Obama Girls : How They Spent The Summer

(CBS)  Malia and Sasha Obama are not having your typical summer vacation.

While many kids their ages are away at camp, the famous first daughters are at the self-styled "Camp Obama."

"Camp Obama," so dubbed by first lady Michelle Obama, consists of globetrotting around the world. CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante reports that it has included visits to France, Italy, Russia and countries in Africa, as well as stops at several U.S. destinations, including the Grand Canyon.

Nia-Malika Henderson, White House reporter for Politico, said, "Michelle Obama in crafting this Camp Obama is really mindful of exposing girls to things they hadn't seen."

Plante reported it's not uncommon for presidents to bring their children along on trips. The Bush daughters toured Europe alone or with Laura Bush, and Chelsea Clinton traveled with Hillary Clinton on numerous trips.

However, as Doug Wead, a presidential historian pointed out, "This is the first time in recent memory where (children) travel as a family with the father...This is a great opportunity to see some places, and learn some things. I would say this is a family that likes to be together."

Obama has told CBS News he's mindful that the pressures of the presidency not get in the way of his time with his daughters.

But, is travel inappropriate in a time of recession? CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric asked the president.

Obama said, "'Do I think the American people think that because of those hardships I shouldn't spend a little time with my daughters?' I don't think that's what the American people think about it."

Plante said the Obamas see "Camp Obama" as an unmatched learning experience for their daughters. And the White House pointed out the Obamas are paying all of Malia and Sasha's travel costs.

And Plante adds,"Camp Obama" continues next week in Martha's Vineyard.

[myartistry]

I find it refreshing that the president models "family" and that the time over summer is used to expand the key moments in thier childrens lives. Doug Wead noted this is a family that likes to be together, what a great thing to be remembered for. Good for CBS...reporting positive news, that is just what we all need in times like these.

[maryr6340]

I'm glad the Obama girls get to see the world. It's really important for such young ladies to see Europe, Africa, and even America! I hear they're going to see China this fall. Fantastic! My children did the same this summer, through our public library.

[marygabel--2008]

The fact that President Obama is being consistent in his message that he intends to keep a balanced life including spending time as a father is what stands out to me. Whether it is making time for his family or working for health care reform, he is doing what he said he would do on the campaign trail. I find Mr. Obama to be a man of great integrity. What makes this even more unusual is that, as Doug Wead points out, this is the first time in memory a president has brought the kids along! Maybe it's the first time in memory that we have a president who means what he says and does it!

[kidstravel]

As a advocate of spending time with your kids especially through the lens of "travel", I think that Obamas are doing a wonderful thing with Camp Obama. Kids often learn a lot more when outside of the classroom and gallivanting in their own neighborhood or on the other side of the world. For the many kids who aren't able to travel around the world, I think it'd be amazing if the Obama girls shared what they've seen and learned so that kids can learn what they've learned as well.

- Esther (co-founder of Trekaroo (http://www.trekaroo.com) - a family travel guide).

[erasmus111]

Now maybe all the dimwits will shut up. Although I doubt it. They will just find something else to whine about.

[ssilver567]

When the American people elected Obama, they elected a man with a wife and family. A father w/2 young girls. I don't think many of us would like to think of our President as a man who begrudges his wife and kids some quality time. The dynamics of a young family w/kids in the W.H. are very different from having a Presidential couple w/grown chldren. Unlike Jackie Kennedy, who was very possesive of her children and privacy, wanting minimum publicity for her kids (she got plenty of publicty for her cihldren regardless) First Lady Michelle thinks publicity for her kids is part of the package, within reason. Those cute girls are very comfortable in front of cameras and with reporters. I don't see anyting wrong with that.

However, Michelle has been doing some stuff I do not consider good taste, in this time of recession/depression. Her aide, Desiree Rogers is quite happy to inform the press that she loves going to all the fashion shows and hob-nobbing with trend setters so as to help our first lady plan cutting edge activites and events at the W.H. It was fine for the Obamas to have a Saturday Night Date in NYC. It was not fine to use that "date" as a photo op & PR tool. There is Michelle dressed to the nines, w/her attractive Pres.-Husband. The 4th estate was given their evening agenda so that we Americans knew the Obamas enjoyed a lovely pre-theater dinner, and romantic jet ride to NYC on a smaller private jet than AF-1. Of course, people, especially those who did not elect Obama, and even plenty who did, will be very incensed at this grand-standing! We did not really need to know all about this dinner-theater-date. Many, many people have had to cut back on luxeries like theater tickets and restaruants. To say nothing of designer frocks. At one formal dinner, the Obamas made sure that we all knew they used the very finest gourmet beef our planet has to offer. A very expensive meal they served; when they are asking us to carve out more moderate lifestyles.

I am seeing boisterous behavior on the part of the First Family, and I am not at ease with that.

[khrish]

And I am seeing a very envious and petty person. Grow up. When men were dying in Iraq it didn't seem to bother you that "W" was out on the golf course. We just decide who we want to hold responsible for our difficult times. I think it riduculous that the first family has to explain every single thing that they do and offer up a bookkeeping account on what it cost and who paid for it. Grow up. If they never went out to dinner or ever served good beef your situation would be the same. When they gifted the Queen and the Prime Minister in England, you complained because the gifts, to you, were cheap. Grow up, get a life. Stop looking for things to gripe about.

[tablet1-2009]

Now someone ask Katie: What is spent on your makeup, hair styles and clothing? What is the cost of your home(s? What did Your children do over the summer? How much did that cost? Is this appropriate in a time of economic recession?
What a stupid question; meant to stimulate more hatred of this outstanding, intact family? Or was it jealousy on the part of Katie, that her children were not being featured?

[ksmith1973yahoocom]

I think that the president and first lady are being responsible. They paid for their children to tag along and gain experience most children in America will never experience. What's the big deal? People should learn or understand that we actually do love our children and want them with us. As for earlier comments the girls would be getting SS protection anyway. So no extra cost there. When other administrations took trip no one gave a hoot.

[khrish]

The only responsibility that the President and his family can offer to many of these gripers is to leave office. They want their country back, don't you hear them. If the president and his family paid for every single thing they use and do and then gave each American a million dollars these people would complain and find something wrong with it. It's not the policies and demeanor of the president, it's the mere fact that they do not want him to be the president. The majority vote was not respected. To try to reason with many of these people is a total waste of time.

[timing20002000]

TO ALL THE COMPLAINERS OUT THERE. SHUT UP, YOU DID NOT SAY A WORD WHEN PRESIDENT BUSH TOOK HIS MORE THAN 1000 VACATION DAYS WHEN IN OFFICE, AND THAT WAS DURING 9/11. YOU CHRISTIAN RIGHT WING BIRTHER EXTREMISTS MAKE ME SICK.

[khrish]

Thank you very much. I get sick of people looking for things to complain about. They want their country back is the truest words ever spoken and that what all this crap is about. They think that they and only they should hold the leadership in this nation. Well, what are you going to do in 5 years when those of Latin descent are the majority. Stop acting like spoiled brats and accept that you are no longer the rulers of the world. Stop hating people because they don't look like you. This is the bottom line to all this craziness that is going on by these birthers and name callers in this country. Minorities have lived as the outer fringe of this country for centuries and now when the tables begin to turn I think that many feel that things will be meted out to them the way they meted them out to others. the President is doing a wonderful job and his family is beautiful and this country is, once again, gaining back its standing in the world. If you can't find something good about anything, just go and stand on the corner with your guns strapped and take a break for all the bashing of a family that has done nothing for you to hate them for except try and upgrade the country.

[CCinDC]

But, is travel inappropriate in a time of recession? CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric asked the president.

What a stupid question, no wonder people don't respect Katie Couric.

The Obamas should pay for their children's (and their own) souvenirs. But as far as food and lodging and travel, well, just shut up. It is summer.