March 16, 2017

Obama in Tahiti — on the toney Marlon Brando atoll — for a month, and (as yet) without Michelle.

It's only $2,150 a night. You can't begrudge him that. He (with Michelle) just pulled in $60 million for a book deal.

Here, you too can stay at The Brando.

ADDED: "Locally, there is also speculation that he will spend time on his friend, billionaire film producer David Geffen’s $300-million yacht, which was moored in Papeete earlier this week and is now off the coast of neighbouring island Moorea."

63 comments:

David said...

Blog from there, Althouse. Just a week. With Meade. That might break your streak.

David said...

He's staying in Washington while the children are in school, right? Hang in there, Michelle.

Wince said...

Does the pretense of seclusion and distance provide him with "plausible deniability" for what the Deep State does?

RBE said...

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous! Not much to organize on Brando's island. Maybe he will get used to the beautiful life and leave the rest of us alone.

Michael K said...

The gay boy holiday away from Michelle. The beard is coming off.

Known Unknown said...

Meh. As long as he's no longer using my money.

exhelodrvr1 said...

Nothing wrong with this in theory. But it does emphasize the elitist nature of the Democratic leadership. Compare that image to where the Republican ex-Presidents spend their time.

BillyTalley said...

All of that frolicking with billionaires in exotic locales, when does he ever get the time to weaponize the Deep State to undermine Trump? Maybe his roommate Valerie is his woman behind his curtain?

Ignorance is Bliss said...

I don't wanna hear one fuckin' word about my carbon footprint.

Wince said...

Remind me, what were the Obama administration's rules on "droning" Americans while they are outside the country?

Prompted by a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the ACLU, President Obama made public his "drone playbook" in August. Officially known as the Presidential Policy Guidance, the heavily redacted legal memo explained how drone targets are chosen and approved.


Nonapod said...

Compare that image to where the Republican ex-Presidents spend their time.

Ex-Democrat Presidents are permitted to live an opulent lifestyle akin to the monarchs of old. They are divine in the eyes of the faithful, and Obama is the most sacred of all.

John said...

Known Unknown said: "Meh. As long as he's no longer using my money."

Which I agree with, however, I don't think that's the case:

Under a new law signed today by President Obama, all former U.S. presidents and first ladies will receive lifetime Secret Service protection.

No mention in the article that Secret Service was accompanying him but my guess is yes?

The Secret Service does not divulge the costs of its protective details, but it's believed to be in the range of tens of millions of dollars a year for each former president.

I hope the Secret Service guys get the same luxurious treatment Barack receives. They deserve it.

Paddy O said...

People who want to help poor people help poor people.

People who want to hang out with rich people talk about helping poor people.

robother said...

"Spending time on his friend,..." Too much information.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Climate change, Mr. Obama often says, is the greatest long-term threat facing the world, as well as a danger already manifesting itself as droughts, storms, heat waves and flooding

But not important enough to cancel a vacation.

dreams said...

Well, I guess he needs a vacation because being the anti-president and running a shadow government is hard work, though he has a lot of help from the crooked Dems back in the deep state who no doubt are still working hard at destroying our democracy.

dreams said...

Not to forget The crooked liberal Judges.

David said...

Ex Presidents and their families are at perpetual risk. It's the world we live in. You can bet that while he is on Geffen's Yacht there are military aircraft on alert to respond and communications to get out prompt notice of any issue.

It's part of the cost of government, just like Trump's trips to Florida.

Anonymous said...

"Compare that image to where the Republican ex-Presidents spend their time."
--------
"Ex-Democrat Presidents are permitted to live an opulent lifestyle akin to the monarchs of old. They are divine in the eyes of the faithful, and Obama is the most sacred of all."
---------
Jimmy Carter, Democratic ex-President, spends his time teaching Sunday School and building houses for Habitat for Humanity.

Henry said...

"toney Marlon Brandon atoll" rolls off the tongue. A trochaic order of Os.

Toney is a funny word.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

At some point in time you have made enough money. I think that time is now for the Obamas.

Hagar said...

Went out into the hallway of the building where I worked once to use the rest room and there was some people out there and kind of s stir, so I looked around me, and there were Jerry and Bette Ford with their daughter and her famuly, and yes, a Secret Service man. They were being given a tour of the building where their son-in-law's firm had just become the property managers. The whole bunch had arrived in two full-size Chevy sedans and another SS guy stayed with the cars.
I did not quite know how to deal with this, so I did like the others passing through and just went about my business as if they were not there.

Sebastian said...

If principles mattered to progs, if they cared about inequality and "climate change," this would deserve charges of hypocrisy. But, progs being progs, they are not even hypocritical.

Fernandinande said...

I had a college roommate who sold all his stuff, stocked up on toothpaste and vitamin pills and moved to Tahiti; he was back in a few weeks because they hated white people. It might've been different if he stayed in a $2,000/night hotel.

PB said...

$60 million for books no one will read and likely won't make back the investment. I guess someone is hoping Michelle will run for office.

Clyde said...

Still not far enough away!

Hagar said...

Jerry Ford just was not any kind of an Imperial Majesty kind of guy.

bagoh20 said...

Community organizer is a kick ass career path, even for a marginalized minority person held back by institutionalized and latent racism.

FWBuff said...

As Althouse reminded us yesterday morning, Obama was spotted in Hawaii (without Michelle) earlier this week. And then magically and mysteriously, Hawaii yesterday becomes the place where the federal judge issues the ruling to stay Pres. Trump's revised executive order on immigration. Coincidence?

rhhardin said...

Maybe Obama will take up painting, like Gauguin.

Big Mike said...

Am I the only commenter here that remembers Barack Obama was "spotted" in Hawaii on his way to this opulent resort? Could he -- or, more likely, one of his flunkies -- have met with Judge Watson while the Great Barack was en route? Were they not both on Oahu? Does the leopard change his spots? Or was it perhaps not a leopard but a cheater -- I mean cheetah. Sorry. Blame autocorrect.

Nah, that's just foolishness.

Big Mike said...

Okay, there's another commenter who remembered. Tip of the hat to you, FWBuff. You type faster than I do.

AllenS said...

I think Barry is damned tired of Michelle. I expect him to get rid of her, and take up with a white woman. You heard it here first.

cubanbob said...

AllenS said...
I think Barry is damned tired of Michelle. I expect him to get rid of her, and take up with a white woman. You heard it here first."

Don't think so. Obama is ambitious, he has future plans for the Obama brand. He isn't going to ruin it by Clintonizing the brand. Especially with a white woman. That will really piss of the sisters and SJW white woman.

Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...

$2,150 a night. Taxpayers probably pay for the rest of the floor for Secret Service (not to mention the second team following Michelle around somewhere else in the South Pacific).

Is it worth that much to keep him out of the US?

Brando said...

The "Brando Atoll"? I do not recall naming any such atoll!

TreeJoe said...

Nothing says "man" like ending an 8 year 24/7 job and then spending a month away from your daughters - one of which is still "at home".

Put aside Michelle for a moment, I'm pretty surprised at the lack of family unity this is showing. While the Clinton's were obviously together for Power (as witnessed by Bill's decades long infidelity), the Obamas portrayed a much stronger family message.

AllenS said...

Obama has checked into the eco-friendly Brando resort, whose villas boast their own plunge pools and cost between 2,000 euros ($2,150) and 12,300 euros per night.

I'll bet he isn't staying at the $2,150 a night room.

AllenS said...

Opening the link, there is a picture of Sir Richard Branson and Barack Obama playing grab-ass. Damn, what if Barry gets rid of Michelle, and takes up with a white man?

Yancey Ward said...

It is unlikely that Obama is paying for the room regardless of which one he is actually staying in- the resort is probably only charging expenses for his security detail.

ddh said...

Leonard Bernstein wrote a one-act opera about a troubled marriage, entitled "Trouble in Tahiti." Is it time for a new production?

Luke Lea said...

Has a book with a $60 million advance ever made money for the publisher? If not, was this just a gift, a favor? Out of whose pocket?

ddh said...

Luke Lea,

The book might make money for the publisher, especially once the Resistance starts using it as a one-time pad.

Roughcoat said...

Luke Lea,

I think J.K. Rowling got a comparable advance.

roesch/voltaire said...

He is probably listening to all those secret tapes he wiretapped from the Trump Tower.

Birches said...

What irony if the Obamas are the ones with a crap, Clinton like marriage. I thought they genuinely liked each other.

CWJ said...

To be fair (hurts to write that) I think only our last two Democrat ex-presidents fit the live like kings description. FDR and Kennedy were never ex-presidents, and HST was famously modest after leaving office. LBJ went off to his ranch much like our recent Republicans, and Carter, while an obnoxious scold and busybody, has not led a lavish lifestyle to my knowledge.

CWJ said...

"The 'Brando Atoll'? I do not recall naming any such atoll!"

But it IS your resort, right?

Bad Lieutenant said...

Birches said...
What irony if the Obamas are the ones with a crap, Clinton like marriage. I thought they genuinely liked each other.

3/16/17, 1:54 PM


Are you so easily fooled? Just look at their faces, those two never liked anybody in their lives with the POSSIBLE exception of their children.

madAsHell said...

He's visiting David Geffen without Michelle?

Who will be the top?

Rumpletweezer said...

He's always been promoted as this great family man. When he first became a senator he left the family behind in Chicago. I believe they only moved together when he won the White House. Personally, I think he's a punk and cares more about himself than he does about his wife and kids.

JohnG said...

Just curious: How do ex-presidents fly? Can't imagine one boarding United to fly to Hawaii then some puddle jumper to get to Tahiti.

David said...

Obama and Judge Watson had a meeting on the tarmac, but all they discussed was family.

Hagar said...

Our last two Republican presidents live like kings in retirement.
Our last two Democrat presidents live like emperors.

Gospace said...

Fernandinande said...
I had a college roommate who sold all his stuff, stocked up on toothpaste and vitamin pills and moved to Tahiti; he was back in a few weeks because they hated white people. It might've been different if he stayed in a $2,000/night hotel.


You can learn that same lesson in Hawaii, and the airfare is less.

TreeJoe said...
Nothing says "man" like ending an 8 year 24/7 job and then spending a month away from your daughters - one of which is still "at home".

Put aside Michelle for a moment, I'm pretty surprised at the lack of family unity this is showing. While the Clinton's were obviously together for Power (as witnessed by Bill's decades long infidelity), the Obamas portrayed a much stronger family message.


You either A- haven't been paying attention for the last 8 years or B- have been paying attention, but get all your news and information from mainstream media, and are thus woefully misinformed. Not uninformed, misinformed, as in fake news.

Big Mike said...

@David, grandkids.

ddh said...

John G,

If you click on the link, you go to an article in The Telegraph that says President Obama arrived on a private jet. The article does not say who owns or leases the private jet or who picks up the $2100 daily hotel tab at The Brando.

Darrell said...

What's the extradition policy on a private island?

wendybar said...

Just like the Socialistic Leaders he praises, President Obama is living the Socialist dream!!

MaxedOutMama said...

I feel sorry for poor Valerie Jarrett, who I assume is in the DC-area house busily writing their books!

George M. Spencer said...

Fun times aboard the yacht of a 75-year-old gay multi-billionaire.

Amazing how such weirdness passes for normal in today's America.

To think that Eisenhower drove himself and Mamie home to Gettysburg after he left office and Bess and Harry lived incredibly modest lives after he was President.

Temujin said...

Nothing quite says 'elite' like spending a month in Tahiti. At The Brando. And, while there, meeting up with your Billionaire film producing friend who was in the neighborhood hanging out on his $300 million dollar yacht, Rising Sun.

I wonder who they'll conference in from there?

Birches said...

@MaxedOutMama lol