Asia-Pacific

Obama extends Hawaii vacation after delayed start

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-12-30 11:14
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HONOLULU - US President Barack Obama is extending his vacation in Hawaii by a day to spend more time with his family after their departure from Washington was delayed last week, the White House said on Wednesday.

Obama extends Hawaii vacation after delayed start
US President Barack Obama puts a club in his bag as he plays golf at the Mid-Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii December 28, 2010. [Photo/Agencies] 

Obama will leave Hawaii, where grew up, late on Monday evening, arriving in Washington on Tuesday afternoon, spokesman Bill Burton said.

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Previously, the White House said Obama would leave Hawaii on Sunday.

The president delayed the start of his vacation to stay in Washington while Congress was still in session.

The delay was productive for him. During the "lame duck" congressional session, the Senate ratified a nuclear arms treaty with Russia and passed a measure to allow gay men and women to serve openly in the military -- two top priorities for the president.

"After the extended lame duck and five-day delay of his trip here, he's just trying to squeeze in more time with his family before returning to Washington," Burton said in a statement.