Staff Reports
President Joe Biden is taking a sunny break from the gridlock and chaos of Washington, D.C. to ring in the new year in the United States Virgin Islands. After spending Christmas at Camp David, Biden and first lady Jill Biden are jetting off to St. Croix for some rest and relaxation. The couple may also be joined by other members of the Biden family, making it a real family affair.
Biden’s trip to Camp David over Christmas marked his 30th visit to the presidential retreat, bringing his total days spent there to a whopping 102. Mark Knoller, a former CBS News White House Correspondent, confirmed the president has racked up nearly 40% of his presidency in Delaware, at Camp David, or off vacationing elsewhere. That’s a lot of time away from the Oval Office.
By my count, this is Biden’s 30th visit to Camp David, his first time at Christmas. Will bring days spent there to 102. Compares with predecessors at same point in office:
-Trump: 11 visits/25 days
-Obama: 22/54
-GWBush: 74/235— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 23, 2023
In comparison to his predecessors at the same point in their terms, Biden’s leisurely retreats seem excessive. Former President Trump clocked 25 days at Camp David across 11 trips, while Obama totaled 54 days across 22 visits. Meanwhile, George W. Bush outpaced them all with 235 days spent at Camp David over 74 visits. It seems like Biden’s idea of being president involves a lot of downtime.
The escapade to the Virgin Islands couldn’t come at a better time for Biden, as he’s been struggling in the public eye lately. His approval ratings are in the dumps, especially among young Democratic voters who are turning their backs on him. The crisis in Gaza has also put a stain on his reputation. A recent New York Times poll found that an overwhelming 72% of voters aged 18-29 disapprove of Biden’s support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military campaign in Gaza.
Speaking of Gaza, the president has been doing some backpedaling on his support for Netanyahu. At closed-door fundraisers, he’s made it clear that Israel must change its tactics in dealing with Hamas terrorists or face losing international support. And just recently, Biden had a chat with the Emir of Qatar about the hostages still held by Hamas, including American citizens. It seems like the president is finally waking up to the mess he’s been involved in.
As Biden escapes for his Caribbean vacation, the challenges he faces at home are looming large. He’s got a tough road ahead, especially with rumblings of a potential showdown with former President Donald Trump in the next election. But for now, he’s traded the White House for white sand, and who can blame him? We all need a break sometimes, especially this guy.
