Conservative group targets Obama's vacation
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/21/art.ad.cnn.jpg caption="A new ad is directed at Obama while he vacations on Martha's Vineyard."](CNN) - If President Obama wants to catch the White Sox-Red Sox games next week while he vacations in Martha's Vineyard, he'll probably see the latest ad to attack his health care reform proposals.
Conservatives for Patient's Rights, a group founded earlier this year by former health insurance executive Rick Scott, says it will spend close to $150,000 next week to air a 30-second television spot in the Boston media market coinciding with Obama's vacation in the area.
Video: Rick Scott wades into health care debate
Among the stations the group plans to air the ad on is NESN, the network that will broadcast the four-game series next week between Obama's Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox.
Called "Surf's Up," the ad's narrator appears to mock Obama's beach vacation "while concerns mount about his health care plan."
"The beach is nice this time of year," says the female narrator. "But while president Obama vacations, concerns mount about his health care plan. Mr. President, when you go back to D.C., drop your government-run public option plan."
The group has spent upwards of $4 million on combating the Democrats health care proposals this year.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs brushed aside the ad at Friday's daily briefing.
"I don't think the American people begrudge the president taking some time with his family that's well earned and well deserved for a few days to see and spend time with them," said Gibbs.
(Updated at 11:55 a.m. ET with Gibbs response)
We want Health Care Reform. It's great that a citizen can choose to have the option to take part in a public plan.
Have a great vacation Mr.President. – You've done a great job so far-you deserve it.
This is rich, considering that George W. Bush spent more time on vacation than any other President in history. How quickly the Right forgets.
So stupid. Did anyone criticize Bush for all the time he spent in Texas, or Kennedy when he went to Cape Cod?
Boy these insurance companies are spending an awful lot of money to keep things as they are. But the current situation really stinks for a lot of us. I'd LOVE a public option, and I'd be willing to pay for it. The insurance companies have proven time and again that they care about money more than people. Ironically, they bring no value to the equation–they don't diagnose or treat illnesses–they simply collect obscene amounts of money. As a small business owner, I've been seeing double digit rate increases over the last seven years.
Don't be duped by bad information people. Read.
For any of these politicians including the president to include much of the time presently that they should be spending doing their jobs to get this country back in line while instead "vacationing", is an act of malfeasance and ignorance, and shows how really lazy these elected officials are. They do not work as they should to warrant any more than a 50K a year salary at most. This policy of "change"...WHAT CHANGE? to me, sounds much like Bush all over again!
Wow, a whopping $150,000 to air ads against the government takeover of the health care industry. The REAL news is the report that the drug industry thru their PHRMA Association has committed $150,000,000 ($ 150 million) to support the federal takeover of our health decisions. Just why have the drug companies made this pledge? This amount is more than Sen. MaCain spent in his whole presidential election campaign last year.
That is stupid and a huge waste of money! Everyone deserves a vacation.. Stop acting like the Liberals and their constant assault on Bush's vacations!!!!
Bush was on vacation for 8 years and you never said nothing about that. Sarah was on vacation when she came back from the campaign trail. She never tried getting anything done. So she decided to just up and quit and now she out there again letting the hate come out of her mouth. Keeo cheering for her, if that is the best you have to throw out there for president.
Wait, OBAMA is getting crap from conservatives for taking a vacation? Are you kidding me? What were their thoughts on Bush's record number of vacation days? In the grand scheme of things the hypocracy of this makes sense when you take things together.
GOP against government run health insurance...for the general public but not themselves.
GOP says government is inefficient and cannot run things...all except the military.
GOP doesn't believe in evolution...except in the free-market where only the strong survive and you must adapt.
I have insurance, and have had to pay thousands extra (thankfully we had the money) for certain emergency care for my children.
How do insurance executives, and for that matter, every single person that works at the insurace companies, sleep at night knowing your decision had consequences - people die.
Just remember Karma, folks, and if you really believe in the Bible, you won't be happy with the final decision.
It would be more helpful to present 'positive' Conservative ideas...
that to keep on railing 'against' the no-good-very-bad ideas that the
Liberals have.
Use the spotlight of paid advertising to shine the light on the best ideas among us. There has never been nor will there ever be any
legislation as blatantly contrived to confuse, to control, and to cost
the American people many of the libertys that we have.
Do not take your Liberty for granted. Take positive 'actions'.
Let us Act and not keep re-acting.
But Mass has government run health care Hmmmmm
The Rick Scott who was booted from his health care CEO job because of fraud and corruption charges?
Consider the source.
This is absolutely RIDICULOUS! The GOP hero GW Bush took so much time off – it ended up being about a year! Obama has been working hard during the time off by Congress. I think he has booked a house for TWO weeks – give him a break – he does have a family with young kids.
It's just some other distraction to get people off the real issues! The GOP are NOT for the little guy but for insurance companies so they can get BIG profits – like the crazy bill now that they will receive $.35 from every dollar as profits! CRAZY – they will receive 1/3 profits off everyone – that is just GREEDY.
right wing lies ? Abortion is not in the bill ! ......True , the word abortion is NOT in the bill ! Womens reproductive health with planned parenthood as the safty net IS .
Now you tell me what does that org do ???
"...founded by former health insurance executive Rick Scott" there is no need to say more.
Right-wingers at it again. Protecting their precious health insurance companies.
Yes. By all means....mock the guy as he takes a vacation.
George W Bush spent a total of 977 days on vacation at either Camp David or Crawford during his Presidency. So of his 8 years occupying the White House with his illegitmate presidency he spent nearly 3 years on vacation.
I also dont think there would have been much tolerance for those opposed to Bush and his policies to show up toting loaded pistols when he was in town. Heck, they arrested women just for wearing anti Bush t shirts in his presence. Yet somehow its ok to do these things with President Obama and even to make a pathetic attempt to mock him taking a vacation.
$4 million that could have went to a childrens hospital or medical research to cure a disease. Nuff said!
I am so tired of hearing about the Obama's trips to Paris, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and other parts of the world - does this man not realize that this gives such a negative impression to us? He needs to stay at home and take care of business. Mrs. Obama needs to watch her steps too – $6K purses and $600 tennis shoes? Heaven help us! What arrogance they project!
Pathetic Republicans. No No No No No No No. They'd rather destroy the country in homage to their corporate sponsors than have health care for average working-class Americans. Pathetic!
It's good that the dumb conservatives are spending their $150k in the Boston media market where support for the president is higher than anywhere else in the country.
Oh, and by the way, Rick Scott is the former CEO of Columbia/HCA healthcare (which was known as the "McDonald's of healthcare"), a for-profit healthcare corporation which was fined 1.7 billion dollars for defrauding taxpayers. People like Mr. Scott oppose health care reform because the current system allows them to line their deep pockets on the backs of hardworking taxpayers.
Gee, a former INSURANCE executive and a conservative???? Big surprise that he is against any program that will regulate the outrageous control that the insurance companies currently have. This makes me sick because the lies being spread are about health issues. We all know, its all about financial issues. KARMA
Does anyone even know what the word "truth" means anymore? It appears we have become nothing more than a people of liars and blind fools following the illusion of truth. If we fail to wake up, the truth will wake us up.
DISGRACED former health insurance executive Rick Scott shouldn't be complaining about Obama's vacation, since we all still remember George Bush's record-breaking vacationing abilities.