The NY Times has an interesting article about how the Obamas are much more out and about than any of their recent predecessors. Bush was very much a homebody and liked to go to bed really early, but even compared the Clintons, the Obamas are very active on the social scene.
I imagine one of the most difficult things about being President is that you become so insulated. Think back to Nixon and LBJ- the longer they were in office, the more paranoid and detached from reality they became. Back in 1992, George H. W. Bush was viewed as being very out-of-touch. His campaign visit to a grocery store just reinforced that notion and it is part of why he lost the election.
It certainly helps a politician if he or she is viewed as being someone that voters can relate to. One of the reasons that Bush "won" two national elections is because he was viewed as more likeable than Bush or Kerry- the magical concept that he was a guy you could share a beer with.
I'm curious to see if Obama continues to get out and about later in his term. Can't imagine that the Secret Service is a huge fan of this, but let's hope that Obama continues to break out of the White House fishbowl.
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