Obama and daughters cause stir on Hawaii outing

[babylonsister]

Obama and daughters cause stir on Hawaii outing
Sat Dec 27, 2008 4:31am EST

By Ross Colvin



HAWAII KAI, Hawaii (Reuters) - Barack Obama, trying to enjoy the last semblance of normal life before he becomes U.S. president on January 20, caused a commotion when he took his daughters to a shopping mall in Hawaii on Friday.

It made for a surreal scene -- the president-elect, daughters Malia, 7, and Sasha, 10 and family friends eating at a table at the mall watched by a crowd of onlookers and surrounded by anxious-looking Secret Service agents.

The agents struggled to hold back people trying to get closer to snap pictures of Obama eating a tuna and melted cheese sandwich and the girls enjoying shave ices, a local treat made from finely shaved ice and fruit syrup.

Earlier, as Obama strolled through a mall parking lot, dozens of onlookers swarmed around, snapping pictures and cheering while Secret Service agents tried to keep a protective screen around the soon-to-be first family.

In interviews since his election on November 4 Obama has said he wants to maintain some degree of normal life for his daughters. He has also said he fears becoming isolated and losing touch with the world outside the White House "bubble."

But family outings such as Friday's are likely to become rare after he enters office and the already strict security measures that surround him now are intensified.

more...

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4BQ06I20081227

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. I. Just. Want. Him. To. Be. Safe.

And his whole family too. I totally applaud his sincere efforts to maintain a semblance of normalcy for his family. I don't want him taking unnecessary risks. That said, I love that the crowds around him are said to have been "cheering". That's cool!

[Amonester]

2. A sad reality: some degree of normal life no more :(

I'd say go to "La Conception, QC, Canada" in the Laurentides (Tremblant) for that (like Michael and Catherine, and Hally... and...) http://www.glacombe.com/jones.html

"Michael Douglas, 64 ans, apprécie la tranquillité de Tremblant, les gens le laissent tranquille au village et quand il fréquente les restaurants locaux."

Translation: Michael Douglas, 64, appreciates Mont-Tremblant's tranquility, people at the village there leave him alone and when he goes to the local restaurants.

C'est la vie.

[AtomicKitten]

3. I think Obama is trying to squeeze out a last bit of normality before the White House.

[firedupdem]

4. He's a good Dad....he knows the days of going to the mall are

just about over. The girls are about to go through quite a change...new school, new house. Enjoy now and God Keep him safe! This is probably the last trip to the mall for the next 8 yrs.

I love hearing how people cheer! They just want a glimpse of the first family!

[RC]

5. Obama is one of "Them". He made good.

From the working class, as are most Hawaiians, to the POTUS. It gives them hope.

[Fire1]

8. He's one of ALL of us, but he needs to 'cut the crap' and recognize

'time space continuum.' He is no longer the avg. Joe six pack.

[Cha]

6. Looks like Obama's sitting next

to his sister, Maya, in the pic. How surreal is it for Obama to be born on Oahu, growing up with his Mom on Food Stamps for a while and coming back as Prez Elect to his Toot's Memorial?

[davidpdx]

7. I bet the Secret Service were really unhappy about him going

there. The more public the place, the more difficult it is to protect him.

[ecstatic]

9. Yeah. I think Hawaii is the safest state to pull a stunt like that though

Miles away from the more nutty, hateful people although I'm sure Hawaii has it's share.