Obama and family set out for summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard

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R&R time for Obamas on Martha’s Vineyard

VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. — President Barack Obama and his family have arrived on Martha’s Vineyard to begin a 10-day vacation.

The first family landed at the island airport Thursday afternoon following an Air Force One flight from Washington to a Coast Guard station on Cape Cod, then a short helicopter ride across Vineyard Sound.

The president greeted well-wishers under sunny skies — accompanied by his wife, Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia. Malia is just back from summer camp. Pet dog Bo came along, too, happily roaming the aisles of the presidential jet.

Aides say Obama is looking to recharge his batteries after a strenuous start to the year. But he left Washington with one last blast at the GOP — for blocking a Senate vote on a small business aid package.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is fleeing the heat and headaches of the capital in search of summer’s greatest delight: some time to unwind and kiss the office goodbye. Even if it is the Oval Office.

With his wife, Michelle, daughters Sasha and Malia and pet dog, Bo, in tow, Obama is hoping for a pleasantly uneventful 10 days as he heads to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., on Thursday.

“Just like a lot of American people, the president is taking a little time with his family to recharge his batteries,” deputy press secretary Bill Burton told reporters.

Obama ditched his jacket and tie Thursday afternoon and boarded Air Force One along with a small group of aides, including senior adviser and family friend Valerie Jarrett, who also has a house on Martha’s Vineyard. Mrs. Obama planned to travel separately with Sasha after picking up Malia from summer camp.

The long-awaited vacation comes after a hectic three-day fundraising and speechmaking sprint across the country and with new poll numbers showing Americans none too pleased with Obama’s handling of the economy as crucial midterm elections approach.

Then there’s the broiling controversy over a proposed mosque near ground zero, which Obama elevated last week by saying Muslims have the right to build in New York, a position a number of fellow Democrats are avoiding.

Continued high unemployment might seem to argue against an extended vacation at an exclusive island out of reach for most Americans. First lady Michelle Obama took flak over her recent jaunt to Spain. But Burton said voters wouldn’t begrudge their president some down time.

“I don’t think there’s an American person who doesn’t know that the president is working hard to do everything possible to get this economy back on the right track,” Burton said.

Burton also noted that any time a president goes on vacation, the word “vacation” has to be in quotes, because the responsibilities of the office don’t take time off. A battery of aides is accompanying the president to Martha’s Vineyard, where he’ll continue to receive his daily intelligence and other briefings.

Then there’s the unexpected. Last summer while on Martha’s Vineyard, Obama nominated Ben Bernanke to a second term as Federal Reserve chairman to quiet speculation about the appointment. He also went to Boston to eulogize his friend and former colleague, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

Obama is the third sitting president to spend time on Martha’s Vineyard. Bill Clinton vacationed there often, and long before that, so did Ulysses S. Grant.

Obama’s summer trip will be his ninth vacation since taking office. By the time his trip to the Vineyard is complete, he’ll have spent 48 days on vacation as president, according to Mark Knoller, a CBS News reporter the White House recognizes for his record-keeping.