Pledging Beta Omega?

In my opinion, this article is too harsh. In the world we live in today, a world full of stresses and worries, it is healthy for our nation’s leaders to relax. I do not believe that playing a round of golf or a game of basketball is irresponsible of President Obama. He has a right to a little fun just like we all do. If it got out of hand, I could see where there would be a problem but up to now, he has not done anything worth criticizing. Also, up until recently, the world of politics has been run by men. Although women are becoming more prevalent in politics, it will take more time before there is an equal balance. I do not believe that Obama is trying to prevent that. The fact that he signed the act proves that Obama is very supportive of women in every way. I also think that the close relationship of the men in the white house is beneficial to all of us. It means that clearly there is some agreement among the leaders of our country and that is a comforting feeling. I do not believe that their friendships should be looked upon as “fratty”.

Oh good grief. Is the point of this latest one just to put another negative out there or something? I sure don’t recall ever reading this about Bush and can’t think of him ever seen golfing with a female. At least Obama signed the Ledbetter Act.

Pro-Clinton blogger Taylor Marsh wrote that words like this, in her view, indicated “a way of thinking about women. A way of demeaning women in power; even saying we’re not up to the job. Seriously, Senator Hillary Clinton is a woman running for president. Not some emotional menopausal diva popping pills because she’s depressed she broke a nail.” WAS THIS (above statement)NOT A DEMEANING STATEMENT ABOUT WOMEN MS. TAYLOR MARSH? Better think before you speak (and have it put in print).

Easy to see the juvenile anti-Obama, name callers are out today . . .. yawn.
Nothing better to offer?

Today obama played 5 rounds of golf followed by an evening talk show and the first official white house porn movie to get more cash for his office.

Do I care? No!
First your upset because he only played sports with the boys. Now your upset because he played gold with a woman.
What’s next?

I honestly cannot believe you got that many words out of such a nonstory. And I am not trying to be a jerk, i am honestly impressed.

What’s to comment about? A big “so what” from me. According to Michelle, they play tennis together, by the way, but he “usually wins,” so she gets “annoyed.” Where are you working next, Jake? TMZ? Is that one of ABC’s “sister news organizations,” too?
You’re a huge disappointment, Jake. You used to write pretty good stuff, but something happens to people when they go on TV. Their brains turn to mush. Maybe it’s the enormous salaries that just make you part of “Our Club.”

Frankly, I don’t care if he plays golf with his dog. I would much rather hear that he has quit flying around the country on my $ campaining. (aren’t we in a financial crisis?) 24 rounds of golf, parties in the White House, basketball. Uh – what about just doing the job you were hired to do? There is way too much time playing at our expense.

24 rounds of weekend golf in 10 months = 2.4 per month.
Can anyone explain what’s the big deal?
GWBush spent 487 days relaxing at Camp David, a579 days visiting his Crawford Texas ranch and 43 days visiting his parents in Kenebunkport. He took 609 personal out-of-town trips, in addition to the trips to Camp David & Crawford.
He attended 338 fundraisers, raised $802,586,070 for the GOP, and attended 110 sporting events.
In March 2008, the meticulous CBS News monitor announced that Bush had spent 30% of his presidency on vacation days, the most of any sitting US President!
It’s absurd of any GOP wingnuts to try make Obama look like a part-time president with the type of comments on this chain – jealousy, sour grapes & desperation.

“On one level, this is much ado about nothing.”
No, it’s not nothing. It’s not a big deal, but it does matter and it is appropriate that Obama addresses it. As the President of the United States, appearances and the example he sets matters 24/7 – that’s the job. The press raised a legitimate if minor issue (he clearly puts women into positions of power) and Obama appears to have listened.
It should be reported to raise the issue with CEOs, who do tend to promote those who they know better including golfing, racquetball, and beers after work time. And then it will fade away as a settled issue and we can get back to the major issues on our country’s plate.

“put this publicity stunt together with the almost weekly party held at the white house featuring different bands, its a down right shameful arrogant display of any president. unreal. but welcome to obama’s america, hows that hope and change working out for ya?”
realman1963 | Oct 25, 2009 7:01:05 PM
Yeah, we want him shivering in a sweater telling everyone to wear long johns, or panicking the markets in the Great Depression II, Right?
Hope and change is working out great, thank you. Obama is shaping up to be even better than Bush Sr, who was possibly the most underrated president of the century.

this blog is often pretty juvenile–I say lose it.

This article is a waste of time and too the morons who actually care get a life!! If the President only associated with a group of women he would be called a “womanizer”… Mr. President, enjoy your time with the fellas, did anyone complain about previous President’s and their vacations, fundraisers and associates? NO!! What a bunch of hypocrites… Also, if you know anything about Psychology, it’s common for men to have a variety of outlets that woman don’t or choose to participate…

24 rounds of golf. Wow!!
Obama going to say that ABC is not a news channel either. LOL
Obama the worst president we have ever had.

Posted by: CW | Oct 25, 2009 8:14:52 PM… It’s obvious you were sleeping during the past 8 years… Your beloved President Bush has that distinguished title…

As an active athlete, I don’t know any 50 year old women that play pick-up basketball. In fact, I don’t know any in their 30s or 40s. Jake, you are really reaching with this article!
I don’t recall Cheney including women on his hunting trips.

ABC got it all wrong. Mr. Obama is not a feminist, he’s a liar.

oh it’s so funny reading the comments saying that this article is not news. but if this was about bush while he was in the white house, you all would be saying bush was a sexist. pathetic. hey jake, keep up the good work, although with the way you are reporting on the white house, abc will probably can you pretty soon. good news is, is that maybe if you’re lucky, you can work at fox news.

More hard-hitting reporting from Jake Tapper… Thanks for keeping me informed!

Me thinks that most of the comments here are a bit too defensive. I found the article interesting. Is this heavy news? Of course not! But I do find it surprising that this is the first time in 24 golf outings that a woman was invited along. I also find it surprising that he has already played so much golf in his first 9 months in office. The article was NOT simply about basketball games. There may truly be nothing to what the critics are implying (the frat mentality) but those who are making it just about basketball are fooling themselves.

Why shouldn’t he run a boys club? He owns the house, the property and the people within this country. If you have it, flaunt it. That’s probably the only truthful thing that Obama has ever had.

S, you wrote, “this blog is often pretty juvenile–I say lose it.” I say, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to hang around. But many of us political junkies enjoy the mix of high and low brow pieces here, the combination of hard news and gossip, the “power, pop, and probings.” Keep up the good work, Mr. Tapper et al.

Julinita, you never miss an opportunity to respond to the slightest criticism of President Obama by launching into snide remarks about President Bush, do you? Someone needs to develop a pill to treat BDS– you could help them test it.
Anyway, just to be contrary, I would point out that your estimate that the president only golfs twice a month, which hardly sounds excessive, is a tad off-base. Because he did not golf much in the beginning of his administration– it was winter in DC, you know. The golf didn’t really become a regular event until summer. Now, he golfs nearly every Sunday. Do I have a problem with that? Nope. But why pretend he doesn’t golf every week (he has only missed one weekend in the last two months, as I recall)? As you say, it’s not that big a deal.

Complaining Obama is not PC enough?
That is truly hilarious.

Wow, Tapper just calls it as he sees it and the BHO sycophants blast him for acting like Fox. You’re as thin skinned as your dear leader.

24 rounds of golf? The man has the most responsible job in the world, has a wife and 2 kids. I haven’t had the time to play that much golf in more than 2 years. I’m just a software engineer with a wife and an 8 week old kid.
Must be nice to take 2-3 of the busiest people in the White House with you to play golf more than twice a month. I wonder who is picking up the tab for secret service and helicopter rides to Ft Belvior, Andrews AFB or where ever he’s playing with 3 of the highest paid gov’t employees.

This is ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with the fact that Obama wants to play basketball with some buddies. Okay, you can’t say all of them were buddies but still. I dont think I would invite women to play basketball, maybe another activity. Its like you friends are over to play some basketball, you dont call your wife out to sub in. It would be cool for Obama and Kathleen Sebelius played, I think she may have a chance. But the fact that Obama and his coworkers are being called fratty because they discluded women in their basketball game is ridiculous. Men dont just hang out with women on a regular basis, especially when they are married.
“..women in McCain’s office are paid more than the men in McCain’s office, while the women in Obama’s office made less than the men did. Only one of Obama’s five best-paid Senate staffers was a woman. Of McCain’s five best-paid Senate staffers, three were women.”
This may be true but it is not because Mccain likes women more than Obama. This is simply a case of who Obama thought was better for the job. I highly doubt that Obama starting throwing out women while looking for someone for the job.

Most of us “working stiffs” don’t have time to play golf. We’re working hard and saving every nickel, just in case we lose our jobs. Young men are fight in two wars and our president is dancing and partying. Hmmmm. It just doesn’t seem right.

This story is so desparate. People will try to find anything they can, no matter how stupid, to try and knock the President. It’s really pathetic. The “old boys club” has been going on long before The President was even born and still exists today, in corporations and country clubs, etc. No one is trying to bust up the “old boys club” in big companies. So, this is a ridiculous desparate story. I guess the haters never get tired of hating.

Yeah. If the President wants to play golf? So what! If he wants to shoot hoops? So what! If he wants to fly in his personal Pizza Guy, and eat Kobe Beef, and Iranian Caviar, and go out on Dates with Michelle , and her $600 Sneakers, and $6,000 Purse? So what! If he wants to do all this while the people are struggling, just to get bye? So what! If he’s doing all of this, while our TROOPS are FIGHTING and DYING, while he dithers, and ROME BURNS? SO WHAT!
Right?

Have you ever seen his golf swing? What an embarrassment and yet he still has time to play that much golf in between fundraisers and parties. I miss the days when a real man was in the White House. Say what you want about GWB but he didn’t complain and he didn’t whine and he didn’t blame! Bush couldn’t play golf because everyone was hounding him for doing so and he agreed, saying he didn’t feel right golfing while our soldiers were dying. Obama doesn’t seem to think about anything except himself.

“no reason for the Obama Administration to let Fox News get away with disparaging thier agenda” ???
Are you kidding?
Are you kidding?
Do you understand anything at all about our Bill Of Rights?
Our founders protected the press precisely so reporters, journalists, pundits, columnists, and commentators wouldn’t become echo chambers for government or presidential pronouncements. Our founders expected the press to scrutinize and criticize the president and governmental leaders — and hold their toes to the fire if need be.
Obama has almost every other TV channel and newspaper carrying water for him; surely he can endure the criticism coming at him from a single news channel.
Or is he too weak to endure that?

“He surely is the work-dodgingest president we’ve ever had.”
No he isn’t. That distinction belongs to George W. Bush. Bush made 149 trips to Camp David, totaling 487 days. He also visited his Crawford ranch 77 times, spending all or part of 490 days there.

The presdient is off playing 24 holes of golf with his white house Monica and troops are dying for him to be safe. Remind any of you of the Clinton Years? Looks like another republican administration will have to come in and take the heat again for cleaning up the party beofre. I mean party because thats all they do is party and play golf.

“14 Americans died this weekend while our AWOL Commander in Cheif played golf and atteneded fundraisers.”
The right wing spent years telling us to stop worrying about soldier death in Iraq because it was the equivalent of a inner city murder rate.
Their sudden discovery of troops deaths is sickening.
Every soldiers who has died in the service of this country deserves to honored but the right wing obviously could care less about their deaths unless politically expedient.

Lets be fair to Both Obama and Bush they still need stress relief from time to time, no matter if they Golf, play basketball, Go to Camp David or the Crawford ranch is a President ever really on Vacation?

Ryan C:
You make a great mistake in assuming anyone who criticizes Obama is a rightwinger or a Republican. You obviously don’t pay attention, since many Obama supporters who voted for Obama are now sorry they did. There are many liberal Democrats who are appalled at Obama’s coziness with the barons of Wall St. and the big corporate interests(you know, the boys who gave him the money to campaign on). Obama is NOT upholding either long-valued Democratic principles or even the promises he ran on.
Wake up.

julieterra:
It absolutely depresses me to see the world the way an Obamabot sees it, it is pure delusion. It does not matter to the bots if what Obama does is a good thing or a poorly-done thing as long as they can claim he did “something.” It’s really sad.
Obama has retained Bush’s policies on state secrets, rendition, warrantless wiretapping, executive privilege, and the belief that prisoners we hold at Bagram prison in Afghanistan have NO rights at all — the exact same tack Bush took with regard to the Guantanamo prisoners, until the Supreme Court forced him to grant certain rights to those prisoners. Nevertheless, Constitutional “scholar” Obama persists in holding Bush’s view that such prisoners have no rights that we are bound to respect.
It must be very happy in your dream world.

“It absolutely depresses me to see the world the way an Obamabot sees it, it is pure delusion.”
_______________________________________
I see many accomplishments in the list posted – if you don’t see them as accomplishments, that would be your problem.
I think its’ “pure delusion” to expect perfection from anyone, especially politicians. What we’ve got now is FAR better than what we had under Bush and the Republicans.
“the exact same tack Bush took with regard to the Guantanamo prisoners, until the Supreme Court forced him to grant certain rights to those prisoners. Nevertheless, Constitutional “scholar” Obama persists in holding Bush’s view that such prisoners have no rights that we are bound to respect.”
Just a point of order, the Supreme Court ruled on prisoners held in the American “non-country” of Guantanamo. Afghanistan is its own sovereign state . . .
Good for you for keeping up the fight against the warrantless wiretaps instituted under the last administration.

I have never seen anyone so adept at avoiding doing their job. The President jets away frequently for fundraisers or speeches, has big parties every Tuesday night, plays basketball and this past Sunday marked his 24th time on the golf course since becoming President. Pray tell, when does this man actually work? Meanwhile, he’s dithering and playing big man on campus while accomplishing nothing and our troops are dying. Shameful, absolutely shameful.

You’re right, Jake Tapper, because Obama doesn’t want to regulate who I have sex with, or what I can do with my body, or whether I can use birth control, and he even signed a law to guarantee that I can get equal wages. What a jerk Obama is. If he really cared about me, like McCain and other Republicans, he wouldn’t have pledged to sign an anti-rape law. He would have voted against it, like 30 Republican senators did.
Women like me only care about whether we can play basketball with the president. We want to be controlled by strong Republican men. We want to be told what to do with our bodies, ’cause we can’t figure it out for ourselves.
And everyone knows McCain’s Palin pick was not a cynical ploy to try to get Clinton voters to vote for McCain. Just because women vote with their uterus, it’s not cynical at all. Women just naturally vote for women.
This is how it is, people. Wake up women, and make, then smell, the coffee.
Women need protection and guidance from male reporters like Jake Tapper, who clearly knows all about women. And the fact that ABC has a male White House reporter and not a female? Men just do it better, that’s all. I’m sure Jake makes less than all the women at ABC News. I mean, I’ll bet his mother is female.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act pre-dated Obama’s presidency, and all he did was sign a bill that had been proposed by someone else when Obama was still a senator. Obama was merely one of 45 senators who signed on as co-sponsors of the bill. I think it is absurd to imagine that any Democrat elected as president in 2008 would have declined to sign the bill. It is no big deal for Obama that he did.
Furthermore, he has substantial majorities in both houses of Congress and one has to wonder why he has proposed so little legislation to protect the middle class from the Wall St. and Big Corporate goons. In fact, Obama has presided over a massive transfer of money from the middle class to The Big Boys who put him in power. Yeah, NOW he talks about regulating Wall St. and the big banks; well, the horse is out of the barn now so putting a better lock on the barn door is a bit late (and very cynical).

and, Katie:
As for Obama’s concern about passing an anti-rape law to protect military personnel, how come the issue had to wait until Al Franken made it to the senate? Why didn’t Obama offer up such legislation when he was IN the U.S. Senate? Why did he wait for someone else to do it?
Too indifferent?
Too lazy?

“The guy has been in power for 9 months during extreme conditions …” ??
Oh, please. By the time FDR had been in office the same length of time — after inheriting a far worse mess than Obama did — he had transformed the country.
And FDR didn’t let the greedy clowns on Wall St. and the bank clowns get away with absconding with the public’s money while grabbing huge bonuses and perks for themselves, as Obama did.
What? Obama didn’t know until the day he was inaugurated that there were problems with the American and world economies? It was all over the news on a daily and nightly basis, for gosh sakes. Obama was elected in November; he had two months to get his plans in order. What was he doing during those two months if the economic problems were such a shock to him? He had ample time to get regulations in place, so that any entity asking for billions of our tax dollars would have been required to abide by some rules. Why didn’t he? I’ll tell you: because he needed to reward those guys for all their donations to his candidacy.

“FDR was also left a country embroiled in 2 wars – and the entire western world in an economic collapse? I don’t think so.” ???
Surely, you jest.

“Oh, please. By the time FDR had been in office the same length of time — after inheriting a far worse mess than Obama did — he had transformed the country.”
I am curious as to what a right winger pretending to be a leftie thinks FDR accomplished in his first 9 months in office.

In just his first 100 days, FDR proposed and Congress passed 15 MAJOR pieces of legislation.
- -
FDR quickly won congressional passage for a series of social, economic, and job-creating bills:
–The Federal Emergency Relief Administration, which supplied states and localities with federal money to help the jobless;
–The Civil Works Administration to create jobs during the first winter of his administration; and
–The Works Progress Administration, which replaced FERA, pumped money into circulation, and concentrated on longer-term projects.
–The Public Works Administration focused on creating jobs through heavy construction in such areas as water systems, power plants, and hospitals.
–The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in the United States and included banking reforms, some of which were designed to control speculation.
–The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. protected bank accounts.
–Securities and Exchange Commission to regulate Wall St.
–The Civilian Conservation Corps provided jobs for unemployed young men.
–The Tennessee Valley Authority provided electricity for the first time to millions of homes and boosted regional development.
Also approved were the:
–Emergency Banking Act,
–the Farm Credit Act, and
–the National Industrial Recovery Act.
In all, Roosevelt got 15 major bills through Congress in his first 100 days.

“Pledging Beta Omega?” Complaining about a “fratty” atmosphere no fewer than three times? Gee, Jake, did someone not get a bid during his freshman rush week?
And with the comparison to Bush’s golf schedule apparently so relevant, let’s also compare their vacation calendars for the same period. Fox’s HR Department is on line two, Jake.