First Family To Travel To National Parks Next Week

WASHINGTON — The White House is announcing that the first family will travel to national parks in the West next week.

President Barack Obama and his family will visit Bozeman, Mont., Yellowstone National Park, Grand Junction, Colo., the Grand Canyon and Phoenix.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs says the trip is meant to encourage people to visit the national park system, and it will occur during a "fee-free" weekend for national parks. And, he said Obama also will promote his policies during the trip.

The president also is expected to hold town hall style meetings at some of the places as he pushes Congress to pass an overhaul of the health care system. While on his Western swing, Obama is to address the convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, being held in Phoenix. It's a summertime tradition for presidents.

Comments

[GalapagosTortoise]

We're long-time big fans of the national parks, so it's great to see the Obamas doing this, and setting an example for others. I have long felt that our national parks are America's treasures. It would be a challenge for me to single out a favorite.

Very nice idea, too, President Obama combining this with the townhall meetings and the push for healthcare reform.

[SpankMePlease]

a us president visits the national parks and it's criticized as a jet-stting luxury boondoggle?

this has got to be one of the stupidiest issues on this board. makes sense since the claim is being made by the stupidiest people on this board.

[t iessa]

Nutbags. They're all just nutbags.

[LoveGuv]

You know the clother and vacationists movements are in trouble when OrlyAmazon's #1 buttt boy is calling them nutbags.

"My name is Tiessa. I am a clother, a vacationist and a nutbag!"

[Redheadwithopinions]

Hey- way cool. I think its great that the President is taking his girls to the great outdoors this summer. While traveling the world can be a great education, just sitting in the forest listening to the birds is important too. I think they will have a great time and learn more than they expect to. It's not like going to a zoo. I just hope the Secret Service doesn't panic when they see a large wild beast and shoot it or something that would create such a scandal!

[Randi Weaver]

Having an idiot-free day/year. Going forward all vacationists, birthers etc. are not to be met with facts, but open-jawed silence - having been stunned by their stupidity.

Enjoy the parks, and thanks, Barack.

[LoveGuv]

Let's add ridicule to the list. They're too stupid and untruthful to meet with facts so why bother.

Ignore or ridicule the birthers, vacationists, clothers, healthers.

[t iessa]

"Ignore or ridicule the birthers, vacationists, clothers, healthers.­"

Please do. It would be appreciated by all.

[ReesieKitty]

Wow, think of how the local economies in these towns near the state parks will be stimulated! People will need places to stay, food to eat, etc. It is GOOD for local economies when a politician comes to town with security, etc. It is GOOD for our President to draw attention to our National Parks and why we ought to value them.

[Pablo175]

Stay home. We can't afford your vacations.

[Observer963]

It is his home ... the United States of America and he is the President.

[samper]

But we could afford Bush's vacations? For over a THIRD of his presidency?

[CLSayles]

I absolutely loved this response!!! 1/3??? LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chem is she]

Ah yes, I came to see how the haters would spin this in a negative way. Have to say boys, its pretty weak. Maybe next time, right? He'll go to a soccer game or order chianti or something you can really sink your tooth into.

[GalapagosTortoise]

It makes them green with envy. The Obamas do everything with such good taste.

[Observer963]

Not sure what happened to my post so there it is again ... I think this is fantastic, absolutely postive and something that Obamas would do; traveling some place where "normal" people can afford to go; promoting our beautiful parks and of course the need for preserving it for next generations; traveling as a family (GWB: I go play golf with my buddies .. the t.w.i.n.s .. no idea where they are .. until they get b.u.s.ted at a bar for u.nd.era.ge dr.ink.ing with a f.a.ke ID); teaching their kids about our national treasures and having town hall meetings at the same time to keep in touch with people (like one comment said it is not like the President is cutting off all communication with the White House and his job anyways )... what is there not to like?

[DontFeedTheBeast]

hope they can find one thats open

[Katie Saddlemire - Huffpost Blogger]

How lovely!

[starfish62]

Enjoy your vacation first family! You make us proud everyday!

[Observer963]

Agreed.

[GalapagosTortoise]

Amen. So good to have a President and first family we can feel good about.

[Observer963]

I think this is fantastic, it is an absolutely positive move and it is what Obamas would do; the first family promotes the national parks; they are actually promoting vacation destinations that even we (my family and I) (and may other people I'd think) could afford; they promote enjoying the parks of our country and promote the need of perserving them (and our environment) for next generations; they teach their kids about the monumental parks of this country; they travel as a family (as opposed to GWB ... I am going to play golf with my buddies ... the twins ... no idea where they are! until they get busted at a bar for under age drinking); AND the President will have town hall meetings and stay in touch with people (of course like one comment said it is not like he is cutting off all the communication with the White House and his job as the President). So I think this is great. I hope they enjoy it.

[LoveGuv]

Clothers - Anti-Obama tr011s who obsess over Michelle's clothes. They claim she is joke in the fashion industry and her clothes have destroyed her reputation as first lady and damaged our image abroad.

Vacationists -- Anti-Obama tr011s who obsess over when and where the president travels. They claim that every plane trip is a vacation. They lie about the amount of time he takes off and what it costs taxpayers.

Both movements are led by OrlyAmazon.

[t iessa]

Yes, we are all of her undying followers and we love your made up names for us!

Gosh, I wonder why I said so many posts on here are just silly.

[LoveGuv]

"We"? "Us?"

"My name is Tiessa and I'm a clother." "My name is Tiessa and I'm a vacationis­t." The first step.

You're making progress in two ways. (a) You admit you fit the description, regardless of the name. (b) You're trying to run away from your joke of a leader, OrlyAmazon.

It's too little too late though. The Orly Taitz of fashion and vacation is the face of clother and vacationist movement.

[SRAC]

How nice that the President is going on vacation again. He sure is looking more and more like George W. Bush. Perhaps his advisers might mention the nation has some problems to deal with.

[marylandtravelinman]

Can you not read or are you too busy listening to propaganda on the radio. The article states:

"The president also is expected to hold town hall style meetings at some of the places as he pushes Congress to pass an overhaul of the health care system."

Don't remember many town hall meeting in Crawford.

[Observer963]

" Don't remember many town hall meeting in Crawford." Well, that was not because of lack of effort from people ... I remember there were people sympathizing with Cindy Sheehan and camping around the ranch .. oooooppps ... they actually got arrested.

[mistlesuede]

Yes, I'm sure that he doesn't take his blackberry, computer or advisors with him on a so-called vacation. I'm sure he is totally out of touch and not reachable (Mark Sanford) and unimpressed by Presidential Daily Briefs (Bush).
Your comment is baseless quite frankly, dumb.

[LoveGuv]

Vacationist: n. an anti-obama tr011 who knowingly lies about the amount of vacation the president takes and what it costs the taxpayer.

[LindaInAus]

Have you been under a ROCK?? Where have you been? Or, you must be deaf.

[Observer963]

"He sure is looking more and more like George W. Bush" ... not even close ... not even close

[fishgirl26]

My sister owns a small business in West Yellowstone, MT and I am sure she is anticipating Pres. Obama's visit as he will more than likely go through the West gate or through the historic North Entrance by Gardiner. Presidents don't visit national parks and they should. These parks belong to all of us and what a great thing for him to promote them. The last president to visit Glacier National Park was President Roosevelt and that was in 1942. Attention needs to be paid to the parks so people realize what special places they truly are.