Digby runs the math on Presidential vacations via

President Obama was on vacation for 26 days during his first year in office (2009). Ronald Reagan spent 42 days on vacation during his first year in office (1981). President George H.W. Bush was on vacation less than his son, 40 days, in 1989, his first year in office. President Obama was on vacation less in his first year in office than the previous three Republican Presidents.

No President since Reagan was on vacation less than Bill Clinton. Presidents Clinton and Carter vacationed the least of any of the last seven chief executives.

All Presidents point out that work is being done on vacation.

Republicans continually decide to argue nothing on merits. Presidents work hard, they’ve got a lot of stress and these are as much for their families and kids as much as it is for them. Does it cost a lot of money? Yes, because we are the most powerful nation in the world. Good thing is, they’ve overspent on defense and national security forever so we have all the resources to take care of this kinda trip all the time. This is shiny objects for lazy reporters waved around by even lazier Republicans who won’t just fundraise on good ol’ birtherism.

Boehner, McConnell and Priebus are leading party that’s business is opposition as a matter of ideology not circumstance.