Martha's Vineyard May be Obama Vacation Spot

By: Prerana Swami
Topics: White House

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Martha's Vinyard is the top choice for the Obama family's summer vacation spot, the New York Times reports.

As the first family did not have a vacation home before moving into the White House, aides have been trying to quietly search for a place where the Obamas can spend their time away from Washington.

"Unlike FDR, who had Hyde Park, or Lyndon Johnson or George W. Bush who had their own ranches, they need to find a place where they can relax, which the others did by going to their own homes," author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin told Politico.

However, the rumor mill is in full flow despite the White House's attempt to keep the Obama vacation plans confidential. The New York Daily News reports that the Wesley House in Oak Bluffs has already secured rooms for Secret Service agents while the list of possible residences for the Obamas has been narrowed down to three.

Although Martha's Vineyard is well known for housing presidents, Pia Catton of Politico says that the decision may come with consequences. The Massachusetts hot spot is known as "the playground of the rich," and the Obama's trip may be seen as counterintuitive to many Americans forced to resort to low-cost vacations due to the recession, Catton asserts.

However, the island also has a reputation of being family-friendly and laid back. With the needs of Sasha and Malia Obama, the vacation spot could take on an entirely new connotation.

"It would be far worse to go to Nantucket," 'The Official Filthy Rich Handbook' author Christopher Tennant told Politico. "Nantucket is more New York, more jet set, more Hamptons. Martha's Vineyard is more the Massachusetts vacation. You take a ferry out there. There are more day trippers and families."

Although the White House has not officially released any details of the Obama's trip, nor confirmed that Martha's Vineyard is in fact the official destination, the New York Times reports that the president will not spend more than a week on vacation while First Lady Michelle Obama and Sasha and Malia will stay longer.

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by jackbrosnan March 18, 2010 2:45 AM EDT: I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
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by acklimate July 7, 2009 1:03 PM EDT: Kinda glad Christopher Tennant said what he said. It's mythic and it's wrong, but, that's the prejudice. In fact, Nantucket can be a low key place where people can easily melt in and be out of the public eye. When Biden's here, we don't know it; same with Kerry or Frist or any else. There are few if any paparazzi and there's no wacky "scene" like the Hamptons. But it's good that the myth gets perpetuated. Leaves the island for those of us who live here full tie and love it.; Reply to this comment


by specialty8 July 6, 2009 3:25 PM EDT: How many vactions does this outfit need a year?Just got back from France, now he took the hole bunch to Russia, next to Italy,all on our dime. He better start to focus on the economy or he will be a one termer for sure.; Reply to this comment


by Upstaterealtor July 6, 2009 3:17 PM EDT: Vacation??? Why is that even a story and furthermore why is he even thinking of a vacation?? Guess he doent have enough going on in this nation to keep him busy? Is it just me or is there other people out there who do not give a rats behind about what this man has going on in his personal life but do care about the multitude of problems facing this great nation? Mainly unemployment,I thought the stimulus was going to create jobs yet today we are staring down the throat of almost a 10% unemployment rate. Let me guess it is still all Bushs fault? He is going to have to realize that eventually he is going to have to take claim of the economy and realize people are getting tired of the blame game.And to think that I voted for this man, he is nothing more than a charismatic smooth talking salesman, A very good one I might add.; Reply to this comment


by portiaperu July 6, 2009 2:44 PM EDT: Martha's Vineyard IS a great place for a family vacation. My family visits frequently and we are "regular" people. No need to be part of the jet set or a celebrity to enjoy this beautiful island.; Reply to this comment


by ReallyMeanIt July 6, 2009 2:29 PM EDT: Did barrack said we should cut back, tighten our belt, etc.
In all fairness, he did say that we should, not him.......and he didn't go to Vegas.; Reply to this comment