By the time the press van appeared to arrive at the president’s location, the press was told that he was already departing. Time to go back to the White House.
Reporters and photographers didn’t have a chance to see him or his vehicle to verify his presence at any location.
Although nobody outside the White House or the press may have noticed, Obama broke years of tradition.
The small press “pool” that accompanies the president had been told to gather at the White House at 11:30 a.m. He left about 9:20 a.m.
Asked what happened, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said: “The president decided this morning to attend his daughter’s soccer game. The pool was assembled as soon as possible to be there as well.”
Obama eventually left the White House again Saturday for a round of golf. This time, the press was with him.
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