Obama is still going on vacation

In case you're wondering, President Obama still plans to vacation with his family later this month on Martha's Vineyard, his spokesman said today.

Press secretary Jay Carney said he doubts the American people would begrudge the president some time off with his family, even in the midst of an economic downturn -- and besides, it is likely to be in part a working vacation.

"There's no such thing as a presidential vacation," Carney said. "The presidency travels with you."

Obama is expected to depart for Martha Vineyard's on Aug. 18, a week from Thursday.

The president is slated to return to Washington by Aug. 28, the day he is scheduled to deliver remarks at the dedication at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

Like his predecessors -- and as with his Martha's Vineyard vacations of the past two Augusts -- Obama will continue to hold meetings and be in communication with aides on both domestic and foreign issues.

That is particularly true of things like jobs.

"The president is focused every day on the economy," Carney said.