Posted on 12/25/2007 4:08:21 AM PST by billorites
After grueling months on the campaign trail, presidential contenders will be taking a break and spending Christmas with their families before the final push to the New Hampshire primary. Most of the candidates responded to a query from the New Hampshire Sunday News about how their families will celebrate the holiday.
Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., said his family's celebration begins Christmas Eve, when the entire extended family goes to evening Mass and then heads to the Biden house for dinner.
"Later that evening, all of my children and grandchildren sleep over and wait for Santa to come," he told us. "On Christmas morning, everyone wakes up and opens presents at the house, and then we have brunch with my mother, who still lives with us. Following brunch, we visit with my wife's family, who live not far away."
It sounds like it will be a New England Christmas for Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and his family. "On Christmas, my wife, Jackie, and I will be spending time with our two little girls as they open their presents and stockings. Later in the day, we'll be taking my campaign staff ice skating and then back to the house for some good food and company."
Republican Mike Huckabee will be at home, in Arkansas. "My family and I will attend the Christmas Eve service at our church and go to a Chinese restaurant for dinner; that is a family tradition," he said. "We will celebrate Christmas Day at our home in North Little Rock."
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said he's lookig forward to celebrating the holiday with his wife and daughters. "After a great trip to New Hampshire, I'll be spending Christmas at home in Chicago with Michelle and our girls, Malia and Sasha. We've got family coming in to spend the holiday with us, and we're looking forward to taking a little break to celebrate before the final sprint."
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., plans a working holiday, of sorts. "What I am most looking forward to this year is celebrating Christmas out at the cabin in Sedona, Arizona, where I will be spending time with my family and close friends for the holiday. I'll be handing the cooking responsibilities this year, and I'll be deep frying a turkey for Christmas dinner," he said.
Democrat John Edwards, his wife, Elizabeth, and their children -- Cate, Emma Claire and Jack -- will celebrate a number of holiday traditions at their home in Chapel Hill, N.C., with members of their extended family.
"On Christmas Eve, the children each unwrap two presents -- one which Elizabeth and I have them unwrap (always Christmas pajamas) and one package of their own choosing. I always read everyone the Christmas story before they go to bed," the former senator said.
"On Christmas Day, the children open their gifts and the grown-ups do a Christmas grab gift swap. This year, Jack and Emma Claire are making all of their gifts, for each other and for all of the adults."
Everyone sings carols from Elizabeth's famed "song book," he said, before sharing "the big meal of the day -- a very elaborate breakfast."
"In addition, we always try to do something to give back to those less fortunate during the holidays," Edwards added. "This year, we dropped off donations at women's shelters in Iowa with First Lady Mari Culver, and I brought food donations to the New Horizons food pantry in Manchester."
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's response was short and sweet: "Barbara and I will be celebrating the holiday with our friends and family in New Mexico."
And Republican Mitt Romney said he was looking forward to spending Christmas at home with his wife, Ann. "Traditionally, our children alternate spending Christmas between us and their in-laws, and this year, they'll be with their in-laws," he said. "However, our oldest son, Tagg, and his family will be coming over and celebrating with us -- so the house won't be completely empty."
Democrat Mike Gravel's wife, Whitney, said she and her husband will be far from the state he served as senator, Alaska. "We'll get to share the wonder of Christmas with our 4-year old niece, Emeline, and her parents at their house on a pond in the Vermont woods (with the hope that their new cat will like our dog better than their other cat)," she wrote in an e-mail. "Then we hope to meet many New Hampshirites as we tour the state in our Gravel for President RV."
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, meanwhile, said through his campaign that he'll be back in New York on Christmas Day.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, replied early last week, before the death of his brother.
"My wife, Elizabeth, and I -- along with the other presidential candidates and their spouses -- have spent the last several months traveling almost non-stop," he said. "Around Christmas we will be taking a few days off for personal time, all of which will be spent visiting and relaxing with our families.
"Together we wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays with continuing prayers for peace on earth."
Candidates Hillary Clinton, Duncan Hunter, Ron Paul and Fred Thompson did not respond to the Sunday News' request to share their Christmas plans.
The website is lame but the brick and mortar market ROCKS!
Fred had already said that he was going home to McLean for a few days to spend Christmas with Jeri and the kids. I guess he didn’t feel the need to elaborate.
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