President Barack Obama canceled plans to travel Wednesday to campaign events in New Jersey and Connecticut to convene a meeting of top aides coordinating the government’s response to the Ebola outbreak at the White House. The move was unusual for Obama, who has been criticized through the years for failing to changes personal or political plans during a variety of world crises. Some examples:
Dec. 25, 2009
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, known as the Underwear Bomber, tried to detonate explosives hidden in his underwear while on board Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan. Obama, on his annual vacation to Hawaii, resists calls for days to speak publicly about the incident.
May 2010
Following an April explosion that led to the BP oil spill, Obama continues with a schedule that includes fundraisers, a talk about basketball with Marv Albert and a Memorial Day appearance in Illinois.
Sept. 11, 2012
An attack on a diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya, kills four Americans, including a U.S. ambassador. The next day, Obama continues on a planned trip to Las Vegas for raise money.
Aug. 2013
Violence erupts in Egypt while Obama is on his annual summer vacation to Martha’s Vineyard. He makes a statement from the island and remains on vacation.
Feb. 28, 2014
When Russian troops move into Ukraine, Obama speaks to reporters, then attends a Democratic fundraiser in Washington.
April 2, 2014
Four people are killed during a shooting at the Fort Hood military base near Killeen, Texas. Obama speaks about the incident while at a fundraiser in Chicago and then proceeds to two other fundraisers.
June 14, 2014
As Islamic terrorists invades Mosul, one of Iraq’s largest cities, Obama raises money for Democrats in Laguna Beach, CA.
July 2014
As concerns about the escalating number of unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border illegally dominate headlines, Obama continues on a fundraising trip to Colorado and Texas.
July 17, 2014
After a Malaysian Airlines flight in eastern Ukraine is shot down, Obama continues on his trip to Wilmington, Delaware to give a speech on infrastructure and to New York to raise money.
July 2014
Israel continues mounting its ground war in Gaza as the U.S. and other world leaders call for a cease-fire. Obama travels on a three-day trip to the West Coast to raise money.
Aug. 2014
Violence erupts in Ferguson, Miss. after a police officer shoots an unarmed teenage. Obama remains on Martha’s Vineyard for his annual summer vacation, speaking to reporters there about the situation.
Aug. 20, 2014
Islamic militants release a video showing the beheading of U.S. journalist James Foley. Obama, on Martha’s Vineyard, condemns the killing minutes before heading out to play golf.