The president’s plan to snag two weeks off in Martha’s Vineyard has been an utter failure, marking his worst attempt at relaxation since the Detroit underwear bomber consumed his 2009 Christmas holiday in Hawaii…

Nobody really can feel sorry for the guy. He’s the leader of the free world. Stuff happens. Before he even left for Martha’s Vineyard, White House officials had announced that Obama would return to Washington on Sunday for two days of meetings, though they still won’t say what’s exactly important enough to interrupt his vacation. So it’s not as if he were getting a full two weeks off to begin with.

But within the White House, these precious few breaks from Washington are highly valued, both by the president and his staff. After an unusually quiet Christmas vacation in Hawaii last year, aides marveled at how clear-headed and energized Obama seemed upon his return. The vacation was a mental lifesaver for the place, clearing the slate following a difficult few months.

This time, not so much.