Reply #10: Here's the Washington Post Article [View All]

[enough]

http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timeline/2001/wpost080701.html

A White House On the Range

Bush Retreats to Ranch For 'Working Vacation'

by Mike Allen
The Washington Post
August 7, 2001

CRAWFORD, Tex., Aug. 6 -- By the time President Bush returns to Washington on Labor Day after the longest presidential vacation in 32 years, he will have spent all or part of 54 days since the inauguration at his parched but beloved ranch. That's almost a quarter of his presidency.

Throw in four days last month at his parents' seaside estate in Kennebunkport, Maine, and 38 full or partial days at the presidential retreat at Camp David, and Bush will have spent 42 percent of his presidency at vacation spots or en route.

Many of those days are weekends, and the Camp David stays have included working visits with foreign leaders. But administration officials, who initially believed that regular trips to the Texas ranch enhanced Bush's image as a rugged outsider, are acting like they may be worried about the perception that he is loafing.

Responding to criticism from Democrats and their fears of long-term damage to Bush's image, his advisers have piled on so many activities for this month-long vacation that the president is likely to feel he is marooned at an overly ambitious summer camp. The White House held a briefing today to announce that Bush had run four miles early this morning, held a 45-minute meeting with four senior officials here and talked by telephone with national security adviser Condoleezza Rice about Macedonia.

Bush will "spend a good portion of the time working," spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters today.

more>