Obama Vacation Home: A Look Inside (VIDEO)

The $9 million home that the Obama family is renting on Kailua Beach is one of three houses on the Castle Point property. The realtor who showed the first family the homes on Saturday says "They smiled a lot and they were trying to decide which home they were going to stay in. It's a tough choice." Below, a closer look at what one of the houses looks like.

**See a slideshow of the Obamas in Hawaii**

WATCH:

Comments

[GravitonX]

This is actually quite low-key for a President. It's basically portion of a Hawaiian McMansion sub-development turned into a compound.

A manor, palace, chateau, or hacienda...now that's royal.

[fass]

well deserved! after all once he gets into office there will be so much work to do the man might have a heart attack to clean the big mess the Bush family left behind above and beyond.

[richardgordon]

I really cannot fathom what all the fuss is about. Obama is the next President of the United States. Do American's really want to see their next president "slumming it" in some inexpensive holiday cottage? In any event, Obama deserves it. Unlike the previous President He's been working non-stop for 2 years -without pay. He also needs some rest an relaxation, in privacy away from the intrusions of the paparazzi.

[pumped4Obama]

Truethis - Surely not!

[TrueThis]

Was this ever done to Bush when he was first elected. I mean: Haters

[pumped4Obama]

Let's focus on the number of vacation days your president took while in office; and guess who paid for them:

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/pressclips/archives/2008/01/numb_and_number_1.php


The presidential vacation-time record holder is the late Ronald Reagan, who tallied 436 days in his two terms. At 418 days, and with 17 months to go in his presidency, Bush is going to beat that easily.

Even so, this year's August vacation for Bush is a contrast to previous years such as 2005, when he dragged out vacation in Texas to five weeks. That was also the year Bush remained on vacation immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit.

Do the math: Bush had taken 418 days of vacation in his first 6.7 years in office. That works out to 62.4 vacation days a year — a little more than 12 work weeks, which is probably slightly more vacation time than you get. On the other hand, think how much more damage Bush could have done if he hadn't taken so much vacation.

(and this was 17 months ago!)

Gripe about that!

[pumped4Obama]

To you Obama haters (still hatin), shut up already. Stop the whining, stop the complaining. Stop showing your jealousy and envy. Yes, black people deserve and earn a nice vacation in a luxurious place, especially the Obamas!

Yes, we're in a recession, but I'm glad they're enjoying their vacation. Once they return and move to the BIG HOUSE, you all will be hounding them like dogs, because you still can't grasp the concept that this young, vibrant, intelligent black family will live in the WH.

Again, stop your griping. Go scream at Bush for the mess he left, yet he's movng in a wealthy home in Dallas. He's one man that deserves none of the finer things in life!

[agiman]

I wonder what they will spend on the inauguration??

While the people are suffering the politicians will be dancing and drinking away !!

Shouldn't there be austerity?

[LibKitty]

Did you say the same about Bush 4 years ago?

[JessWonderin]

pales in comparision to what America PAID for 8 YEARS of Bush . . .

"Austarity" is sending Bush to retire in Gitmo, safe and secure . . . .

[DrVandy]

As long as he is spending his own money, I don't care. End of conversation.

Enjoy your vacation Mr. President, god knows he will need one before taking on the mess waiting for him in DC.

[quest44]

Considering the odds that he has surmounted to get where he is right now I have complete confidence in him to accomplish more than most presidents would have in the same situation.

As far as where he is staying and the luxury accomodations ,,Good for him and his family they well deserve it ! I wish them nothing but the best !
I hope that people will not be sending out so many wish lists to him and instead give him some breathing room ,,after all Bush left him with one ugly mess to clean up that will take some time to even start to straighten out so take a deep breath and take a wait and see approach before you dole out your oppinions and judgement .

[agiman]

Obie is a hypocrite !!

Saying that people are suffering economically. That company ceos should have a pay cut. That people should tighten their belts.

But he should vacation in a house that costs $3000 a night???

He should have stayed in his grandmother's home.

[cmarmonhalm]

if he can afford to stay there why shouldn't he stay there? It's not like the taxpayers are footing the bill.

[JessWonderin]

. . . yea, shouda stayed at one of McCain's seven or nine houses . . . or took a bunks at the Crawford Wild West Dude Ranch and Brush Reserve . . . .


. . ."suffering economically" ??? is that like a Republican eating generic caviar?

gotta love these low information tr0lls . . . .

[DrVandy]

You pretty much nailed it. Listening to repubs whine about Obama spending his own money on a vacation is laughable. Perhaps next year he can stay in one of the McCain Mansions.

[enquiringmind]

He has security staff, finding a holiday rental is not as easy as it looks when you have a host of others accompanying you..On the other hand John McCain and The Bush family own homes all over the place..at least Obama has the right approach, he rents.

[LZB-Hawaii]

I live in Kailua and took a walk down the beach the other day. Yes, the house is lovely. There has been a lot written about the houses he's renting this Christmas. But, when I walked back along the beach past the house he rented in August, I became curious about that house especially since there wasn't much information about it available online. Well, now there is:

http://visithawaii.wordpress.com/2008/12/26/obamas-other-house-in-kailua/

[Antisocial-ist]

How do you spell hypocrite? - OBAMA

[LibKitty]

How do you spell war criminal? - BUSH also acceptable CHENEY

[AngryCitizen]

grow up.

[JessWonderin]

that home schooling ain't what it's cracked up to be . . .

[VegasBabe]

how do you spell nincompoop? Antisocial-ist? or is it Rethuglican?

[Gordinia]

I'm pretty sure if I were President Obama that I would want to put a safe place to lodge on the top of my list of priorities. Has anyone considered that this factor may have played a roll in his choice for a vacation spot for him and his family?

[BIRTH]

THAT VACATION HOME IS AWESOME

[GravitonX]

It's really not that impressive. He could stay in MUCH better...

Obama's keeping it low-key.