Prez vacation takes as much planning as a US invasion of Grenada
29 Jun 2009, 1556 Hrs

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Washington, June 29 A first family vacation now takes about as much planning as the US invasion of Grenada.

Helicopters and limos have to be forward deployed. Secret Service agents and White House aides fill local hotels and B and Bs. Not to mention Air Force One.

All this, according to the Christian Science Monitor, requires taxpayer dollars, and lots of them. So, extravagant locales are probably out.

Presidential recreation can be hazardous. The most important rule of presidential vacations is that their primary purpose is to convey political symbolism. Relaxation is secondary.

Think of the ranches. On their presidential vacations, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush spent lots of time clearing horses, riding brush and other manly stuff that no doubt appealed to core GOP voters.

Then, after they left the White House, they retired to air-conditioned mansions in Los Angeles and Dallas, respectively.

Bill Clinton even dragged his family to Jackson, Wyoming in 1995 and 1996 because pollster Dick Morris said swing voters liked the idea of outdoor, Western family vacations.

Presidential vacations are no vacation for the media, and they would be happy to document any embarrassing slip, given the yawning chasm of the unfilled news hole they confront every day.

So don't hit a rabbit with an oar (Jimmy Carter), stroll the beach in a suit and tie (Richard Nixon), or stay away from Washington too long (George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, many others) if you don't want to get criticized. (ANI)

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