Priebus: Obama's Vacation Raises Questions About 'His Priorities'

President Barack Obama should be questioning his priorities, as he's been playing golf and remaining on vacation during a time of major crisis in the United States and overseas, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in Saturday's GOP address.

"We all deserve some time off," Priebus said. "But you have to wonder, where are his priorities? We all watch the news. We see what's happening overseas in place likes Iraq and Syria and Ukraine. And we see the tensions at home in Missouri. And we lost a young American journalist at the hands of fanatical terrorists. And yet, President Obama is on vacation."

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Priebus pointed out that the president has played more than 190 rounds of golf while in office, and during his vacation this month, he attended his 401st fundraiser.

"He did fly back to Washington briefly this past week, but I think many observers got it right when they called it a photo op," Priebus said. "He spent about a million in taxpayer dollars to fly back from Martha's Vineyard on Air Force One to take a few pictures. Then it was back to vacationing and the golf course."

The party chairman also complained that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and his fellow Democrats are "standing in the way of progress" by refusing to pass bills coming their way from the Republican-controlled House.

"In the last 18 months, the House of Representatives, which is run by Republicans, has passed hundreds of bills to improve the lives of Americans," said Priebus. "The sad part is, over 350 of those bills, including 43 jobs bills, are stuck in the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate."

But, Priebus said, that could all change in November, when Republicans need to gain six more seats to retake control of the Senate. And part of the blame also falls on Obama, said Priebus, who has failed for the past five years to get government spending down.

"I just don't think it’s fair for the next generation to have to pay the bills of this generation," said Priebus.

But if Republicans can lead both Congressional chambers, priorities will become more clear, including spending less, improving education, making energy more affordable, and reforming healthcare, he said.

"But, our top priority will be the same reason so many of us go to work each day — our kids’ future," he concluded.


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