President Barack Obama sits in a golf cart while golfing at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Thursday, Aug. 21. Obama returned from his vacation on the island Sunday night. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
President Barack Obama, left, maneuvers his golf cart while golfing at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Thursday, Aug. 21. Obama returned from his vacation on the island Sunday night. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
President Barack Obama operates an electronic device while golfing at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Thursday, Aug. 21. Obama returned from his vacation on the island Sunday night. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
President Barack Obama watches the flight of his ball after hitting on the fairway while golfing at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014. Obama is vacationing on the island. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
CHILMARK, Mass. — President Barack Obama is criticized whenever he goes on vacation but travel industry data show he’s taken about as much vacation this year as most Americans do.
Still, his decision to continue with a two-week holiday in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and play hours of golf amid major foreign policy crises, has teed up his criticsanew. It’s also forcing the White House to confront the issue of whether there’s ever a good time for a president to go on vacation.
Aides deflect the criticism and say Obama travels with the staff and equipment needed to do the job from wherever he may be.
The vacation was Obama’s fourth this year. U.S. Travel Association data put him on par with most Americans, who average four leisure trips a year.
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