Cabin Fever At The White House. Already.

(White House photo by Pete Souza)

Though Barack Obama spent two years zigzagging the country on a nearly non-stop campaign and he's only been President for 18 days, he's already feeling confined at the White House.

"It's safe to say," said spokesman Robert Gibbs when asked if the President was already feeling cooped up.

"He's a bit of a restless soul," said Gibbs of Mr. Obama. "His idea of a crazy day is to take a long walk."

On Tuesday, the President and First Lady visited with a group of 2nd graders at a public charter school here in Washington. Mr. Obama said he and the Mrs. had three reasons for coming to visit, the first one being "we wanted to get out of the White House."

And today, Gibbs announced Pres. Obama's plans to travel next week to Indiana, Florida and Illinois.

"I think the president looks forward to getting out of town for a few hours," said Gibbs. Actually, Mr. Obama will be out of town next week on five of seven days.

The cocoon effect of the White House has been felt by all of its occupants – especially since the days of the JFK assassination – as security measures were repeatedly expanded.

Several past presidents have referred to the White House as the crown jewel in the federal penal system.

Former White House Chief Usher Gary Walters views it as one of the most difficult aspects of First Family life.

"It's just being in the fishbowl," he said. "The lack of privacy - every family has that difficulty."

In a CBS News interview, Walters said the First Family lives inside of an 18-acre park and museum. "There are people 24 hours a day around that fence: tourists, visitors, guests and protestors."

"It's something that each family has to adjust to," says Walters, who served in the White House for 31 years. But some First Families adjust better than others.

One thing that helps is the ability to get away to Camp David, the presidential retreat in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland – a 45-minute helicopter ride from the South Lawn of the White House.

And Gibbs announced that's exactly what the First Family will be doing this weekend.

During the last Administration, Pres. and Mrs. Bush came to love Camp David as a getaway from the White House.

During his eight years in office, Mr. Bush made 149 visits to Camp David – spending all or part of 487 days there.

Tomorrow will be the Obama's first visit.

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Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent.

[mattcat25]

Republicans want for Americans to continue to fail economically. The Conservative Agenda has redistributed our national wealth to the top 1% during the Bush Administration and the Republican Rubber Stamp Congress.

Today, the Republicans in Congress are obstructing the progress of reviving our national economy for the average working class that has suffered (been victimized my frienthzzz) under the Conservative Fascist Regime that has be resoundingly voted out of office.

"Tax-Cuts"
"Tax-Cuts"
"Tax-Cuts"

Is the only thing Republicans covet seeing that they are the one%u2019s that have the most to pay from their Conservative Agenda windfall from the Bush Years and his unnecessary and costly war on Saddam Hussien and Iraq.

It%u2019s time for change.

[demwatcher]

Less than 3 weeks, and he is already complaining about the pressure.
Not surprising from an idiot that was unprepared to hit the ground running from day one.

The Dems took only 2 years, since taking over Congress, to WRECK the economic growth we enjoyed during President Bush''s first six years. Do us a favor and GTF out of the country, you fascist bastages.

[demwatcher]

"18 DAYS AND HE IS ALREADY BEING CONDEMNED.PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE THE REASON THEY MAKE CONDOMS.WE CAN''''T TURN COWARDS INTO KILLERS AND WE CAN''''T CHANGE YOUR MIND SO WE WILL PITY YOU AND PROTECT YOU SIMPLY BECAUSE YOUR BOAT DIDN''''T SINK ON THE WAY TO THE UNITED STATES.

Posted by usanative1 at 10:30 AM : Feb 07, 2009"

This, from the same left-wingnuts that called to impeach President Bush BEFORE he took office in 2001.

Hypocritical *********.

[renojmc]

It''s fine for Obama to leave the White House. I just wish he''d never come back.

[andie52]

People have a right to their opinions even if they aren%u2019t based on fact. I%u2019m fine with that as long as the opinions aren%u2019t because of racism.

[dumdnc]

And how much time did bubba spend away from the WH?? Oh yea, that doesn''t count.
I would like some answers as to why he is allowing lobbysits to have such high level jobs?? His press corp head, the shill, wouldn''t answer the question when a reporter from ABC had the AUDACITY to ask the names of lobbyists with postitions be released.
Old helen thomas just about had a cow.
So, no privacy, poor,poor spoiled brat.]
He wanted the job, his handlers and big bucks got him the job. Deal with it and stop crying.

[scienceman1-2009]

see the white trash are online tonight. Get over it The democrats won... everything...

Posted by chetthor

P.S. chetthor your above comment makes you look like TRASH!

[sandycat2]

mortal3, what are we supposed to make happen? That is what we elected Obama for. To use his Presidential powers to get something done. If the most powerful man on the planet can''t do anything, what do you expect the rest of us to do, ***?

[andor3]

"I am still waiting for the miracles."

President Obama never promised miracles: he promised a restored nation through all of us working together. Has it really been so long that people in the USA have forgotten how leadership and participatory government works? So not only does Obama need your help, he has to first re-teach you how democracy works, hold your hand, and calm your fears... sheeesh no wonder he is frustrated!

[sandycat2]

rosesnpearls, Obama certainly found more tax cheats to appoint to his cabinet than Bush did. I''m still waiting for the CHANGE Obama keeps talking about to happen.