Obama Plans a Hawaiian Break in mid-August --- Is the Obama family Olympics-bound?

[jefferson_dem]

Obama Plans a Hawaiian Break
By Peter Slevin

CHICAGO -- Sen. Barack Obama, preparing for the Democratic National Convention and the long march to November, plans to spend about a week in Hawaii in mid-August, mostly on vacation.

Obama spent a large chunk of his childhood and adolescence in Hawaii, graduating from Punahou School. His maternal grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, still lives there, and the Obama family often took winter vacations to Hawaii before he became a candidate.

Of course, given that he is a candidate, Obama does expect to hold at least one Hawaiian fundraiser.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/07/28/obama_plans_a_hawaiian_break.html

Of course, this vacation totally coincides with the Olympics. Wouldn't it make for a grand photo op (to play that game) for Barack and family to show up in China all draped in red, white, and blue, supporting TEAM USA? Hmmm...Hawaii is half way to China anyway.

[babylonsister]

1. I'm glad he's going to get some R&R before the end of this; he's earned it.

I don't think he needs to go to China either; I just hope he visits his grandma. ;)

[lurky]

2. If he went to China, he would have to

address their lack of democracy and human rights, our loss of manufacturing jobs to their cheap labor, their runaway pollution, their currency manipulation, and so many more things.

As a candidate (and the closest thing we have to a head of state :) ), he couldn't just go to the olympics and do a bunch of photo-ops, as if everything was cool. However, I don't think China would be very cooperative or appreciative of him speaking out. Can you picture 200,000 people in Tienanman Square listening to Obama speak about hope and change? They're not gonna let that happen.

I don't know how he could pull off a trip to China.

[jefferson_dem]

3. I hear ya. No speeches or big rallies or anything.

Instead, he would make an appearance more like as a fan of TEAM USA, only one who would naturally receive VIP treatment. You know -- a photo op or two with him and the athletes, and with the family at the gymnastics events or something.

Just a thought...

[LostinVA]

4. I sincerely hope not

I don't think ANY US elected or appointed offical should go there. Ugh.

[Median Democrat]

7. China or Hawaii?

I will point out that Hawaii has a large military presence with many members of the armed forces calling it home.

[LostinVA]

10. Why in the world would I mean Hawaii?

Good grief.

China. To me, the Olympics this year are no worse than the two Nazi Olympics, because we know what the Chinese government has done to its own citizens. They suck. I wish nations would ask their athletes to march under the Olympic flag and not their respective nation's.

[monmouth]

5. Part of his birthday celebration too I think...n/t (August 4)..

[Cha]

9. Yeah, Obama should absolutely get some

time in Hawai'i with his fam..how nice will that be for them.B-)

Nothing like a little RnR on the Island before coming back to the mainland to win the presidency of the United States of America:patriot: :kick: :party:

What a birthday year:party:

[woolldog]

6. Good. He needs it.

I'm hoping this gives the media a chance to focus on McCain for a change and McCain's inadequacies become even more apparent when he's the only one in the spotlight.

[ErinBerin84]

8. maybe it will coincide with his Biography tour?

[my3boyz]

11. He will probably start that tour after his break. nt

[ErinBerin84]

12. darn! Heh, the idea of him "campaigning" in Hawaii was just hilarious to me.