Obama completes his 100th round of golf

[druidp]

since taking the presidency, eclipsed by only one other president (and it's not GWB).

Sorry, I just feel like stirring shit today. Well, OK, I'm not really sorry. Thanks to NPR for the story.

www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/06/18/155279361/obamas-played-100-rounds-of-golf-which-presidents-beat-that?ft=1&f=1014&sc=tw

On Sunday, President Obama played his 100th round of golf since taking office, according to CBS News' Mark Knoller — the White House press corps' keeper of all sorts of presidential factoids.

In less than one term, Obama has eclipsed his predecessor. President George W. Bush played golf 24 times during eight years in the White House, ABC News' Good Morning America reports. Bush stopped playing while in office after an Aug. 19, 2003, truck bombing in Baghdad killed the U.N.'s top official in Iraq. He decided at that time, Bush said, according to The Washington Post, that "it's just not worth it anymore."

"Playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal," Bush said.

Obama is not close to being the most frequent duffer among presidents, though. One of them is probably no surprise. But the man at No. 1 may be. According to Good Morning America:

"That title falls to Woodrow Wilson, who reportedly played about 1,200 rounds during his presidency. Dwight Eisenhower is the runner-up at 800, according to his memorial commission."

[winston]

I have zero problem with him having a hobby that gives him a chance to relax. Are there any stats about how many magazines GWB read while in office? Do we really care?

[ttt]

Jun 18, 2012 11:07:26 GMT -5 druidp said:

since taking the presidency, eclipsed by only one other president (and it's not GWB).

Sorry, I just feel like stirring shit today. Well, OK, I'm not really sorry. Thanks to NPR for the story.

www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/06/18/155279361/obamas-played-100-rounds-of-golf-which-presidents-beat-that?ft=1&f=1014&sc=tw

On Sunday, President Obama played his 100th round of golf since taking office, according to CBS News' Mark Knoller — the White House press corps' keeper of all sorts of presidential factoids.

In less than one term, Obama has eclipsed his predecessor. President George W. Bush played golf 24 times during eight years in the White House, ABC News' Good Morning America reports. Bush stopped playing while in office after an Aug. 19, 2003, truck bombing in Baghdad killed the U.N.'s top official in Iraq. He decided at that time, Bush said, according to The Washington Post, that "it's just not worth it anymore."

"Playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal," Bush said.

Obama is not close to being the most frequent duffer among presidents, though. One of them is probably no surprise. But the man at No. 1 may be. According to Good Morning America:

"That title falls to Woodrow Wilson, who reportedly played about 1,200 rounds during his presidency. Dwight Eisenhower is the runner-up at 800, according to his memorial commission."

I think these contradict each other.

[casmgn]

I have no issue with this (or with an R President doing this). I assume that 1) it helps clear his head and 2) he conducts many meetings on the golf course.

[Deleted]

Business is done on the golf course, period.

[heightsyankee]

IMO playing golf is very different than taking vacation.

[y4m]

I don't think you can call it working. He mostly golfs with his own staffers--the guy who manages travel and maybe an assistant press secretary if I recall.

That said, I don't expect him to be working 24/7, nor do I have a problem with golfing.

I do expect some sunday shows to call David Axlerod on a quote from the mid 90s about HW "tastelessly" playing golf while trying to convince voters the economy was better. Sounds like a pretty fun parallel.

[teflep]

I don't care either, but the axel rod quote is HYsterical.

[emilyj]

I don't expect any president to work 24/7. I WANT the president to do something that gives him a mental break.

How much time did GW spend out on his ranch?

[GailGoldie]

I have no problem with it (and we know I do not like Obama). I can't imagine the stress of being pres - it's good he has a way to blow off steam.

[emmybean]

But how much brush has he cleared?

[penguingrrl]

I have no problem with it. First of all, he needs a way to clear his head and if golf is what it takes go for it. Second of all, I would imagine at least some of the rounds have been business related.

[marie427]

I'm offended by this, but only because I hate golf.

[ttt]

Jun 18, 2012 18:05:27 GMT -5 marie427 said:

I'm offended by this, but only because I hate golf.

Me too. If you can conduct business deals while playing, it's not a sport.

[EllieArroway]

Are people really upset about what amounts to, what, 2-3 rounds per month? Seriously?

I would hate to be president.

[heightsyankee]

Jun 18, 2012 18:01:03 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

I have no problem with it. First of all, he needs a way to clear his head and if golf is what it takes go for it. Second of all, I would imagine at least some of the rounds have been business related.

yes, even if he plays with only staffers, i'm sure there is shop talk.

[basilosaurus]

I thought Bush's ban on golf was so stupid it was insulting. So, I have no problem with this. It averages out to slightly more than twice a month, right? No biggie.

[JLN]

Meh. Golf sucks.

[emisi]

Jun 18, 2012 18:11:55 GMT -5 EllieArroway said:

Are people really upset about what amounts to, what, 2-3 rounds per month? Seriously?

I would hate to be president.

This is what I thought. It's probably more than that per month in the months that he was able to play golf, because we had some nasty winters in there. But seriously, I'm pretty sure my FIL has played double this amount of golf in the same amount of time. A person's allowed to have a hobby. It's not like he's going out and buying massively expensive dressage horses.

[Deleted]

I love golf. So obviously this makes me like Obama more

[Deleted]

But I bet he's way behind in hearts, jacks and tiddleywinks!

[heightsyankee]

Jun 18, 2012 20:44:17 GMT -5 sandsonik said:

But I bet he's way behind in hearts, jacks and tiddleywinks!

I have Nest dyslexia. First I thought ToledoDeux was "Toledo Delux" and until this post, I though your screen name was "sand on silk."

My brain no worky. Me blame childrens.