USA Today headline: Obama plays 100th round of golf as president

[WI_DEM]

The 'liberal media' is at it again!:

President Obama spent part of Father's Day at one of his favorite places -- the golf course.

He also hit a milestone.

Obama played the 100th round of golf of his presidency Sunday, spending nearly five hours at the Beverly Country Club in Chicago with two friends and an aide.

The president's golf outings have long been a target for his critics, but he says the game relaxes him.

"It's the only time that for six hours, I'm outside," Obama told CBS News, adding that it's one of the few times in the presidency "where you almost feel normal ... you're out of the container."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/06/obama-plays-100th-round-of-golf-as-president/1

so many things the media could write about that deal with real issues and they continue to dwell on stuff like this.

[democrat_patriot]

1. How mnay have other Presidients had?

W played ??????

[democrat_patriot]

5. OK Link here

http://www.capradio.org/news/npr/story?storyid=155279361

W played only 24, he gave up in 2003.

Woodrow wilson wins at 1200

Dwight Eisenhower 800.

[sofa king]

21. No, W lied about that, too.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/16/bush-lied-about-giving-up_n_102138.html

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6499809

But he probably never actually turned in a scorecard, because he can't count that high.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

36. Thanks for this! Dumbya totally lied about not playing golf. The Corporate Media simply

ignored that, though.

[Blanks]

2. You'd think that would endear the George H. W. Bush supporters to him.

It seemed like every time they talked to him; he was on the golf course.

[Fawke Em]

3. Can USA Today tell me how many brush piles Dubya

moved and then moved again and then moved for the third time?

I'd like to know that stat.

[goclark]

48. Tell us too - how many times Bush was drunk

bumping into doors while in office?

[jillan]

4. Did they keep track how many times W played golf - or how many times he went for a bike ride? Or

how many times did he cut brush??

Faux makes up their stories and the rest of the media follows.

[democrat_patriot]

6. Bush played 24 times.

http://www.capradio.org/news/npr/story?storyid=155279361

[Drale]

11. Bush didn't play Golf

he pretended to "work" on his ranch.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

49. Another phony cowboy....

.....a cowboy who fears horses.

[treestar]

7. that averages 25 per year

not even once per week.

[FSogol]

10. Yeah, hardly a serve habit. Queue Romney stating that he won't play golf

with tax dollars.

[hrmjustin]

8. I never liked golf.

I find it boring to watch. Maybe it might be interesting to play, but to watch it is not fun.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

9. I hate to agree with this, but I don't understand why the president doesn't just stop

playing golf. First, he knows that the Corporate Media will make an issue out of it. Second, this meme that the president is out of touch and "aloof" seems to be taking hold in some segments of the population. And third, the racists don't want to see a black man on the golf course outside of Tiger Woods (who doesn't call himself black).

I just wish the president would read the media a little better than he does. Too often he puts himself into these positions that make it that much harder for me to defend him.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

12. Is this serious or snark?

If this is snark, I get it. If it's serious, then

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

28. Not a snark! I'm dead serious! Dead serious! Look, we're dealing with something different here.

We're dealing with a Corporate Media that is quite clearly shilling for the Right Wing. They want to destroy this president.

I want the president to be able to take vacations and enjoy himself but you and I know that there's a double standard. This double standard has been in place every since the man announced for the presidency.

Ask yourself this question: The House of Representatives haven't done a damn thing since 2010. In fact, they are also on vacation, having vowed not to do ANYTHING until after the election. Does USA Today cover this? Is the Corporate Media outraged? No! Of course not. It's only when the BLACK PRESIDENT goes on vacation that there's an issue.

It's not that I agree that the president is being held to a different standard. I want us to be realistic and stop being naive that there IS a double standard. And that the president playing golf plays right into the Corporate Media's hands.

And yes! Frankly I think it's wrong for the president to be playing all this golf when there are people hurting and struggling in this economy, just as I thought it was wrong for W. Bush to do so.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

41. I disagree

but you're entitled to your opinion, of course.

The corporate media and the Republicans have applied a double standard to EVERYTHING President Obama has done since day one and there is literally NOTHING that he has done, will do, etc. that the Republicans will not criticize him for and/or politicize.

As far as Presidential recreation, I think that we can agree that Bush's was excessive but I don't see how anybody can make the same case for President Obama failing to do his job and enjoying too much R & R- unless you think Presidents should just be chained to the desk in the Oval Office 24-7-365 until things get "better enough" for everybody, despite the fact that the Republicans have obstructed just about everything that he has been trying to do since he was inaugurated.

If Mitt Romney becomes POTUS, do you seriously think the corporate media is going to make a spectacle about $70K (tax deductions) for "dressage"? Yet President Obama playing 100 games of Golf over the course of 3 years as POTUS is newsworthy and/or excessive?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

55. Didn't your last paragraph just make my point? The double stand is here to stay, but

why play into it? Why give them fodder?

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

59. The problem though

is that EVERYTHING is fodder to the right-wing/corporate media. There is virtually NOTHING that he can do that won't be criticized in some way, shape, or form. Him having the nerve to run for and be elected POTUS is bad enough for the right-wing Republicans. So nothing short of abdicating his office and refusing to run for re-election will EVER satisfy the right-wing/corporate media. Do you think that President Obama is just voluntarily GIVING the right-wing/corporate media all kinds of fodder to attack him with? It *almost* sounds like you are suggesting that President Obama is causing a lot of his own grief just by engaging in occasional recreational activities that other modern Presidents have been able to do without being questioned, not like this, anyway.

[danadevin85]

15. White Presidents played golf and no one complained

The President shouldn't have to stop playing golf because racist complain
Right Wingers and others complain when he wakes up in the morning
Who cares racists don't wan't to see a black man on the golf course who isn't white
Im so glad the people in the civil rights era weren't like you

1. I guess we shouldn't try to vote because racist don't like it they will complain


2. I guess we shoukdn't try to sit at this lunch counter racists won't like it they will complain

[hughee99]

19. Yes, no one complained when white presidents played golf... now watch this drive. n/t

[danadevin85]

24. Ha

Oh yeah i forgot about that one LOL

[RZM]

20. People did use golf against Bush

Remember 'watch this drive?' And Olbermann's 'shut the hell up' when the president commented about not having the time to improve his game?

Golf isn't really a winner for politicians in terms of optics.

[danadevin85]

26. that wasn't the reason and i think you know that

hhhhhmmm i don't really think thats why Olbermann told him to shut up

[RZM]

32. It's been a while and someone should correct me if I have this wrong

But as I remember it, Bush made a comment complaining that dealing with stuff like the Iraq war cut into his golf game. Olbermann noted that while Bush was lamenting not getting more golf in, brave soldiers were out there fighting and dying in the war the he had started and then subsequently mismanaged.

It wasn't entirely about golf, it was more about the war. But golf was used as a way to criticize the president on the war. That was my point. Golf opens you up to criticism because it leaves the impression that you'd rather be out there on the links than running the country.

[Brigid]

35. Neither is a freaking ballet horse.

God, I don't know why that is getting under my skin the way it does, but there you have it. Maybe it's that tax deduction thing. At least nobody, including Obama or W before him, gets a tax deduction for golf.

[RZM]

40. I don't care much about the golf myself

Though it has the reputation of being a rich-man's sport, I think that's somewhat overdone.

In dressage, however, the stereotype seems more appropriate. I'm no expert, but those horses look incredibly expensive. And while everybody at least knows what golf is, I'll be a lot of people would draw a blank if you asked them what dressage is. If you gave them a hint, they might say: 'Oh yeah, those big pretty horses that prance around. Isn't that a sport for rich people?'

Connecting with the average working family is definitely not Mitt's strong suit.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

29. I think you made my point for me. That there's this double standard means that there

is a lot more scrutiny of this black president. And frankly, I don't care what any of you here say. Open your eyes and you'll see that it is true!

[trumad]

17. Seriously one of the dumber posts I've read today.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

38. That's your opinion. I've seen you write some stupid shit yourself, so we're even.

[frazzled]

23. You've got to be kidding

The president should give it up because the press doesn't like to see a black man on the golf course? (Though they love it when white presidents do it.)

I suppose you also think women shouldn't hold high-level jobs (or play sports) either?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

30. See RZM's post below. I think my point is made eloquently there.

[frazzled]

46. I don't find any eloquence at all

I don't play golf, and I don't really care about it (though I know a number of people who are not rich who play it, on public golf courses).

I do care about statements that appear to apply a double standard to different races. You said: "the racists don't want to see a black man on the golf course." Never, NEVER capitulate to the racists. That is what you asked the president to do. I violently disagree with asking him to bend to racists.

Owning a kazillion-dollar race horse to take off on your taxes and enter in the dressage competition at the Olympics? Now I don't know anyone who does that.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

57. Your opinion. We agree to disagree.

[RZM]

27. I see what your saying. My opinion is if the preident wants to play some golf, good for him

The problem is that golf still does have that connotation of being a diversion for the rich and powerful. Many regular folks don't much identify with having the time, money, or interest to play golf. It's not entirely fair, but the stereotype is out there.

Plus, though it's not directly relevant here, golf is in an odd way associated with scandal and secretive deal-making. Politicians have gotten in trouble for accepting free golf outings from lobbyists and corporate bigwigs (including our former governor Bob Taft here in Ohio). You might remember that the top 10 list on DU2 included an icon for golf, since every once in while golf-related scandals would pop up.

But I would defend any president's right to play golf as long as they aren't doing it all the time. It's sort of like H-Dub's comment about broccoli. If the president wants to play golf (or not eat broccoli), they should be able to do so in peace.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

31. That's right. And maybe I shouldn't implied that he doesn't have the right to play golf

if he wants to. Sure, he does. He needs to be prepared, however, for the double standard and for articles like this one.

And yes, I do think it looks bad for him to be playing golf in this political and economic environment.

The president can do whatever he wants, even if I don't agree with it, and even though I think it's a bad idea politically.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

43. Is there anything else that you think President Obama should give up

to make him "look better" in this political and economic environment?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

54. Tell his surrogates and the Democratic Party leadership to have his back

and step up their game.

Other than that, the president is doing pretty good.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

13. Meanwhile

the Romneys get $70K deducted from their taxes for Horse "dressage".

Which are most people going to consider to be more "out of touch"?

[Initech]

51. Now watch this drive!!

[doc03]

14. I beleive at last count W was at over 300 days on

that Texas ranch.

[VenusRising]

16. Everyone needs an outlet to blow off steam and unwind.

It's not like he went in front of reporters calling for "all nations...blah...blah...blah...terrorist killers."

Now, watch this drive...

I'll take Obama golf any day!!

[lpbk2713]

18. I'm all for it.

If it relaxes him and puts him at ease what can be bad about that?


He doesn't get wasted in order to relax like some I can think of ...

[WilliamPitt]

22. When I was a kid

my mom pushed me to take up golf. Said it would be helpful in the future if I went into business or something. Lots of business gets done on a golf course; it's like a five-hour meeting outside.

Why does the right hate business?

[louis-t]

25. Once every 2 weeks. Big deal.

I wish I could play that often. bush spent more time at his 'ranch' doing nothing or fishing or drawing with his crayons than Obama has spent golfing. And he's accomplished more in 3.5 years than bush did in 8 years.

[NightWatcher]

33. But how long has he spent on the toilet?

10 minutes a day times 365 days a year, times the first 3 years of his term...

10,950 minutes in the can.... That's
182.5 hours on the crapper... That's
More than 7 days
(I hate math)

Obama has frittered away a week on the toilet while this country struggles.

Geez, he does get a day off. Boosh took more than a year off in Crawford.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

34. I have a few questions for those who are angry at what I posted upthread...

Why didn't USA Today write an article about how little Congress has been in session? Congress is out of the session yet again this week. This the most "do nothing" Congress ever! And in fact, some reports came out last week that informed us that GOP leaders have vowed not to do ANYTHING until after the election.

Now ask yourselves why USA Today wrote this article about the president as if he's not doing anything when it has been CONGRESS that hasn't done anything?

Then, ask yourselves why is it that there have been polls and surveys that demonstrate that most Americans falsely think the president has accomplished very little or nothing.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/march_april_2012/features/the_incomplete_greatness_of_ba035754.php

And on a Sunday morning show, Candy Crawley suggested that President Obama hasn't done much of anything to which David Plouffe corrected her, but that seems to be the operating meme.

Ponder these questions and hopefully you'll understand why I wrote what I wrote.

And I stand by those statements, too!

[Brigid]

37. At least if USAToday had run an article about how little Congress has been in session,

it would have been about something substantive. If Obama wants to play some golf, let him. Unlike W, he is at least getting things done (as much as he can in the face of Republican obstructionism) when he's not on the golf course.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

39. Nobody thinks he's getting anything done is my point. To the contrary...

They think he's out of touch and an elitist. That's the Corporate Media. That's how they will play it. And I guarantee you that even some Democrats will complain. I understand that you don't agree, but that's where I stand.

[trumad]

44. The second dumbest post I've read today.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

56. You're calling my post "dumb" but you haven't anything substantive to write.

Doesn't that make you WORSE than anything I have to say?

[trumad]

58. Guy is the hardest working man on the planet...

If he wants to take a couple of hours off per week to golf----let him fucking golf.

Those few who are disturbed about it can go fuck themselves....

Jesus Christ on toast!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

60. I agree that he should have time off and that he's hard working. You and many others here are

missing my point.

Nevermind...

Off to IGNORE you go for being fucking rude! Bye!

[trumad]

61. Your point is ridiculous.

and falls into the concern troll category.
Whhhhaaaa---He said fuck in a post.... gotta run and hide ....whhhaaaa

[Proud Liberal Dem]

42. Easier to go after POTUS (I suppose)

than 335 members of the House collectively (or at least the Republican majority of them) and the Republican obstructionists in the Senate. Or at least that's where the Republicans and the corporate media are choosing to focus- to deflect attention from Republican filibusters in the Senate and the House Republicans anemic work schedule. Maybe what we should do- instead of joining in on the Republican/corporate media pile-on over trivial matters such as how many games of golf President Obama has played since becoming POTUS (something that never used to be a big deal with any modern POTUS)- is to remind people that President Obama has done lots of things since he was inaugurated and is fully engaged with doing his day-to-day job as POTUS and that Republicans in the Senate are basically swatting down anything that President Obama proposes and/or anything the Dems try to do a vote on that doesn't command their full support (which isn't much nowadays) and that the House is barely in session at all since the Republicans took over in 2011?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

47. USA Today's editorials have been quite critical of Congress

I don't buy the paper, but a co-worker of mine brings it in on the weekend and I read it then. I actually find them to be quite fair in their treatment of Obama and pretty down on Congress most of the time.

I would say, looking at the web page, that it's a section that focuses specifically on the President, and yeah, some days it will dive into minutia. Remember that what we find to be a backhanded swipe of the President, that there are actually people who like the guy that care less about the politics and are more interested in his personal life. I find USA Today to be written to that crowd.

[ellie]

45. Why shouldn't he?

Congress has decided to stop work for the rest of the year.

[Motown_Johnny]

50. So, one round every ~2 weeks....

That isn't much for a golfer.


If it were the 1000th round of golf then maybe he would be improving his game.

[KamaAina]

52. So, what's his handicap?

Besides the repuke Congress, I mean.

[JoePhilly]

53. I've played about 20 rounds of Golf since Obama took office.

Each June, I take a father's day vacation with some old friends and we play 3 rounds, one Friday, Sat, and Sunday. I also play one round while on vacation in July. And then I play maybe two other rounds during the year.

If I was President, I'd definitely play more golf.

[Major Hogwash]

62. Tomorrow's USA Today headline: Obama takes a nap on every 3rd Saturday

For his 42nd nap, President Obama fell asleep in his Barcalounger after watching more than an hour of the most boring round of golf played in the 112 years of the U.S. Open.
Will Liberals turn out to vote for a President that has taken that many naps during his first term in office?
Historically, naps have only been taken by Republican Presidents like President William Howard "Sertasleeper" Taft.
But more recently, President George W. Bush simply sleptwalked through the entire 8 years that he was in the White House.
However, is this a new trend that will be adopted by Democrat Presidents?
Will Liberals reward President Obama with a 2nd term for lying down on the job during his 1st term?



"They got nothing!"