Hawaiian Vacation Reveals Importance of Family, Friends to Obama (CBS News)

[highplainsdem]

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/08/15/politics/fromtheroad/entry4354813.shtml

August 15, 2008, 10:15 PM

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:


(SACRAMENTO, CA.) - During the week-long vacation in his native Hawaii, Barack Obama revealed a side of himself rarely seen by the public. Putting aside his casual wear - usually flip flops and a polo - Obama appeared more relaxed and “even-keeled” (as he often describes himself) than ever. With less than two weeks to go until the convention and the imminent announcement of his running mate, the presumptive Democratic nominee exhibited no signs of nervousness or anxiety during his trip. So, what was it about Hawaii that put Obama at ease?

For starters, Obama was surrounded by at least a dozen family and friends who rarely left his side. Whether it was jogging on the beach or playing a marathon round of golf, Chicago friends Marty Nesbitt and Eric Whitacker were always by his side. Nesbitt even appeared on the front page of the Sunday edition of the Honolulu Advertiser.

Hawaii friends Bobby Titcomb and Greg Orme, Punahou Academy classmates, were also on hand. On Sunday evening, Titcomb hosted a barbecue at his beachfront home for the entire contingent from Chicago, including campaign aides. Reporters only caught a glimpse of the partygoers lounging on the beach, as torches light up the night sky.

Orme, who now lives in Oregon, flew to Honolulu with his wife and baby to be with his old friend. Both he and Titcomb accompanied Obama to the spot where his mother’s ashes were scattered, as well as Punchbowl Cemetery, where his maternal grandfather is buried.

-snip-

As Obama heads into the most important phase of his presidential campaign, no matter how far his family and friends will seem, one thing is clear from his Hawaiian vacation: that family and friends are his backbone.

More at the link. Nice article.

[Diamonique]

1. Very nice! Thanks for posting! k&r

[highplainsdem]

10. You're welcome!

[madeline_con]

2. Nice, but I've never seen Obama any way BUT calm.

This seems to suggest he was all wound up before he went to Hawaii.

[C_U_L8R]

3. Meanwhile, in eight whole years

have we ever heard mention of a single friend of the Bushes ???

[Usrename]

17. Ummm... Jeff Gannon?

Kenny Boy?

[gblady]

4. nice article...

thanks for sharing...I'm so glad he took time for this...
rejuvenation is soooo important!

[Shine]

5. I think this week in HA did a lot to re-charge and refresh him for the weeks ahead.

and yes, family and friends are a huge part of feeling grounded. Good for him.

[ellisonz]

14. HI

[Shine]

18. LOL! That's what I meant.

HI back atcha! heh. er, ha! :D

[babylonsister]

6. Hey, thank you very much. nt

[DeepModem Mom]

7. K&R

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

8. Thanks for this article, highplains dem.

[Hekate]

9. This puts a smile on my face. Very nice that CBS is noting he's there for friends & family...

... not because he's supposedly slacking off in a supposedly exotic location. This article paints a really nice picture.

Hekate

[Phx_Dem]

11. Awesome.

I really enjoyed reading that. I especially loved the last part about "Toots."

[NYCGirl]

12. Very nice article. (BTW, I was reading the comments and came across

the handle of a tombstoned DUer who's now a PUMA.)

[fortyfeetunder]

13. Now that's what I call family values

Good for Sen. Obama!

[CatWoman]

15. lovely article

:kick:

[Top Cat]

16. Nice