President Obama hit the links Friday with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, mixing business with his summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard.
Obama and Bloomberg huddled inside the clubhouse at the Vineyard Golf Club for about 15 minutes to discuss the economy before heading to the driving range, the White House said.
It’s the first time Obama and Bloomberg have met face-to-face since the controversy over the construction of an Islamic center near ground zero in Manhattan. Bloomberg strongly supports the Park51 center, but Obama triggered a storm of controversy when he said proponents have a right to proceed with project, and then seemed to question the wisdom of building it.
It is also the first time Obama has played golf with the mayor. The president invited Bloomberg to play, an administration official said, so Bloomberg flew to Massachusetts from New York City after finishing his weekly radio show Friday morning.
Joining their game is Vernon Jordan, a former advisor to President Bill Clinton, and White House trip director Marvin Nicholson.
Obama’s 10-day vacation ends Sunday, when he heads to New Orleans to mark the five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
