Airplanes, buses, receptions, and tennis to avoid Syria, Egypt, plus ongoing IRS and Benghazi scandals

The latter part of last  week was occupied by President Obama's 2 day bus tour from Buffalo NY to Scranton PA. The purpose was to promote college affordability.  Along the way, he stopped in 6 cities and was joined in part or all by VP Biden and Secretary of Education Duncan.

White House photo of President Obama in Tully NY

When the weekend began, Mrs. Obama flew to New York City to attend the U.S. Open. Mr. Obama remained in Washington and most likely golfed.

As this week began, the President focused on national interests by receiving daily briefings two days in a row. He also met with a group of mayors, presented the Medal of Honor, greeted Debate Champions, and is hosting a "March on Washington" reception at the White House.

Weekly Air Force One and Helicopter flying time ( 8.25 hours total):

• Mrs. Obama and daughters : Washington DC to New York City (round trip): 3 hours
• VP Biden : Washington DC to Houston TX : 3 hours
• President Obama (VP Biden and Arne Duncan): White House to Buffalo NY : 1.25 hours
• President Obama (VP Biden and Arne Duncan): Scranton PA to Washington DC : 1 hours

Below is a summary of President Obama's official schedule during the week of Wednesday August 21 through Tuesday August 27 2013.

Today, Tuesday, August 27, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:15 AM. His next appointment is at 2 PM, when he will meet with mayors about reducing youth violence. Lastly, he and wife Michelle will host a reception for the March on Washington at 7:30 PM.
• Mrs Obama is hosting a private screening of: "The Powerbroker: Whitney Young’s Fight for Civil Rights.”
• VP Biden hosted a breakfast meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry. Afterward, he will fly to Houston Texas where he will delivers remarks at The American Legion National Convention.

50th Anniversary of March on Washington (from msnbc.com - Photo by Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)

Monday, August 26, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10 AM. Then, at 11:30 AM, he met with faith leaders. Mr. Obama next awarded the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt Ty M. Carter at 2:10 PM. He ended the day after a 4:15 pm meet and greet with the 2103 Urban Debate National Champions.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

• Michelle Obama flew to New York City to see a Broadway play and attend the U.S. Open. To justify expensing this to the the American taxpayers, Mrs. Obama delivered remarks and participated in Arthur Ashe Kid's Day.

At Kids's Day (from nydailynews.com photo: Cory Sipkin/New York Daily News)

Friday, August 23, 2013

• Leaving Syracuse, President Obama made a visit to the Tully Junior-Senior High School soccar practice in Tully NY. Then, he participated in a town hall meeting at 12:45 PM at Binghamton University in Binghamton NY. After that, he drove to Scranton PA, where both he and VP Biden delivered remarks on college affordability at Lackawanna College. He left Scranton at 5:50 PM and flew back to DC. He was back at the White House at 7:05 PM.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

• President Obama left the White House at 9 AM and flew to Buffalo NY where he began a 2 day bus tour. In Buffalo, he delivered remarks at the University of Buffalo (11:23 AM). Next, he drove to Rochester NY and spoke to college students, graduates and educators at Magnolia's Deli & Cafe in Rochester NY. Then, he drove to Syracuse NY where he spoke at Henninger High School at 6:25 PM.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

• Although nothing was listed on the official White House agenda, President Obama participated in a video conference about the Affordable Care Act (photo of the day).