The Prez is off:

Seven months after taking the oath of office, President Obama on Sunday began his first vacation, traveling to this tony hideaway for Hollywood stars, the wealthy and the occasional politician….Past presidents have been queasy about what they called their time away from the White House, fearing the image of a checked-out president. Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs had no such fear last week, saying that “I don’t think the American people begrudge a 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.”

Yeah, just like all of the regular folks who vacation on the Vineyard. We’ll soon be inundated with pictures of the Obama’s cavorting about the island (but I suspect there won’t be a Bush-era type juxtaposition of those pics with others of homeless people are parked in front of the White House). Maybe a week off from him is what we all need with the health care debate, bulging deficits, reduced social security benefits, and a double-dip recession looming. “Well earned and well deserved” vacation? For who? Many of us certainly think we deserve it after the drama of hope and change of the last 7 months.