Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on March 12, 2009

By Vicki McClure Davidson * Frugal Café Blog Zone

President Obama has been in office, for what, 51 days now? And it has been announced that he will not be attending the Annual Gridiron Dinner because, once again, he will be jetting on Air Force One to Chicago. (Just wondering – how much does each Air Force One jaunt to Chicago cost, anyway? Bet it’s a gargantuan bill… on second thought, I don’t even want to know, fearing sticker shock.)

His reason, for his daughters’ spring break, is, on the surface, rather sweet and paternal, but geez, it’s not like he’s a regular dad like Mike Brady or Dr. Cliff Huxtable or Ozzie Nelson. (OK, yes, these are fictional TV dads, but I’m hoping you’re following my drift.)

OBAMA IS THE PRESIDENT. As such, his duties and responsibilities sometimes interfere with spring breaks, with weekends, with holidays, with other days of the week. Being a world leader can be downright irksome like that. Shoot, my duties at my work sometimes demand that I give up a few Saturdays or work late (I’m salaried, so no compensation for overtime), but I do so because IT’S MY JOB… deadlines sometimes demand that I go that extra mile. I do so willingly. Sometimes, I’ve had to miss my son’s baseball game or my daughter’s volleyball match. I didn’t want to, but duty called. My kids understood that, as I’m sure Sasha and Malia Obama would, too. And I’m just a peon at the bottom of the ladder. Likely you’ve had that happen, too. But Obama??? Leader of the greatest nation in the world (for now) – hey, it’s vacation time in Chicago (and/or Camp David) every other week, no matter what! Following the whole British Prime Minister snub a few weeks ago, this doesn’t surprise me one iota.

I think this could be his fourth trip to Chicago since his inauguration, but I could be wrong. But if I’m right, he is flying the friendly skies outta DC about every 12-15 days. When does he actually WORK?

Here’s the story from MediaBistro:

Pres. Obama Will Not Attend Annual Gridiron Dinner, First President Since Cleveland to Miss
Thursday, Mar 12

A Gridiron Club member tells FBDC first that President Obama will not attend this year’s dinner next Saturday, March 21st. He will be the first president since Grover Cleveland not to attend the first Gridiron Club Dinner of his presidency.

This year’s date coincides with the spring break of President Obama’s daughters’ school and club members have been informed the Obama family will be out of town, likely in Chicago.

Vice President Joe Biden will attend and speak at the dinner in his place. This member tells us the club is delighted to have Vice President Biden, but that there will be some very disappointed guests.

Each year the dinner includes satirical musical skits choreographed by the members, and remarks by the president and various members of each party. President Obama spoke as a Senator at the March 2006 dinner.

The Gridiron Club was founded in 1885 and this year will be the 124th dinner. Membership is by invitation only and its 65 members include the most prestigious journalists in Washington.

Michelle Malkin has an excellent piece that was posted June 13, 2008, following respected journalist Tim Russert’s untimely death from a heart attack. Russert is cited talking about a number of things, and mentions the Gridiron Club dinner. For those who don’t know or remember him, Russert was a rare breed of journalist, and sadly, now during the Age of Obama, an even rarer professional of the media in terms of honor, principles, compassion, and journalistic integrity. Wonder what Russert’s take on Obama’s Gridiron Dinner “no show” would be (or, his take on anything going on in this White House’s administration anymore?). Read the piece – our country has morphed into Alice’s Wonderland when compared to last year in June: Reports: Tim Russert dead after heart attack; was working in NBC Washington bureau

FYI: Grover Cleveland was our 22nd and 24th president of the U.S.; his first term in office was 1885–89, the second was 1893–97. So, it’s been more than 100 years since our POTUS has missed this Gridiron shindig his first year in office. I’m just sayin’….

SPOT-ON UPDATE, ONE DAY LATER: Michelle Malkin (March 13, 2009): 52 days, 52 mistakes
Obama What’s the Facts? (WTF?): Obama’s Documented Lies
Frugal Café Blog Zone: The Savaging of Sarah Palin and the ‘Uncouthness’ of Barack Obama
More from Michelle Malkin: “People feel uncommonly saddened, miffed and burned.”

Categories: Government, Social and Political Climate
Tags: Air Force One, Barack Obama, Chicago, Gridiron Dinner, Grover Cleveland, Obama, POTUS, president, Tim Russert, White House