Several Presidents Took Lumps For Their Vacations

from National Public Radio

On Thursday, President Obama is due to start his 10-day summer vacation in Martha's Vineyard. Taking a vacation at such an upscale location while the country's economic woes continue has resulted in criticism of the president. But Obama is not the first U.S. president to take some lumps over his choice of a vacation getaway. Melissa Block speaks with U.S. News and World Report White House correspondent Kenneth Walsh about other U.S. presidents and their vacations. Walsh is also the author of the book From Mount Vernon to Crawford: A History of the Presidents and Their Retreats.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, August 17, 2011