Economy Can't Stop Obama Vacation ... but Irene Can

Economic woes couldn't keep Barack Obama from taking his 10-day vacation in Martha's Vineyard—but it looks like Hurricane Irene can. The president will cut his trip short, announced the White House. He's packing his bags today and returning home tonight, rather than sticking with his planned Saturday afternoon departure, reports the AP. A rep for Obama says the president decided to stick to his own advice: In a statement made from his vacation rental this morning, he told Americans, "Don't wait. Don't delay."

"I cannot stress this highly enough: If you are in the projected path of this hurricane you have to take precautions now. We all hope for the best, but we have to be prepared for the worst," the president said, noting that it's "likely to be an extremely dangerous and costly storm."