Rejuvenated President Obama touches down for Hawaii holiday after securing surprise victories in U.S. Senate

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 08:45 EST, 23 December 2010

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A politically rejuvenated President Obama has arrived in Hawaii for an 11-day family holiday in his home state.

Fresh from securing surprise victories in the U.S. Senate, the president headed for a rented oceanfront home in Kailua Bay after Air Force One touched down shortly before midnight.

He will join wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha, as well as pet dog Bo, who have been on the island since Saturday.

Welcome break: President Obama waves as he gets into a car at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, at the start of his Christmas holiday

Mr Obama had planned to arrive on Saturday too, but delayed his departure to stay in Washington and secure several pieces of legislation in a productive lame-duck session.

He secured victories on his flagship foreign policy - the START nuclear arms treaty with Russia - as well as the repeal of the military's controversial ban on gay service members.

Mr Obama also struck a deal with Republican senators to allow tax cuts for all income earners to continue, a compromise that has angered some liberals but won him rare support from the Republicans.

At a Washington news conference yesterday, he said the accomplishments of the lame-duck session of Congress demonstrated 'we are not doomed to endless gridlock'.

He added that the six week session - where new election winners have not yet taken office and defeated incumbents are less likely to toe party lines - was 'a season of progress for the American people'.

Rejuvenated: The President was fresh from securing unexpected triumphs in the lame-duck session in the U.S. Senate, including the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' and his flagship START nuclear arms treaty with Russia

Triumph: The legislative success provides a welcome boost for Mr Obama after the mid-term elections and the still struggling U.S. economy

It comes as a much-needed boost to Mr Obama's presidency following a volatile year and a self-proclaimed 'shellacking' in the November mid-term elections.

He faces an economy still struggling to find steady growth in 2011 and a Congress more heavily laden with Republicans, as well as a host of challengers to his job in 2012.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said the president was looking forward to a few days away from Washington.

He said: 'He is as much as anything anxious to spend time where he grew up with his family and to see his sister.'

Mr Obama's half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, lives in Oahu with her family. The president plans to visit with several childhood friends while on the island.

Holiday: A relaxed looking president, with a lei around his neck, talks with Senator Daniel Okaka and congressman Mazie Hirono

Christmas in Hawaii has become a family tradition for the Obamas, who are spending their third straight year in Kailua.

The president was also forced to delay his departure last year until Christmas Eve as he tried to get his signature health care reform through.

His holiday was cut short on Christmas Day when a 23-year-old Nigerian man allegedly attempted to blow up a jet aircraft bound for Detroit.

Mr Obama will enjoy morning workouts with his wife at a gym at Marine Corps Base and said he intended to 'hit a couple of golf courses' while on the island.

But it could be a damp holiday, as Oahu has been hit by heavy rain throughout the week and more showers are forecast.