Washington's August Break: Just Don't Call It Vacation Time

[babylonsister]

If it walks like a duck...


Washington's August Break: Just Don't Call It Vacation Time

By Edwin Chen


Aug. 8 (Bloomberg) -- It's August in Washington and the city is emptying out.

Members of Congress left over the weekend and won't be back until Sept. 4. President George W. Bush goes tomorrow to his family's seaside compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, for a long weekend before heading for his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Call it a recess, call it a break, just don't call it a vacation.

For lawmakers, it's a ``district work period,'' time to meet with voters, raise money or take ``fact-finding'' trips overseas. White House officials stress the president has regular briefings and is on call 24/7 for any emergency when he's in Crawford, where he has spent 418 days as president.

This year, perhaps more than most, politicians are bending over backward to avoid the appearance of taking a holiday.

``It's the optics,'' said Ken Duberstein, chief of staff under President Ronald Reagan, who was known for his passion for spending time at his California ranch. ``Whether you're in Congress or the White House, you must give the impression that you're working and not tanning, that you're at your desk and not at the beach.''

It's an especially sensitive topic this August because the administration and Congress put pressure on Iraq's parliament to work through the scorching Baghdad summer and pass legislation aimed at promoting political unity and stabilization. Paying little heed, the parliament on July 30 left for a month off.

``It's better than taking two months off, which was their original plan,'' Vice President Dick Cheney said in a July 31 interview on CNN.

Summer Off

Cheney, 66, who left last weekend for his Wyoming ranch, quickly noted that the U.S. Congress ``of course takes the month of August off.'' Cheney said he ``made clear'' to the Iraqis during a visit in May ``that we didn't appreciate the notion that they were going to take a big part of the summer off.''

The schedules of the president and Congress draw attention in part because of unfinished business in Washington and because crises don't adhere to a calendar.

more...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aVXvPbvFrVYo&refer=home

[TwilightZone]

1. "Recess" is appropriate. After all, Bush is a child, and school's out for summer.

n/t

[babylonsister]

2. Best argument I've heard yet! nt

[zabet]

3. Every job I ever worked at..

that gave a paid break - the time was 15 to 30 minutes. Not a freakin' month.

[acmavm]

4. Besides the obvious stuff to aggravate in the article, there is one

sentence that really sets my teeth on edge. These people are so used to double speak...

<snip>

``It's the optics,''...

<snip>

I am sick and tired of political double-speak and triangulation. I would recommend 30 lashes for anyone incapable of speaking a straight, coherent, intelligent sentence. Of course that would clear out more of the city than this 'break' will.

[babylonsister]

5. That's a new one on me, actually. Cutesy, aren't they. nt

[Virginian]

6. Is Bush going to Crawford?

I thought I heard this morning on MSNBC that he was going to spend the entire time in Kennebunkport, Maine.

When Congress goes home for recess, they are in touch with their electorate.

When Bush leaves Washington, he is more isolated than at the White House.
He may get the daily briefings, but does he pay attention to them? Does he take action on actionable items or does he just snap at the messenger for disturbing his bushwhacking photo-ops?

When does the Cabinet take vacations? Are they off duty for the month, too?

It seems like a few Casual Fridays at the WH would be better than a casual month at Crawford in the heat of the summer.

It gets pretty hot in Texas this time of the year. Is Bush trying to acclimate himself to the heat to prepare for his afterlife?

[Bluebear]

7. For the rest of the month!!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1549670&mesg_id=1549670

[robcon]

8. Most legislators will take some of the time as vacation; a few won't;

No problem, IMO.