Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Give Me a Break: Summertime is the time for relaxation, vacations, and reruns. So I will relax while ranting about something I posted about last year. Every year we go through this. Critics get all worked up about Bush spending so much time away from the White House. I wish I didn't have to blog about this anymore, but it keeps getting brought up.

You see, the entire city of Washington, DC, gets essentially deserted for the month of August (which is very nice, by the way). The Senate is in recess. The House of Representatives is in recess. And the Supreme Court goes into suspended animation. Nobody comes back until September.

Even on The Daily Show last night, Jon Stewart made some comment to Sen. Biden about how it's important that members of Congress get a break in August so they can rest and mingle with their constituents. Then Sen. Biden later joked that he wants to run for president because of the vacation perks. It's amazing how hatred is truly blinding.

Critics famously blame Bush's vacation for the 9/11 attacks, even though Bush continues to get security and intelligence briefings every day, no matter where he is.

To Bush and his advisers, that criticism fundamentally misunderstands his Texas sojourns. Those who think he does not remain in command, aides say, do not understand the modern presidency or Bush's own work habits. At the ranch, White House officials say, Bush continues to receive daily national security briefings, sign documents, hold teleconferences with aides and military commanders, and even meet with foreign leaders. And from the president's point of view, the long Texas stints are the best way to clear his mind and reconnect with everyday America.

[...]

"Spending time outside of Washington always gives the president a fresh perspective of what's on the minds of the American people," White House press secretary Scott McClellan told reporters Friday. "It's a time, really, for him to shed the coat and tie and meet with folks out in the heartland and hear what's on their minds."

I encourage the rest of the blogosphere to please take a vacation for awhile. I know I'm ready for one.