Obama Defends Vacationing in Down Economy

(CBS)  After a wide-ranging interview of President Obama, "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric strolled along with him outside the White House and asked him a question suggested to her by someone on Twitter -- on whether he feels "guilty going on vacation when so many families are struggling."

Mr. Obama and his family plan to take a break in Martha's Vineyard next month.

"If the question is, 'Do I think every single day about the hardships that people are going through'? Absolutely," the president responded. "Do I think the American people think that because of those hardships I shouldn't spend some quality time with my daughters? I don't think that's what the American people think about it."

Couric then observed, "You're so confident, Mr. President. And so focused. Is your confidence ever shaken, do you ever wake up and say, 'Damn, this is hard! Damn, I'm not going to get the things done that I want to get done,' and it's just too politicized to get anything done?"

Mr. Obama's response? "Are there days where I say, 'This is a big dose'? Absolutely. Are there days where, you know, I think we've suffered setbacks and I've got to continually question and reexamine how I'm approaching problems, all the time. You know, there's a constant process of reevaluation in it, and self reflection that the job forces on you. But this country just makes me confident. I have faith that in the end we will do what's right for the next generation."

Couric's interview covered the battle over healthcare reform, the economy, joblessness, abortion funding and other key issues.

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To read a transcript of the interview, click here.

Watch it by clicking here

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[James_Texas]

OK, to the morons who bring up Camp David or his home in Crawford. None of us would be complaining if his family went to their home in Chicago or if he spent time at Camp David. However, he has been flying his family all over the nation and world for extravagant vacations continually since he took office. He is not giving the American people what he promised, but instead is giving his financial supporters (SEIU, ACORN) everything owed them for getting him elected. Where is CBS on the 2 billion to Petrobras (George Soros) for offshore drilling. Why isn't CBS talking about the Apollo Project, its members and why they wrote the stimulus bill our congress refused to read before passing. How about covering some real issues instead of the meaningless dribble!!

[litlestarr]

These people have been on vacation since Jan when they moved into the White House. Off to NY for the evening? Michelle, Mom and the Kids, go shopping in Paris and hop over to London for supper and see Harry Potter? She had her own plane and breezed into places and took them over. Now they are checking out the Parks in the West. With the whole family. He travels with his daughters, he sees a lot more of them them my husband saw of our kids while he worked from dawn to midnight. I'd like a job where I got a vacation after only 7 or 8 months. Every time he takes the family that's more secret service men and more expenses for us. People are losing jobs and homes and the Obama's are living high on the hog. All these trips to all these states to campaign for his health care is a waste of money. Does anyone realize how much it costs to fly that Air Force One. Stay home and get the economy and war under control. Our kids are dying over there in the Mid East and I'm getting sick of seeing the Obama vacation.

[breezy34]

Eventhough I am a Republican, I believe President Obama is a good man, sincerely concerned in the well being of all Americans. It is time that we start acting like patriotic Americans and support the President of the United States and give him the respect that he deserves. He has inherited a very difficult job, requiring all of his intelligence, patience and God's help. He does not need to be constantly criticized and defamed. Witn all of the stress inherent in being the President of the United States, he is entitled to a vacaction with his family to offset the enormous pressure upon him.

Let us work together and support our President.

[ibsteve2u]

I have no problem with any President taking vacations at reasonable intervals.

I want my President as stress-free as possible in order to ensure that they are ready, willing, and able to take the appropriate actions when attacked.

However those attacks are mounted, and wherever those attacks originate from.

Besides, Obama actually has to BE the President - unlike Bush, whose 487 days at Camp David and 490 days at his Crawford ranch went virtually unnoticed given the other partners in Bush, Cheney, & PNAC, LLP.

[dragyn30]

So what?? We are still taking vacation too!!! My husband's work is down because of the economy, but we are not going to make our kids suffer! They deserve something fun!!! My husband and I cut back so we saved $$$ to go away!

[revlin1]

Well, well, Martha's Vineyard. A real "come uppence" for this Chicago based crew, now isn't it? Wonder if he stays with Teddy? OR? Who else outside the USA owns homes on Martha's Vineyard? Oh, I know...MID EASTERN descent persons (lots of them) .... And, uh Katie: Were those the TOUGH QUESTIONS? AND Do we NEED TO HEAR about this guys' vacation while we are all wondering how to pay for homes, schooling, vehicles, and where to get the jobs here in USA? Unbelievable. I feel now like I'm watching a SOAP OPERA on White House rather than something real life. OOPS, it IS REAL LIFE. We are all in big, big trouble!

[valentin73]

President Obama is flying all over the world, with his family on his recent trip. He does not seem to care if Americans are out of work. He simply cannot change the world for being the leader of one country.
He should stop spending American tax payer's money and remain in The White House, where the people put him, and work, like the rest of us (who do work, but are on the brink of losing our jobs due a poor economy - lucky he).

[valentin73]

President Obama is flying all over the world, with family on his latest, and now he wants to take a vacation. He does not seem to care if Americans are out of work. He cannot change the world simply because he is the leader on one country. He must stop spending American tax payer's money and remain in The White House , where the people put him, and work, like the rest of us (who do work, but are on the brink of losing the job - lucky him).

[jstrong8]

I think the President can go anywhere he likes for vacation, and it is really ridiculous for the millionaires at CBS to even broach the question. Why aren?t they questioning the multi millionaires in Congress that vacation wherever they like. I do believe there is a double standard, Mr. Bush had over seventy trips to Texas and I don?t recall the questioning of that and other places he went. The other Presidents did a lot more. Kathi questioned the President going to New York, she and the rest of the television millionaires don?t care about the public. They should talk about those things that are important to the American people. I think Katie is getting more conceited since the Palin interview. Hypocrites!

[russelllewis]

Oh give it a rest already. That document that starts "We the people" if we don't like what he's doing let's band together and change things. I would say contact our congressional "leaders" but they are on vacations for months at a time and taking other breaks which other Americans don't get. We don't complain about them being gone all the time, seems like all we can band together to do is complain.
We all know the office of president has perks just like any other job.
Don't like it... either try and change it or run for the office yourself.