Obama takes plunge, swims in Gulf

By Ed Henry, CNN Senior White House Correspondent(CNN) --

 

The one really big question hanging over President Obama's weekend vacation to Panama City, Florida, now has an answer.

 

Will he or won't he dive into the water to send a message that the Gulf Coast is back?

 

The answer: He will, and sooner than expected.

 

"I think we're going to go tomorrow and as I just said Ed, I'm not going to let you guys take a picture of me with my shirt off," Obama jokingly told CNN Saturday. "You guys will tease me just like last time. I was on the front page ... People commenting."

 

But just hours later, a photo was published on the White House Flickr page showing a smiling President Obama and his daughter Sasha taking a dip in the Gulf waters off Alligator Point in Panama City Beach, Florida.

 

 

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BUT....did he eat the shrimp? :lol:

No mention of the thousands of jobs he has cost the coastal area??

No mention of the thousands of jobs he has cost the coastal area??

The jobs that Obama cost them, or the jobs the oil spill cost them?

The thousands of jobs he cost them because of his drilling bans..

Why don't we just overlook that this should help bring tourist back to the gulf area. That would help the local economies.

That picture could have been taken anywhere. Sounds like another conspiracy to me.

I think this was/is a good move by him. It shows the country that people can come back to the gulf with more confidence; plus the fact that his entourage will spend a few dollars down there, too.

 

Had Michelle & her crew done this, or at least gone to an American destination, she would have received much less criticism.

Why don't we just overlook that this should help bring tourist back to the gulf area. That would help the local economies.

 

 

 

Yep, lets forget everything and praise him on what a great original Idea Barry has come up with by swimming in the gulf. Good job Barry! What a guy!

For some people, it doesn't matter what he does. Not go to the Gulf for vacation? Bash him! Go to the Gulf for vacation? Bash him! Not swim in it while he was there? Bash him! Swim in it? Bash him!

 

:lol:

I don't think any president EVER has been this disconnected with the thoughts and ideas of the people of this country... And it's not just "some people" It's the majority of the people...

I don't think any president EVER has been this disconnected with the thoughts and ideas of the people of this country... And it's not just "some people" It's the majority of the people...

It depends on what we're talking about ... his beliefs, or the ones the right wing likes to attribute to him.

I think this was/is a good move by him. It shows the country that people can come back to the gulf with more confidence; plus the fact that his entourage will spend a few dollars down there, too.

 

Had Michelle & her crew done this, or at least gone to an American destination, she would have received much less criticism.

 

You are right on all accounts and I appreciate your non-partisan response.

 

Specifically on the issue of Mrs. Obama's vacation to Spain with her daughters (did both go? I'm not sure), certainly she would have received less criticism for an American destination, but I can see her desire to take her children on vacation abroad, in addition to trips made in the US. I can't fault her for that.

For some people, it doesn't matter what he does. Not go to the Gulf for vacation? Bash him! Go to the Gulf for vacation? Bash him! Not swim in it while he was there? Bash him! Swim in it? Bash him!

 

:lol:

 

Had he actually walked on the water, it would have been because it was hard water.

Is 27 hours really considered a "vacation"??