Golf summit goes great: Bosses Obama and Boehner beat Biden and Kasich
President Obama's not big on Oval Office addresses; no audience to play off of.
But he does love his outdoor summits.
Remember the White House beer summit after he called Cambridge police actions stupid after they handcuffed a Harvard professor friend? So POTUS had the cop and the professor and VP Joe Biden out back for a well-photographed beer.
Well, today was supposed to be the Golf Summit with the country's top two Democrats golfing all-friendly-like with Republican House Speaker John A. Boehner and his Ohio GOP pal, former representative and now Gov. John Kasich.
Republicans and Democrats in D.C. are currently arguing over trillions of dollars in cuts (scroll down for detailed stories) in order for the GOP-controlled House to go along with raising the national debt limit before the de facto Aug. 2 deadline.
They did play golf today. It was reportedly a $2 game (each), decided on the 18th hole and -- who would have guessed? -- the duo of bosses, Obama and Boehner, beat the other two.
There are ample news pool photos of the collegial gathering that were allowed to be taken at one hole. Back-pats and all that.
But judging from the official White House photo released above, it looks like it could have been the Schmooze Summit (also, there's at least one beer in there somewhere).
News consumers need to be careful on controlled events like this where the only official photo is, well, official. Like advance speech excerpts, the photos are carefully chosen to create a politically desirable impression. Remember the president lecturing the Dalai Lama photo?
In this scene, the president and VP know the photos are being snapped and look profoundly entertained by their guest speaker Speaker.
Anyway, this photo of a nonpolitical political moment in time appears to show the bipartisan quartet had a good time on a summer Saturday. No harm in that, even if they're back at it after Father's Day.
RELATED:
Boehner assaults Obama over Libyan no hostilities claim
Obama's unathorized Libya war is costing U.S. taxpayers $9,241,000 a day
Boehner: Spending cuts must be larger than the increase in the national debt
-- Andrew Malcolm
Don't forget to follow The Ticket via Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item. Or click this: @latimestot. Our Facebook Like page is over here. We're also available on Kindle.Use the ReTweet buttons above to share any item with family and friends.
Photo: Pete Souza / White House (Boehner tells a story to Obama, Biden and loyal Ohio State fan, Gov. John Kasich); Associated Press (Obama signature golf ball).
A $2 game, isn't that gambling on the game?
Isn't it illegal to gamble in Washington, D.C.?
Posted by: Guest | June 18, 2011 at 03:42 PM
Obama and Boehner golf for lobster, while the middle class eats mac-n-cheese. Disgusting details.
Posted by: Al Dente | June 18, 2011 at 04:01 PM
Boehner must be a scratch golfer and Pelosi, Obama's scorekeeper. Boehner must have been dragging his can after carrying the Prez for 18. Kasich was desperate as soon as he saw that Biden was throwing the match. Let's see some score cards.
Posted by: Dennis Stillings | June 18, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Now we know the difference between heads of state and their subordinates. Civics class dismissed! Time to hit the links.
Posted by: Michael | June 18, 2011 at 04:27 PM
Anywhere USA. $ Buffoons who think they are better than everyone else solving the problems of the world. Right!
Posted by: Bippy Bellito | June 18, 2011 at 05:05 PM
I thought everyone knew that you take your hat OFF indoors, especially in a Pro-shop or country club. Not our POTUS apparently.
Posted by: Tracy Dillon | June 18, 2011 at 05:05 PM
Doesn't the president know enough to remove his cap when he is at a golf course lounge or cocktail area--whether inside or out?
Posted by: Don Foley | June 18, 2011 at 05:10 PM
Term limits.
Posted by: Charles Wenzel | June 18, 2011 at 05:13 PM
Boehner just blew it since he's associated with the thug-of-a-prez we're trying to take out before 2012. He's associated with and kissed b ut t of the worst prez ever and that is enough to put Boehner in the thug tank. Take him and Obummer out in 2012!!!!!!
Posted by: HansJurgen | June 18, 2011 at 05:19 PM
Hope Boehner didn't break down sobbing or anything. I would, if I had to tolerate Biden's moronic behavior all day.
Posted by: Bubba | June 18, 2011 at 05:27 PM
I'm glad you boys had so much fun today. Don't give the economy, the debt, the budget, the illegal Libyan war a second thought boys, party on.
In 2012 I want all four of you to find PLENTY of time to golf when we fire you slackers! GET TO WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Darrel | June 18, 2011 at 05:27 PM
I never saw a grown man look any worse in a golf cap than our Prez, but hey, yuck it up. We are in 4 wars now, unemployment is rising, I have heard multiple news reports this week on our double dip housing recession and Michelle Obama is about to go on Vacation to another foreign country (Africa, I think I heard). Where does Obama find the time?
Is there a CEO of even a Fortune 500 company that has as much free time to play as much Golf as the President does.
At least Bush had enough class to say no more golf while we were at war. I wish Boehnner had done the same.
Posted by: Okieflyover | June 18, 2011 at 05:29 PM
Tracy and Don, I know to take your hat off in church, courtroom, and while reciting the pledge of allegiance, however I do not know where the disrespect lies in not taking it off in a golf clubhouse. I am not critiquing you or the President (believe me I am a conservative), but I am not familiar with the protocol you are speaking of. Please explain. Thank you.
Posted by: jazfish | June 18, 2011 at 05:33 PM
My bad.... "BIPARTISANSHIP."
Posted by: Keith Greene | June 18, 2011 at 06:06 PM
The Slappy In Chief & The Crybaby In Chief beat Biden & Kasich? What happened to letting the corkeys win? Come on: stand up Chuck. God bless ya.....meanwhile:
http://www.topnews.in/usa/files/Michelle_Obama.jpg
Posted by: Reagans Ghost | June 18, 2011 at 06:09 PM
Andrews AFB is in Maryland.
Posted by: jackwells | June 18, 2011 at 06:10 PM
jazfish ... I was taught that a man never wears a hat indoors. The military still teaches that and if a military man wears a hat into a bar he is expected to buy everyone in the bar a drink.
Posted by: fran650 | June 18, 2011 at 06:10 PM
Stand up, CHuck!
Posted by: Reagans Ghost | June 18, 2011 at 06:11 PM
and Rome burns while Nero and the boys play golf
Posted by: Vero | June 18, 2011 at 06:21 PM
All four of them can bite my lily white ass. We have real problems out here. This is not a joke. And the republicrats should ride Boehner out on a rail for this crap.
Disgusting.
Posted by: johny | June 18, 2011 at 06:32 PM
How can this be news. Golf match goes great ! Obama and Boehner win ---Biden and Kasich lose!! We the American people lose. The Elites of Washington play golf while we have young men and women risking their lives and possibly dying in three stupid wars, millions without jobs, thousands without gas money to get to work, millions without food on the table and the treasury cannot pay the national debt. What are out top leaders doing? Playing golf. Talk of NERO!!! Where is the leadership in this Nation. What a lousy example on display today. How insensitive! How callous ! This is what you have when you have the foxes in charge of the henhouse. The 4 stoogies!
Posted by: chiefbuffalo | June 18, 2011 at 06:37 PM
...and Little Zero says he's never taken a day off since he got into office. Such bull malarkey. She's just like the rest - when is she lying, when her lips are moving (or her PR assistant is sending out her quotes on an issue).
Posted by: Damocles | June 18, 2011 at 06:40 PM
Must be nice to be able to relax, laugh and have fun, while most folks out here in the real world are trying to figure out how to feed their children, how to keep their home from foreclosure and how to find a job. Good work Politicians. Hope you had a good day of golf while the real people are suffering, and oh yes, Michelle is off on another vacation on our dime!!!
Posted by: R.Davis | June 18, 2011 at 06:54 PM
I would not be in the same room with Obama or out on the golf range.
Posted by: John | June 18, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Isn't that cute. 4 tone-deaf, brain-dead, elitist politicians yucking it up over their screwup of the economy and the phony spending cuts last time. Makes me want to go hug a kitten or something. Going to blow this picture up and hang it on my wall so I can remember it in November 2012.
Posted by: Teed Off | June 18, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Birds of a feather crap on the grass together.
Posted by: Ursus Indomitus | June 18, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Instead of fiddles they're using clubs while Rome is burning.
Posted by: marg1 | June 18, 2011 at 07:20 PM
They teamed up to beat Biden, my gawd, they could have pulled their pants
down around their knees and tweeted their putters to everyone in congress
and still beat Biden....
Now please tell me this was another achievement for Captain Clueless.....
Posted by: Dawg | June 18, 2011 at 07:26 PM
Our soldier's in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, & Yemen are not yucking it up like these elitist pieces of crap. When they're fired will they work for a living? They obviously are not performing their duties today as our bravest suffer & possibly lose their lives. Democrat/Republican/Socialist are all the same wolves in sheep's clothing. The answer to 1984 is 1776 as a famous radio personality has coined a phrase.
The "Constitutional Scholar" sure does everything he can to ignore it while implementing the Communist Manifesto in it's place.
Only jobs muBarack Obama will ever create are union & government jobs, he knows of no other type.
Posted by: abe linkin | June 18, 2011 at 07:47 PM
You may wear a hat indoors in public buildings, such as airports, public lobbies, and crowded public elevators. However, historically a gentleman will always remove his hat when a lady enters or is in the same elevator. We don’t see this much anymore. When in an apartment building, even though somewhat public, gentlemen will take off their hats while in the company of ladies… another dying art.
Not in restaurants, in someone’s home, at the dining table, at church, a funeral, in a classroom, in a museum, at a movie or performance theatre… on and on. These are rules you teach youngsters not Adults, but then again a lot of adults do not have proper manners anyways.
Posted by: justin hadley | June 18, 2011 at 07:50 PM
So this is how politicians show that they are committed to stopping the destruction of their Nation...by playing games with the man that they see as their Nations worst nightmare.
Time for a new election.
Posted by: Daryl | June 18, 2011 at 07:55 PM
"A $2 game, isn't that gambling on the game?
Isn't it illegal to gamble in Washington, D.C.?"
Ask the 64 million people that voted on "hopey changey." They gambled on an empty suit Manchurian Candidate whom the press refused to vet. The U.S. definitely lost this bet.
Posted by: JuanEpsteinsMother | June 18, 2011 at 08:03 PM
shame on them...yuking it up .. i have been out of work for 2 years and these guys are yuking it up ..... shame!!!!!
Posted by: wayne | June 18, 2011 at 08:12 PM
How hard could it be to beat Biden?
Posted by: Ursus Indomitus | June 18, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Nothing wrong with a game of golf - lighten up a little.
Posted by: pyeatte | June 18, 2011 at 08:26 PM
Funny how they can put up this facade for a golf game, lunch and a couple of beers. Now that they got that out of the way, they can go back to dispising each other on Monday morning.
Posted by: Dave | June 18, 2011 at 08:38 PM
Country Clubbers
Posted by: Superpower | June 18, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Did they post scores? They're an embarrasement to the game...
Posted by: paly | June 18, 2011 at 09:13 PM
"Let them eat cake!"
I hate them both. If for no other reason than they're complete idiots. Obviously they have no idea (or do not care) how insensitive this looks to the American people who are looking for every dollar just to survive!!!!! Fools.
Posted by: Starskavaig | June 18, 2011 at 09:19 PM
For gods sake lighten up!! Tomorrow is fathers day and besides that, do you
really spend your week-ends wondering what Obama & Boehner are doing
any other time of the year?
I agree a lot of us are in bad shape. Worrying about what they are doing is not
going to get us jobs or buy food & gas, etc. etc. If you are a conservative,
remember government is not the solution. Right!!! I have so little time to be on this earth and am sure not going to waist time thinking about either one of them!
I can survive on my own and don't look for government to solve my problems.
Posted by: Jon | June 18, 2011 at 09:27 PM
I'm sure am glad they have nothing better to do than play golf and drink beer . What a waste of our tax money.
Posted by: Lance | June 18, 2011 at 09:36 PM
Who the heck cares?
Posted by: Guillermo | June 18, 2011 at 09:40 PM
Okay, there's a lot of frustration on this board and it's easy to see why: Our economy is in shambles, America's place in the world seems to be slipping and distrust of our political class is at an all-time high.
However, if we can't tolerate our politicians even appearing civil toward one another, then we're in even deeper trouble.
Our Republic depends upon vigorous, passionate and constant debate on the issues -- as well as civility, perhaps even mutual respect, between the men and women who lead such debate.
In a Republic, the buck stops with us, the People. We can't expect our politicians to put aside their political differences and do what's best for the country if we vilify them for something as trivial as playing golf together.
The tired bromides of "get back to work" are silly and out of place. We're in a mess because our Congress and President tried to do too much, not too little. I don't want them to get back to work -- I want them to get out of the way. I don't want them to solve my problems -- I want them to leave me alone, so I can solve them myself.
Cut these guys some slack while they at least try to appear to be cordial to each other -- God knows, we could use some civility to go along with our justifiable anger.
Posted by: Jason Steele | June 18, 2011 at 10:06 PM
I don't think he's out of place wearing the hat. Just look at how many other guys in the photo are also wearing hats.
Posted by: Bryan | June 18, 2011 at 10:07 PM
On the hat comments, it appears they are on an outdoor patio. Best I can tell from this picture at least. It would seem the haters are out in full force. Does anyone other than me still do business on the golf course, or are the haters just too far down the food chain to do business at all? Now, I am no fan of Obummer, or Boner, but come on people, pick your fights better.
Posted by: TadS | June 18, 2011 at 10:31 PM
Meanwhile back at Reality Ranch ... 5 illegal wars rage on, the dollar is about to vanish as the world reserve currency, the real unemployment rate is over 20%, the price of goods is skyrocketing, the value of homes is dropping and as the 3rd year of the depression carries on these degenerates play golf.
---------------- http://911essentials.com
Posted by: Fanny Forbes Franklen | June 18, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Ok, so how are Republicans supposed to attack Obama for his golfing addiction while our economy crashes and burns if Boehner is right out there with him. Way to go, NUMBNUTS. How incompetent these rinos are.
Posted by: David | June 18, 2011 at 10:49 PM
On many of the news sites, comments galore have been chastising and warning John "RINO" Boehner that his rendezvous' with Obama and Biden have went over like pie made without sugar, and that he should be removed as speaker and not reelected.
Nevertheless, Boehner is pulling an Obama and is ignoring the will of the People. It will cost him for turning a deaf ear to the People. Soon he will be standing in the same unemployment line as Weiner.
Boehner has clearly demonstrated that is is weak.
Posted by: MEC | June 19, 2011 at 01:03 AM
It's like Nero fiddling while Rome burns.
Posted by: Helloseekers | June 19, 2011 at 02:00 AM
They needed only Debbie Wasserman-Shultz as the POTUS caddie and Pelosi on The VP Bag and the farce would have been complete. Boehner thinks you can be friendly with with these folks, He's Wrong!
If you play with rattlesnakes you tend to get bitten. Obama's every move is a political calculation........the "good of the country" doesn't register in his mind. Biden is just an amiabile dunce who believes that the sun shines from Obama's butt because he is African American and went to Harvard.
Posted by: Mikey De | June 19, 2011 at 04:33 AM