Obama Wants A ‘Vacation From The Press’

President Barack Obama watches the flight of his ball while golfing at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. President Obama is staying on Martha's Vine... President Barack Obama watches the flight of his ball while golfing at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. President Obama is staying on Martha's Vineyard for what is expected to be a two-week summer vacation. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) MORE LESS
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President Obama said he doesn’t feel exhausted, but “energized about the opportunities,” during an interview on “Meet the Press.”

But when Chuck Todd asked about the president’s decision to return to golfing after he gave a statement on the death of American journalist James Foley, Obama said he could use a break from certain aspects of the presidency.

You know, it is always a challenge when you’re supposed to be on vacation. Because you’re followed everywhere. And part of what I’d love is a vacation from the press,” Obama said.

He then admitted that it didn’t look great for him to so quickly return to his vacation.

“The possibility of a jarring contrast given the world’s news, is always– there’s always going to be some tough news somewhere– is going to be there,” Obama said. “But there’s no doubt that– after having talked to the families, where it was hard for me to hold back tears listening to the pain that they were going through, after the statement that I made, that you know, I should’ve anticipated the optics.”

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