As President Barack Obama’s First Term comes to a close, and his second term begins tomorrow at 12 Noon, CBS News’ Mark Knoller helps us to take a look back at the First Obama Term by the numbers. Here’s just some of the statistics:
*Number of speeches, remarks and comments: 1,852
*Number of speeches delivered with Teleprompter: 699
*Number of speeches in which he referred to Slurpees®: 35 (During the 2010 midterm election campaign, Mr. Obama often portrayed Republicans as “sippin’ Slurpees®” while Democrats struggled to pull the U.S. economy out of a ditch.
*Number of domestic trips as president: 245 (spanning 417 days; this does not include local outings in the DC area)
*Number of states visited to date: 44. States not yet visited: 6 (Arkansas, Idaho, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah)
*Town hall meetings: 58
*Vacations: 13 (spanning all or part of 83 days)
*Vetoes: 2
*Bills signed into law: 654 (90 of which named U.S. Post Offices)
*Bills signed into law by Autopen: 3
*Cabinet meetings: 19
*Commencement speeches: 15
*Visits to Camp David: 29 (spanning all or part of 72 days)
*Foreign trips: 25
*Nations visited: 35 (several more than once)
*Golf outings: 113 (Most frequent venue: 52 rounds at Joint Base Andrews)
*Media interviews: 591 (The major TV networks got 104 interviews)
*News conferences: 21 formal, solo, full-length White House news conferences (Mr. Obama had 108 press availabilities of all varieties including 57 joint sessions with foreign leaders)
*Meetings with foreign leaders: 131 (multiple meetings with many of them over 4 years) State dinners at the White House: 6 (India, Mexico, China, Germany, South Korea, Great Britain)
*Addresses to the nation: 8
*Addresses to Joint Sessions of Congress: 6
*Flights on Air Force One: 836
*Flights on Marine One: 801
*Evening outings (dinner, theater, shows): 57
*Days with no public or press appearances: 93
*Presidential pardons: 22
President Barack Obama’s First Term By the Numbers: 1,852 Speeches, Remarks & Comments; 699 Speeches with a Teleprompter; 113 Golf Outings; 13 Vacations – 1/19/13
Here is raw video showing President Barack Obama leaving the White House and heading back to Hawaii to resume his vacation after winning passage of his “Fiscal Cliff” Deal in the House of Representatives. Obama was in Hawaii with his family over Christmas, and then returned to Washington for the Fiscal Cliff showdown. Their vacation is estimated to cost about $4 million of taxpayer money.
Obama goes back on vacation, tacking over $3 Million on to the cost of his trip. And he didn’t sign the bill bit.ly/ZUAv5Y
— Herman Cain (@THEHermanCain) January 2, 2013
President Obama back at his vacation rental in Hawaii – click to read: Subject: Pool report 2 At 5:40 am POTUS… bit.ly/YShPxG
— Greta Van Susteren (@gretawire) January 2, 2013
After Winning the “Fiscal Cliff” Battle, Obama Returns to Hawaii Vacation – Raw Video 1/2/13
From “Hannity” last night, here is a look at President Obama’s record of lavish vacations even as he pushes his class warfare rhetoric.
Obama’s Record of Lavish Vacations vs. His Class Warfare Rhetoric – Video 4/17/12
Unbelievable.
Here is video (skip ahead to the 12:44 mark) of President Barack Obama in Colombia where he actually said, “When I take these summit trips, part of my job is to scout out where I may want to bring Michelle back later for vacation.”
This on the heels of a St. Louis Newsman who confronted Obama just this week about his family’s “jetting around” on one vacation after another. I think Barack Obama believes he is above voter scrutiny – that he can pretty well do as he pleases with no consequences at the polls. This clip will make another nice ad for the GOP.
Obama at Summit in Colombia: “Part of my Job is to Scout Out where I may want to bring Michelle back later for Vacation” – Video 4/15/12
Absolutely outstanding!
We have become so accustomed to a liberal media in the hip-pocket of Barack Obama that when a journalist actually asks Obama a hard question, it is truly shocking!
Here is St. Louis newsman Larry Conners from KMOV interviewing President Obama. He dared to go where virtually no reporter has had the courage to go before. Conners asked Obama:
“Some of our viewers complain they get frustrated – even angered, when they see the First Family jetting around, different vacations and so forth, sometimes, they think under the color of state business, and they think ‘You’re out of touch’ – that you don’t really know what they are experiencing right now.”
Obma was clearly shocked, and side-stepped the question of his family taking so many vacations, and whether they are at taxpayers’ expense, by saying he has no choice but to travel on Air Force One because of Secret Service Security. But then he added:
“I think most folks understand how hard I work and how hard this Administration is working on behalf of the American people.”
At the end of the video, Conners calls Obama out for not really answering his question. What a great job by Larry Conners. The national press corps that covers Obama should be ashamed of themselves that with all their opportunities, they have rarely done their job in holding Obama accountable.
This video of Obama piously talking about how hard he works should provide more great material for GOP Ads this Fall!
St. Louis Newsman Confronts Obama for “Jetting Around” Vacations; Obama Retorts “I Think Most Folks Understand How Hard I Work” – Video 4/12/12
Here is audio of Rush Limbaugh today slamming President Obama for having the “audacity” to paint a limited, meager future for what Americans should hope for in their lives while his wife, Michelle, enjoys a lavish ski vacation in Aspen, Colorado – their “16th vacation in three years.”
Rush Limbaugh Slams “Audacity” of Obama to Advocate Limited Future for Americans while Wife, Michelle, Enjoys “16th Vacation in Three Years” – Audio 2/21/12-
Here is raw video of White House Press Secretary Jay Carney being put on the spot today at the Daily Briefing by a question about First Lady Michelle Obama’s decision to fly separate from the President to Hawaii for their 17-day vacation there over the Christmas Holidays:
Question: The First Lady is going to be leaving in a few hours for Hawaii, obviously she isn’t able to go with the President. But I wanted to ask you, isn’t it quite an extravagence? Four people to go in two jets to Hawaii, particularly given, the state of the economy the state of the budget, and also given the directive that was just put out about limiting air travel by the adminstration?
As you see, Carney fumbled for a written statement which he read in answer to the question, essentially refusing to answer why she can’t just wait and the family all go together in a few days – thus saving taxpayers a huge amount of money. The reporter pointed out it costs “$185,000 an hour” to operate Air Force One – “and that’s a long flight” to Hawaii.
The short answer is that the Obamas don’t care. They believe they are entitled to do as they please – after all, Barack is the President. They want everyone else to cut back, but not them. They could not be more arrogant in the face of what so many Americans are facing this Christmas because of his failed leadership. Believe it or not – most Americans would consider it an honor and a vacation to spend Christmas at the White House – or at Camp David! They put up 37 Christmas Trees in the White House this year, and won’t be there to use a single one of them.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney Confronted about Extravagant Plans for Obama’s 17-Day Hawaiian Christmas Vacation – Video 12/16/11
NOTE: The video above is from 2009 when the Obamas stayed at the Blue Heron Farm on Martha’s Vineyard. It shows a little of the exclusive estate where The Obamas will stay again next month.
Even as President Obama continues to talk about the need for everyone to “sacrifice,” and the potential for economic calamity if he doesn’t get his way on the Debt Limit negotiations, he is preparing for what one columist is calling his “Barack-acation.” The Obamas are scheduled to vacation on Martha’s Vineyard in August at the lavish Blue Heron Farm:
BOSTON HERALD (Margery Eagan): I love my summer vacation. I like President Obama more than most of you.
But a new Marist Poll says that for the first time ever a majority of American adults — 55 percent — will not be booking a summer vacation this year. They’re too worried about jobs and money. The “Staycation” of 2009 has morphed into the “Naycation” of 2011.
But Obama, who’s got us panicked over this debt-ceiling stalemate, will soon be off — again — to Blue Heron Farm, Martha’s Vineyard. Check out the pictures of this “farm” online. You practically drool. It looks like the centerfold of “Town & Country,” the magazine for aspiring zillionaires. . . . Read More
Even as Obama Talks of “Sacrifice,” He is Preparing for Lavish Martha’s Vineyard Vacation
President Obama and family are staying at the exclusive Paradise Point Estates in Hawaii over the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays. They are at the centerpiece of Paradise Point – the lavish Plantation Estate. Here is a description of it in a press release that went out today:
PR NEWSWIRE: President Barack Obama and his family once again have selected Paradise Point Estates in Kailua, Hawaii to serve as the Obama Winter White House during the upcoming holidays. For the third year consecutively, the President, First Lady, daughters Malia and Sasha, and First Dog Bo will vacation in the elegant Plantation Estate, the centerpiece of Paradise Point Estates.There is a rich island tradition of royalty spending time on Kailua Beach, so it is fitting that President Obama and his family choose to make Paradise Point Estates America’s Winter White House. Once settled, the Obama’s enjoy the estate’s luxurious beachfront accommodations and evening barbeques on the lanai.
The Obama Winter White House overlooks spectacular views of Kailua Bay and the Mokulua Islands. The Plantation Estate, available for rental, is fully appointed with exquisite amenities and custom finishes and furnishings from around the world. The center courtyard of the Plantation Estate features a secluded lagoon-style pool pavilion including tropical waterfalls and a lavish island spa. The ocean lanai and garden lanai showcase ornate landscaping and stunning views. Expansive living quarters command attention amid the artisan touch of etched windows, stained glass, natural stone tiling, and African mahogany carvings. The home is built for well-appointed comfort and elegance just steps from the silky white sands of Kailua Beach, recognized as the number one presidential vacation destination and one of the best beaches in the world. . . . . Read More
Notice the release equates the Obamas with “royalty,” saying there is a “rich tradition of royalty” staying there.
Click here for a video tour of the Plantation Estate.
The Holidays at the “Obama Winter White House” – Plantation Estate in Hawaii (Photo + Video Link)
As you can see, TOTUS (Teleprompter of the United States) went along with Obama on his 27-hour “vacation” to Florida’s Coast. Obama could not even give a brief statement without using his trusted pal, TOTUS!
TOTUS Goes on Florida Vacation with Obama – Video
Here is a Taiwanese Anime Production that gives you the low-down on Michelle Obama’s recent extravagant trip to a luxury resort in Spain.
They nailed it!
Taiwanese Anime Gives Low-Down on Michelle Obama’s Extravagant Vacation to Spain – Video
Via HotAirPundit
Democrats are having a hard time defending Michelle O’s trip to Spain.
Here is video of Democrat analyst Kirsten Powers agreeing that Michelle Obama’s extravagant vacation to a lavish resort in Spain was “absolutely tone deaf.” Powers said, “I can’t even believe she has done it, frankly.”
Powers’ remarks come in at around the 3:10 mark of the video.
