The White House says Obama deserves the time to clear his mind. After all, it’s only the greatest environmental disaster in US history. It’s like 9-11.

Never mind the fact that Obama said, “I will not rest until the leak is stopped,” just last month.
The White House is dismissing criticism that President Barack Obama shouldn’t play golf during the Gulf oil spill.

White House spokesman Bill Burton on Monday said the president deserves some time to relax, and he doesn’t “think that there’s a person in this country that doesn’t think that their president ought to have a little time to clear his mind.”

During the weekend, Obama played the 39th round of golf of his presidency, according to reports.

White House reporters joke among themselves about who might get stuck with weekend pool duty, which seems more likely than not to include a few hours sitting at the food court near either Andrews Air Force Base or Fort Belvoir while Obama hits the links.

But Burton dismissed Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele’s criticism that Obama should stay away from the links.

Speaking at the daily White House briefing, Burton said Obama needs some time to himself after dealing with the business of his office.