Chief of Staff Raham Emanuel had his daily meeting with President Obama last Friday, prior to the president’s departure for his vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, and the subject was how to bury bad news.

“As you know Mr. President our 10-year projection of the national deficit is $9 trillion, $2 trillion off of our original projection, and I think we need to bury this story along with the negative news on health care reform coming out of town hall meetings,” Emanuel said.

“What do you suggest?”

“Well, Mr.President, let’s leak the new projected numbers at 5PM this evening after the market closes and let’s hope the story dies over the weekend.  Then I would suggest we pass along some ground rules to the press pool covering your vacation.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Let’s suggest the media relax, walk the beach, leave the kids alone . . . and if they don’t follow the rules, throw them out of the pool.”

“Okay, what else?”

“On Monday we get Attorney General Eric Holder to name a federal prosecutor to examine abuse of prisoners held by the CIA, after releasing the report detailing abuses inside the CIA.  This should take health care reform off of page one.  Now, I know you said you want to look ahead, and you can hold your position on this, but it’s a way for us to bash Bush again and let Holder take the heat.”

“That sounds good Raham.”

“Then on Tuesday you rename Bernanke for a second 4-year term to the Fed, this should soften the market reaction to the $9 trillion deficit projection slated to be officially announced later in the day.  I would suggest you then fade onto the golf course for a few rounds, go out to a local restaurant.  This should take the hot topics off the table for the press and then we get back to business as usual next week.”

“Raham, I always did like the way you think.”