Can our communities please have a little more heads up time whenever a president comes to our area to visit, so we can plan ahead for the incredible traffic congestion that these visits create? The June 6 visit gave us a one-day lead time to prepare, absolutely not enough time.

Longer lead time might be helpful for residents to reschedule.

However, it would also give protestors more time to organize and mobilize larger groups. Conceivably, that might result in higher costs to the local communities if a larger police presence is called for.

A lot of these protests exacerbate traffic issues since the primary goal of these organizations is to attract the maximum amount of media coverage.

From a security standpoint from the Secret Service's viewpoint, it makes more sense to keep the itinerary until the last moment.

I've never experienced any traffic issues when he's come to town, so I would guess its localized and not that bad, unless its localized in your locale of course.

Oh please.. don't blame the traffic issues on protestors.

Have you ever seen the President's motorcade? 40-60 cars.. for ONE person. That doesn't count the cars blocking intersections. Yes, it's the President of the United States but seriously.. the security measures taken far outweigh the threat. Unless you are going to leave town when the President is here no amount of prior notice is going to alleviate the problem.

On top of that, why is it so bad for protestors to protest? That's what started this whole country. If it wasn't for protestors we'd still be subjects of the crown. Protesting our Government is one of our core principles. These days though you are looked down upon if you exercise that right.

@Pam Hennings; Bay Area national news affiliates have reporting this upcoming visit for over a week now. I know this because I have been po'd for a week about Obama making yet ANOTHER visit to his favorite ATM (aka: California).

@Otto Maddox:

Stop putting words in my mouth that I didn't utter.

I didn't say that *ALL* of the traffic problems were caused by protestors. I just said that protestors contribute to *SOME* of the traffic issues. As do police cars, television trucks, whatever.

Nor did I say that protesting is bad. I just said that increased numbers of protestors (who presumably arrive in their own cars) can result in increased law enforcement staffing costs. (Same thing with spectators.)

This is the case in *ANY* larger gathering, whether it be Halloween in the Castro (now cancelled), Bay to Breakers, large sporting events, World Series parades, etc.

I did *NOT* say that protesting should be banned since it increases cost to local governments, and yes, I took enough civics in high school to understand how this country was founded.

*YOU* need a lesson in reading comprehension, because most of what you accuse me for CANNOT BE FOUND IN THE WORDS I WROTE.

Have a nice day.

would pay a penny to see this jerk? Go back and fix all the crap in Washington. Stop stealing from our kids.

I agree with Mel and Who. Did anyone else notice that initially the news was reporting that following his visit here he would be headed to Palm Springs where he plans to meet with some official from China. Translation: Create a reason for tax payers to pay for Golf trip to Palm Springs.

This morning the news reported that "Obama has extended his trip to the Bay Area and is adding a Friday morning news conference where he will discuss Obamacare, because concerns have been publically raised about the President making yet another fund raising trip to the Bay Area". Translation: Create a reason for tax payers to pick up the bill for Fund Raising trip.

1. Why is the POTUS arranging official state meetings with foreign dignitaries anywhere but in his office at the White House?
2. Why is this POTUS putting so much effort into fund raising for anything other than HIS OWN run for the presidency?

I would recommend against protesting unless you want an IRS audit

see what the media starts? Just reading all of the comments makes me sad that people are so stressed out, no one is happy with anything these days. I think our society would benefit by taking just one day off a week and not publish anything that could cause so much negativity. The world needs to take a time out..

Mr. Park is right, Otto needs to learn how to read. A lesson in manners might be in order as well...

Sheesh, you guys need to chill. This country is a pretty good place to be, considering alternatives. I like living here and while I don't agree with a lot of what I hear and see, that's all part of the deal. If you're so miserable, just leave.

When Chelsea Clinton was attending Stanford the President made regular visits, and usually stayed at the Cabana (on El Camino). While I agree that the street closures surrounding a presidential visit can be a bit irritating, I learned to check the published itinerary before getting on the road, so I might have a better chance of either delaying my driving during the time his motorcade would be on the road nearby or figuring out a way to use different routes so as to avoid the traffic holdups. Since we are essentially have no say in presidential visits, it seems to be best to figure out the best way to cope with them when in town. That said, I see the President is scheduled to touch down at Moffett field at 6PM, should make for an excellent commute on 101. ;)

@Mel et al - I'm a certified dyed in natural wool news junkie and the very first I heard of this was Tuesday evening on cable news tv. I mostly have my wireless headphones worn almost constantly and tuned to NPR several hours each day - no word received whatsoever anywhere on TV or print media until Tuesday. Agreed that for security reasons movements shouldn't be published, but for those of us needng to catch planes or whatever else, that don't have a news jones like me, they could wind up being seriously financially inconvenienced if stuck in massive traffic crawl without more advance notice. Saying, notify the neighborhoods to be affected, as in the Patch and the Voice, without blasting it to the entire free nation, would be uber appreciated, ever so.

@Pam Hennings - I think that's cool that you consider yourself "a certified dyed in natural wool news junkie", but it is possible that I happened to watch a news report that you missed. Or are you calling me a liar?

Folks, The delays caused by the motorcade and aircraft arrivals were no worse than getting stuck behind a fatal accident or road construction one might have failed to account for. We could tell the President to stay in Washington and keep Congress there with him.

Or we can not let him raise money here and be prepared to deal with his successor, and maybe a Republican Senate to go along with the House. This would be like Bush before 2006, not exactly what most voice readers voted for I suspect. Several AM radio stations had the information all day Thursday, more than enough time to adjust.