Obama: Put the journalists' beer on my tab
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/23/art.obamahi.gi.jpg caption="Obama offered to pick up the tab for a group of journalists - an offer few would make."]HONOLULU (CNN) - Many Republicans already believe President-elect Barack Obama has gotten a free ride from the national media, so they may not be happy to learn the incoming Commander-in-Chief offered to buy a round of drinks for reporters covering his working vacation on the sands of Hawaii's beaches and the greens of its lush golf courses.
Halfway through a round of golf on Sunday afternoon, Obama rolled up to the snack bar in his golf cart to find a small pool of reporters waiting to get more pictures of him enjoying a leisurely day. No doubt realizing these might not be the best images at a time of recession, Obama suggested the reporters seek some other recreation to pass the time - rather than snapping so many pics.
"Obama then told us we should be in the clubhouse at the bar having some beers," according to a pool report by Jamie Farnsworth of CBS News. "Someone asked if he would pick up the tab and he agreed before driving off to the next hole. Pool is still holding without beer.
In a separate pool report for print journalists, Jeff Zeleny of The New York Times added helpfully: "He chatted for a moment, telling the pool to have a beer and put it on his tab. No one took him up on the offer."
Aha! So the key here is reporters covering the President-elect are having more fun here in Hawaii than we had in Crawford, Texas - and 85 degrees in the middle of the afternoon here is way better than the cold winds blowing through Chicago too. But none of the journalists were corrupted by free beer - we pay our own tabs.
And just for the record: your faithful correspondent, while enjoying the wonders of Waikiki beach, never drinks - at least not on the job.
CNN- You need to show the real stuff- the new pictures of Obama in his swimsuit. You know what I'm talking about. 50 police couldn't stop someone from taking the picture. Come on, lighten up, show it!
It's the holidays, for pete's sake. Find something real to crab about.
Very generous of him. If the republicans can have a beer with Americans, then Obama certainly can buy one for them. I just wish the media would leave him alone so he can have a much deserved vacation. Trust me, come Jan. 20, he'll earn his money!
C'mon, a beer with Obama in Hawaii or with Bush in Texas.? I'll take Hawaii!
CNN and journalists at large, give the man a break he is on vacation. He needs all the rest he can get before he takes over and sorts out this mess the Republicans have caused the whole world.
We in Zambia are eager for him to move on the global financial mess whose ripples have hit our tiny economy.
Please leave him he is on vacation.
thank you
I am so impressed that the press corps, not a one, added a beer to President Elect Obama's tab....we have win win again, the gracious offer and the honor. Excellent.
Image is everything. Can't be seen being the rich snob that he is. Buying favorable press coverage with free drinks. The Chicago way. America has been hoodwinked and bamboozled.
Wonder why he did nut vacation in Kenya? Maybe because the beer is too warm there.
Thats ok....Its Obama. He that doth no wrong.....
he's so likable it boggles the mind.
And this is news because what??
This is a nice picture when many Americans are losing their jobs, the president elect riding around in a golf cart spending what is most likely taxpayer cash buying the house a round of beer. Obama and Michelle obviously have that "let them eat cake" attitude. Is anyone surprised?
Hmmm...I distinctly remember W going golfing many times during the crises of the past 8 years (too many to bore you with.) This guy has not yet taken office so give him a break. Golf, as you may not know, is not exactly a 'rich man's game' anymore. Anyone can play...
Poor judgement. He is trying to get the press drunk so they will give him good coverage. Or was he just being nice.
Suckers. Should have taken him up on the offer. Get off of the egg shells and be human...
Gee, tough to be a White House pool reporter these days; hanging out in Waikiki. Life can be so cruel for the members of the fourt estate :).
So? i'd love it if Obama bought me a beer!
It's the least he could do, all things considered.
Who Cares, Bush has always picked up the tab on his oil croonies!!
I'm finding a bit of hypocrisy in the CNN talking heads today. They are blasting a photographer for taking a picture of PE Obama, yet the same hypocrits have dug into every personal aspect of his life and some of the people around him. The hypocrits need to shut up.
These are the same Republicans who were falling over each other to get an invite to one of McCain's famous barbeques at one of his seven homes. What a bunch of hypocrites.
Pe Obama is one cool guy , he looked relaxed and well deserving of this break he sure will have his hands full come Jan next year.
I hope all the family have a wonderful Christmas and look forward to seeing them all for the Inauguration ceremony in Jan.....it's going to be a wonderful day.
Yes,Mr President elect...You deserve your vacation and family time..Get refreshed ,get rejuvenated .We can't wait to see our country moving on Up again
Offerring to pickup the tab was a nice gesture .The Press men/women also need some down time,enjoy some cold ones too..just to keep them cool in Hawaii...We all know that come January it going to be "Let's get ready to rumble !!! time ..So he's getting his mind set and prepared for the gaint tasks ahead of him .
God Bless the President-elect and God bless the USA
That act of Kindness goes a long whay in showing America what kind of guy President-Elect Obama really is.