Taking a break from President Obama's failing health care plan or the Henry Gates controversy, at the top of Wednesday's CBS Early Show, co-host Maggie Rodriguez focused on a more important story: "And move over, Martha. The First Family chooses a popular celebrity retreat for their vacation. We'll tell you where the President will tee off."
Rodriguez later introduced the segment by declaring: "President Obama and his family have chosen a well-known and classic locale for their summer vacation next month, Martha's Vineyard. An exclusive island off the coast of Massachusetts." Correspondent Bianca Solorzano then reported: "It's an island retreat, beloved by the Kennedys, the Clintons, the late Walter Cronkite, and soon, the Obamas." A clip was played of Julia Wells, editor of the island's Vineyard Gazette newspaper, who gushed: "There's an electric excitement about it all."
Solorzano described the luxurious accommodations the Obama family would be treated to: "...the First Family will stay at Blue Heron Farm. The 28-acre, $20 million enclave is located in Chilmark. The farm suits Obama to a 'tee' with golf facilities, a pool, basketball court, private beach, and a rental price tag of up to $50,000 a week." The report failed to feature any criticism of such a costly presidential vacation in tough economic times.
Looking at the impact on the local economy, Solorzano asked business owner Gino Courtney: "How much, in general, does business go up?" Courtney replied: "Oh, probably another 20%." However, she did highlight another local business harmed by the presidential visit: "But not everyone will see a boom in business. Don Lambert owns a biplane tour company. During the President's visit, the air space where he operates will be closed." Lambert explained: "We were annoyed at first."
Despite that brief criticism, Solorzano concluded: "So while the visit may not fly with everyone...The First Family can expect a warm Vineyard welcome."
Here is a full transcript of the segment:
7:00AM TEASE:
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: And move over, Martha. The First Family chooses a popular celebrity retreat for their vacation. We'll tell you where the President will tee off.
7:13AM TEASE:
RODRIGUEZ: The President plans to take his family on an exotic island vacation. It's not that exotic really. I'm sure it'll be fun anyway. We'll have all the details.
7:30AM TEASE:
RODRIGUEZ: Coming up ahead in this hour, President Obama and his family are going to a very famous celebrity hang-out for their summer vacation. We're going to take a look at where they're going and how much they may be spending.
7:37AM TEASE:
RODRIGUEZ: And up next, we have new details on the First Family's upcoming summer vacation. We're going to take you to their private getaway.
7:40AM SEGMENT:
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: President Obama and his family have chosen a well-known and classic locale for their summer vacation next month, Martha's Vineyard. An exclusive island off the coast of Massachusetts. CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano has the latest on their plans.
BIANCA SOLORZANO: It's an island retreat, beloved by the Kennedys, the Clintons, the late Walter Cronkite, and soon, the Obamas.
JULIA WELLS: There's an electric excitement about it all.
SOLORZANO: Julia Wells is editor of the Vineyard Gazette, which recently reported that the First Family will stay at Blue Heron Farm. The 28-acre, $20 million enclave is located in Chilmark The farm suits Obama to a 'tee' with golf facilities, a pool, basketball court, private beach, and a rental price tag of up to $50,000 a week.
WELLS: The sense that I have is that this is more of a family vacation, stay home, get lobsters, play cards with the kids.
SOLORZANO: It's reported that Mrs. Obama could arrive first with daughters Sasha and Malia. The President will join them the last week of August. The Secret Service reportedly examined and rejected more than 20 properties before choosing Blue Heron. At one point, there was a concentration on Oak Bluffs, an area known for it's rich black history. While they didn't choose to stay in Oak Bluffs, they're bound to spend plenty of play time here. What did you think when you heard the news?
UNIDENTIFIED MAN [RESIDENT, MARTHA'S VINEYARD]: I thought, 'Oh man, it's already busy on the Vineyard, we - it's going to be more busy.'
SOLORZANO: Gino Courtney owns half a dozen shops in Edgartown. How much, in general, does business go up?
GINO COURTNEY: Oh, probably another 20%.
SOLORZANO: But not everyone will see a boom in business. Don Lambert owns a biplane tour company. During the President's visit, the air space where he operates will be closed.
DON LAMBERT: We were annoyed at first.
SOLORZANO: So while the visit may not fly with everyone-
UNIDENTIFIED MAN B [RESIDENT, MARTHA'S VINEYARD]: It's a privilege to have them here.
SOLORZANO: The First Family can expect a warm Vineyard welcome. Bianca Solorzano, CBS News, Edgartown, Massachusetts.
-Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.