President Barack Obama walks to the second hole of the Farm Neck Golf Club with Eric Whitaker in Oak Bluffs, Mass., while vacationing on Martha's Vineyard, Aug. 23, 2011. UPI/Matthew Healey |
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MARTHA'S VINYARD, Mass., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama mixed work and vacation again on Massachusetts' Martha's Vineyard Wednesday, playing golf after getting daily briefings from his staff.
"As usual, this morning the president received his presidential daily briefing from [counterterrorism adviser] John Brennan," White House deputy press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters. "Mr. Brennan updated the president on a couple of issues. The first is he updated him on overnight developments in Libya. Mr. Brennan also updated the president on the preparations that have been underway for several days over at DHS [Department of Homeland Security] and FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency], in preparation for the -- for Hurricane Irene."
Earnest said Obama also was briefed by Brian Deese, deputy director of the National Economic Council.
"Brian updated the president on overnight developments in the international markets," Earnest said.
"Brian also talked through the president the CBO [Congressional Budget Office] report that was released today with -- that included some deficit projections. And Brian also updated the president on the ongoing policy process that's under way back at the White House in preparation for the major economic address that the president will deliver shortly after Labor Day."
The president took part in a conference call with General Electric Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Immelt and American Express CEO Ken Chenault, who head up the President's Council on Jobs and Competiveness.
"They discussed a number of the proposals that the jobs council has been developing," Earnest said.
Obama also signed a major disaster for Iowa, which was hit by severe storms and flooding July 9-14. The designation frees up federal funding to help the affected communities recover.
Joining the president for a round at the nine-hole Mink Meadows Golf Club were Chicago friend Eric Whitaker, chef Sam Kass and trip director Marvin Nicholson.
ABC News reported Wednesday Obama has spent time with longtime political confidantes and wealthy donors as he heads toward the 2012 election.
