(CNN) - He was already relaxing on the beaches of Hawaii last year at this time, but President Obama said Tuesday his annual vacation to the Aloha State won't begin this year until the Senate passes the health care bill.
"I will not leave until my friends in the Senate have completed their work," Obama said Tuesday. "My attitude is that if they're making these sacrifices to provide health care to all Americans then the least I can do is be around to provide them any encouragement and last-minute help where necessary. That's the deal."
A final vote on the Senate health care bill is currently scheduled for 7 pm ET on Christmas Eve, though it could come earlier in the day if Republicans yield some of their debate time.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday the president's actual vacation plans won't be determined until the vote has taken place.
From CNN Politics
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Shame he wants to delay his vacation for this farce. How much more will this sham cost the American tax payer. I would absolutely love to go to Hawaii, but I have to stay behind and work to pay my taxes, so that those who voted for Hussen can have more entitlements and maintain their drug lifestyle, not working because they can't pass drug tests, sitting home, watching Oprah gush over the fraud in chief. Someone should remind this idiot that Hawaii is a state, he doesn't have to apologize and give them more of our money. Obama, one and done. I bet he will say this is an unprecedented trip. The teleprompter just loves that word.
That's right Mr. President. Handle business first!
George W. would have have long been gone rumaging around his ranch. His personal welfare, just like all right wingers, is just so much more important.
Obama 2012
Who is Obama now going to visit in Hawaii? He was the only person to see grandmother last year, none of the rest of the family saw he. So now he claims Hawaii his home not Chicago.
... flying off to Oahu.. wonder how many carbon credits he's buying to cover this trip?? I thought for sure he'd be staying in town to reap some false credit on the healthcare scandal. I personally think he should vacation in Detroit, so he can get a glimpse of people out of work and hungry, unable to enjoy the holidays.
Unlike the former President, who couldn't wait to get the heck out of Dodge any time regardless what was going on in the world. Of course when you're really President in name only, and the "real power" (aka Dick Chaney) is hiding out in an undisclosed location, you can do that. I'm sure the Republican haters will be on in no time commenting on how President Obama delaying his vacation is bad for the country!
Nice to see a President has his priorities in order.
Good on ya, Mr. President!
Ok Mr. President I love you dearly but if you can react to a nuclear threat from anywhere on the planet I think it is safe to say you can go on vacation and acted in the same capacity with this bill. Yes the Replublicans are playing hard ball but what else would they be doing at such an important time as this. Take your vacation and say a special prayer for the American people.
A real President. Would GWB have done the same? He probably would've for the U.S. Defense and Halliburton contract negotiations. OBAMA/BIDEN '12
i really dislike misleading headlines. the main page reads that obama "cancels" his vacation, when "delays" is far more accurate.
"I will not leave until my friends in the Senate have completed their work," Obama said Tuesday. "My attitude is that if they're making these sacrifices to provide health care to all Americans then the least I can do is be around to provide them any encouragement and last-minute help where necessary. That's the deal."
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Translated......I need to help with the bribes, payoffs, and promises. 300 million there, 300 million here, who cares, it's not my money. It's the taxpayers money.
Wait, my bad. There were no contract negotiations with Halliburton. The contracts were already pre-arranged and agreed to before they were signed.
Lions and Tigers and Bears–Oh my! What a sacrifice the President has made on behalf of the 1/3 or Americans who actually want this HC Bill to succeed. I'm sure the 2/3 of Americans who don't want their insurance premiums to go up are watching with baited breath as the President doesn't flaunt his personal wealth as millions of Americans are unemployed and rapidly becoming homeless have uttered a sigh of relief–or at least passed some gas.
If he gave up the HI vacation to bond with the unemployed, this might be a better story. As it is, he's postponing the education solely to satisfy his own ego and demonstrate a leadership style that Leads from the crotch, not from the brain.
Ummm he promised the American people he would work tirelessly on job creation until people are back at work. He isn't going on vacation after the vote. Unless, brace yourself people he lies to us in his speeches.
Hmmm. Lets think about this. Health care good? It took back door deals and a SCHEDULED 1:00 AM vote. Anyone who currently has private insurance will see premium hikes. That means no pay raises or higher employee contributions. Or it means layoffs.
I respect the Presidents decision, actually respect him even MORE then I already did, which was quite HIGH anyways.....
I appreciate President Obama's commitment to healthcare reform. He fully understands the importance of this major legislation instead of the Conservatives who just lie and lie and lie.
President Alfred E Neuman delays his vacation , how nice? Maybe he's still paying for that $30,000.00 1 week summer rental on Marthas Vineyard! Hope he congradulates Hawaii officials on their efforts to conceal the fact that he does not have a valid long form birth certificate! When his illegitimacy is finally exposed , hopefully all the damage can be reversed!
But who will clear the brush at Crawford? Ooops, wrong president.
Wow! A president who actually works in the White House! Amazing! The last guy kept running away to 'clear brush' and avoid his responsibilities. How refreshing!
Before the GOP jumps on Obama’s vacation time, remember Bush’s:
1) 149 visits to Camp David for 487 days, and,
2) 77 visits to his ranch in Crawford during his presidency for 490 days.
THAT IS CORRECT MR. PRESIDENT – - Until Christmas Eve, do the middle-class a favor and exercise your writing fingers. Don't leave anything to chance. We need you to sign the bill before the GOP and their Trillion Dollar Puppet Masters (Health Insurance Industry) pull a last minute surprise.
Good for you Mr. President. Shows that he IS just not about himself.
I am sure some rightwinger will find fault with this decision.
A nice change. George W. Bush would have already been on vacation the entire month of December and watching FOX News to see a rosy view of what was happening in his country.
Wow, a President who puts work over play. That IS change to believe in.