A thought on why President Obama went for a walk in DC today.

[WilliamPitt]

I'm just guessing, but I don't think it was all about highlighting the shutdown.

I think the Navy Yard shooting happened just a little while ago.

I think that crazy shit happened just yesterday.

And I think, just maybe, the president took a walk with his VP to help soothe the jangled nerves of what absolutely has to be a badly rattled city.

If that was in the back of his mind, I commend him.

If it wasn't, well, it may have had that effect anyway.

Just a thought.

[virgogal]

1. I agree. A good walk can be extremely therapeutic.

[StrictlyRockers]

2. I feel a bit unjangled myself for watching him go on a walkabout.

And I'm 3000 miles away.

[questionseverything]

22. he started out as an orginizer

in the worst neighborhoods of chicago...were there times he was scared? i am sure there were

i think his walk was about showing fear can not dictate

[former9thward]

37. Obama was not in the "worst neighborhoods".

Far from it. He did community organizing on the SE side of Chicago. Generally working with unemployed steelworkers. I lived and worked in those neighborhoods during that same time. They are certainly not the "worst" that Chicago has to offer.

[underthematrix]

54. And neither of the shootings happened in the worst neighborhoods

The President and the Vice President took that walk for lunch to show the public and visitors that everything was good and the city of our government is still a safe place to be. I love them both for doing that. It was amazing. It brought a smile to my face.

[demwing]

66. A completely separate point

and while true, does not change the point of the post to which you responded.

[questionseverything]

80. when he visited isu (downstate)

before he was a federal senator,i remember him speaking about voter registration drives all over the city

and to those of us not used to the city in general even the se side would seem scary compared to dc with secret service

[Pretzel_Warrior]

3. I think that was definitely a part of it. Also, just the imagery

that he is not hunkering down--he's open to the citizens around him. Just my two cents.

As others mentioned, speculation had started up about "Where's Biden" so including him in the lunch walkabout was great. And as others mentioned, it's a good thing it wasn't announced travel and the way was secured ahead of time by secret service. Having #1 and #2 guy out on public streets in these times can be a bit nerve racking.

[Autumn]

4. I think that it was a very smart thing to do,

and he and VP knew it, that was perfectly done. It was perfect and highlights the difference between the temper tantrum group and the stupid shit that rolls out of their mouths and the adults in charge of the situation.

[Skittles]

5. he's got guts

yes INDEED

[MynameisBlarney]

28. Yup

And his balls clink when he walks.

[Skittles]

39. BOSS

balls of solid steel

sorry, that was the name of my boyfriend's ram

[MynameisBlarney]

40. LOL

Nice!

[RebelOne]

43. He and Biden were in no danger

because they were surrounded by Security agents.

[Skittles]

47. yeah, that's all takes

[Gothmog]

6. A West Wing episode flashed before my eyes when I read headline

From a political standpoint, this was a good move by President Obama. I have to admit that when I saw the headline, I first wonder if this was something from the shutdown episode where President Bartlett took a walk

[progressoid]

15. Yep, that's the first thing that came to my mind too. n/t

[WilliamPitt]

20. You mean this?

[Gothmog]

26. Yes

Thank you for posting. This is one of my favorite episodes

[alarimer]

53. I forgot that there was a shutdown in the series

I can remember which season.

[Barack_America]

7. It was a nice day. The Rose Garden probably gets dull.

Plus, if there were any time to wish he did not shoulder the responsibilities of the Presidency...

[Tx4obama]

8. Obama and VP should not be walking around together...

... because IF something happened to both of them at the same time - we'd end up having Boehner as president !!!

Line of succession...

1 Vice President of the United States Joe Biden (D)
2 Speaker of the House John Boehner (R)
3 President pro tempore of the Senate Patrick Leahy (D)

-snip-

The full list here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_succession_to_the_United_States_president

[treestar]

21. Right you are

Though I wonder if that was meant to sort of specifically remind us of that!

[Barack_America]

34. Terrifying. Let's move Biden to an undisclosed location.

Seriously.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

9. It's a great way to clear one's head.

I've just logged on for the day and cannot believe there's backlash over a walk. I think I need another walk!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

14. most in the thread seem supportive

[WorseBeforeBetter]

24. I understand that.

I'm referring to life beyond DU.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

25. ah....got it.

anyone attacking this is clearly an ass hole. by their douchbaggery you will know them. I think Jesus said that. LOLOL.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

38. This was the walk for hoagies to Taylor's Gourmet...

which is offering a 10% discount and free cookie to furloughed workers? THE HORROR! Assholes, indeed.

[winter is coming]

46. Is that the one charging Congresscritters double?

If so, as President of the Senate, did Biden have to pony up?

[WorseBeforeBetter]

55. Heh... I don't think Taylor's was part of that.

And Obama picked up the tab.

SouperGirl was charging double and according to this, Jose Andres (Jaleo...YUM!) is offering free sandwiches to affected workers.

http://www.freep.com/article/20131002/BUSINESS07/310020101/Freebies-to-furloughed-workers-ease-shutdown-pain

[winter is coming]

56. Jaleo!! Yum, indeed! n/t

[RavensChick]

68. Really?

I haven't been to Jaleo in a long time! I should get there this weekend (with my badge, of course).

Thanks!

[winter is coming]

69. I haven't, either; hope you have a good time. n/t

[RavensChick]

65. Probably not.

On the other hand, if any member of Congress, regardless of party, walks in there they should pay TRIPLE for all the shit they have put the country through since Tuesday!

[NightWatcher]

10. Are you sure he wasn't trying to run away?

I'd be hiding out in the woods somewhere where cell phones didn't work.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

12. huh?

[NightWatcher]

19. things in DC are nuts, if I were Prez I'd be wanting to get away

[quinnox]

11. probably there was tons of advance security along the route

sharpshooters and secret service all over.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

13. undoubtedly. doesn't change the fact that it was a great move

[quinnox]

16. yea, yea, we know

everything Obama does is a "great move" to you.

[WilliamPitt]

18. Seriously?

[quinnox]

23. sure

why not?

[Pretzel_Warrior]

27. no. that time he went to Five Guys he should have gotten a bacon double cheese burger

and french fries. I don't know WHAT THE FUCK HE WAS THINKING. In for a penny. In for a pound.

[quinnox]

29. well, there you go

that's the harshest critique I've seen you give about Obama yet!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

30. tough shit. I've outsourced that to 80% of DU

and you guys are doing a bang up job.

[WilliamPitt]

32. OK.

That's funny.

[LanternWaste]

49. I imagine the corollary is just as valid.

I imagine the corollary is just as valid. Six of one, half a dozen of the other...


(Insert distinction without a difference here)

[jwirr]

17. I wondered that also. His response that he is not going to let all the threats and actions deter him

[spanone]

31. k&r...

[Buns_of_Fire]

33. There are probably fewer wacko sociopaths on the streets of D.C.

than there are walking around the halls of Congress these days.

[malaise]

35. K & R n/t

[Rene]

36. Excellent example of Courage and Leadership

[KoKo]

41. Okay...It was time for a good "Photo Op" to assure the American People that

"All is Quiet (except for Repugs Holding American's Hostage), Woman Killed who had Mental Problems an that Thousands of Americans are on Furlough all over the USA. "All is Quiet" on the Homeland Front..until 'Boner' gets ahold of his "Teabagger Troops."

I got it. Nice perception from you, Will, on this. I'd wondered myself about the purpose of the Photo Op and I think you explained it nicely.

[DinahMoeHum]

42. Not unlike Churchill walking the streets of London. . .

. . .after a bombing.

[KoKo]

70. WOW...that, too! n't

[CrispyQ]

44. This president has a grace about him, that really shows when he's among the People.

He's a nice looking, amiable guy with an great smile & a good sense of humor. He engages people. In a good way. W engaged people, too, but usually in a nasty way, a teasing, put down way. Not Prez O. He has style & grace. After the spirit he's shown the past few weeks, maybe the walk was to re-connect with the people. ??? I would like to have seen this kind of spirit coming out of the gate, or at least, very shortly after the many repub snubs at his reaching out, but I'm happy to see it. I hope he sees that this kind of fight is what will get the people out to the polls. Dems wouldn't need corporate cash to win elections if they stood like they have recently.

[tecelote]

45. K&R

Something Clinton or Carter would do.

[calimary]

48. I like it. It seemed like a terrific idea to try at least to suggest some semblance of normalcy.

Hopefully the optics on that will be reassuring to a few jangled nerves.

[CottonBear]

50. Are there any links to video or news reports for the walk?

I just got home and have not been able to find any information. Thanks!

[WorseBeforeBetter]

57. http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/obama-and-biden-go-out-for-lunch

[CottonBear]

59. Thanks so much! n/t

[WorseBeforeBetter]

61. My pleasure! (n/t)

[ailsagirl]

51. I think you're spot-on

I think his walk speaks volumes without saying a word. He does everything with dignity and class because that's who he is.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

79. :)

Yes.

It was a Good Thing, an encouraging and reassuring thing for a leader to do. And he is a leader--a damn good one. I see it as nothing other than positive.

The attempts from some to cast a cynical spin are ...well, no better than Fux Spews.

[MNBrewer]

52. I would love to see the President out among the people more often.

Despite what some boglodytes might think, I'd love to shake his hand and give him my encouragement.

[SoCalDem]

58. Unfortunately, there are too many loonies around who wish him harm

Ever since Kennedy's assassination, presidents no longer have the opportunity to truly meet the people up close & personal...

Especially THIS president.. I worry about him 24/7/365

[WilliamPitt]

60. "boglodytes"

Thought I'd heard everything at this point.

[mcar]

62. It was my thought too

If true, a gutsy move.

[Happyhippychick]

63. I think it was his anniversary too.

[zeemike]

64. There is another reason one might want to take a walk

that is unplanned.
And that is to talk in complete confidence that what you say won't be heard by spying ears and eyes.

But that probably is not it, because they would never do that to the president would they?.

[RavensChick]

67. A very lovely thought.

He was probably thinking that (I'm assuming), so I give him props for that as well.

Even in the midst of shootings, shutdowns, people going batshit crazy at the drop of a dime in rapid succession would give someone like him pause to step back, take a deep breath, and go for a walk.

I walk all the time and it does wonders to clear the head of all the craziness and focus on what's important. In President Obama's case, he's wondering what is the next step will they take while he sticks to his original opinion and not take back anything he said in the last few days.

Maybe perhaps Orange man and the rest of those thugs should get away from the cameras and get somewhere where they can reflect too. After all, they're the ones who started this shit in the first place.

That's just my 2 cents.

[NBachers]

71. I went to the Buzzfeed story - Check those dudes out!

Yes, I'm saying something good about President Obama.

Just like I always do!

I must be a fanboi.

What a broken record I am.

Pathetic, isn't it?

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/obama-and-biden-go-out-for-lunch

[bigtree]

72. it's a reassuring act

. . . but it's also a bit of normalcy that is best viewed as such, no matter what the motivation - inspiration or just hunger.

[fadedrose]

73. I don't think it was just to calm jangled nerves

It was a show of courage because, in spite of the shutdown, he has faith in himself and his people.

Whether one agrees with him or not, he is awesome, isn't he?

[jazzimov]

74. Thank you for this, Will. It's true

that something as simple as "taking a walk" can help clear your mind and see things in perspective.

[truebluegreen]

75. Either that or he's been watching reruns of The West Wing

like me. Also, too, what you said.

[suffragette]

76. K&R

[heaven05]

77. it was a brilliant thing

[obxhead]

78. One woman murdered by the police

and one man that sets himself on fire.

Things are going crazy in crazy town.