Obama's Vacation: Martha's Vineyard

UPDATE, August 24, 2009: THE OBAMAS HAVE LANDED!
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It looks like Obama will be palling around with race-baiter Henry Louis Gates this summer.

Gates was hoping that Obama would return to his favorite summer place. His wish has come true.

Maybe Gates will have a beer with Obama. Maybe Skip will let Obama ride his "sexy red tricycle."

Whatever, it's official. The Obamas will be vacationing on Martha's Vineyard. (Was there ever any doubt?)

From The Daily Beast:

The Daily Beast has learned where the first family will stay this summer: Blue Heron Farm, a lavish $20 million-compound on Martha's Vineyard—paying market rent.

Obama and family are planning to holiday at a Martha’s Vineyard property of the sort that rents for $35-50,000 a week. Negotiations are being finalized for the rental of Blue Heron Farm, a 28-and-a-half acre pile in the town of Chilmark that boasts a swimming pool, a small basketball court, and even a golf tee. There are four dwellings to choose from and more a half dozen other structures in which to swing a cat. (Chilmark, by the way, was deemed the most expensive small town in all America by Business Week back in 2007. It has since shot up again in value by several hundred million dollars.)

The 28-and-a-half acre pile boasts a swimming pool, a small basketball court, and even a golf tee. There are four dwellings to choose from and more a half dozen other structures in which to swing a cat.

First, they’re not renting the entire farm. As reported in this morning’s Vineyard Gazette, while the details are still being hammered out, it appears that the rental agreement will be split into three leases: one to be held by the Obamas, another by the Secret Service and a third by a White House entourage.

Second, they are paying their own way—according to sources, the Obamas are treating the transaction as a standard summer rental, from payment terms right down to requesting permission to bring the family dog. In contrast, Bill Clinton, the last sitting president on the Vineyard—and a professional schnorrer—shacked up rent-free for six summers of his presidency at the palatial digs of party donors and political pals....

Third, the rental options for a first family seeking peace and quiet in the post 9/11 world are severely limited. The choice of Blue Heron Farm concludes a thorough, months-long investigation of possible properties by the Secret Service and Senior White House aides. The advance team have looked at and rejected more than 20 rentals.

Early research centered on Oak Bluffs, the town where the Obamas have vacationed several times before and have many friends with summer homes, including Valerie Jarrett, Charles Ogletree and Obama’s recently arrested buddy Skip Gates.

The Obamas are paying $35-50,000 a week!

Good Lord, that's expensive.

I can't help but think of how much money the Obamas used to donate to charity before he had his eyes on national office and the White House.

From the Los Angeles Times:

The Obamas have only recently dug deeply into their own pockets to support charitable causes. In 2002, the year before Obama launched his U.S. Senate campaign, the couple reported income of $259,394 and $1,050 in deductions for gifts to charity, below the national average of $1,872.

The Obamas were rich in 2002, according to Obama's own standards; yet their charitable giving was BELOW the national average.

$35-50,000 a week for a vacation spot. ONE WEEK!

And I thought rooms in the Wisconsin Dells were expensive.

Of course, the Obamas will only be paying for 1/3 of the bill. The Secret Service will pay for another third and the White House entourage will pick up the final third.

Woo hoo! Taxpayers like me get to pay for 2/3 of the lease.

Remember, we all have to sacrifice. Obama says so.