The Obama Family Heads to Hawaii For A Week’s Vacation; Hillary Clinton Will Campaign For Obama While He’s Away

  Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and their two beautiful young daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7 left Chicago for Hawaii earlier today – the state where Obama grew up and where his grandmother, who helped raise him, still lives. The Obamas will spend a week in a house they rented. 

I think this is a great idea – Obama needs some rest.  He must be burned-out, physically and emotionally.  He needs to regroup and come back strong.

Obama acknowledged some concern about taking time off but said that was offset by the need for some family time and a desire to visit his grandmother, who does not travel.

His campaign in conjunction with his family who lives in Hawaii have organized a welcome rally at a local park as well as a round of interviews. He is also expected to attend a fundraiser next week. Obama’s vacation will include mostly downtime, though. Other than enjoying the beach and watching the Olympics, he will spend some time with his grandmother, who helped raise him in Honolulu in the 1970s.

“I want to make sure that I’m spending time with her and I want to make sure she gets to spend time with her great grandchildren,” he said yesterday.

“During the middle of a campaign you are always worried about taking some time off. That’s the nature of the job,” Obama said.

“It’s been about 19 months since I saw my grandmother. And she is at an age where it’s really important for me to see her. And those little girls need a little love — as does Michelle. So we are going to take the time.”

Obama does not seem to be worried about ceding the spotlight to McCain and suggested it might help reduce any fatigue that some voters have said they are feeling from seeing him daily on the news. 

While Obama is in Hawaii, Senator Clinton will campaign for him.  Her first stop will be in Nevada where she will appear at a rally in Henderson on Friday.

“Senator Clinton did very well in Nevada in the primaries,” Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro explained, “She’s one of the most effective campaigners this country has seen.”

This is the first time that Clinton will be campaigning for Obama solo. She will also appear at a fundraiser in Florida on Obama’s behalf later this month.