First family heads south for quick breather

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President Barack Obama and his family headed out on Friday for a weekend vacation in the mountains of North Carolina, swinging some golf clubs in a state which narrowly swung the Democrats’ way in 2008 and helped elect the president.

Stormy weather could put a damper on the weekend, however.

The last time the president stopped in the Blue Ridge Mountain resort of Asheville, N.C., in October 2008, he was preparing for the final debate and closing month of his campaign. The last time, he lamented passing up the golf course there.

‘What a spectacular place,’ Obama said during that campaign stop in Asheville. ‘The only thing I don’t like about it is that I had to drive by the golf course, and it looks really nice. And my staff won’t let me play. I’m going to have to come back.’

For more details, see the Swamp.

-- Mark Silva