The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

"The president today will give a speech that will really make clear that the middle class is facing a make or break moment," Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One.  

"Congress must act within the next three weeks," the president said while scraping dirt from a worn pair of Foot Joy golf spikes, then stuffing them in the nap of his golf bag, then disappearing into the private office at the front of the plane.

"The president wishes he was able to work with congress on this issue, but after completing this series of campaign stops, the President will take a well deserved break to be with his family for a few days in Hawaii," said Carney.

With a series of golf outings planned with donors during the daytime, and the cool breezes of the windward side of Oahu in the evenings, the President will get an opportunity to spend quality time with his family and perhaps the next lucky recipient of a government stimulus check.

The 7,000-square-foot vacation home features “five bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a media room with surround sound, a kitchen suited for a master chef, a dining room and great room, a secluded lagoon-style pool with tropical waterfalls and a lavish island spa.” The ocean lanai and garden lanai also showcase ornate landscaping and “stunning views” of Kailua Bay and Mount Olomana.

The Honolulu Police Department spent $228,247 for the president's most recent Christmas/New Year's visit last year, according to the Hawaii Reporter, which noted that city taxpayers have never been reimbursed for $350,000 they spent on police overtime in 2008 and 2009 related to earlier Obama trips.

It costs about $1 million to take Air Force One to Hawaii, and an additional $140,000 for both of the USAF C-17 cargo aircraft that are used to transport presidential limos, helicopters and other support equipment.

An undisclosed number of political donors will rent the surrounding properties and the remaining six beach homes will be reserved for the Secret Service and Navy SEALs for between $1,000 and $1,250 a day, and there will be 24 hour Coast Guard patrols on two 30-foot speedboats mounted with high-powered firearms as well as two smaller boats.

Obama staff and lesser donors will stay at the Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa, on Waikiki Beach for a rate of between $350 to $450 a night.

Durring his last visit to Hawaii in November, President Obama addressed a gathering of 300 supporters & donors to let them know he would be returning on December 17th, allowing them to make the proper reservations and appointments.  "It is great to be home, great to feel that aloha spirit. And Michelle and the girls will be back shortly for Christmas vacation, as we do every year,” he said at that time."

The Mid Pacific Country Club will be closed to members during the president's visit, except for donors invited by the president.

Every year his Hawaiian vacation costs tax payers between $1 million and $1.5 million dollars. There is no report on how much campaign money he expects to raise, but with his new campaign slogan of "fairness," he is encouraging the financially fortunate to give a fair amount, and reminding them that he "remembers" his friends.  ;)

http://paradisepointestates.com/plantation.php

I don't really expect the Prez to stay in a Motel 6.   However, I wish he would just be on vacation and not be doing a fundraiser if the taxpayers (US and Hawaii in particular) are footing the entire bill.

Fundraiser expenses should come out of his campaign fund, at least to the extent that other candidates pay their way.

From this moment on, everything is a fund-raiser.  No time for any endeavor outside of campaigning.
It's make-or-break time!

(http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/15483/slide_15483_216324_huge.jpg?1323197430354)

Congress has three weeks to come up with a plan? The stupid committee had three months and could not come up with a plan.

Right now the only problem with the bill is that Reid is trying to slip in a permanent tax to offset a temporary tax cut.  Otherwise there's really nothing wrong with the bill.  We will have to see if Reid backs down.  Currently he only needs 3 more votes to pass the thing, and he happens to be lacking three Democrats.

So there is a bi-partisan effort to not pass the bill until the permanent tax hike is removed, and the legislation is rendered "fair." 

Ball is in Reid's court right now, and I doubt he will bend.  President Obama needs him to keep this bill on the ropes so that he can campaign against the "do nothing congress."

BREAKING:  Harry Reid says that President Obama may postpone his vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(http://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20111207&t=2&i=544003081&w=460&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=BTRE7B61E5L00)

(Reuters) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said President Barack Obama told him and other Democratic leaders on Wednesday that he would delay his vacation plans this month if necessary to get an extension of a payroll tax cut passed through Congress.

Both sides agree that the temporary tax measure must be passed.  Republicans want to fund it with a temporary tax increase on the wealthy.  Democrats want to use it to implement a permanent tax increase on the wealthy.  The president is caught in the middle, just trying to get a few rounds in before the new year!

Nominated for one of the worst threads of 2011. Lots of competition I know, but any thread talking about the cost of presidential vacations, travel etc. is just a waste of brain space.

Oh, yeah, its "break".

Especially since the immediate predecessor did so much more...

You're probably right.  I'm too hard on President Obama.  He's doing everything he can.

They've both done pretty good taking vacations and other time off.  Do you have a side to side list you could post comparing the immediate predecessor with the current?  If so, please post it.

Which makes it even more unfortunate.

I guess it's time to blame the Republicans and Bush again.

He's bending to the pressure.  He's listening.  That's good.  I commend the president on his change of heart.

After getting ripped by GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney over his vacation plans, Obama told Senate Democratic leaders Wednesday that he will stay in town until Congress finishes work on the payroll tax holiday, unemployment benefits and other issues.
 
Obama told Democratic leaders: “Michelle and the girls are going to have a great time in Hawaii, they don’t need me there,” according to Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-Nev.).
 
Romney blasted Obama’s vacation plans on Monday.
 
“I just think it’s time to have a president whose idea of being ‘hands on’ doesn’t mean getting a better grip on the golf club,” Romney told potential caucus voters in Iowa.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/197835-president-cancels-hawaii-trip-after-getting-blasted-by-romney

There's gonna be a bunch of angry donors.  Perhaps they will find another way to compete for next year's stimulus gigs.

Romney has actually launched a new website.

http://fortyfore.com/

(http://0.tqn.com/d/politicalhumor/1/7/v/C/4/Obama-Downgrade.jpg)

cartoon day!

http://whattheheckhasobamadonesofar.com/

Obviously a late night Powerpoint brain-storming session.  Thanks anyway, but you could put his first term on a merry-go-round and there still wouldn't be enough spin to convince thinking people he's accomplished anything which matters to the average U.S. citizen three years into his term.  I find it mildly amusing the first items in that powerpoint are all things small business points to as "uncertainty" which is keeping them from staffing up.

And you are more than welcome to hold my feet to the fire next November:

If unemployment is at or below 7% (not counting those "discouraged" workers who slipped off the rolls) and we are clearly experiencing growth in the economy as a result of President Obama's initiatives, I'll vote for him.  Aside from how he's handled Israel, he's made good on original withdrawal timelines Bush put into place with Iraq and Afghanistan seems to be stabilizing.  He managed to help get rid of Ghadaffi with minimal U.S. forces involvement and cost.  As a matter of foreign policy I give him better marks than his predecessor, though I heard some things coming out of the State Dept. yesterday which might make us a laughingstock on the world stage yet.

You said he did nothing, I count 48 on that site alone, at least 10 of which are significant to a large swath of our society.

Sorry if billions and billions more spent on government programs doesn't puff my skirt.

A few million more jobs as a result of commerce-friendly policies would be a far more significant development to a large swath of our society.

Yes, he'll wave his magic wand and make that happen.

You complained that he didn't do anything regarding the banks, but it happened. You complain he's not doing this or that or the other, but in almost every case, something has actually been done. Maybe not something that you agree with ideologically, but still something done. Disagree with him all you want, god knows I do on enough things, but knocking him for not getting things done is completely contrary to the man's record.

Also, I believe the several million people who have returned to employment (not nearly enough, obviously) in the last two years would be happy to dance a little jig for you. I don't know that I have the power to arrange that, however.

And you should reread the list. Many things on it have nothing to do with new bureaucracy. Also, I find it interesting how earlier you were complaining that the banks were being left alone and now you're complaining that better regulating the banks is somehow a bad thing.

Speaking of discretionary spending, this is the problem that must be solved. Not solving it means continuing at a permanently reduced state of employment:

(http://static8.businessinsider.com/image/4e15703a49e2ae6d1c000000/chart.jpg)

It's not exactly that they were "discouraged", though I'm sure most were...it's the fact that the dropped off the back end of the unemployment program and since they are no longer eligible, they no longer add to the unemployed count.

Israel?  He has supported them at least as much as any, and more than a lot in the past.  He hasn't TALKED about it as much as some, but the support has been at least as strong, regardless of what "The Script" would have us believe.

Geez, Conan, you are making a lot of good arguments supporting this guy.  I may have to re-evaluate my opinion....

Once again, "unemployed" does not equal "drawing unemployment." You're counted as unemployed if you're eligible to work, capable of working, do not currently have a job, and are looking for work. Discouraged workers are those not presently looking, but still want a job. If you count people not looking for work, you drastically overstate unemployment because many people not looking for work are not looking because they don't want a job. (they may be retired, or have decided to be a stay-at-home-parent, or whatever)

A little over 4 million people are presently drawing unemployment benefits (continued claims plus initial claims). There are over 13 million unemployed.

Yep.  I bet there are actually more than 13 million....

Two recent examples of friends who both looked for over two years each.  Found nothing.  Literally gave up on actually finding something - one started Social Security - but by chance looked at job site and both were able to find their "almost" dream jobs.  How bizarre is that?

I don't find it bizarre at all.  They (and I) were not able/ready to retire and found something.   Hopefully, I won't be in that position for a few more years at which time I will be able to retire.

I hope so, too.  It is a terrible place to be after all the work and effort and contribution made NOT to be in that position.