President Obama's Unfabulous Vacation

Crises at home and abroad overshadow Obama's time off.

A Vineyard State of Mind - As President Obama, the first lady and daughter Malia departed the White House on Aug. 9 for the sea, sand and fresh salt air on Martha's Vineyard, storm clouds hovered over their annual vacation. The U.S. was engaged in airstrikes against Islamic militants in Iraq, and Ferguson, Mo., was about to erupt in chaos over the fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown.  (Photo: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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A Vineyard State of Mind - As President Obama, the first lady and daughter Malia departed the White House on Aug. 9 for the sea, sand and fresh salt air on Martha's Vineyard, storm clouds hovered over their annual vacation. The U.S. was engaged in airstrikes against Islamic militants in Iraq, and Ferguson, Mo., was about to erupt in chaos over the fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. (Photo: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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Where in the World is Sasha Obama? - Sasha Obama didn't fly to the Vineyard with her family and the White House has not disclosed her whereabouts. She is most likely at camp and is scheduled to join her parents and sister Malia at some point during the two-week vacation. (Photo: Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images

A Bad Look - After addressing the beheading of American journalist James Foley and an emotional conversation with Foley's family, the president, on vacation at the time, hit the links, inviting a lot of heavy criticism. "Part of this job is also the theater of it. 'Well, it's not something that always comes naturally to me. But it matters. And I'm mindful of that," he told NBC News' Chuck Todd. "I should have anticipated the optics of playing golf." (Photo: Matthew Healey-Pool/Getty Images)

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Hitting the Links - If it's Saturday and not raining, it's a safe bet that the president is working on his handicap. He is pictured here with Ahmad Rashad on the first green at the Farm Neck Golf Club on Aug. 9 in Oak Bluffs, Mass. NBA star Ray Allen and Cyrus Walker, senior adviser Valerie Jarrett's brother, were the other half of the foursome.  (Photo: Matthew Healey-Pool/Getty Images)

Staying Abreast - On Aug. 12, Obama was briefed by National Security Adviser Susan Rice on the situation in Iraq. He later headed off for a round of golf with Washington rainmaker Vernon Jordan, former U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Chicago pal Allison Davis.  (Photo: Pete Souza/Official White House)

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Staying Abreast - On Aug. 12, Obama was briefed by National Security Adviser Susan Rice on the situation in Iraq. He later headed off for a round of golf with Washington rainmaker Vernon Jordan, former U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Chicago pal Allison Davis. (Photo: Pete Souza/Official White House)

A Man's Gotta Eat! - Obama waves at the crowd as he departs an Oak Bluffs restaurant on Aug. 12. (Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

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A Man's Gotta Eat! - Obama waves at the crowd as he departs an Oak Bluffs restaurant on Aug. 12. (Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

Photo By Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

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Update on Iraq - On Aug. 14, the president delivered a statement on the situation in Iraq from his vacation compound. Obama said Iraq took a promising step forward by designating a new prime minister and urged the formation of an inclusive government that will address the needs of all Iraqis.  (Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

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Update on Iraq - On Aug. 14, the president delivered a statement on the situation in Iraq from his vacation compound. Obama said Iraq took a promising step forward by designating a new prime minister and urged the formation of an inclusive government that will address the needs of all Iraqis. (Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

Taking Care of Business - Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder met on Aug. 14 to discuss the situation in Ferguson, Mo. The president later delivered remarks on the crises in both Ferguson and Iraq.  (Photo: Pete Souza/Official White House) 

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Taking Care of Business - Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder met on Aug. 14 to discuss the situation in Ferguson, Mo. The president later delivered remarks on the crises in both Ferguson and Iraq. (Photo: Pete Souza/Official White House) 

Peace and Calm - The president delivered remarks during a press briefing at the Edgartown School on Aug. 14 in Edgartown, Mass., where he spoke about the unrest in Ferguson, Mo., and Iraq. Obama called for peace and calm in Ferguson and communities across the nation as local police and the FBI conduct their investigations. (Photo by Rick Friedman-Pool/Getty Images)

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Peace and Calm - The president delivered remarks during a press briefing at the Edgartown School on Aug. 14 in Edgartown, Mass., where he spoke about the unrest in Ferguson, Mo., and Iraq. Obama called for peace and calm in Ferguson and communities across the nation as local police and the FBI conduct their investigations. (Photo by Rick Friedman-Pool/Getty Images)

A Vineyard Tradition - In their first sighting together, the president, first lady and Malia ride bikes along the Correllus State Bike Path outside of West Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard, Mass., on Aug. 15.(Photo: Rick Friedman-Pool/Getty Images)

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A Vineyard Tradition - In their first sighting together, the president, first lady and Malia ride bikes along the Correllus State Bike Path outside of West Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard, Mass., on Aug. 15.(Photo: Rick Friedman-Pool/Getty Images)

Pause - Obama and daughter Malia headed back to Washington for a couple of days on Aug. 17. The president had initially planned the two-day break to receive briefings on Iraq and attend other meetings, but will also be briefed on the chaos in Ferguson, Missouri.   (Photo: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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Pause - Obama and daughter Malia headed back to Washington for a couple of days on Aug. 17. The president had initially planned the two-day break to receive briefings on Iraq and attend other meetings, but will also be briefed on the chaos in Ferguson, Missouri.  (Photo: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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Objects of Fear - "In too many communities around the country, a gulf of mistrust exists between local residents and law enforcement. In too many communities, too many young men of color are left behind and seen only as objects of fear," Obama said in remarks delivered from the White House briefing room on Aug. 18. In addition to providing an update on the situation in Iraq, the president announced plans to send Holder to Ferguson.(Photo by Basri Sahin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

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Objects of Fear - "In too many communities around the country, a gulf of mistrust exists between local residents and law enforcement. In too many communities, too many young men of color are left behind and seen only as objects of fear," Obama said in remarks delivered from the White House briefing room on Aug. 18. In addition to providing an update on the situation in Iraq, the president announced plans to send Holder to Ferguson.(Photo by Basri Sahin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Play - The president and daughter Malia returned to Martha's Vineyard on Aug. 19 to resume their family holiday after spending two days in Washington.(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Play - The president and daughter Malia returned to Martha's Vineyard on Aug. 19 to resume their family holiday after spending two days in Washington.(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

ISIS is a Cancer - The president on Aug. 20 condemned the beheading of American journalist James Foley, who was kidnapped in Syria two years ago. Calling ISIS a "cancer," he said, "People like them ultimately fail because the future is won by those who build, not destroy."(Photo by Rick Friedman-Pool/Getty Images)

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ISIS is a Cancer - The president on Aug. 20 condemned the beheading of American journalist James Foley, who was kidnapped in Syria two years ago. Calling ISIS a "cancer," he said, "People like them ultimately fail because the future is won by those who build, not destroy."(Photo by Rick Friedman-Pool/Getty Images)

Bad Form? - Soon after delivering his remarks on ISIS and calling Foley's family to offer his condolences, the president was back to his favorite sport with his pals, including former NBA star Alonzo Mourning. Some critics said such behavior is unpresidential.(Photo by Matthew Healey-Pool/Getty Images)

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Bad Form? - Soon after delivering his remarks on ISIS and calling Foley's family to offer his condolences, the president was back to his favorite sport with his pals, including former NBA star Alonzo Mourning. Some critics said such behavior is unpresidential.(Photo by Matthew Healey-Pool/Getty Images)