The president felt before he could begin his holiday, that it was important for him to spend some time with these Americans who are mourning. White House spokesman John Earnest More Quotes by White House spokesman John Earnest More Quotes From White House spokesman John Earnest The president will not be on the ground for a long time but he will be on the ground for a couple of hours – long enough to spend some time with the families. White House spokesman John Earnest politics