CNN

I agree with DX from TX.

Obama will be on vacation more than GB. Wait and see, he is lazy.

to:
"Showing the way December 27th, 2008 12:35 pm ET
I think it's great he went to Sea World…he is role modeling for all the sit home parents to get out and do something constructive with their children….."

he just went with his kids to have some fun. Not everyone can afford this. SO he is not showing a example.....if you cannot afford it, you have to be at home.....

Isn't amazing how much vacation time politicians get?

No better for the reporters, they should have been home enjoying the holidays with their friends and families. I hope he gives them more slips. LOL

Perhaps he was just "silencing" anyone who knows the truth about his birth certificate.

JB@2:26–

You are missing some important details also. Liberal anger at Bush was a direct result of how the 2000 election was decided. Remember, Gore got more popular votes and the whole Florida debacle was shut down when the Republicans got the Supreme Court involved. Talk about activist judges?
Also, remember that Bush had a 90% approval rating after 9/11. He and his administration threw that away since then by dividing the nation as much as possible.

And, if you want to argue like a 6th grader, then let's remember that whatever hate Bush caught was a direct response to the Republican hypocrites and their hate towards Clinton from the day he beat Bush's daddy.

Barack Obama is awesome

Lauren–

If he stops it there would be shouts of CENSORSHIP and then your right wing buddies would ask what was he hiding and if he was having secret meetings with Jeremiah Wright, Gov. Blago, or Mr. Spock.
Being a public figure is part of being President in this paparazzi culture Americans have engendered. Frankly, I would rather hear more about this than about Britney.

Wow, I was hoping that after the election, the right wing nut jobs would go into hiding. Looks like some did but now we have Richard Rohde to take their place.

So, I'll repeat...instead of just foaming at the mouth and spreading a bunch of nonsense, how about something constructive? It's not hard and does not require an advanced degree. Give it a shot!

Ok. this is good. It is expected that he will visit his family at this time. Many do this too. It is Holiday.
But why we have to follow his every private step? Does he want this publicity?

Obviously he did not give ALL of the Paparazzi Press the slip! *LOL* Otherwise we would not have this photo op!

Who cares.

>>>.The press was allowed to take photographs for more than 20 >>>>minutes — much longer than the typical photo opportunity at >>>>such an event —

Exactly,,, Obama wants the attention, he CRAVES the attention. He loves the rock and roll star image. He desires to have the public drooling over him. He wants to be JFK,,, he never will come close.

He let them stay longer,,,, LOOK AT ME,,, TAKE MY PICTURE,

If he wanted them to stop,, al he had to do was say no press today, this is a private family outing,,, come back when I am on the job.

But he wants the cult following, he NEEDS the cult following.

leave barack obama alooooooooooone

leave him alooooooone

CNN the FOX Noise of the Obama Admin. This is news? Hey FOX, I mean CNN I lost my shoe the other day. Could you put out an all points bulletin with a description?

Nate, thank you, if only I were!

Clifford my darling, there are over 400,000 words in common usage in the English language. Please learn to string at least five of them together correctly before calling someone else an airhead.

Just wait until Obama gives the American people the slip – or maybe he has already since he's so well oiled.

"Their purpose is to provide a public record of the official's activities, a vital service in a functioning democracy."

What a joke. Ms. Shepherd, your "purpose" is to make money for your corporate overlords. If they think it'll profit them to provide the public with a record of their elected officials, then that's what your masters will force you to do. If, instead, they seek more potential for cash in puerile entertainment and paparazzo-like stalking, then that's what you, as a lapdog and wage slave, will do.

How DARE you hold yourself up as some paragon of virtue. Your employer helped to sell wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that have led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians and almost 4000 Americans.

Even today, your network gleefully shows images of Israelis murdering Palestinian civilians- over 200 at last count, with the number sure to rise. Yet your bosses and their talking heads can't even see fit to show how many Israelis were killed in the past three months by all these so-called "terrorists" and their rocket attacks: zero. _One_ poor soul was murdered by a Palestinian rocket _after_ the Israelis committed their most recent act of collective punishment against a civilian population. ONE!

So you shut your bloody mouth, spouting off inanities like what a journalist's "duty" is.

He had to go get his advice from Reverand Wright, William Ayers, Charlie Rangel, William Jeffersson, Blago, Dingy Harry, Louis Farakhan, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, the Fords of Memphis, Kwame Kilpatick and ACORN. Its going to be a fun 4 years libocrats.

OOPS, typo, I meant Jan 20th of course, some of this stuff on here makes me so mad I can hardly think straight.God bless and keep PE Obama and his beautiful family.

The reporters seem to be indicating that their integrity can be bought off for a mere free beer or shave ice. More than that, I see it as very rude to turn down the offer of a friendly gesture. If I was the person making that offer and it was turned down I would be offended. Not only that, but I would not soon forget

TO: Susan from Scotts Valley, CA

Shaved ice cream is elistest are you serious?!??! I understand you're disappointed, but I suggest you get over it because he is our president and will be so for the next 8 years!

Those disgustful descendants of Abraham in Palestine and Israel just ruined my Christmas, none of them knows better, they're all cursed bloodthirsty terrorists, both the Zionists and Hamas. it's always BLOOD, BLOOD, BLOOD with no end in sight

Just like many Anerican families, the Obama's went home for Christmas. They also went home to say a final goodbye to their grandmother, what in the world is wrong with that? You nasty people on this blog need to get a life, the USA has a much needed chance to pull itself out of the cesspool George Bush and his moronic cronies have put it in, why can't you give the man a chance, I don't see what you have to lose. Someone on this blog said "PE Obama will not see much of his family in the coming 4 years, he will be too busy trying to put your Country back together again," so pleeeease, leave him alone at this wonderful time of year to enjoy his family in beautiful Hawaii, I doubt he will get much of a rest after Nov 20th, Give it a rest everyone, let's see if he can Give your country back it's name, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE GREAT US OF A .Which is as it should be. Happy New Year everyone.

He needs his privacy.

For all of you whiners that posted your complaints about the press, the press have become stalkers because YOU are all to eager to read all about it. I was trying to find out about the Oahu black out and got this instead.
Obama and family are media fodder because anyone here to read this article have made them so.
Until he gets sworn in as president he is still under the public eye because he is still the Senator of Ill.
I hope the press hounds him and his family like they did to Princess Diana, maybe then we will get some to have some of the freedom of the press infringed upon that you all cry out for.
I am NOT a Republican or a Democrat, I did not vote for one of the two evils. This government we have is a bi-partisan mess, both parties are responsible for the current problems and neither side has a well thought out plan to fix it.
If anyone is worried about Mr O they should keep him away from theaters and tunnels in France.
As far as hope goes, I hope he isn't just another snakey politician, I realize that is alot to hope for. And change, well, change exactly what?

Some children love the opposing view just to get attention.Please ignore the kids just like their parents have done for years,they are now beyond help and look to people like Rush for guidance in their sad little lives.

Sarah Palin is just so awesome

Sarah Palin

The press created this mythical liar and that same press will ultimately destroy him!!

Amber: Talk about nut jobs! I believe Obama already got to your "air" head!

CG get over it!! OBAMA WON!! He IS an AMERICAN! Deal with it people! He IS going to be our next PRESIDENT. So, REPUBLICANS, go away! You had your chance with GW and well we all know what happened with him. May he please get out of town so the REAL MEN can get to work!

So, the MSM gets it's collective panties in a bunch because Obama wants to go to a park with his family?

Where was the MSM when the current President was lying to America about WMD's in Iraq? Waterboarding at Quitmo? The depth of ease-dropping on domestic American citizens? The shredding of the American Constitution?

But a trip to a water park is a breach of the press' ability to provide "a vital service in a functioning democracy"?

I would agree that the MSM has failed in providing a "functioning democracy" but the damage was done by the non-coverage of Bush/Cheney/McCain activities, NOT the missing coverage of a trip to a water park by the President elect!

E – Brilliant post and Amber (youre not the model Amber I know are you)?

Hey MO in Tn,

why don't you do some real research about why your social security money is gone..and how this whole recession was started...Look at who authored those bills, who deregulated the banking industry, who voted on what....

then post an educated comment on an opinion page.

Obama does not deserve privacy. And this is why: when you run for public office, especially for President, you give up the "right" to your privacy. And the media, CNN included created the rock star attention that Obama seeks. The man has accomplished nothing. He wants the attention he gets. It's all he has accomplished. Time will tell what he can do. But make no mistake, he loves the attention. The media created this Obama fascination. The media will continue. I'm sick of it, but get used to it; it's not going away.

Obama has an 80% approval rating? For what? Doing nothing? No accomplishments? For billing himself as a black man when he's not? For projecting himself as a rock star, media attention, ego maniac that he is? If he gave the media the slip – it would be the first time in his life. And is this news?

DE... you lumphead.... wipe the foam from your mouth!

Coming from a family of military men, I am told that what you describe would be standard procedure for a military group of people. Unless it was a scheduled photo op like Bush/Cheney/McCain often had photographed to hit the news here. The military would have been instructed the member to remain seated until the PE came to them. For safety measure, they would NOT have mobbed the man!

Come now.. find something else to rant about!

Ha Ha.....I love it! The press was too upset to eat!

It must be nice to be able to afford a vacation in this economy.

Brendan- I am not one of those wishing for Obama's failure, but, you mentioned Bush was a coke head. Do not forget Obama was as well. Some of these people are annoyed that the press did not provide people with all of the information regarding Obama. He also won his first primary by getting all other dems kicked out. The love affair between Obama and the press is frustrating considering the trashing they provided Bush. In addition, many libs annihilated Bush as well. Some of these people may be just looking to give it back. I would argue that the disgusting level as to which politics has denegrated is in fact caused by the angry hypocritical dems. No excuse, but facts are facts.

I hope they all going to come back from Hawaii looking goooooood with that suntan.

obama pledged unconditional support for israel all the way,

everyone's bankrupt,

mosad got dirt under everyone,

key positions are filled with AIPAC members and supporters, and

no one's at the switch,

let's just mow them down.

There is nothing more entertaining than watching right wing nut jobs froth at the mouth. I dont mean conservatives or republicans, they'rejust fine with me. I mean the legitimately disturbed people who think that Black Helicopters are coming to get them and that a man with a faked birth certificate could actually get THIS FAR in becoming president.

By the way, nut jobs commentors on this blog: if anything happens to Obama during his presidency, it's on YOUR heads.

Funny how people are still saying Obama has no right to go home for the holidays with his family when he is NOT President yet! But they have no problem George Bush having been on vacation for 3 of the 8 years he was President, including while New Orleans was drowning. hypocrits much?

I think it's great that the press covers all these amusement park and dessert outings of the Obama's!!! Since all of the unimportant stuff was barely investigated or covered during the campaign (Wright, Ayers, etc.), and even his wife was off-limits (she had to be – she publicly hated the United States for years...couldn't risk a faux pas there). Yes, now we are getting the REAL journalism!!! My heart warms at all of this...*sigh*

Keep on killing the press with kindness Pres-elect Obama, maybe reverse psychology is what's needed to get and maintain your daughters' privacy.

Love the fact that Obama was able to give the press the slip in order to get a wee bit of privacy.

Shave ice is always better if you dump on about half a pint of cointreau.

I still have my doubts about Obama, but, come on!, the dude's taking the last real vacation he's going to get for at least four years! Leave him alone!

the press is a business like anything else, they work hard to sell a headline.

Of course obama will always have a camera on him 24/7 just like current bush has a camera on him 24/7. Though the major headline news is, what's more interesting?

President bush caught on camera picking his nose?
or
President obama caught on camera picking his nose?

The press is there to sell you the news, and you folks gobble it up. When Obama becomes less interesting and more boring, they'll move on to someone else

"eddie December 27th, 2008 12:03 pm ET

It's nice to know that my future president is relaxing in hawaii while my 401k and stocks are dropping."

At least the Bush brothers were not able to totally tank the Social Security Funds by moving them into the stock market. You should be thankful of that!

I am amazed to be honest at the left in general, the blinders they have for their own party... they want to beat down anything anyone else does but seem to turn a blind... hummmm lets see here brother Bush spent OVER 879 days in Crawford or on some other "retreat" time.... lets see that is how much.... more than 30% of his total time in office.... I wish I had a job that would give me 30% of my time a year on VACATION... seems you might want to look at brother Bush before you give Obama a hard time for taking a vacation.

Moe

One of the people in the US who can't afford to take a vacation because brother bush destroyed everything we worked so hard for....

You guys are great at keeping track of Obama...why not put that good sleuth work to keeping tabs on Osama Bin Laden?

Concerning the legitmacy of Obama's birthcertificate:

What he has produced to date and what Snopes produced a copy of was only that. Different states have different type certificates and Hawaii's is one of the most "different" I have ever heard of. Besides what he and Snopes produdced, they also have a more official document called a Live Birth Certificate. This he has never produced.

Ask yourself this – If he can easily produce such a document for independent scrutiny, why doesn't he - instead of paying thousands to attorneys to counter all the lawsuits that have been filed in numerous states?

Why has the MSM never done any REAL INVESTIGATIVE reporting on this? And that would mean getting info from other sources than Obama.

I cannot believe some of the comments in here. After the last eight years of the Administration from Hell, you'd think that people would be happy and looking forward to some new ideas and feeling more positive about the future instead of looking for something more to complain about.

You create your own experience in life. If you focus on the negative, more negative is what you will perceive. Focus on the positive, and you might be surprised at what comes your way.

C'mon... let the man enjoy time with his family before he begins the toughest job in the world, and give him a chance.

Personally, I think it's going to be a great eight years for you all. Believe!

obama, you ran your compaign on change, you should take a stand against israeli aggression and carelessness of civilian lives..i wonder what the reaction here would be if those innocent civilians killed today were americans...its a shame.. that there is difference in the value of human lives based on thier nationality.

LEAVE THEM ALONE!! Since when did CNN become paparazzi??? Take those reporters and go report on some real news...

GEORGE W. BUSH SUCKS!!!

I was deeply concerned that the Obamas decided to go to a park that openly advocates the use of animals, particularly sea bound mammals, as a source of entertainment. We, of the Preservation of the Dignity of All Sea Bound Mammals (PDASBM) campaigned strongly for the President Elect and are disappointed in his choice to continue the inhumane practice of using Sea Mammals as circus-like, freak show attractions. Shame on you Barry Obama!...Shame on YOu!.

I ask all those who share in our disgust to please return all Obama inspired commerative plates, buttons, posters, bumper stickers, Franklin Mint plaques and action figures in a act of solidarity to support our large, cousins of the sea.

Until there is equality and dignity for all species, we shall not rest!

To Eddie about his 401K plan. If your 401k plan disappears before your very eyes, remember Bush gave billions to wall street after they ripped the people off the first time. Don't fault Obama for the choice you made to invest. I can't believe the dumb decisions people make for themselves and want Obama to take the fall for it.

Cocktail Party Marxists? A dolphin show and shaved ice? That sounds elitist to me. Please.

I wish that the press and the public would allow the Obama family to have some peace and quiet so that they can enjoy some time together before Barack Obama takes over the Presidency. The problems that he is facing in trying to bring America back from the black hole that the Bush administration has propelled us into are immense. Obama is not Bush- he is not going to be taking 4 months vacation a year when he is on the job- he will be working non stop. Let's give him a break now before he is sworn in. I find it interesting that some posts are angry that he is taking time during this economic crash- he is not yet president- let's put blame where it belongs- the Bush administration. We are already taking Obama for granted- no one has expected Bush to do anything to help us for eight years.

YIPPEE!!! I LOVE the thought of 8 years of a BLISSFUL DEMOCRATIC Amerrica!!! You dumb Repubicans just don't get it and you never will!

May be we should all withdraw our votes for OBAMA and give it to McCain or we should let Bush continue in office.
Suck it up! Obama won and he is going to be our president for the next four years.
The country is in worst situation it ever been. We desperately need a president who can take us out of this mess. Obama won the election and he will need our support.
Obama may not be the right person for some of you (fools) but he won and we should all give him our support.

Obama has done nothing wrong and yet you critics are persistent in using every little thing he does or don't do to appease yourselves in making him appear to be what you right wings want him to be, "a nobody."

I didn't hear any complaints when Bush was walking his pooch and chillin in the oval office when 911 and hurricane katrina took place. Obama is on his time, not ours. Bush is still in office, so blow up the blog about him. Obama didn't cause the economy problem, Bush did and hasn't done anything but hurled out money to shut people up because he doesn't know jack about governing the people.
Does anyone have a shoe I can throw at these embasils on this blog?

I wish the press would leave the Obamas alone while they are vacationing. We do not need to see a photo of the Pres eating shaved ice or anything else. Leave him alone!

Dear CNN;
Did Obama happen to sneeze as well? If so, at what time of day did it happen? I am very interested to know why you do not have such information, but continue to report other relatively unimportant things like the war in Iraq. I, as an American citizen, need such information as the exact time the president sneezes.

Good move PE OBAMA. Now the evil side will say u have something to hide. HAVE FUN

Obama is The Second Coming! He is the Savior of all mankind.
He will redeem our sins of the past 8 years, and lifts America back into the pedestal that the entire world worships.

How dare you speak ill will of Him?! May He punish you with all His might when He takes office on January 20.

Free at last Free at last... Obama is our Savior!

Rahm, Obama, Gov. Blag.....let the cover up begin.
I would quit fawning over him by now. He hasn't done anything positive for the country and is following Bushes "War" policies. Also plans on plunging the country into un ending debt. Guess he doesn't want America to be the leader of the world any more.
Some of you should read other papers and articles besides CNN.
Good thing he is keeping on a lot of Bushes appointees. At least they know what is going on out there in the world and know what to do about it.
Can't wait to watch Hillary increase the State Dept and take over his presidency. The puppet will really be dancing.
As for his vacation... who cares.

Power failure in Hawaii?

I'm surprised Obama just didn't raise his arms and say:
"Let there be light"

Oh what fools we mortals be waiting for this miracle man...NOT

Having waded through all the idiot comments about the Sara Palin calender, I decided to design one of my own.

As I look at the incoming administration I can picture Joe Biden walking along the baordwalk with his organ on a stick, cranking out music, and there he is ....obama.

What a wonderful image for your 2009 and beyond calender.

I cannot express how happy I am whenever I read some freaked out right winger's inane ramblings and fear based scribbling. I laugh and laugh all day when they still try to insist PE Obama's not a "real" citizen with his fake Birth Certificate. I giggle when they are mad because he earned money on his own (unlike Bush) and is spending it on a nice vacay for his family. (what, they should go to Disney World like you?) When they accuse him of "buying" the press, with beer and ice!

And the reason I laugh is because of the absolute relief I feel knowing that Obama was elected and he will be running the country in less than a month. I laugh because for the first time in 8 years, I am not crying. I laugh because I am not ashamed of this country anymore. And I laugh because these angry, sad, silly people have nothing more they can do to hurt me or this country and for that I am grateful and will laugh for the next 4 and hopefully 8 years. And finally I laugh because no matter what, nothing Obama can do will ever cause the utter destruction of the last 8 years of Bush/Cheney and their soulless, Vietnam deferring, murderous, greedy, irresponsible ilk. (one never sees any of then in church, but the Right doesn't seem to comment on that hypocrisy!)

I laugh because we are finally free!

Um.. yea, and I suppose Hillary was running on her own merits and the fact she was married to the man known as "Bill Clinton" had nothing to do with it?

If this moron can't handle the press then he needs to give up being the President. He is such a baby. Does he think he is special because he is a black man? I think not. GET OVER IT!!!!!!

The man better get use to all the press. He and his people decided for him to run for president and most of the people voted him in so "here come the press"! So sorry Charlie, just like any other president, you and yours are not exempt!

Did Obama take care of any birth certificate business on the island? Is he doing anything in terms of damage control with his half-siblings and other family members? These are questions the press could answer if given more access. He is no longer a private citizen. He is a public figure. It's too late to treat the same press that got you elected all of a suddn like they're paparazzi. They are there to keep our president elect accountable 24/7.

I think it is great that he is spending some much needed time with his family. I'm not one for the press to "stoke him and his family" There should be laws against this kind of invasion.. I hope they have a great rest of there vacation...

I wish the press would leave our President Elect alone

@Irritated in Fl: "He's always trying to buy the press gifts. I guess he feels guilty for all the free positive coverage and protection they provided him during the election."

You mean like how McCain was always inviting the press to the barbeques at one his many homes. Guess shaved ice just doesn't match up to prime ribs, eh? Maybe that's why they refuse - not grand enough for them!

Leave the guy and his family alone on vacation.Geeze,I dont think we all need to know what time he might have farted and what it smelled like.

The reporting of PE Obama's every move is a waste of resources. He needs privacy and they are other means of keeping tabs on his activities. For CNN to report they were the only News agency to report the outing further shows this is over the top. I am a Republican and hope Obama does the right things, but the press needs to act repsonsibly and soak the Hawaii sun.

Hoping in Connecticut

Ok! This was not news. But I find it interesting some of the post here. Some are really great reads. Some show intelligence or lack of and some are just plain funny.

For the record, Mr. Obama is in the incoming President. He takes office in less than three weeks. Having gotten that straight the country voted him in. Unless the out-going President who stole the White House and selected and was decided by the courts (to stop counting the ballots) Also, you have a hightly educated, accomplished, steady, not flaky incoming and we know the history of George W. Bush, neither is perfect. I find a lot of the people who posted here are simple perfect, got all the right answers and solutions, and I for one would love to see their bottom line. But was not smart enough to have run for office, why? All those people with negative, what would you do differently, and no one here as mentioned he went there lay to rest his grandmother! I know some of you here has never had one you valued, your tone proves it!

I just read the Rahm Emmanuel Subpoena article below, and I gotta say. . . . the people of this country, or at least those who read these tickers have ZERO READING COMPREHENSION. ZERO.

The comments are all over the place and not even close to what the story is about. That story has NOTHING to do with Republicans. And, if Blago's lawyer is asking for Rahm to testify, it is because he thinks Rahm can prove his clients innocence. There should be a basic reading comprehension quiz before people are allowed to post.

The "media pool" is acting more and more like mob of paparazzi. Because of the popularity of Obama and his family, many are going to take side and begin, in empathy, to feel resentment toward even "reputable" news sources such as CNN.

If CNN and other "reputable" news sources can't define the "fine line between keeping the public eye on the president-elect while keeping the children's privacy," then the public will no long recognize the difference between reliable news sources and tabloids.

Shame on the media.

The main thing about leaving the Obamas alone is that who really gives a _ _ _ _ to begin with? I don't!!!

Lida Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang Seo Yarışması

Lida Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang Seo Yarışması

Mmm, shaved ice. How cute. Everyone gave Bush a hard time for taking vacations, but it's okay for Obama to do it . . . He's Jesus junior, so it's okay.

Well there's just a whole load of hate going on in this comment thread. Honestly though, transparency isn't what Gelato Barack Obama ate on his vacation in Hawaii.

Why don't you focus on other things that are going on right now, um Like 190+ dead in Gaza, or Pakistan rushing India's border, or or or, how the sitting president is twiddling his thumbs as United States slowly eats its own fat.

Leave the Obamas alone and let them have their privacy!!!

eddie, we have a current president, President Bush, that is vacationing with his family for the holidays at Camp David. Don't you think that he should be doing something about your 401. After all, he is the one that is still in power. Obama doesn't have any power to do anything until January 20th. What exactly is it that you expect him to be doing, that the current President can't do? From your remark, I take it that you are not happy Obama has been elected, so you should be happy that we still have Bush in office to protect your 401 for most of the next 4 weeks.

I'll bet any one of you that Obama isn't going to change anything. Our country will continue this never-ending war and the New World Order will rise. Our economy will crash because the US dollar is basically worthless. It's paper with an interest rate. I can't believe you actually trust a Chicago Politician Lawyer.

It almost sent my morning coffee shooting through my nose when the writer of this story implied that reporting on the Obamas' trip to Sea World is a "a vital service in a functioning democracy." Get over yourself, and keep my news relevant please.

I'm incredibly distraught by all the Obama lovers. Obama is going to move us closer to socialism and you cheer him. Obama is going to do more to erode our rights than any other liberal President has and you cheer him. Obama is going to do more to placate the terrorists and you cheer him. You act as if the Middle East started hating us in 2000 yet you forget the events of Carters administration. You seem to think that getting something for nothing is good thing; that taking the hard earned wealth from those who worked for it and redistributing it to those who are too lazy is commendable when in fact it is vile. You cheer that the tax-and-spend policies of the left will cure the economy despite the fact that Obama has hinted at the truth of the matter by announcing that he would not repeal Bush's tax cuts for the "wealthy" while we are in this economic crisis. All of you Obama supporters who prefer higher taxes on those who make more money than you, a stronger Federal government and tighter restrictions on our Constitutional Rights are truly the mobile vulgus our Founding Fathers deeply feared. Congratulations.

He is liked by most people and they are interested in all that he does but I do believe he and his family deserve to be left alone. There will plenty of time after he takes offcie to cover where he goes and what he does.

Some of you are absolutely pathetic. I'll wager that most of you are NOT Republicans! Many Republicans I know, while deeply disappointed with the election, do in fact respect Barack and believe that they must now move forward and continue working to rebuild their party and prepare for the future of our states and country.

Au contraire, the White Democrats who supported that vicious racist Hillary Clinton are the ones who are sore losers and who have betrayed our party by violently opposing Barack. Those people chanting horrible words at Sarah's rallies were Democrats (who voted for Hillary), who turned against the party.

Can you just sit back for a while, and give President Obama (on 1/20/09) a chance to start this tough long journey before you judge him? Just give him a chance, he might surprise you with what he can do!

I warned you America.
This guy is a total sleeze – a real user in the first degree.
He was practically slobbering over the press before the press elected him (Get it America?) and now that he doesn't need them anymore,
Bye Bye Press.

BUT Wait...there's more:
Just wait until the next big scandal, he'll either be running from them again or playing out his poor pitiful slanted side of the story for their next edition.
You figure it out.

I think it's great he went to Sea World...he is role modeling for all the sit home parents to get out and do something constructive with their children.....

Oh give me a break – this is not news. Report on this relationship with the crooked IL Gov.......

LOL.....

As much as I dislike both Republicans and Democrats, they are both required to keep a balance of power. Crazies on both sides really want each other dead. You all live in such a black and white world. A white man, black man, a Republican, Democrat world. You should all be ashamed. I am giving Obama and the Democrats a chance. If things aren't better real soon, they will be kicked out on their butts and I'll give the Republicans another shot. Bi-Partisanship starts at our level people. By the way this article wreaks of TMZ.

How nice that our new President's name would appear in an article with the word "Slip" and have it mean someting as wonderful as a day in to park with his wife and kids.

Under Bush "slip" would refer to misspeaking on something as in:

"President's slip results in international out-rage"

or under Clinton quite another meaning: "Woman's slip found in presidential briefcase"

I look forward to the rehabilitation of a number of words: Accomplished, Dress, Science, Executive Branch, Action ect.

Please just let the man and his family have a vacation! He has more work then anyone on the planet to do when he comes back. And we all better hope he is great. Our country NEEDS great right now.

GET A LIFE PEOPLE, SETTLE DOWN, OR LIKE THEY SAY IN JERSEY, JUST ADJUST....
FOR THE OBAMA HATERS, GO TO THE GYM SO YOU CAN ALSO HAVE TIGHT ABS!

Good Grief give the family some family time. What in the world does where they go as a family have to do with issues that are important to our country. Obama is the President not his children, parents, aunts , unckes, cousins. Put yourself in his place. (on by the way I didn't care for him as our new president) BUT everyone needs some private family time and it's none of anyone business where he goes or what he does during family time. I think most Americans don't give two hoots what his kids wear or the fact they spent a day at the park with mom and dad. That CNN would even cover this family outing lowers the high standards Im use to seeing from CNN. Shame on you CNN for lowering your news coverage standards.

I have decided that we have some idiots here who, no matter what PE Obama does, will never accept his actions as those of someone very capable. I think they live for it because they live in a fantasy world where Bush provided 8 years of bliss for this country and somehow PE Obama is going to mess it all up for the free world. The basic loser mentality.

Let him take is family on vacation. The reporters should have been left on the main land.

What is wrong with the President having a little time with his family. It is not of national importance that we "see" every detail of his personal time with his family. Give him a break. I think that it is fine if you want to report that he took his girls on a family outing but it should just stop there! Every one needs a little down time and I think that Pres Elect Obama is due some. If CNN wants to keep up this tabloid reporting then I will go elsewhere for the important news of the day.

To irritated in Fl: The election is over. Its done. He's going to be president barring anything unforseen. Trotting out conspiracy theories will do your cause no good. Saying a woman died early than claimed is about as sick as I have heard it however. As for giving the pres the slip, I have a child and if I can give them any measure of privacy in the grand scheme of things, who cares. As for the house, unlike you or I who would be happy to stay at the Motel 6, the President Elect cannot stay at any home or hotel, they have to be secure locations, and the layout where he is at is safer. It is not our tax dollars paying for it, and so he is free to make his choices. Bush spent more time on his spacious crawford ranch than any president with regard to overall vacation time. He is about to embark on one of the toughest presidencies of the modern age, so taking a break to clear his head is best for all of us.

OK..here goes. For all who don't know what shave ice is...it is simply that, shaving ice and adding syrupy flavours. It is a norm in the Caribbean and all the little boys and girls grow up on it. 'Shave ice' or sometimes called 'Snow Cone'. All colours, green blue, red and sometimes even with condensed milk on the top. Still a fave of mine at this age and stage.
And, additionally instead of saying a vulgar word....sometimes 'Oh shave ice' is said instead.
Another globally inclusive lesson.!!!!

I don't know why people keep bringing up the fact that PE Obama has has half-brothers in Kenya and is not doing anything for them. He probably has never had any connection to them. His dad left his mother when he was young. He only had one other meeting with his father before his death. There are people in the same cities that have no connection to certain family, let alone ones that live halfway around the world. PLEASE! Hate is not cute. Not going to do anything but burn your insides up.

Why? Reggie92. . . . so you can complain about that too. Why don't

you tell Bush the same thing he's still the President last time I

checked. . . . PS. He took the people that was in His life with him. Too

bad no one wants you with them so stop hating and get a life like

Your New President Barack Obama did.

Okay, I just read the Time article on the front page of CNN & then this one. Amazing!! The house the Obamas are renting has evidently increased in value almost $2 million dollars in just the last couple of days if you believe the Time article. Then they say the recent earthquake had Honolulu without power for 2 full days. First of all the earthquake was in 2005 and it was on the "Big Island" not O'ahu. The power was out on O'ahu (where Honolulu is for you non-islanders) back then because of rain storms, not because of the earthquake.
This just shows you how much inaccurate information the media puts out.
And by the way, in Hawai`i it's just "shave ice", not "shaved ice".
And media people– the correct spelling is Hawai`i, not Hawaii. You need to put an okina in front of the second i.

I support the press' access to public officials, but agree with an earlier comment... "Obama takes kids to water park" would have been good enough. Trying any further to document a 9 year old enjoying marine life with her father is not "a vital service to a functioning democracy"... that's just doublespeak. Cover Mr. Obama all you want... let's try and leave his family alone. We the public bear some of that responsibility, with our overenthusiastic curiosity about his family, which only drives the media frenzy to extremes.

No parents would want their children to become targets of paparazzi. Why did Caroline Kennedy want to stay out of spotlight when her children were young? Paparazzi and Princess Diana was a tragic memory. There is a big difference between being protected by secret service and being out of protection. Caroline and Diana were on the same boat – no more protection even with lots of paparazzi after them. You can't blame Caroline for disappearing from the public. She had no choice.

You hate mongers I hope and pray that you can find it in your hearts to be grateful to the Obama administration's efforts to better our lives or will you continue to bow down to the ways of the out of touch Republicans who create songs like "Magic Negro!" Republicans who belittle women by selecting a woman VP only because she is a woman and Republicans who call hard working American "A Nation of Whiners" because we feared for the economy while Republicans called the economy fundamentally strong!

We're in this together...don't be a bone head!
DX in TX

Irritated in FL. and Ant, He is just driving you guy nuts isn’t he, with his 80% approval rating. You two, and your friend’s stay where you are, stay tuned, we got 8 more years of PRESIDENT OBAMA for you to whine and cry over. HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN, . Ya, just gotta love it, keep the tear drops coming.

I am always surprised but I do not know why, when I read some of the malignant comments readers take the time to write (luckily a few). Why am I surprised? Because I am naive and I always wish people could bring out the best in them (if any) instead of the worst. Face it people, the PE is our choice to lead this country, America has spoken and we might finally have chance to have a better future.

Personal to Ant:

And define Bush's experience for us when he took office?!

At least Obama has a background of achievement, both academically and publicly.

Bush? He was a drunken, coke-headed, frat boy lout! And he ran three companies into bankruptcy! Now, that's the experience he used to bankrupt the country!

Why don't you find a huge island, set up your country and start a government. Would you invite Bush to run it for you?! I didn't think so!

Quite frankly, if Obama fixes everything, walks on water and does the "loaves and fishes," you right-wing intelligentsia still wouldn't be happy!

What news story will CNN be breaking about this family outing?

There is going to be some breaking news item on this, with follow up by AC 360 and Larry King Live?

....or could it just be that CNN is feeding the public pablum?

Come on CNN, please move away from this glorified tabloid business.

I always find it amazing, in the case of Ant's post above, how people continue to turn every single thing he does into an indication he will be a bad president. Furthermore, if he were to screw up because of his "lack of experience" then we are all screwed not just you buddy and it isn't our fault solely. It is people like you that pushed for more votes for Barack and contributed to his election. So in a way i thank you for your hard fought work. I have faith in his ability to lead, if you don't maybe you should run for office in 4 years. Don't complain if you aren't willing to play the game.

It's nice to know that my future president is relaxing in hawaii while my 401k and stocks are dropping.

"CNN was the only news organization to witness the park outing."

very good CNN, do you want a cookie?

The press in this country needs to take a break..They are not the respected journalist of old. They are goosip mongers and at times act like vultures.

Normally I support CNN's reporting ofthe news, but a family going for a treat is news?!

OK, then rerun the stories about the Bush Twins and their underage drinking tirades in Austin and Waco and what happened to the last officer that arrested them for underage drinking!

when you offer the media food, that's like feeding ducks. They don't go away when you offer them stuff like that. Obama, you really don't want these guys following you for the next 4 years. That's not right for your family.

@ Irritated in Fl – You really need a couch. Go out and enjoy Your life and get Your mind off of Your P.E. BARACKKKKKKK OBAMAAAAAA!
Got a nice ring to it don't it Irriated.

Reggie92 – Check your calendar. Obama is NOT the President yet – won't happen until January 20th. My only criticism of Obama is that he really should have toned down where he stayed. When so many in the country are dealing with unemployment, he could have stayed at a much more modest place. His choice of accommodations lacks sensitivity, as far as I'm concerned. A king he is not.

He offers shaved ice to the reports? All they should get is a an up yours gesture from the secret service. He was probably hospitable enough to offer these idiots something.

To those who think that Obama is a crook! U'all should get a life!

Obama is cool and collected.@Messiah watch,you need some serious mental help with your multiple personality disorder.Help and medication are available for free.Please seek help,all of us here want you to get well im sure.Try turning off your AM radio for a week and clear your mind and then see if someone can take you for the aid you need.

The whole purpose of this article was for CNN to strut around and say that they were the only press agents not given the slip. Who cares.

Ant,

Nobody cares what you think. All the racist and homofobs – out of this room!

James, I understand your aggravation with some of the posts. Conspiracy theorists are so "colorful" albeit impertinent and irrelevant. But they don't seem to be bothered by that. LOL.

Frankly given the severity of problems it's nice to be reminded that family life and simple family outtings: brother and sister with their families enjoying a theme park still exist. It's nice to be reminded of the simple pleasures. It's a refreshing balance. Today I'm taking my kids out for some quality time together. Thanks for the reminder CNN.

tishoogle says we're all bigot haters for hating Obama. For that, he says, we should leave the country and the country would be better off without us. If that's what liberals think republicans should do, then why didn't all the liberals leave when Bush was in office and everyone was hating him?

There appear to be at least two trends in the posts on this "non-news" item. First is that most of think that the "media" have gone way too far in covering the Obama family. They have all become low life paparazzi looking for those "gotcha" moments, rather than being real reporters. The second thing that is apparent from the posts is that people like Reggie92 and Messiah Watch, are still as hateful and ignorant as ever and should go back to their friends at Fox.

Many of us hope that Obama will rescue the United States from its serious slippage in world leadership.

The task of rescuing the U.S from so many serious leadership and societal shortcomings will likely be more than even he can handle.

The world hopes that he can.

As for media coverage leave the guy alone and come back in January when he and the U.S start to look at ways to rebuild a country in a steep decline.

I'm just pleased that Obama tricked the media – even for a second. You go, boy....=) He and his beautiful family deserve to enjoy each other in peace every chance they can. His beautiful children are just trying to enjoy their father – doing normal things like going to the Sea Life Park – in peace. Respect them. Yes, he is our PE, but he's also just a regular man and father, first and foremost.

Sometimes you guys are so full of it (most times I like you), but REALLY "record the important events" – - – a family going for shaved ice.

I'm as guilty for reading it. I can safely say I've avoided Kaylee and many of your media stories.

Bill Clinton has said that he made his bad decisions when he was tired. We want PE Obama to be successful. Report on what he does about the country. Let him be a Dad and on vacation.

MJC the press always has followed presidents. There are pictures of Bush driving his pick up at his ranch, Reagan chopping wood, this is nothing new. Obama doesnt have a large ranch he owns to retreat to

So?

It's too bad the Obama's can't enjoy more privacy with their children. I think "a vital service in a functioning democracy" and the well being of the Obama children would be best served by a media sentence: "PE Obama took his children to a water park." End of story.

It's great that there's media interest but that interest should have some balance, common sense and a regard for all involved – especially the children who deserve and should be entitled to some quality time with their Dad.

Irritated in Florida. I dont consider a shaved ice or a beer a gfit. Perhaps hes just a nice guy ? Maybe thats just his style. ? Reporters are biased enough , I dont think a shaved ice is going to make them change their stories

I agree this is not worthy of a news story. He wanted to spend some time with his girls and try go give them a bit of privacy big deal. But I agree Americans are obsessed with celebrity. That is the ony way I could figure out how any one in the their right man could want Sarah Palin for VP. She has celebrity that "it" factor.

Obama gives the press the slip, we wait for Barry Hussain Obama to make many slips as he ducks, dives, runs due to lack of experience etc, the man has NO experience..........

Why is this news??

The folks who tell the media to leave Obama & his family alone are the exactly the same folks who gobble this TMZ-style stuff up. You, as readers & viewers, should unplug yourselves from the 24-hour news cycle. Once you do that, your beloved CNN will stop feeding it to you.

There is no need to follow the PE every where he goes, specially when he is vacationing with friends and families. The PE deserves some quality time alone to be ready to face the task of fixing America and the rest of the world.

Afghanistan, Iraq, Israeli air strike in Palestine about 200 dead. These are worthy pieces of news report.

I'm a Republican and I wish you'd give the guy a break! For crying out loud – A) He's not the President yet. B) He's on vacation and not going to entertain us with great words of wisdom, and C) Eight years from now he'll be a gray haired chain smoking burn out like every other president we rag out – so for everyone's sake could you let the guy enjoy a vacation to enjoy the family he will NOT see over the next eight years?

Oh, come now, ye old repubs! *LOL* Wipe that foam from thy lips!

Obama has a right to a private life. He will be in the lime light from now on. And you had simply better get used to it!

Shaved Ice indeed, how dare he offer cheap shaved ice to the elite of our paparazzi news media! Why at the very least he should have offered them... hand dipped ice cream! *LOL*

Can you people find nothing else to complain about?

Obama and his crooks slipped thru the medias fingers during the campaign and now they are slowly being exposed. They may have missed out on the shaved ice but the skeletons are slowly tumbling out of the closet. Rahm and Blogavich are just the beginning. The radicals that voted for these crooks accuse everyone of being a republican (I'm democrat) and of trying to sabatoge Obama. Well, the truth is Obama has always been a crook and they just refused to see it. Now it will come glaring and they will be sickened. Oh, BTW. Why haven't y'all told the public that Obamas grandmother really died in October and he used it as a means for a sympathy vote by saying she died Nov 2? How about doing some real reporting and telling the world the facts?

to people posting negative things about mr.obama,The most violent element in society is ignorance.

You have to be slick to give the media the slip. He must have used the Muslim MInd Melt on them. Where was this guy born anyway?

to: REGGIE92 December 27th, 2008 10:28 am ET

Throwing stones are you?? go back to your church and this time stay awake and listen to whats being said (of course unless its one of those political biased churches which is not really a church)

Judge not lest you be judged.....

Reggie 92, you say a "good father" would have been in church Christmas morning, etc, etc.... I am proud of my faith, but I was not in church on Christmas. Being in a place does not make one a Christian or anything else....it makes you present. Thanking God should be a part of the daily lives of the faithful. I attend church once a week, but praise Him each and every day. Don't dump your judgment on us. Get over yourself.

And, stop using Reggie White's name and number. Get your own identity.

Hey Repubs, I have a half brother that I found out about when I was 31. I have no feeling for the man as I did not know him. He died when I was 33 and other than sadness for my father and that one so young died, I felt nothing. His Kenyan relatives are strangers, just as my brother was and I see no reason that Obama has to support them. BTW I also do not support my dead beat WHOLE sister.

Travis – You do know that the Gov of Hawaii is a Republican, right? And that she supported McCain, right?

Until President- elect is sworn in, his every waking moment does not need to be recorded yet.

Why is the news media so obessed with tracking and following Obama....it would be nice to give his entire family time along before he starts his big job ahead.

In the same sense, the News agencies is an hype up, upscale paparazzi.

probably not commenting on here anymore, wayyyy too many losers on here that literally have no idea what they are talking about. Not to mention the sudden migration of Fox news winners coming over to CNN to talk about birth certificates, all i can say to that is WOWWWW get a grip already. Stop being so lazy and depending on the news to do all your homework, pathetic people, do it yourself, teach yourself, apathetic knuckleheads. Hope Obama gives these republicans a hard time, im sick and tired of putting problems on the back burner so these idiots can continue destroying this country. Darth keeping in mind these people didnt even admit to themselves the state of the economy till it burst in their face, its not surprising how they act. I guess if i was that hopeless id be a little upset too. Anyway im done with this crap, the more i comment on here the more i realize these blogs are for people that dont get it, and certainly dont want to try to get it, not when their still searching for birth certificates. Too bad, i guess the news has to wait on people hand and foot now.

Obama is cool. Very nice, thoughtful guy–even when he's being hounded by the media on his vacation. Very gracious person.

Earth shattering news!

Obama is so kewl. You'd think the Papparazzi would have learned a lesson when they contributed to the death of Lady Di. Oh, well. I'm glad to see a photo of our President-elect in a white T-shirt. He really is one of us.

Let him have his vacation already! I am so relieved he and his family are taking a break.

He is from Hawaii, and the Aloha spirit is generous. I would have taken the shave ice. I wish I had some now! Make mine coconut/mango!

Who knew Bilderberg was meeting in Hawaii?

he's trying to spread his wealth, just like we're gonna be doing in a month from now.

I would really like to know how following the President-Elect around as he takes his daughters to a water park is a "vital service in a functioning democracy". This is not news and CNN should be ashamed. Before Watergate, the press actually had a sense of decency and respect for the private lives of our public officials.

Just because we don't have video of Obama every minute of every day does not automatically mean a scandal is afoot. Leave the poor man alone and let him enjoy his vacation with his family!

I think the pictures the media took of the little girls in their bathing suits and posted online was in bad taste. These girls were in the privacy of thier backyard pool.

I'd totally accept an offer of shave ice from the PE. I understand why the reporters didn't accept the beer (no alcohol on the job allowed), but come on- take your picture, eat your ice, and leave the guy alone!

really!?! this is news? really?!?!

@phyllis December 27th, 2008 10:19 am ET

I'm sorry, but your comment makes no sense at all. IF he were indeed an egomaniac, as you claim him to be, and if he DOES love to seek attention, wouldn't you think he would stay in the spotlight of the press, as opposed to trying to get some alone time with his family/close friends?

Be rational, please.

Given the level of anger at his election, this man needs all the private family time he can get. I thought that Nov.4/2008 might really be an indication that the U.S. had turned the corner in healing the divisions of the last 8 years. It seems the Republicans have accomplished their mission in permanently creating an us vs. them mentality in their war on all things Democrat. The hatred on the blogs is truely disturbing. As Lincoln said; "No foreign power can bring America down, if we fail it will be from divisions within. United we stand; divided we fall!" Have a fun time on your vacation Barack, once Jan. 20/09 arrives the poison continues.

Ooh, that rascal! Giving the press the slip to watch the dolphins with his kids!

... Leave him alone for a minute, and stop trying to make up scandals.

Probably because you are all morons. CNN is full of morons.

Hey "reggie92" or whatever your name is, the Bush girls were in their 20's when W took office. No one wants the press to stalk these little kids, except maybe you......pervert.

Isreal bombing Gaza and this BO guy is hanging around an icecream parlor. Get back to Washington and get briefed on the conditions. This guy is so full of himself it makes me sick. The choices he is making are not the mark of a good leader. Sitting on the sidelines is no way to show the world you are ready to lead. Now drop the shaved ice or whatever you call it and get yourself ready for your new job. The party is over BO.

The media should positively give the Preident elect & his family privacy, particularly before January 20th, when every move will be part of a public record.

I don't understand how a firestorm can be created by a "shirtless" photo of an official, unless it was Sarah Palin possibly.

Oh god, the thought of Hilary just popped into my head......

Let the man go about restoring the presidency to the "leader of the free world" status that BushBoy destroyed.

l love to hear about the Obama wherever they are. But at the same time, I am concerned that these tid bits of news are becoming the main items all too frequently.

What has happened to the Wall Street Bail Out? What are those bankers doing with OUR Tax Dollars? I know that Bush has seen to it that there are NO regulatory sanctions attached to the Dollars received, but I feel it is the role of the Media to ask, WHY NOT? Surely we are NOT going to sit back and say, Do What You Will with that Money!

Hey CNN why not cover what Obama arranged as a photo op by visiting the military in Hawaii? Could it be because he was met by silence from the military and their families when he entered the room? "As Obama entered the room, it was absent of the regular fanfare of cheering and clapping. The diners were polite, staying seated at their respective tables and waited for the president-elect to come to them to stand up". Seems like the military knows the difference between a president and an empty suit.

We need to keep the press by his side watching every move he makes. That way the American people can see hime for what he really is.

Nice watch.Obama is resting up for the years of cleanup duty yet to come. I see uncle Rushies one man with fifty name ditto crew is here already.You have to give the scumbag credit,he or she does getup early.

Papparazzi following children? Isn't that called stalking?

Half sister? Who has a child from a previous marriage? Gossip gossip gossip!

It seems like Al- Franken is going to win the Minnesota race which shows that Bush had never won the Florida recount. That been said, Bush will go down in history as the worst president ever! But conservatives are mad that Obama is so popular around the world and the American people love him. At first the Conservative Party started running ridiculous ad to connect Obama with the Blagojevich scandal. It won't surprise me if they start running an ad that Obama ditched the press, is that the change that we need. Pathetic!

So sad. Give the man some peace.

That is really sweet, but when he's sitting in the Oval Office, he will have actually no time with his family. His family is the United States of America. We as a Country will be pulling on his pant leg saying 'Daddy we need..." I wish him luck with his family and his billions members of his extended family.

Happy New Years,

We sure do need it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After reading the comments what scares me more is the improper use of the English language not who's president elect..

What's this BS about trying to get a birth certificate? Check out snopes for a pic of his birth certificate. It's incredible wishful thinking that he isn't eligible to become POTUS and Biden will get the job. Enough with this divisiveness! Give the man a chance. He can't do any worse than the failure we now have in office.

The other trhead is closed.

RNC is a party of elected member of KKK. It seems to be a very true statement by a blogger.

I'm glad to see that we'll have a family man in the office without daughters who get drunk and use fake id (Bush) or get pregnant out of wedlock (Palin). Real family values. Let our next President enjoy his vacation before he has to tackle the mess that Bush left him.

P.S. CNN focus on the 'Barack the Negro' CD and the RNC. That is legitimate news that should be all over the news probably more so than the Blago affair that has no direct connection to Obama (especially since the man called Obama four letter words in disgust). Focus on the racists in the RNC.

Irritated in Fl December 27th, 2008 8:44 am ET

He's always trying to buy the press gifts. I guess he feels guilty for all the free positive coverage and protection they provided him during the election
______________________________________________________

What planet have you been on or are you just a hater? The press was on him (negatively) from day 1. But him being a man of God put it on Him and took care of the at hand.

You guys are too funny! LOL back off PE Obama CNN.I remember when the media reported on real news,now it's like you guy are the paparazzi going crazy over some a pop star .that's why I watch local news now they do real reporting.cable news is the death to all news outlets CNN,MSNBC,and FAUX yep!!! You guys are killing the news with the petty garbage you report.

All of us – including the ones who are saying that this is non news and Obama and his family should be left alone by the press – should not forget that we are here commenting only because we clicked on and read this news item!!! We are the ones who are encouraging the press to do what they are doing!!

Paparrazzi, not journalists!

Obama can't catch a break people are knocking him down before he can get up, that show you how America is realey is . People we need a prez rested and ready to go Hawaii turn the Lights back on so the Obama's can see.

Let the poor guy have some family time! Do we want him to be a great president and to take away his ability to be a great dad and raise kids too?

The press needs some discretion... they should simply be willing to leave him and the family alone for some amount of time so that family life can be somewhat "normal"

Is the press afraid that Obama is going to discuss his future plans for Guantanamo Bay with his 7 year old and that they will miss the discussion?

Get real... Stop trying to "scoop" and balance reporting with consideration.

Hey Madison, why should they leave his family alone? They were all over the Bush girls. Remember? And no, libs, he gets no breaks. All our Presidents didn't get any breaks why start now? He brought the spotlight to himself now he must deal with it. I just wish he would have ditched the press on Christmas day and went to church. He should have been in church thanking God for giving us his son Jesus. That is what a good father would have done. He has lost his faith and that will be his biggest failure. Oh, that's right he is the chosen one know. We must bow our heads and praise the great BO and thank him for all he does. He will provide us with clothing, shelter, and tax cuts. How wonderful it will all be. And he will tell us what we can read and listen to. All for our own sake.

THE OBAMA FAMILY LOVES IT–SORT OF DUPING THE JFK ALL
AMERICAN FAMILY SCENARIO.

NH

I hope PE Obama and family are having a wonderful time! Just like Crawford was the vacation destination for the Bush family, Hawaii is the vacation destination for the Obama family. People should get over it and leave them to their usual activities! Sure it's fun and yes, he does offer to buy beer and shave ice...he is aware of his position and is being polite.
I enjoy the pictures and the stories...but find the complaints and accusations about his time there to be rather ignorant,,,or maybe it's just jealousy because Hawaii is MUCH more pleasant than TEXAS!!

What a misleading and calculated headline at the time of the Blagojevich situation. No Bias, No Bull, just innuendo.

@Travis, Obama already has a "copy" of his birth certificate. Now, if you want one, go to Hawaii and BUY a copy for yourself, loser.

You bigot haters if you don't like our new elect president leave this country! This country would be better off without you people! Love Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CNN- are you kidding me? This article was the biggest waste of effort and resources! Focus on something newsworthy- and leave this type of reporting to the daily tabloids.

who are you all kidding, egomaniac obama and his elitest wife love every minute of the attention. i can't wait until reaity kicks in and everyone realizes that this man and wife fooled the country.

While he's spending his holydays in the quiet of HAWAII,Bush is busy preparing a rough ground for him in the Middle-East. Bush is a real incarnation of Hitler.
He has a direct hand in the recent Isreali action in Gaza.

You all need to stop getting so upset. You all are the one's reading stuff into the article. No where does it say that Obama was jerk for taking his girls to the park wthout the press. Obama is not bush and wont be treated like bush. Obama is the first African American president an amazing accomplishment and also a tremendous burden. Take the good with the bad and their ya have the facts of life I am sure Obama is aware of this. People keep saying this is a new age and the 21st century, well the 21st century is the age of intrusion, with, picture cell phones immediate internet access etc etc.

Did he bring his half-brother from his hometown of Kenya with them?

Although he deserves his privacy he won't get it. I am sure if the press could report how many times he flushes the toilet they would report it.

He deserves the rest before taking on the mammoth task of running the US and repairing world relations.

One thing which I hope President-Elect Obama has been able to do is pay respects to his grandmother.

And buying the press gifts is a kind gesture though some snidewad will probably see it as some kind of negative pandering.

As a Canadian for the first time ever I will be glued to my tv and computer to watch the inaguration January 20th.

Cheers

Travis, everyone except the Native American Indian and Mexicans that were already on US soil are merely guests in this country. YOU are a guest in this young 200+ year old country. Get over yourself.

How nice of President Obama to allow CNN after Campbell Brown stomped to make sure she was on during the 30 minute campaign infomercial speech which was the highest rated viewing ever!!!!

**Doubt and will be shocked if CNN post this. I still watch CNN but cringe when the mention of Campbell Brown comes up.

To Saag,

Perhaps when you say, spell your words properly, instead of "spell your words right", you will be taken more seriously.

It's very disappointing that CNN did not find out what flavor each member of the Obama party had on the "Shave Ice". Its also distressing not to have an on camera interview with the creatures who were fed by the Obamas.:-)

Let these people have some peace. Perhaps "The Obamas and their family will enjoy some quiet time free from the press. The power outage on the islad seems to be the only way for the first family to get a respite. Too bad the entire Island is in the dark so that the rest of us are in the dark about what the Obamas are doing. Good Luck Mr. President elect.

NO Half-Relatives Please!!! Has anyone EVER heard Barack Obama refer to Maya as his HALF-Sister??? PLEASE STOP that SILLINES! Black people as a rule do not use the term "half" when referring to their siblings with one different parent-Especially not when they have the same MOTHER! Maya is his SISTER, Period! Black families do not make that distinction. It is divisive-as if she is LESS related to him. It is distressing that with all the obvious problems in the world the press has to dog the first family like vultures ALL the time!

"Their purpose is to provide a public record of the official's activities, a vital service in a functioning democracy."

So where were they for the last 8 years?

It's nice to see the P.E. spending quality time with his family and finally paying his beloved Grandmother the respect she deserves. I hope them make this time as enjoyable for those little girls as possible before their lives are turned upside down by their move into the White House.

This was a family outing, they are entitled to some privacy. He is spending some quality time with his family after being away from them so much during the campaign. The press will have plenty of time to follow him around after Jan.20th, for now let them have some peace and quiet.

The Secret Service will soon issue new orders for the protection of the president and family. Office Hours, business as usual. Any other time, one reporter, one camera (still, no video) and that's it. The "pool" can be on stand-by but not "with", ready for a "quick response" in a national emergency.

January 20 will commence a new paradigm for the nation. We will be moving rapidly away from an empirical president. A president resembling a bank president or Wall St exec ( don't forget oil and insurance) will not make it (sorry Mitt). The US President will have to be able to relate to Mr and Ms Average Citizen (in reality not casting).

The media will be forced to change. How? Simply follow the money. But the "new" thing will be to follow it down. From buyer of advertising to the consumer, in the "new" news era, the consumer will dictate methods and policies not the "media establishment".

Rush, enjoy your money, it is about to dry up. You are being replaced by "the View".

My prediction for the News Year.

I wonder if his auntie who is in our country illegaly is with him? Why doesn't the media report on her whereabouts ?

The Real Issue Americans is if the press had followed Pres. Bush and VP Cheney this close, perhaps we would not have 2 wars and the weakest economy!!!! Media gave Bush a blank check just like he gave Wall Street one.

leave him alone!

Messiah watch:
Cocktail party liberals? Really?

He offered the press shaved ice. You know what shaved ice is, right? It's like a $1.99 snow cone.

What you said was pretty unintendedly funny, though. I had this vision of Obama picking up the tab on roadside fois gras! Ha ha ha!

Listen, I know that your comments were spawned from a place of intended negativity, but you gave this young liberal with the flu at Christmas a heart-felt chuckle. Thank you!

CNN, ABC & CBS news is covering this story on their websites. I didn't see anything on Fox News or MSNBC about Obama and Hawaii.

I'm glad Obama ditched the reporters, hopefully he keeps doing that. I would if I were President.

Some reporters are very annoying.

OH and to all the complainers, whiners, and naysayers – I hear that Sarah (yep the very same) is putting out a calander – go buy yourself one and stare at that for awhile and leave the rest of us alone for heavens sake!

The press has become rediculous. We don't need to know every move the first family makes. It's rediculous. Vacation should be private. I am ashamed of our press corp.

The press has become rediculous. We don't need to know every move the first family makes. It's rediculous. Vacation should be private. I am ashamed of our press corp.

The press has become rediculous. We don't need to know every move the first family makes. It's rediculous. Vacation should be private. I am ashamed of our press corp.

I hope he didn't give his secret service detail the slip too, so many hate filled crazies, like the ones who post here, are out to get him. He can leave the press behind all he wants but never his security.

As for the "song" in TN, I expect nothing less from the state. As far as I can tell that state is filled with hillbilly bigots. The whole state should be ashamed of it's "leaders" in the republican party. I suspect the whole state would be ashamed if they had a different opinion from the their "leaders", but they don't. Like I have said before (and it has never been posted.... "awaiting moderation" CNN) we should have let the state go when they wanted, we would all be better without them and the hate they spew.

As for wether or not CNN will post this reply, my guess is that they won't. Too many other less rational posts will get thru and mine will "await" moderation for eternity.

Sagg.....is it OK for his vacation to be paid with private donations, but Palin was crusified for getting clothes paid for with "donations"? Talk about double standards.

Over the next 8 years, Obama will make the comments by the right-wing extremists including those on the Fox Channel, look downright idiotic, not that most of their comments now do not appear that way.

It comes as no surprise to intelligent foks that the right-wing led Republican Party went down the toilet during the last election.

Odd that for the last 8 years we heard very little from the so-called left wing media about the draft dodging group of Bush, Cheney, Rove, and Rumsfeld (not one served in Viet Nam) in the White House that can start wars based on lies, think that an occupation can be won, and serve as our Commander-In-Chief.

Obama will make that right-wing group look like grade school drop-outs. Just a few days more of the fools and we will be free of them!

He is only getting what he created. Obama has created a Hollywood type of following. He knew this when he started, now he can live with it.

If he did not want the press following him, all he would have to do is snap his fungers, tell the secret service, get them out of here. You will not convince me he does not WANT this type of coverage. He basks in the glory of the being who is his.

I agree it is poor reporting, and I do not care what he wears or where he plays. But Obama skillfully created a cult following, just like movie stars and musical stars, pro atheletes also.
If he did not WANT the attention, he could end it easily. He is the leader, or will be the leader of the free world, all he has to do is say keep the press away from him during his personal time. When on the job, he is fair game. But he can stop this star quality reporting in a heartbeat. Tell me that is not true.

he did not call them(the press) in the middle of the night, he asked them in a public during the day. How do you feel if i stand in front of you while you eat? Would you ask me if i want to have some or you just ignore me? when did being nice to people become a sin in USA? you guys are sick, do you know that? You can go ahead and criticize him, as you always has been, but shame on you!!

HEY CNN!

N O B O D Y C A R E S ! ! !

stop being idiots and do some real reporting!!!

so when did CNN become a tabloid?

I think there is too much press around him. Are they reporting on him or spying on him? He might tempted to say something to keep the press writing, and those words might be twisted, especially by fox news reporter.
I am a conservative Christian, but I don t like the way fox news cover Obama, especially during the presidential campaign.
Obama: "put the Journalists Beer on my tab", the press refused.
Obama: "Let the Journalists have some shaved ice", the Press refused. what is the press afraid of ? this is the second time the press is turning
an offer from Obama down.But I am sure those offers were not meant to
buy the power of the press.

Big deal. The man needs a vacation before the trip to hell aka he finds out all the nation's problems have been grossly understated by W. When President Obama starts going to Hawaii every other day coughs Crawford Ranch, then it should be news.

Give me a break people, how much time and resources are being spent on this drivel when people are dying in Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, the Niger Delta, and Zimbabwe, the economy is in the toilet, illegal drug use is rampant, and our schools and infrastructure are crumbling. No wonder Madoff and Blago got away with it as long as they did, the media was more interested in the color of their underwear than reporting on their official conduct. Talk about a failure of the press to live up to the standard expected by their enshrinement in the First Amendment.

Well for ill or good – this man and his family are in the limelight....I mean what else is new – this type of voyourism is our "favorite recreation" – gossip and envy are as old as the hills.

On the bright side – many can identify with this new 1st family – he is a lot like us.....came from a simple but struggling background – was guided by his elders and he listened – look where it got him!! we should all pay attention to good guidance. (Michelle too!) – It is hard for me to absorb that this man actually made it to the White House – its almost like a miracle these days that someone from privilege or some family rich and powerful isn't the one heading for one of the most powerful and prestigeous occupations on earth!

Bless you and your family & you Administration Barrack Obama.

This guy is sooooooo slick !!!!

We Americans became even worse than British in our obsession with celebs. Our media readily helps us to create new royalty. What did we vote for? For OUR beter future or for a new royal family?

It's amazing the amount of vacation coverage the medial deems as "vital", yet it's not vital for the media such as CNN to cover folks like Ron Paul while they are running for President. It's hilarious how many interviews CNN gave Ron Paul after McCain won the nomination, compared to how much coverage they gave him before that point.

CNN, I would have so much more respect for you if you had said we decided NOT to cover this event and instead go find something else more newsworthy.

Most of this article was a defense of why you felt you needed to cover this story, rather than the story itself.

@Messiah watch
They are cocktail party marxists because they ditched reporters and went to a sea animal exhibit? Do you have an unnatural hatred for sea life or something?

CNN: Why aren't your press following President George Bush around every moment of each day and reporting all of this frivolous nonsense? How is this News? The MSM has truly become irrelevant!

Jeez Louise does this stuff really matter? Is it worth the time to publish every move Obama and his family makes 24/7?

Don't forget to pickup your Birth Certificate that the Governor of Hawaii has sealed and is waiting for you.

By the way... in Hawaii it's called SHAVE ICE... be cool!

What "vital service in a functioning democracy" is served by stalking a family out for a day of fun. Seems to me that a "functioning" democracy also includes privacy.

The press is trying in vain to legitimize its further descent into sensationalism and gossip rather than performing its real "function" in a democracy which is to objectively report the news, not trying to create it.

And Messiah watch–? It's "their", not "there". When you don't spell your words right, you show your ignorance, not that you haven't already.

The press should leave the Obama's to their private family outing...he and his family won't get any privacy once they enter the white house. I agree that there is nothing about the childrens outing that is publicly news-worthy...give them some peace.

it is alright for the press following him everywhere. However I think the public dont really care about what he does in his personal free time eating shaved ice, but what he does and will do for this country. Obama is as normal as you and I, just that he had played a very smart good strategy in his life and we can learn from him.

Messiah watch, you and your ilk disgust me. You'd be okay with Bush probably partying like there's no end after he leaves office in his new multi-million dollar house in Dallas, you know, to celebrate his making gazillions with Cheney and their oil buddies at our expense, but PE Obama takes a last vacation with his family THAT WAS PAID FOR PRIVATELY WITH DONATIONS before he goes into the White House to clean up the mess Bush and Cheney created, and you make snide little remarks? Blasted hypocrite.

"Messiah watch". What are you talking about. A family vacation makes him an elitist now? Give it a rest. Your alias says so much about your mental state, I guess we shouldn't be surprised.

Two points:
1.Obama should be allowed some vacation time with his daughters who had to do without him for much of the last two yeats (Repubs, I thought family values was one of your things?)
2. Reporters did not make a big stink when Hillary plied them with chocolate and other gifts on the campaign. I think Obama was raised that it is impolite to eat in front of others, so he offers to share.
Lay off him already, and CNN quit with the non stories.

Obama loves, get used to his privacy being invaded for the next four years. That is just the way it is, and if he doesn't like it, he should have thought about that before runnig.

At times it is becoming less and less evident what the difference between the "protective press" and the paparazzi.

The press should have taken the hint and stayed away from the park. What did they expect: PE Obama to make a major announcement between runs down the water slide??

If he had told them all the whiners would have said it was just a photo op. How many parents out there would have wanted photos of their little girls in bathing suits floating around the blogs?

Irritated in Fl --- December 27th, 2008 8:44 am ET

He's always trying to buy the press gifts. I guess he feels guilty for all the free positive coverage and protection they provided him during the election.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This was supposed to be sarcasm......right?

Too bad it was neither clever or funny; just more of the same old sour grapes.

BTW Irritated........Preperation H will make things much better for ya .

My goodness.. what a sinner.. Obama takes kids to an aquarium!! Gasp!
This is a wonderful, loving caring man who loves his children.. he is almost the most powerful man in the world. Can you cut him some much needed slack!! I wouldn't wish his next year on anybody but he willing chose to take up the immense responsibility to be POTUS.. America give him a chance and leave him alone with his family for some needed R & R geeze Louise.. the press has become a sad bunch of swarming fruit flies. Enough already!
Paula from Canada

I guess reporting on Soldiers dying isnt news anymore. Rather the news crews and companies would rather write about a family at Seaworld or Britney. I have to wonder why I fight for this country at times. This country and some people in it make me sick at times.

Is there a story here? Hooray - CNN was the first to catch him spending time with his family and enjoy shaved ice on a hot day.... and? This is a pointless report only written when there was nothing of merit to write about the President-Elect. Way to go, CNN - I definitely feel more in touch with the political happenings of our nation than I did five minutes ago.

HE WAS ONLY TRYING TO FIND SOME ONE TO MAKE A DELIVER FOR HIM. TRYING HIS BEST TO GET A VALID BIRTH CERTIFICATE IN THE FILES.

OR WAS IT A PAYMENT TO THE CHICAGO MACHINE . OR IT MAY OF BEEN PAY DAY FOR THE MEDIA. WHAT EVER WE WILL NEVER KNOW, FOR REMEMBER HE ( oBAMA ) IS THERE DARLING . KNOW TO THEM AS MR. CLEAN. BS.

I have to agree with those that say what the HECK were you doing following this man and his kids to Sea Life Park? It is None Of Your Business, or ours, and to pretend that it is only makes you look ridiculous and like, yes, paparazzi, not journalists.

If he'd given the Secret Service the slip, it would be news. Giving the press the slip? My hat's off to him, even if CNN didn't have the decency to leave them alone. It doesn't make you look any better that you managed not to be evaded.

Wow, I'd take him up on the offer, we miss shaved ice. Now if we could only get pics of him with some musubi!

Who wouldnt?

Gee they didn't get a pin up of the beef cake....the skinny ribbed rock star. He doesn't look like some buff guy to me. He needs to add some healthy pounds. But I suppose the diet guys love him. All the young kids will want to loose weight.

Darth Vadik, you hit the nail right on the head. Give Obama a while to be President before you anti-Obamacans start hating.

I think the press is THRILLED because they now can go to a decent place to cover a president like Hawaii! Can you imagine being on the press junket in Crawford, TX? Shoot me....please!

If given a choice between the two, which would YOU choose?!

Your headline somehow loses credibility as the number polled was only 1000 + people. Unfortunately CNN has not proved to be an unbiased polling source and those responding probably don't represent a true cross-section of America.

Obama has to give something (i.e shaved ice...) back to the press. Afterall, Obama got a free ride with the press during the election. Also, he knows he will get a free ride with the press during his Presidency.

Freedom of the press does not include invasion of privacy . This greedy narcissism must stop...it's disgusting and will turn more people against the press. We need an ethial media, not this kind of garbage "journalism."

Amazing.
Simply amazing that the "press" will stoop to paparazzo like levels.

"Four days ago, paparazzi staked out the Obamas' vacation rental home on the public Kailua Beach and snapped photographs of the family. The photos, particularly one of a shirtless Obama in swim trunks, caused a media firestorm."

...and THIS is why CNN reports on it. So CNN can get "the next big story" on President-Elect Obama. CNN – this is thinly veiled fluff.

Leave the man alone! Seriously. Let him vacation. He's not even in office yet.

There entire lifestyle grossly contradicts what he and Michelle O have planned for the rest of us. They are the quintessential Cocaktail Party Marxists.

Oh please!

This is real life happening, not a freak show. The man wants some RR with his family before taking this hot potato our country has became.
Remember@ His kids are about to change so much in their lives, including school. We don't really know if the grandparent is going to be able to stay as close as she has been. It is going to be a long time before they can experience "normal" family time after this.
Let them be!

Mr. Obama is just trying to be polite to the press. It is not as if offering some SHAVED ICE is some backroom deal. Besides it is all done in PUBLIC. If he press wants ot refuse SHAVED ice, that's their loss. They can afford shaved ice. Some of these comments can be so sillidy and childish, I would be alarmed if anyone over the age of 18 is writing these blogs.

I don't blame the rightwing nuts for being upset with the news. As my friend Steven Colbert says: "The truth has a definite liberal bias". Don't blame the reporters for telling the truth though. It is their job.

Poor guy... I know there's a price for obtaining the highest office in the country, but dang, can the man even take a dump without having the news report it?? I don't remember the press being all up in Bushes a@#! when he was elected twice (or did I care?) Anyway, I can't wait until Jan 20th...

Good for him!!!!!! Let the man enjoy his vacation with his family. Their family life is going to be tough in a few months and they need som privacy. The press needs to BACK OFF. I'm dissapointed that CNN was even there to report this!

Come on give the PE a break we have 8yrs of him and family. Let him at least enjoy this short vacation.

God Bless PE/ Vice PE, there family and the USA!

Of course, offering shaved ice to the press was such an unscrutable and devious offer, that the obviously ethical press possessing such integrity, chose the hi road to meltdown.

YESSSSSSSSSS Way to go Obama!

I agree that the incoming first family deserves some privacy, and that they shouldn't be taking pictures of the kids.

However, does anyone really think that the picture of Obama with his shirt off did him any harm?

I kinda like a buff president.

I wish the media would give the PE and his family a break. They deserve the family time just as the rest of us do so back off media. We will be seeing enough of him after he sits in the hot seat on 20 January of 2009.

And yet they still manage to get photos of him. Sometimes I wonder if the press understands the fact that he is the President, not some kind of pop star who forgot her underwear. They really need to stop covering every tiny moment in his life. One of these days I fully expect to see a story about how Obama sneezed last Saturday...

This is the most telling piece of this story:
"Their purpose is to provide a public record of the official's activities, a vital service in a functioning democracy.
On Friday, the pool went with Obama to the gym earlier in the day [...]."
SERIOUSLY?? I don't think America will be invaded or we'll lose our rights to free speech if you leave the man and his family alone long enough not to know that he went to the gym...

This is just plain stalking behavior and almost no one outside of the media really cares about these stories or the pictures of Obama doing parental things. Let us know when he fixes the economy or gets us a better health care system or if he turns out to be crooked, but none of us care if he goes to a park with his kids or what kind of dog he gets for them! Man!

I like how he always offers them something.

"Their purpose is to provide a public record of the official's activities, a vital service in a functioning democracy."

What is so "vital" about reporting to the public what Barack ate for lunch today? Is it really "vital" that I see a picture of him eating shaved ice? What is so "vital" about telling us he went to see a dolphin show with his children? What's the big deal over seeing Barack "OMG shirtless!"? Have you NEVER seen someone on the beach without a shirt on before? Sounds like the media is jealous a paparazzi beat them to the photo.

What the media considers "vital" continues to be a joke. The man's on vacation for the holidays trying to enjoy some time with his family, yet you treat him like he's a zoo exhibit following around his every move and act like a five year old child whenever you see him do something. "Barack's eating shaved ice, oh wow, look at that, get a picture!" then you go calling your editors, "Hey, it was really cool, Barack was eating shaved ice!! Quick, put a photo of it on the website!" Really, is THAT all it takes to amaze you people? Then you go acting all high and mighty when Barack offers to buy you some shaved ice and you "refuse" it.

The economy is tanking, jobs are being lost left and right, the housing market is terrible, wars are going on overseas, and THIS is what you focus on?? Hence why the media continues to be a joke.

I haven't much of any serious news reporting on the "Magic Negro" song. I mean, CNN and other mainstream media can spend all day on the Blago scandal, but can't apply any serious analysis toward this disturbing issue.

He should give them the slip... especially the ruthless paparazzi that insist on getting those precious kids shots. His SS boys need to do a better job of keeping them away. He deserves some privacy!!

Obama's killing the press with kindness. lol. When he is not offerring them some beers, it's shaved ice. Now the press always have to state that they refused his offers pretending to be so ethical and above the board which is laughable. To be voyers of Obama's every single move is in itself unethical. I believe if the man was to go to the restroom the press would report it, so they may as well accept the man's offer of some shaved ice or beer and stop pretending to be what they arent. lol

Good for him. The press is really going to have to stop following Obama to the bathroom, it's ridiculous. There is no news when he takes his daughters to an aquarium. If there is news, they will get there quickly. Now he knows how Britney Spears feels.

I don't get it, after 8 years of Bush, two unfinished wars, economy down the drain, the healthcare in the bottom of the third of all the countries in the world etc etc etc, people on the right still say they fear Obama.

Why?

Because he was at somebody's house whaen he was eight years old, served on the same board as some of the contreversial people (who never got charged) in the 60's?

Obama is a self made man, daddy didn't leave him a legacy, he has no connections to the two biggest thieves in the world (oil and insurace companies) and people still think Obama is in the worse categoru than Bush?

Please get a life, if Obama does something bad for the country I will be the first one to speak out, unlike millions of conservatives speak out against Bush, but the man has done nothing wrong. All people have is 6 degrees of separation, in which case I am 3 degrees separated from Bush, but that doesn't mean I support the idiotic ideas he has put forward.

Leave the family alone!!!!!

Give the guy a break. you act like it was an affront to democracy that he did not invite you to dinner. Take the shave ice already.

"Their purpose is to provide a public record of the official's activities, a vital service in a functioning democracy." Really CNN? Please give your readers a littl more credit. Should we now infer somehow that the PE's actions are undemocratic? C'mon. (Hmmm wondr if this would ever be posted?)

Why couldn't CNN give the man and his family a little privacy? No citizen needs to know where Obama takes his family for a little family fun. No purpose is served, except to further erode the concept of privacy.

He's always trying to buy the press gifts. I guess he feels guilty for all the free positive coverage and protection they provided him during the election.

enjoy the rest of your vacation mr. pe obama and family.