For those curious about complicated itineraries, here’s where President Obama went this weekend, with a return to the nation’s capital scheduled for Monday evening. On Friday, the president attended a cybersecurity summit in San Francisco and a private Democratic National Committee fundraiser, checked in to the Fairmont Hotel, then had dinner at Spruce, a tony restaurant in Presidio Heights where the fare is “organic, ethically-grown, hyper-seasonal.” His dinner companion was Tesla CEO Elon Musk - this according to KPIX, a CBS affiliate in San Francisco.
On Saturday, Mr. Obama flew aboard Air Force One to Palm Springs and “went straight to the golf course” at the expansive Sunnyland estate in nearby Rancho Mirage, accompanied by old friends Bobby Titcomb, Greg Orme, and Marty Nesbitt. Following the game, Mr. Obama “retired to the nearby home of interior designer Michael Smith,” his home away from home throughout the weekend.
“Smith redecorated the Oval Office for Obama. Smith’s partner, James Costos, is the U.S. ambassador to Spain,” said an account by the Associated Press, which also noted that the president played golf Sunday at Porcupine Creek, owned by billionaire Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle software. The president did sign a five-page presidential memorandum, however, regulating federal agency use of drones; he also had phone calls with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko.
“The timing of Obama’s golf vacation couldn’t have been better. He stepped off of Air Force One into 80-degree, blue-sky weather as the District of Columbia region endured a Valentine’s Day blast of bitter cold air, powerful winds and snow. Obama traveled to Southern California without his wife, Michelle, or their daughters, Malia and Sasha,” the AP reported.
“I know what you’re thinking. Should he really be doing this given that the economy is just so-so and the world is in crisis? But look, it’s been six weeks since he had a vacation. I mean, give the guy a break,” quips Keith Koffler, founder of the White House Dossier, a news site.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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