Christmas is all peace and quiet for Obama

Source: Agencies  |   2008-12-27  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

UNITED States President-elect Barack Obama made clear to his aides that he wanted to spend Christmas in Hawaii, as he had done in years past.

He wanted a true family vacation. So it was no surprise that Obama, with less than a month before he takes office, has largely kept away from public view while at his rented holiday home near Honolulu. No speeches, no fundraisers, no political meetings. Just family and close friends behind the walls of a US$9 million beachfront home for his last trip before he takes office on January 20.

Obama has ventured into public only a few times since arriving from Chicago last Saturday. He brought with him only four aides and his Secret Service detail. His comments to journalists have included little more than jokes about bar tabs or questions if they had enough photographs yet - nothing that would make the headlines.

"OK, guys," Obama bemoaned while walking to a driving range last Sunday. "Come on. How many shots do you need?"

Obama ventured from his home on Christmas Day to thank Marines and sailors at the nearby military base for their service. The trip came well after the evening network news had aired, avoiding suggestions of exploiting the military to get on TV.

He lingered a few minutes at each table as the Marines and sailors and their families stood to greet their next commander in chief.

It was one of only a handful of trips Obama and his motorcade have taken. He and his wife Michelle have visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii for daily morning workouts. Twice, he and friends have played a round of golf. He attended a private memorial service for his grandmother on Tuesday and scattered her ashes in the Pacific Ocean.

And that's been it.

Obama, Michelle and their two young daughters opened presents earlier on Thursday and planned a dinner of turkey and ham, according to aides. They did not release any other details - in stark contrast to the detailed plan the White House released of President George W. Bush's menu at Camp David - roast turkey with cornbread dressing, green beans, sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes with giblet gravy, spinach salad, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pumpkin pie and pecan pie for dessert.

Obama's not president yet, aides say. Next year, full menu; this year, just the highlights.