Clear

High: 83°

Low: 65°

Sunrise

6:03 AM

Sunset

7:11 PM



July 29

Obama says Maine was highlight of past month

From staff reports

President Barack Obama says his family vacation in Maine was "the rose" in his life among the "thorns" of his presidency during the past month.

In an interview with Barbara Walters that aired today on ABC's "The View," Obama says: "In the last month the rose has to be a couple of days we took in Maine with Michelle, Sasha and Malia. We went on bike rides and hikes . . .

"The girls," he continued, "are getting old enough now where they're not quite teenagers yet, so they still like you, but they're full of opinions, ideas and observations and it's just a great age. Malia just turned 12 and Sasha just turned 9, and it couldn't have been a better couple of days."

Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form

Send Question/Comment to the Publisher

48 COMMENTS

AFVET said...

As a kid, I came to Maine in the summers. My grandchildren come up in October. Introducing Maine to children at an early age makes a lasting -- and very positive -- impression. I hope Obama's girls come back often!

July 29, 2010 at 1:10 PM Report abuse

mungo said...

Thanks for the free advertisements. Come back again soon. Ayea.

July 29, 2010 at 1:10 PM Report abuse

stinkyspot said...

How Shucks. Thanks President Obama. Ya'all come back now real soon.

July 29, 2010 at 1:11 PM Report abuse

xcalibur1066 said...

OMG.. He likes us.. He really likes us.

July 29, 2010 at 1:14 PM Report abuse

Walker said...

Excellent advertising for the State o' Maine. Thanks! I was tickled to see the Obamas marching their kids up Cadillac, just like my parents did. It was a hard slog, but once we got to the top it was all worth it. Hope the girls will come back as adults.

July 29, 2010 at 1:28 PM Report abuse

wingnut said...

The highlight of my past month was when he got the h*ll out of Maine.

July 29, 2010 at 1:30 PM Report abuse

mainemewi9 said...

agreed wingnut! its great advertisement yes but not sad to see him go!

July 29, 2010 at 1:36 PM Report abuse

ridges said...

Thanks Mr. President. Come back any time. As for wingnut...yup..there are a few wingnuts around heah.

July 29, 2010 at 1:37 PM Report abuse

AFVET said...

Wingnuts. Why don't you do the same.

July 29, 2010 at 1:54 PM Report abuse

ucan2 said...

if you're hoping to see this tonight, you missed it. The View aired at 11 a.m. It was a good show

July 29, 2010 at 1:54 PM Report abuse

DavyJones said...

Cadillac Mountain is the best! Great to see President enjoying his time here.

July 29, 2010 at 1:57 PM Report abuse

september said...

Wingnut....you are a jerk. Why don't you sign your real name and address with this comment.

July 29, 2010 at 2:08 PM Report abuse

september said...

AFVET - RIGHT ON!!!

July 29, 2010 at 2:09 PM Report abuse

defiance said...

Is September your real name? Hmmm? You seem to have alot of comments on PPH yet chat about working for Corporate America all the time. Commenting on company time are we?

July 29, 2010 at 2:22 PM Report abuse

nonesuch said...

Highlight for Obama and low point for Maine. I much prefer visits from good americans like the Bush family.

July 29, 2010 at 2:33 PM Report abuse

GregHoward said...

You have my real name and I agree--wingnut is the wingnut. He needs to stop drinking the Haterade. I couldn't stand W, but not every single thing he did was bad. The "Wingnuts" of the world fail to understand that their knee-jerk (emphasis on "jerk") negative reaction to every single thing Obama does undercuts their credibility, not the President's...

July 29, 2010 at 2:37 PM Report abuse

mainerunr said...

wow, you liberals are just like a dog begging for attention and then you get it and wet yourself. Pathetic. In a time when the Gulf Coast needed positive attention and needs tourism as so much of their livelihood has been taken away by the oil spill, Obama pulled a 'do as I say, not as I do' moment, told people to vacation on the Gulf Coast, then came to Maine. Nothing like talking out both sides of your face. someday, the man will stop campaigning and start leading...well, maybe not...

July 29, 2010 at 2:46 PM Report abuse

Pablo said...

That's funny because when he came here that was my thorn and when he left that was my rose...

July 29, 2010 at 3:04 PM Report abuse

Sam said...

The Obamas are a beautiful family and were welcomed guests. It was a bonus to see all of the images of them enjoying Maine at its best in the news. Those are really good for our businesses! I really hope they come back often.

July 29, 2010 at 3:05 PM Report abuse

jake007 said...

Haiku... that is an outrageous statement to make. He is still the president and the office demands respect.

July 29, 2010 at 3:13 PM Report abuse

Hadlock said...

Of course it was a "highlight' compared to the series of "lowlights" which constitute his job performance.

July 29, 2010 at 3:16 PM Report abuse

usareader said...

If you don't like who's leading this country you are living in, find another. It is so much easier to throw stones at glass houses than to live in one.

July 29, 2010 at 3:21 PM Report abuse

Pablo said...

Find another leader or another country...please clarify

July 29, 2010 at 3:25 PM Report abuse

Josey+Wales said...

usareader, then why are the liberals still here after hating Bush for 8 years?

July 29, 2010 at 3:31 PM Report abuse

usareader said...

Seriously Pablo... I said nothing of finding another leader~ Josey+Wales ~ liberals you ask? Websters Dictionary on line describes as:One who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer; in English politics, a member of the Liberal party, so called. Cf. Whig.[Websters]

July 29, 2010 at 3:44 PM Report abuse

Pablo said...

jake007....I seriously hope you're kidding "the office demands respect". Like Monica Lewinsky respect or Marilyn Monroe respect? He's a president, not a god like liberals want to believe. Obama has the Constitution written on his toilet paper. I give him credit though, his intent was to destroy this country and so far he is doing an amazing job...

July 29, 2010 at 3:50 PM Report abuse

Josey+Wales said...

Funny, the liberals in this country are just the opposite.

July 29, 2010 at 3:51 PM Report abuse

DSC05 said...

Bush may have been a terrible President but President Obama is far worse. His policies will bankrupt this country both fiscally and morally. His inaction as well as former President Bush's prompted Arizona to pass a desperation bill to deal with the problem of illegal immigrants. Bush ignored the border and President Obama continues to ignore it. This is just one of his offenses along with forcing health care on a population who did not want it, taking over two car giants, spending like a drunken sailor,all this in only 18 months. It took years for most people to dislike Bush only months for them to dislike President Obama. Stay in Washington and turn in the keys to the plane already!

July 29, 2010 at 3:58 PM Report abuse

usareader said...

RE:Josey+Wales said... Funny, the liberals in this country are just the opposite. Because they are reformers~ "One who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer" Just because they are on opposites sides of your beliefs doesn't make them either right or wrong. You have a voice just like they do. If you don't like the way things are going, take a stand. At least make a difference in your place in the world if you can't change the entire world to your way of thinking.

July 29, 2010 at 4:01 PM Report abuse

RickD said...

It warms my heart that we as a country were able to borrow the money from China that in part was able to fund the Obama family vacation in Maine.

July 29, 2010 at 4:11 PM Report abuse

usareader said...

RickD ~ it warms my heart more to know money went to bail out major companies so the corporate executives could do what they want. As Americans the money should have been equally distributed into the working citizens pocket to put this country back on track. Ahhh...the nature of politics... if it makes sense... don't do it.

July 29, 2010 at 4:19 PM Report abuse

MainenCrisis said...

Don't care what Obi says or does jsut wish he would go away and stop trashing our country!

July 29, 2010 at 4:23 PM Report abuse

jarhead12 said...

usareader - " Because they are reformers~ "One who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters" - REALLY, I mean REALLY!! You believe that?? Yet its the liberals who attack religion on a daily basis. Libs that demand there NOT be a moment of silence in school or Demand our children not say the Pledge of Allegiance " Under God" Liberals want nothign to do with religion and only want the politics to control the individuals thoughts. reformers my butt

July 29, 2010 at 4:37 PM Report abuse

AR5 said...

Sad to see those complaining about his visit. Maine needs $$$ right now, those of you who don't want to see that $$ come into the state should be ashamed. Great advertising from the President today!

July 29, 2010 at 4:42 PM Report abuse

MSH said...

The repug noise brigade has been busy today...

July 29, 2010 at 6:01 PM Report abuse

Merrigan said...

I'm proud he liked Maine. For all our differences, this is a great, beautiful and special place.

July 29, 2010 at 6:02 PM Report abuse

Bud said...

I hope he isn't like most of the Summer People I know that want/decide to move here!!

July 29, 2010 at 6:40 PM Report abuse

GURRY70 said...

As a family unit it is nice they had a good time...too bad they didn't visit the real Maine instead of highbrow Mt. Dessert. PPH How about a few real stories covering what Obama is up to in Washington!!!!!!

July 29, 2010 at 6:42 PM Report abuse

Orly said...

President Bush: "Peter. Are you going to ask that question with shades on?" Peter Wallsten of the Los Angeles Times: "I can take them off." Bush: "I'm interested in the shade look, seriously." Wallsten: "All right, I'll keep it, then." Bush: "For the viewers, there's no sun." Wallsten: "I guess it depends on your perspective." Bush: "Touche. --an exchange with legally blind reporter Peter Wallsten, to whom Bush later apologized, Washington, D.C., June 14, 2006................OH YA much rather have them thar great amar..amaricy...USA people here

July 29, 2010 at 7:42 PM Report abuse

Wally2468 said...

Obama's appearance on the view proved the joke of the day... How do you tick off a conservative? Tell him a lie. How do you tick off a liberal. Tell him the truth.

July 29, 2010 at 8:23 PM Report abuse

Robinwhod said...

Our Senators are your Senators, what's not to like about Maine?

July 29, 2010 at 9:17 PM Report abuse

usareader said...

Jarhead12~ glad I got your attention. If you care to read more it was in response to Josey+Wales who first suggested liberals still being here. America is a melting pot of many different views~ political, scientific, religious to name a few. America is a tapestry of many different nationalties. Not everyone thinks like someone else. The ones who want Prayer in Schools should stand together to re-instate it. Greater freedom, within reason, is allowed in the United States. Freedom to pursue our own religious and political beliefs. Wow... is that liberal thinking??? Not sure whatever happened to the "moment of silence" in the class rooms for those to express their beliefs internally. Do you say the Pledge of Alliance each day in your home? Teaching should also be done at home, not only in the classrooms. Teaching manners and respect should be practiced daily. Treat others as you would want to be treated.

July 29, 2010 at 9:27 PM Report abuse

Sam said...

Ah yes - little Haiku aka N.P. Akers. Here's a paranoid Haiku for you: ~ They are always there ~ Watching, searching, they found me ~ I sleep with lights on

July 29, 2010 at 10:06 PM Report abuse

LarrySellers said...

Yawn...

July 29, 2010 at 10:07 PM Report abuse

Dino90000000 said...

Glad to hear this nice family enjoyed their time in Maine.

July 30, 2010 at 10:10 AM Report abuse

stinkyspot said...

Folks... when will you learn.... Merriam Websters gives two definitions of a politician. 1 - a person experienced in the art or science of government; especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government and 2 - a person engaged in party politics as a profession b : a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons. It also gives three definitions of the word politics a : the art or science of government b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government. Now if any of you think that any president past or current is not a combination of these definitions you are either dilusional or a liar. Obama, Bush, Clinton, etc... they are all politicians and try their best, make mistakes and have aspirations of their own and for their country.

July 30, 2010 at 11:40 AM Report abuse

SmF5c21vbQ%3D%3D said...

.. Yes your visit was a rose.. I happened to be in Ellsworth that weekend and figured we'd go to Bar Harbor for a quick look with the kids only to find 1/2 the park cordoned off for the president. We made the best of it but still felt a little cheated by all the security. At least it wasn't as bad as when you were here in April and your 5 helicopters woke my 4 year old. I guess someone thought it would be a good day to see Portland headlight since you ALL buzzed the neighborhood in South Portland about rooftop high. Nothing like a screaming child thinking all hell is braking loose in the afternoon. That little escapade didn't do much for my child's health. Hope your feel good speech at the Expo did more for your health care policy.

July 30, 2010 at 12:50 PM Report abuse

mainefem said...

_KJ_ staffers were too lazy to paste up the related programming link? http://bit.ly/9qZy3C

July 30, 2010 at 2:46 PM Report abuse