The hardest-working man in government is officially off the clock. President Obama arrived in his home state of Hawaii, where he grew up, late Wednesday. First lady Michelle Obama and the couple's daughters, Sasha and Malia, have been there since the weekend, while the president remained in Washington to oversee a string of legislative victories, including the end of "Don't ask, don't tell," approval of a nuclear treaty with Russia and food-safety reform.
Christmas vacation in Hawaii is a tradition for the Obama family. The president was born there in 1961 and lived in Hawaii until he was 18, except for a period in Indonesia from ages 6 to 10. No public events are scheduled, though Obama is expected to hit the beach and play golf and perhaps take time to visit a U.S. Marine base on the island. Last year's vacation was interrupted by the "underwear bomber," who tried to blow up a plane over Detroit. Hopefully he will get the opportunity to actually enjoy his vacation this year.
Read more at AFP.