A sense of excitement filled the Old Whaling Church on Friday evening as visitors from around the country filtered in for the 14th annual Hutchins Forum, sponsored by the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University.
Politics and world affairs took the center stage during the first week of President Obama’s Vineyard vacation. The President mixed down time on the golf course and with family with public statements, fundraising and discussions with staff and world leaders.
President Obama has enjoyed a working vacation, remaining in contact with multiple international leaders and receiving briefings from his staff, deputy press secretary Eric Schultz told reporters in a Wednesday morning briefing at the Edgartown School.
President Obama interrupted his vacation Monday afternoon to address the nation on escalating political tensions in Iraq. Speaking to a group of Democratic supporters a short time later, he had warm words of praise for the Vineyard.
President Obama has kept a low profile during the first two days of his vacation, venturing out only for golf, and even that has been low key. The president, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia arrived on the Vineyard early Saturday afternoon.
The president, first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia landed in Marine One under clear blue skies on a picture-perfect August day. By mid-afternoon the president was out on the links at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs.
Military helicopters flew over the Island this week as the Vineyard prepared for what is becoming a familiar August event: the arrival Saturday of President Barack Obama for a summer vacation on the Island.
On Saturday sometime just after noon Marine One will touch down on the tarmac at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport carrying its precious cargo: the president of the United States and his family.
President Obama will return to Martha’s Vineyard early next month for a 16-day family vacation, the White House confirmed this week. The Obamas will stay in Chilmark again, but this year in a different home.
