Mike Savage ACTUALLY criticizes BUSH

[Guest]

I often wonder if President Bush is away from the White House more than any president in history. It seems like almost every weekend he is at Camp David and he goes to the ranch a lot. I just don't think being at his ranch in Texas sends the right message at the present time.

[Lindaloo]

Most Presidents go to Camp David to conduct business but no one says anything about that. It is a vacation home too. The President chooses to go to his ranch to conduct business instead of Camp David, so what.

[GalvestonDuck]

I often wonder if President Bush is away from the White House more than any president in history. It seems like almost every weekend he is at Camp David and he goes to the ranch a lot. I just don't think being at his ranch in Texas sends the right message at the present time.

When you consider the fact that he takes several White House staffers and aides with him, is he really on vacation? He stays in touch with what's going on and he's pretty much still working. He simply gets to sleep in his "own" bed and renew his sense of self with some rest and tranquility at the place he knows as "home." It's not really a vacation when you're at home, is it?

I'm all for it if it helps him maintain a level of comfort and peace that he can't get at the White House. That way he can continue to do what needs to be done for the country. It's got to be a heck of a stressful job. I wouldn't want it if I had to stay in DC all the time.

Besides, doesn't Congress take more time off than most of us?

[Guest]

I often wonder if President Bush is away from the White House more than any president in history. It seems like almost every weekend he is at Camp David and he goes to the ranch a lot. I just don't think being at his ranch in Texas sends the right message at the present time.

When you consider the fact that he takes several White House staffers and aides with him, is he really on vacation? He stays in touch with what's going on and he's pretty much still working. He simply gets to sleep in his "own" bed and renew his sense of self with some rest and tranquility at the place he knows as "home." It's not really a vacation when you're at home, is it?

I'm all for it if it helps him maintain a level of comfort and peace that he can't get at the White House. That way he can continue to do what needs to be done for the country. It's got to be a heck of a stressful job. I wouldn't want it if I had to stay in DC all the time.

Besides, doesn't Congress take more time off than most of us?

I don't think any president ever takes a true vacation. But he is away from the White House quite often. It has to be more costly for taxpayers as well, including traveling, Secret Service details, etc. I am not going to change any conservative minds here, but I don't think the president should be in Crawford at this time. His job is to be at the White House - if he wants to feel homey, bring some pictures of that same hay bale that always seems to be on the news behind the reporters.

After only six months in office, he took a month-long "vacation", the longest since any president since Richard Nixon.

And to tell you the truth, I certainly hope he doesn't need to go to Texas to function because he needs comfort and peace. I doubt that's the case, because that would call into question his fortitude.