Obama, Daughters Cause Stir At Hawaii Shopping Mall

Barack Obama, trying to enjoy the last semblance of normal life before he becomes U.S. president on January 20, caused a commotion when he took his daughters to a shopping mall in Hawaii on Friday.

It made for a surreal scene -- the president-elect, daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, and family friends eating at a table at the mall watched by a crowd of onlookers and surrounded by anxious-looking Secret Service agents.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[stunsitfel]

I did not vote for the guy but he is a cool dad. I wish him well.

[4funofit]

well your still welcome to all the good things that he might do for you, and stop voting against your best interest. I hope you have learned something important from this.
9 million votes put you firmly in the minority, give the rest of us a chance, love ya like my American brother, HAPPY NEW YEAR ;)

[stunsitfel]

I have not learned anything (about the new administration) yet....he has not taken office. Everyone is a good lay on the honeymoon. I remain upbeat about the future.

I voted(and will continue) for anyone who is for keeping the government out of my face and wallet. I give and continue to give to my church and hospitals of MY chosing. I don't need the government to take it and disperse as they see fit. I will say I give a hell of a lot more than hero's like Gore and Biden on a lot less in income.

With that said I want Obama to succeed. He is very smart. He knows no country on the face of this earth has every taxed it's way into prosperity.

[cantstopme2019]

You people will learn soon enough that you've been wrong about Obama. Always check a persons b l o o d lines.....

We're all going to end up like this under him

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coyote2012/2764144639/

[wembakoy]

Let us help the president to build the country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a08L8fcNZLk

[helloAll]

If Palin did this, you guys along with Joy Behar would accuse her of exploiting her kids.

[amistad]

What a dumb statement.
Obama was just trying to take his kids to the mall, in an attempt to lead a normal life.
Get over your stupidity and anger over the fact that your guy lost....

[swo68]

helloAll is actually right. If Palin took her kids to the mall for a photo op like Obama did, most of the people here would flip out.

[GlenRast]

Here's a clue for you. I'd bet that Obama took his kids shopping with his own money unlike your hero Palin. But hey you just keep worshiping Yukon Barbie all the way through another loss in 2012

[helloAll]

Obama's own money that he made for speaking engagements while serving as an elected official (tssk tssk)? It's on his tax returns from years past, but I'm surprised MSDNC didn't report it.

[swo68]

Palin actually didn't go shopping, and didn't ask for anyone to go shopping. The campaign did.

[sloreader]

buh bye All

[pixy242a]

Sarah brought her kids on stage daily at all the rallies, even though it has been the practice for pols to keep the kids away from the rough and tumble. She took them out of school to do it, ALSO ;).

Obama is on vacation -- he even gave the media the slip while visiting the water park. Perhaps, he thought it was his last chance to have an everyday outing with his kids, before taking office.

[rdiaz921]

He's on vacation. Going to the mall with his kids is a normal thing to do. I'm sure you want him to hide under a rock but the man has to have some normalcy.

He was spending time with his family. This was NOT a campaigning event. Get your perspective straight.

[Annieke]

This reminds me of the total surprise of an American cousin (in x-th degree) that was visiting The Netherlands a couple of years ago. I took him to Het Plein, the main square in The Hague, opposite the Dutch Houses of Parliament.
On the square, many terraces and we sat down at one of them for a beer. Suddenly I noticed the Dutch PM walking on the square and sitting down with some staff-members at the table next to us. I told him who his 'neighbour' was and he was surprised. Looking around he was asking where the people of the secret service were to protect the PM. I said that that was not necesary and he was almost in total shock: "no security???".

Of course this was before the murder of a Dutch politician, a Dutch film-maker and before 9/11. Since then even some highstanding Dutch politicians need protection :(

[Halter]

Aloha Spirit-from the NYT

Hawaii"s renowned hospitality and warmth were evident to the Obama party and reporters alike. Residents who gathered outside the president-elect"s compound or at his appearances called, "Obama Ohana," meaning Obama family " that is, part of Hawaii"s family.

Neighbors brought gifts to the checkpoint near where he was staying. On Christmas Day, one woman left snacks and board games for the press pool. Another placed patio furniture on the yard near the reporters" van.

A third woman brought Christmas gifts that included bicycle license plates bearing the word "aloha." They were for Michelle Obama and the two girls, Sasha and Malia. Apparently unaware of the security cordon that has already descended on all the Obamas, the woman said, "I figure the girls would be riding their bikes around, promoting bicycling in D.C."

The same woman left oatmeal, cranberry and raisin cookies for the reporters, photographers and camera crew. The group grabbed for the plastic bag, until a Reuters photographer, Hugh Gentry, saw a live cockroach in it.

[mamacat]

Am looking forward to having him as President. Great things are possible with competence and vision.

Also, why don't they make shaved ices on the mainland? Much better than the slurpees they sell here. Maybe it has to do with the difference in weather? I wonder what a tuna and melted cheese tastes like.

[wembakoy]

He is a good man.

Please share:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a14EXiryriY
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a08L8fcNZLk

[KayCo]

I'm glad to have a president that takes his kids to the mall just like we all do. I like that he enjoys spending time w/ his kids and doing the same things my husband does with our kids!

[swo68]

That's rather irresponsible.

[Azjade]

He's being a good role model for all dads.

[Riani]

I just feel sorry for all these people who thrive on calling him arrogant and conceited, and then he just comes out and does these incredibly normal, every-day things that you haven't seen a president do in probably the last 50 years. I betcha he's going to pop up unexpectatly in places doing things with the girls even when he is president. It is the randomness of these things that offers protection.

[swo68]

You are so right. I bet he had no idea there would be people there and cameras and I'm sure he wasn't making a photo op of it.

[wdw505]

who cares?

[grumpygranny66]

We do you m o r a n.

[KillBillV2]

I'm probably on your side but for the future, don't call someone a "m o r o n" if you can't spell it correctly.

[Clare53]

Millions and millions, that's who.

[catgirl666]

I can't wait for January 20, later Mr. Bush.

[Clare53]

18days, 20 hours and 27 minutes left.

[rf-hawaii]

There is no mall in Hawaii Kai.

[naeldwyck]

So what? The location indicates where the story has been posted, not where it happened.

[lj9283]

According to the the Hawaii Kai Town Center web site there is (http://www.hawaiikaitownecenter.com)

[kawika]

a former theatre and 4 shops...What a Mall!

[SouthPrairie]

I just want him to be careful. I do not want a tragic hero with a tragic flaw. Be careful, please.