Obama starts Martha's Vineyard vacation

President Obama has begun his week-long vacation at Martha's Vineyard, Mass., or least as much of a vacation as a president can get.

Senior aides are accompanying Obama, who will receive daily briefings during his vacation and start planning for a busy fall that includes likely disputes over health care and budget issues that could lead to a government shutdown.

And who knows what outside events might interfere with Obama's vacation in the next several days?

"As is the case everywhere presidents go -- this president and any president -- he will be able to communicate as necessary with all the capacity that's needed to do that," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

Obama did kick off -- or tee off -- his vacation with a little fun: A golf game.

National Security adviser Susan Rice and deputy chief of staff Rob Nabors are among the aides who accompanied Obama to Martha's Vineyard, where the president arrived Saturday.

Obama is also planning rest and relaxation before returning to the White House next Sunday.

"I know he's looking forward very much to some downtime with his family, with the first lady, and I'm sure he'll see some friends," Carney said. "But I don't have a social schedule to offer you."