The Obama Family’s Day on the Vineyard
EmailABC News' Yunji de Nies reports: After delivering remarks on Senator Kennedy's passing, the President resumed his family vacation.
The Obamas spent two hours at Oyster Watcha beach, a private beach on Martha's Vineyard's southern shore. The President, First Lady and First Tweens, Malia and Sasha, then headed to Oak Bluff's for lunch. They, staff and the President's brother-in-law Conrad Ng, stopped at Nancy's, a casual restaurant on the waterfront. Seated on the patio under large umbrellas, the group ordered quite a feast: nine plates of fried shrimp, two plates of calamari, two orders of fried scallops, a plate of clam strips, six medium fries, and two orders of coleslaw.
Mr. Obama met briefly with Joseph Moujaberr, the owner of Nancy's and posed for pictures with about a dozen of the restaurant's staff. The group took the food to go and headed to presidential advisor Valerie Jarrett's house nearby. The President took cash out of a money clip and left it in the tip jar.
The visit created quite a stir. Nearly 200 people gathered along the harbor, snapping pictures and cheering as the Obamas departed.
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Obama doesn’t appear to be “mourning” the loss of his “friend” and major endorser. Weird. Obama appeared cold and lacking in feeling as he spoke of his “friend” Sen. Ted Kennedy’s passing today in comparison to Biden who seemed genuinely upset. Obama didn’t appear to be “heartbroken”. Strange and interesting.
Teddy made a huge mistake in betraying the brilliant Clintons for the unqualified Obama. Teddy’s judgment was not always the best…
RIP Teddy. Thank you for a lifetime of public service. I was a Kennedy volunteer in the 1980 Kennedy Presidential campaing. It was audacious for Ted to try to take down a sitting President of his OWN party in 1980 and lead to Pres. Carter’s eventual defeat to Reagan. Wow. Ted accomplished many good things but did many bad things as well. The same notarious womanizer and boozer Teddy helped bring us Title 9, ADA, and SCHIP and No Child Left Behind with Bush. He was a man of contradictions personally and professionally.
Teddy lived a life of privledge and tragedy on a scale most of us will never experience. May God forgive him his sins and Bless Him for his good works. Condolences to his family
and may their beautiful Catholic faith sustain them in this time of great sorrow. Peace, all.
Posted by: T | August 26, 2009, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
How much is this costing the U.S. Citizen?
Posted by: Reflect09 | August 26, 2009, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
It’s too bad Obama didn’t make the short trip to the Kennedy compound to pay his last respects while Teddy was still alive.
Oh well, life is for the living.
Mmmm…the shrimp and calamari look good.
Who’s up for another round of golf later?
Posted by: Aioli Sauce | August 26, 2009, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
President Obama should continue to enjoy himself. A little less stress and pressure as we learn he probably doesn’t need to read one of the books he brought along.
Jennifer Fermino at the NY Post catches a funny little fact:
“Looks like President Obama is one slow reader.
“The commander in chief’s list of beach books for his Martha’s Vineyard vacation includes an environmental best seller that he bragged about reading almost a year ago on the campaign trail.
“Obama was so taken with Thomas Friedman’s ‘Hot, Flat and Crowded’ that he quoted it at a rally last September in Flint, Mich., and one media outlet described it as the book that was currently on the then-candidate’s nightstand.
“The 448-page book appeared again on Monday on the list of five books that Obama planned to read on his vacation in Martha’s Vineyard…”
Or, maybe he just likes the way it looks on a nightstand.
Posted by: Yanc R | August 26, 2009, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
“Obama doesn’t appear to be “mourning” the loss of his “friend” and major endorser. Weird. Obama appeared cold and lacking in feeling as he spoke of his “friend” Sen. Ted Kennedy’s passing today in comparison to Biden who seemed genuinely upset.”
T | Aug 26, 2009 3:15:38 PM
So a close friend of over 3 decades is taking Kennedy’s death harder than a new friend of a few years? And Biden is more expressive and talkative than ‘no drama Obama’? That’s weird?
Posted by: jhw539 | August 26, 2009, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
>
The Obamas are paying their own way – even their portion of the rent. It’s unusual for a First Family to do that. Vacations are usually divided between the White House and the Secret Service. This time the cost is being split 3 ways – between the Obamas, the White House, and the Secret Service.
As for those who criticize the lack of public mourning (none of us knows what goes on in private), grieving is very difficult when you have children present. I know when I lost my mother, people who saw me in public with my children would (hopefully) not have seen any outward signs of grief as, for the sake of my children, I did have to take/fake a “life goes on” attitude and be as present as I could for them.
As for not visiting Kennedy in his last days – the Kennedys were keeping very, very private as so many relatives came to pay their last respects over the last few days. Obama should be commended for not turning those final days into a circus with all the press and secret service following him. It’s not like the President can just pop into someone’s house by himself. I’m sure this is one of those times where the trappings of the presidency prevented Obama from doing something he would have liked to do – to say good-bye to a dear friend in person.
Posted by: catlanta | August 26, 2009, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
You know I do not understand people. President Obama is human just like the rest of us and so is his family, he deserves to get away for a vacation with his family. President Obama has done more in 8 weeks then Bush did in 8 years. When people stop being so selfish and negative about having a Black man who can guide then maybe United States can say we really are living the dream. Like President Obama said the honeymoon lasted about 24 hours.
Posted by: Deborah | August 26, 2009, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
Conservatives should stop playing victim about “the media” always taking sides for Obama. Most of it is just lame and goes along with everything that is popular at a given time, not partisan.
It’s Fox News who is blatant in its attempted demonization of anything that does not pay lipservice to the conservative movement, rather like the maffia.
The only difference is, the maffia has a reputation for being competent, while the conservative movement is a living joke when it comes to that. I actually feel sorry for them.
Posted by: A | August 26, 2009, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
That’s an awful lot of fried food.
Posted by: mad | August 26, 2009, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm
Do do do do, do do do do…
I’m certain a year ago you would have said:
You know I do not understand people. President Bush is human just like the rest of us and so is his family, he deserves to get away for a vacation with his family.
Posted by: Gilgamesh | August 26, 2009, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm
“You know I do not understand people. President Bush is human just like the rest of us and so is his family, he deserves to get away for a vacation with his family.”
Bush spent a 1/3 of his Presidency on vacation.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 26, 2009, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
guess that’s nicorette he’s chewing…with his mouth open.
Ive grown tired of seeing his teeth.
Lets get to work prez…it’s the economy that needs attention.
Posted by: mjishernameo | August 26, 2009, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm
Christians know where other Christians go when they are called home. They aren’t seeking publicity for their mourning. They truly know that their brethren is in a higher place. Faithless people don’t understand this concept. Our president has said goodbye to many, and I am sure has called to a higher power to see him through. I hope the first family enjoys their vacation. I am happy that they are in Massachusetts at this time.
Posted by: Me | August 26, 2009, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
“Lets get to work prez…it’s the economy that needs attention.”
Oh please, give it a break.
Posted by: sallyride | August 27, 2009, 12:50 am 12:50 am
I think it’s great to have a president and first family that not only knows how to work but also how to enjoy life. Their pictures are an inspiration to me.I am sharing them with every child that I have a chance to. Hopefully it will have a profound impact to see that children that look just like them are living a life as Malia and Sasha. Don’t you think that would help us all in some way? Couldn’t we use more positive images of what African Americans can be and do. We don’t all have to be rocket scientists to see that! Thanks Obama family for keeping it real.
Come on America —– exhale! Get over it. Don’t you think it’s time. If not, why not? It just might do us all some good. Let’s be about what lies before us—making this place the best that we all can so we can fully enjoy our short stay here. Find and follow your passion and give us what you’ve got-just as the Obama’s are doing. Stop hating! Enough with the distractions. Give Obama a chance—-just as we gave the forty-three before him or was it forty-two. GOD BLESS OUR COUNTRY’S LEADER & HIS FAMILY
Thanks to Ted Kennedy for all that he did to help this country. Thanks for the passion and tenacity that you exhibit in what you did! Thanks for that great smile! I appreciate your life and accomplishments! Now you can rest!
Let’s remember that not even Ted Kennedy was perfect! Why is it that some of you have such a hard time realizing this—-you know that people can do good things and not so good things. Take some time to examine that person that you live with everyday–yourself–and you will quickly realize this. Can you say that you did as much as this man to make life better for as many as he sought to? My guess would be NO. If we would let God handle more of the “Bad” things that people do–maybe we would better appreciate the good. Go out and show somebody that you care. That’s what this world needs more of.
Posted by: jan mack | August 27, 2009, 6:54 am 6:54 am
Good to know a great statesman like Ted Kennedy has passed away and the Obamas are enjoying their day at the beach. Also, people are making the point that Bush spent 1/3 of his presidency on vacation. How much you wanna bet the Obamas pass this up by a mile!
Posted by: Nancy Dickinson | August 27, 2009, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
“Also, people are making the point that Bush spent 1/3 of his presidency on vacation. How much you wanna bet the Obamas pass this up by a mile!”
I’ll take that bet.
Obama has been on vacation for the last week of August.
Bush took off the entire month of August.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 27, 2009, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
Come on people let’s be intellectually honest NO president be it Republican or Democrat is ever really on vacation. They are always aware of what is going on and giving direction whether they are on the links or by the pool.
Posted by: 'Un-American' | August 27, 2009, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
The Obamas have done nothing but be on vacation with taxpayer money. ABC IS IN THE TANK FOR THEM. oBAMA has nothing to do for he is only the salesperson for the people who making the rules.
Posted by: Terry | August 28, 2009, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
Thanks for sharing Obama Family’s Day on the Vineyard.
Thanks & Rgards
Alice Baker
Posted by: Alice Baker | August 29, 2009, 1:35 am 1:35 am
WHY IN THE WORLD THE(USA)PEOPLE SO HATEFULLY FOR THERE OWN PRESIDENT.IF YOU DIDN’T WANT HIM IN OFFICE IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU AND SO MANY OF YOUR FRIEND AND OTHERS SHOULD NOT HAVE VOTE FOR HIM AT ALL.TO ME THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE WRITER’S HERE DON’T HAVE A LIFE.EVER THING THE OBAMA FAMILY DOES YOU ALL HAVE SOMETHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF OR HIS WIFE.I REALLY THINK SOME OF THE WRITERS AND SOME MORE OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE IN THE WORLD REALLY NEED TO GET A LIFE.EVERYONE REALLY DOES NEED A VACATION SOMETIMES JUST TO RELAX WITH JUST THEIR FAMILY OR EVEN JUST THEIR FRIENDS COMING OVER SOMETIME.AND FINALLY MANY PEOPLE MOURN IN DIFFERENT WAYS.I’M SORRY THAT MR TEDDY KENNEDY HAD TO LEAVE USE SO SOON BUT I REALLY THINK THAT MR TEDDY KENNEDY WOULD HAVE WANTED USE TO COME TOGETHER AS ONE AND REBUILD OUR COUNTRY AS A WHOLE NOT TRYING TO DIVIDED OUR COUNTRY IN GOING IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS LIKE IT IS GONG NOW.
Posted by: Bakerfeild | August 30, 2009, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm
No mention of how many staffers shared that Grease Feast. I see a lot of dirndls in Mrs. O’s future.
Posted by: Louisa | September 3, 2009, 9:03 pm 9:03 pm