Security but has pulled ahead of Obama for a 44% to 38% lead.
On issues that Obama has previously enjoyed huge advantages, such as health care and education, his leads have decreased. On health care, Obama leads 46% to 41%, down from a 12 percentage-point lead just two weeks ago. On education, Obama leads 43% to 39%, down from a 10-point lead two weeks ago. On environmental issues, Obama’s advantage over McCain has gone from 14 percentage points down to eight this week.
Posted by: david from texas | August 9, 2008, 10:05 am 10:05 am
So, it seems that Obama is falling in the polls and will continue to fall. Thank you, NoBama for going on vacation…when you get back, you will be BEHIND in the polls and you will never be able to catch up! Just a fact of life, its over, NoBama, stay in Hawaii and look for your birth certificate!
McCain 08!
Hillary 12!
Posted by: david from texas | August 9, 2008, 10:07 am 10:07 am
Americans that care have already been inflating thier tires and keeping their cars tuned up….those Americans that don’t care, will most likely never change thier ways….so, yet again, Obama is wrong on the issue.
Stay in Hawaii, Obama….we don’t want you here anymore with your lies and flip flops!
Once again, McCain is winning in the polls on the key issues, while Obama continues to implode!
Posted by: david from texas | August 9, 2008, 10:11 am 10:11 am
The man takes more vacations that George W. Bush…
And, Obama is not the President…
Should be a good indication of how his ability to handle pressure…
Posted by: Jayhawk | August 9, 2008, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
Stay way far away Obuma…
We are busy here in the mainland..
PUMA is rising.
WE ARE THE ONES NO ONE WAS EXPECTING!!
Posted by: HP Boston | August 9, 2008, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
Don’t hate appreciate, Obama is what it takes to get the White House straight.
So just relate, make no mistake, it’s time for a new slate. Have fun in Hawaii Obama, and come back soon because you are great.
Posted by: Obama supporter | August 9, 2008, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
I
I have read a wide range of information before making a decision.
He now has my vote
The fact that he graduated in the top 10.
Not the bottom 10 like grandpa McCain.
McCains health records over 1000 pages!!
Obamas 1 page.
Posted by: Carole | August 9, 2008, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Rest up President Obama.
Posted by: Omentum | August 9, 2008, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm
If senator Obama had not been vetted as a US citizen he would not have been allowed to run for president.I think a lot or republicans are playing at being disgrunteled Hillar supporters.I may not like the woman but I will give credit where due she admitted she lost and backed the winner and would not like her supporters to do what many claim to be doing.18,000 peopel or cracks in the ceiling,well where is the two bucks everyone wanted to send her to payoff her campaign loan.apparently it was just talk from a few
Posted by: jojobo1 | August 10, 2008, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
Hillary Clinton won the delegate votes in both Michigan and Florida. The votes wer taken and divided between herself and Obama–yet 50 votes were taken from her and awarded to Obama by the party as ‘punishment’ for these states holding their primaries too early. The freakin’ republicans stole the election in’00, and the Democrats have a way getting who they want in too…also regardless of the people of the United States.
I am not an Obama hater. I’d like to say that I support him, but I really have no idea what he believes or thinks. I just know that the media loves him, and so do people in other countries like Germany(which should not make anyone in america feel better about him). Having a gigantic following in Germany does not make you a great guy (ex. David Hassellhoff, Hitler, etc).
Posted by: snipper | August 11, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm