Vineyard Haven (CNN) - Despite a fierce Nor'easter that knocked out power and blew down tree limbs on Martha's Vineyard, the Obama family vacation is anything but a washout. "They're having a great time actually," said Deputy White House Spokesman Bill Burton, adding that "the rain has not dampened their spirits."
So how is the First Family occupying its time during these rain soaked days? "They've played board games. I've heard reports of Taboo and Scrabble being played," Burton said as he wrapped up a briefing with reporters in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts.
Burton dared to lift the veil off the Obama's private time, by revealing that top Presidential adviser and close family friend Valerie Jarrett "did not do so well in Scrabble against the President."
This rare revelation of a behind the scenes vacation moment was a walk onto thin ice for Burton, who jokingly admitted "this will probably get me fired."
The Obama's are also reading books, watching movies and "getting some good downtime," Burton said.
The first family has stayed mostly out of sight so far, spending their time at the rented 28 acre Blue Heron farm in Chilmark.
Their only public appearances so far? A trip to the Vineyard Haven book shop "Bunch of Grapes," and a dinner date to "The Sweet Life Café," in Oak Bluffs.
From CNN Politics
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That is a shame they are having such a good time while America is suffering!
I'd like to take Obama on in Scrabble. I'm on a hot streak. If you see this, give me a call when you are ready.
President of the United States and still a great family man. I love it!
Boehner, do you have a family or do they all just say (NO) to you?
If they were playing 'name an obstructionist' scrabble, that would be a good reason why President Obama won. Words like Boehner, Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck, McConnell, Bachmann, Palin, ginGRINCH[sic], O'Reilly, etc., will be fresh in his mind!!!!
President Obama – you and your family continue to enjoy your vacation that is well deserved – get refreshed – then come back and continue to get things straight by kicking ASH!!!
Wouldn't it be nice if we could get some reports of what he is doing at work.....of course you actually have to be at work to be doing something there. But it sure sounds like golf, basketball, scrabble and other games are all going quite well for the Prez.
Another sterling day in this "summer of recovery." Dow losses in triple digits again. Life savings going down the drain, but Obozo getting his cut for the dope smokers who support him. We want a better economy and this inept, incompetent, corrupt, union toady gives us unneeded and unwanted health care, ebryonic stem cells, and all kinds of other liberal wet dreams, but no jobs and a worsening economy. Hope we Change presidents real soon.
How dare the President and his family waste the American Tax dollars on board games....................just thought I'd say it before some crazy Republican did. Seriously President Obama and family have a great vacation and re charge those batteries .
What else is he going to say? Should have gone to the Gulf Coast like he told everyone else to.
I wish there was a rain delay on this administration. EVERYTHING he has pushed through (also against the will of the people) has created an economic callapse. My father told me a long time ago "if you find yourself in a hole the first thing you do is stop digging". We are heading toward an economic callapse due to so called "stimulus" (that doesn't stimulate) and unsustainable debt so what does this administration talk about? MORE SPENDING!! Absolutely incredible. Maybe Taboo and Scrabble is more up his line. BTW, a 5-letter word that means incompetence? OBAMA!!
Nothing, absolutely nothing (!) can stop Obama from enjoying his vacations. He is the greatest president of all time after all.
Mr obama i hope you and the mrs have a nice quiet dinner then shake hands with the common folks and give a nice smile
Best wishes, Mr. President and the First Family! I hope you all enjoy a very relaxing and rejuvenating vacation. Thank you again for all of your efforts on behalf of our country! You make me proud to be an American.
Ok you miserable haters with no family or no one that really cares about you start complaining.
Rainy days make disconnecting even easier.
Be safe and continue to enjoy yourselves.
obama's on another over priced vacation. Reminds me of the saying Nero fiddled while Rome burned. nobama is totally out of touch with reality.
A bunch of crickets chirpin' to Nero's fiddle music...
This is news?
People are working a 40 hour week plus part time job to make a living and we're supposed to worry about a day of the forty day vacation cycle is rained out.
I would school these two charlatans in scrabble or in any uh, uh, uh, uh, uh debate.
Please stay in Mass Sotero, you can't ruin my childrens and their childrens future any more while shooting hoops and smoking Marlboro lights while watching old Sanford and son reruns..........
The worst president in HISTORY by far, take away his binkyprompter and you got "nuthin'".
You mean these ungrateful spongers are still on vacation, again! All these while the economy and whole US is tethering on the brink?
Double wow! Oops! Oh well, I forgot it's only taxpayer's money.
When I was a kid rainy days at the rented cottage at the beach were my favorite. I'd sit in a corner, with a hot chocolate and read, read, read. Fond memories.
Reading some of the liberal comments, you would swear the Republicans controlled both houses of congress and the presidency and were actually stopping this inept, union toady from actually completing some of his thieving programs. Sorry folks, the reality is that democrats do control both houses of congress and the presidency and that the only thing they have done that has been successful is actually the result of a Bush program. Liberals are incompetent. Just look at the stock market today for a signal of their competence. Just watch the retirement savings of hard working Americans drain away, thanks to these drug addled loosers.
Who knew "trillion" would have a triple word score?
Have a wonderful vacation President Obama and family . Most of the people talking here are just jealous! Recharge instead of Reload!
People were all over for Bush for going to the ranch the he owned and spending time there... HE HAD AN OFFICE THERE! He was WORKING for us!
This President has gone away on FAR too many vacations...
Get to WORK! The country is struggling and they are partying
My brother lives on Martha's Vineyard and they are delighted that the President and his family chose the island for their vacation.
For those of you with your imbecilic comments about the President taking vacation. Try working 24/7/365 without a break to see how long you can take it.
Yep, you would all probalby quit within three months.
The President (as all other before him) needs some down time. It's not as if he is cutting brush every weekend on that ugly ranch or at Campd David, or going to his second vacation home in Maine or California.
I am glad that they go out on date nights. It's what helps keep a marriage alive.
Those of you with no marriage or life . . . . . GET OVER IT!!!