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George W. Bush thinks President Obama playing golf is a good thing

Back when George W. Bush was the leader of the free world, golfing wasn't something we saw him do a lot. Bush swore off the game during his presidency because, as he mentions in this interview with Jimmy Roberts, he didn't want some mother seeing him golfing while her son was overseas fighting for our country.

But President Obama playing golf? Bush actually thinks this is a good thing.

Bush told Roberts, "I think he ought to play golf. I know what it's like to be in the bubble and I know the pressures of the job and to be able to get outside and play golf with some of your pals is important for the president. It does give you an outlet ... I think it's good for the president to be out playing golf."

This is obviously one of those issues that is pretty party-based (Republicans tend to roll their eyes when Obama is out on the links, as Democrats did when Bush played early in his presidency), but I agree with what Bush is saying here. The job of the president, no matter your affiliation, has to be one of the most stressful, intense jobs on the planet, and getting out on the links for a few hours is probably a great break and allows you to recharge your batteries.

That said, I respect Bush giving up the game while in office after we sent troops overseas, because it would be tough to have a kid in another country while your president is out trying to improve his handicap.

h/t Shackelford