For the Obama family, vacations will never be the same.
President-elect Obama isn't the only politician or head of state to be popular with the paparazzi: French President Nicolas Sarkozy is a fixture in the European tabloids, as are the British royals - who have endured decades of interrupted vacations.
And photos of presidents on vacation are nothing new - many remember seeing images of Ronald Reagan on his horse in California. Whether it's golfing or fishing, the demand for a photo of the commander-in-chief at play has always been high. But with the president-elect, it's at a whole new level.
Yesterday on the golf course, Obama told the press corps he'd buy them some beer if they'd just leave him alone for a little while. Now pictures from the paparazzi trailing the president-elect and his family on vacation in Hawaii have sparked new questions about presidential privacy. (Photo credit: Bauergriffinonline.com)
–CNN's Ted Rowlands
Watch: A photographer gets close enough to the Obama family to snap dozens of photos on the beach.
From CNN Politics
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He needs to do more pushups and flies in order to lift up those sagging pecs.
Welcome to having no privacy and all your decisions being ripped apart!!! Your family is next, enjoy it you egomaniac!!!
PILF
I want the new bumber sticker "My President can kick you Leaders Butt!"
This guy's a joke...you people in America really know how to pick'em!! Ha ha ha.
CWhite December 23rd, 2008 3:03 pm ET
He looks like a young Arnold! He must be hanging out with Barry Bonds,,,,WOW! What a hot bod!
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Barry Bonds, did you say...?
Barry Bonds looks like an inflatable blow-up doll.
Please, for everybody's sake, say no to crack!
So why is this new we ask?
For one, I can't recall ever seeing a media (and a public because we buy what they sell) so fascinated with a male political figure that paparazzi-like photos of them in swimwear appear on the internet. How many people would have even read an article about Dubya in a swimsuit? An exception of course must be made for The Governator because he had a body-building celebrity status before his political carrer began. So the fact that people are fascinated by this is interesting enough to make it news.
And yes, it's a bit lame that news creates news.
Thats how paparazzi EARN a bad reputation. Leave the man alone. Don't we all need some private moments like a vacation!!!
A bit skinni for me, but do love the picture
Does it bother anyone else that while I'm pulling every dime I have together to give my kids each one present for Christmas, or President-Elect is vacationing in Hawaii, buying drinks for all?
ooolala!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad I voted for this man..... oooooooowwwwwwwwweeeeeeeee!!!!!!
Michelle will be envied by women all over the world! New rule: NO INTERNS IN THE WHITE HOUSE!
Oh YEAH!!!! President Elect Obama you are the man!!!!!!
He looks in great shape and is also very active in sports and working out when he get the chance. I don't think anyone would want to see Bush or any of the Ex-Presidents with their shirts off.
NOT EVEN HILLERY..
President Elect going to send all of us to the gym, to be admired, go president elect.
I'm doing the Happy To See you President Dance....lol.....
PILF
This is just plain nasty you shouldn't lust after a president but I think someone just changed that rule. OBAMA is hot!
I suggest for every shot a paparazzi takes,we the public get to take a shot at one of them!
Hey, fair's fair. Now where did I put my AK47?
I would rather have a wonderful looking Prez than some of the ones that were in office in the early part of the 20th Century – with big bellies and horribly overweight.
@ David – Don't hate.....
Guess no one has ever heard of telephoto lenses. THe photographer was probably hundreds of yards away so all of you Obamabots can calm down.
Naquib lay off the crack.
JO said "PILF"
I totally agree. AGAIN & AGAIN
What's the problem? I remember seeing a picture of JFK in a bathing suit, back in the day when bathing suits weren't knee-length. I believe he was with his kids.
Have we become that prudish?
As far as privacy is concerned: sorry, but when you are the leader of the free world, you can expect full-time press coverage. After your two glorious terms are over, Mr. President-elect, you can then request some privacy.