STORY SUMMARY>>>President Barack Obama left the cold weather and bitter politics of Washington, D.C. behind Thursday as he and the first family arrived on Oahu for a ten day Christmas vacation.
The president, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha boarded Air Force One in route to Oahu just a few hours after the U.S. Senate passed a healthcare overhaul bill 60-39 that failed to win a single republican vote.“The reform bill that passed the Senate this morning, like the House bill, includes the toughest measures ever taken to hold the insurance industry accountable,” the president said before leaving for the Aloha State. “Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny you coverage on the basis of a preexisting condition.”
Yet to be settled is what will emerge from the Senate and House versions of the bill, which will likely be determined in a process known as conference committee.
Republicans still hope to defeat the final mock-up of the bill with most polls showing public support waning, especially among the elderly.
“Our members are leaving happy and upbeat,” said Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. “The public is on our side. This fight is not over.”
Arriving at Oahu’s Hickam Air Force Base at 3:35 p.m. local time, the president told Hawaii Rep. Mazie Hirono he was ready to relax. The first couple surprised a crowd of about seventy-five people when they took ten minutes to shake hands and extend holiday greetings.
"It shows that he cares about the military,” said serviceman Eric Wilson. “He took time out to come shake our hand.”
"He asked me what I wanted for Christmas and New Year (and) told us he wishes us a good day and the rest of the year,” said ten year old Jessica Taylor, whose father is a member of the U.S. Secret Service.
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann believes the Obamas’ ten day vacation on Oahu will do wonders for the state’s tourism industry, which has been deeply battered by the U.S. recession.
"I think it's going to create all kinds of demand,” the mayor told Khon2. “People are gonna want to come here when they see the president sunning and funning in Hawaii having great time.”
Despite spending $100,000 or more on presidential security, Hannemann believes the expenditure is an investment that will pay tremendous dividends for the cash strapped city, which faces a $140 million deficit during the next fiscal year.
"People talk about additional traffic congestion (and) how much it's going to cost to provide security through HPD - you know, it's all worth it.”
The first family is staying at a private residence on Kailua Beach valued at $8.9 million. Throngs of people lined the road in the sleepy town as the presidential motorcade made its way to the home on Kailuana Place.
Earlier in the day Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said the president planned a low-key vacation.
“When I said that there were no scheduled public events, there also aren’t a lot of scheduled private events,” Burton told reporters onboard Air Force One. “I think the president is going to wake up and see where the day takes him.”
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