Politicians often slightly change their positions over time, and sometimes do complete flip-flops.
But Weasel Zippers has dug up this gem of an interview with then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2008. It’s incredibly timely too, considering the president is on a two-week summer vacation, where he’s getting in some work on his golf game.
While he did manage to get golf rounds No. 185 and 186 in as president, he hasn’t been totally off the clock. Obama did direct $10 million in funds to fight terrorists in Africa and also spent Monday morning getting briefed on the situations in Iraq, Ukraine and Gaza.
Here’s what he had to say about vacations in 2008, saying there is a sacrifice that comes with being the president.
You give me this office, then in turn my fears, doubts, insecurities, foibles, need for sleep, family life, vacations, leisure, is gone. I am giving myself to you, Obama said. And the American people should have no patience for whatever is going through your head, because you have a job to do. How I think about it is, you don’t make that decision unless you are prepared to make that sacrifice.
