Obama comes back to Buncombe

Posted on by Jake Frankel

President Barack Obama will be in Asheville this weekend for a few days of rest and relaxation at the Grove Park Inn.

"On Friday, April 23, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to Asheville, N.C., where they will spend the weekend," the official announcement from the White House read. "There will be no public events."

Obama last visited the city in October 2008 to prepare for the presidential debates against Sen. John McCain. While in town, he stopped by 12 Bones Smokehouse for lunch and held a rally at Asheville High School, where he spoke to a crowd of about 28,000. During his remarks, Obama mentioned how nice the Grove Park Inn golf course looked and expressed his desire to return to the historic resort when he would have time to play. Apparently, he meant it.

"Two staffers confirm that Obama kind of fell in love with the place," says Michael Shear in a post he wrote for the Washington Post about the trip.

Asheville Democrats have expressed enthusiasm for the visit by the first family and even local Tea Partiers have expressed support.

"A visit from a sitting president will no doubt be a major boost to the local economy. Tourism is still Asheville's most important industry," Asheville Tea Party chair Erika Franzi said in a statement. "While our organization stands opposed to President Obama's public policies, we are delighted that he has selected Asheville for some rest and relaxation with his family and hope that he enjoys a peaceful and rewarding vacation in our mountain paradise."

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.
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2 thoughts on “Obama comes back to Buncombe”

  2. ashevillelokel

    Several media outlets are reporting today, that Obama and Biden will be in West VA on Sunday @ 3p for a memorial for the miners who died recently …. so how is it that he will be here and there both?

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