The New York Times sports page, covering the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club, in Bethesda, Md., writes about politicians who don’t want to be seen playing golf, noting, “with two wars, a tight economy and a high national unemployment rate, the prevailing belief is that constituents do not want to see their representatives having fun at the golf course.”
President Obama is mentioned, ten paragraphs into the story, declaring that the president “has not publicly expressed an interest in attending this year’s tournament, nor has he ever played Congressional. Obama and Boehner’s own golf competition has trumped the Open, with their first meeting on the links scheduled for Saturday at an undisclosed location. How that outing will play with voters is still unclear.”
Unmentioned is that the round with Boehner Saturday will be the president’s 73rd round since taking office, and the twelfth straight weekend.
Quite a few readers will write in and point out that presidents are entitled to some free time and relaxation, too. Of course, if there’s nothing wrong with golfing so frequently, one wonders why they object to the frequency being mentioned, and why the Times didn’t think Obama’s regular devotion to the game was worth mentioning.
just as a matter of strategy any terrorist attack will certainly be targeted for a Sat or Sun between the hours of 12 pm and 5 pm on the chance that it will catch Obama out on the links and in a bad position to receive information or respond ...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou're right, readers will write in and say 'blah blah blah' .... put me down for that.
As for the "Why", you know the answer:
People like the Times consider golf an expensive pastime of the filthy rich oppressors whose greed is preventing a just society in America. What's more, they think more than a few of the so-called "independent/moderate" voters who decide elections share that view.
Therefore, reporting on the President playing golf doesn't "fit" the template - "There's re-election to be won" and all that.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHere's what Michelle Obama has to say about The One's work ethic (via Politico):
"I see the sadness and worry that’s creasing his face," she said to a crowd of about 500 at the Pasadena luncheon organized by the Southern California Women For Obama. She described his [work] ethic as "tireless," according to pool reports.
"He reads every word, every memo, so he is better prepared than the people briefing him,” she said. "This man doesn’t take a day off."
Hmm. Does the teleprompter follow him on the links in case he has to make one of his many speeches?
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