The Cost Of Obama's Day

[red states rule]

So we are in the worst economy since the Great Depression. People are losing their homes in record numbers. Unemployment is soaring. Trillion dollar Federal deficits

Yet PE Obama will put on a huge show in DC - with taxpayers paying a huge part of the bill

I remember well the outrage the left and liberal meida showed over Pres Bush spending $40 million on his inaugration. Now libs say "Go for it. This is historic"

I see the crowd expected is down to 2 million - down from 4 million. I guess it is Bush's fault :laugh2:



Big inauguration comes with a big price tag

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- When President-elect Barack Obama takes the oath of office next month, the nation's capital will be the site of a massive celebration. But local officials are worried they might get stuck with the check.

Even for a city used to big crowds, Obama's inauguration promises to shatter records for attendance. City officials predict up to 2.5 million people will converge on the capital January 20, and they are taking unprecedented steps to accommodate the masses.

Plans are in the works to open up the National Mall, extend hours for public transportation and -- perhaps most daunting -- provide parking for the influx of revelers.

"Even though we're very practiced at inaugurations and large events, this is one that will rewrite the book on inaugurations," said Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-Washington, D.C., who has requested an additional $15 million from Congress to help the city cover costs. That would double the $15 million Congress has already allocated to pay for all national events and demonstrations in Washington during 2009.

Mayor Adrian Fenty agreed that costs for increased security and crowd control would dwarf the original allocation. And for a city facing a budget shortfall and the same economic downturn affecting the rest of the country, now is not the time to rack up debt, Fenty told CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/...ion.price.tag/

[Yurt]

i heard the cost was 150 million for obama...as they complained about bush not using that money for a downpayment on the national debt, i surely expect the dems to raise the same issue with obama

[red states rule]

i heard the cost was 150 million for obama...as they complained about bush not using that money for a downpayment on the national debt, i surely expect the dems to raise the same issue with obama

No they will not

I recall clearly how Dems were screaming over the $40 million Pres Bush spent after his second win

[red states rule]

I wonder what the Guardian will write about Obama's day in the sun?


Bush 'the king' blows $50m on coronationPresident's lavish inauguration is 'obscene' when US troops are dying in Iraq war, say critics


It will be one of the biggest parties in American history, but half of the country will be left out. With a price tag of up to $50 million, President George W Bush's inauguration in 11 days' time will be an unashamed celebration of Red America's victory over Blue America in last November's election.

It is going to be the most expensive, most security-obsessed event in the history of Washington DC. An army of 10,000 police, secret service officers and FBI agents will patrol the capital for four days of massive celebrations that some critics have derided as reminiscent of the lavish shindigs thrown by Louis XIV, France's extravagant Sun King.

More than 150,000 people, nearly all Republicans whose tickets are a reward for election work, will pack the Mall to hear Bush take his oath of office on 20 January. There will be nine official balls, countless unofficial ones, parades and a concert hosted by Bush's daughters, Jenna and Barbara.

Amid the official pageantry will be many huge parties laid on by companies wishing to win favour with Washington's power players. Anyone who is anyone in Republican circles will be in town. Many Democrats will be leaving. With so many big names in one place, security measures will include road blocks, anti-aircraft guns guarding the skies and sniper teams patrolling the rooftops.

Many observers say it is all too much. 'We have elected a President who seems to have quite a monarchical role. It is a bit of a coronation,' said Larry Haas, a former official in Bill Clinton's White House.

Certainly, Bush's inauguration will be an orgy of gladhanding and partying by the Republican faithful from all over the country. One Washington hotel, the Mandarin Oriental, is offering visitors four nights in its Presidential Suite for $200,000. The price tag includes a 24-hour butler, a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce or Humvee, daily champagne and caviar and a flight to the hotel in a private jet.

One highlight of the bonanza is the Black Tie and Boots Ball organised by Bush's home state of Texas, with the President as star guest. Ten thousand tickets sold out in less than 50 minutes, and are now trading privately at $1,300 each. Another is the Commander-in-Chief's Ball where Bush will honour American soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is billed as the centrepiece of the inauguration, which itself has a theme tinged with the idea of military service.

All the partying is being condemned by many commentators as in poor taste for a nation fighting a bloody war.

Carroll Wilson, editor of the Texas newspaper the Times Record, has called the cost obscene and 'a horrendous waste'. 'There's something inherently embarrassing about spending $50m on a party that will start and end in the blink of a very red eye,' he added.

The fighting in Iraq has provoked calls for the celebrations to be toned down, as they were during the two world wars when some were even cancelled. Bush's second inauguration will be the first in wartime since President Richard Nixon took office in 1969 during the Vietnam conflict.

Yet the partying is being intensified. The Commander-in-Chief's Ball is being hailed by organisers as a fitting tribute to American soldiers on active service. More than 2,000 troops and their partners, selected by the Pentagon, will take part. Most have served in Iraq or Afghanistan or are about to go there. The parades will have a stronger than normal military theme.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/jan/09/usa.theobserver

[red states rule]

Where is the outrage from the left? They promised in the last election to restrain spending

Guess it depends on the meaning of "restrain"


Obama Inauguration: Bush Declares Emergency


WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush on Tuesday declared an emergency in the District of Columbia that will let the nation's capital tap deeper into federal coffers for Barack Obama's inauguration.

Bush said that an emergency exists and ordered federal aid to supplement the $15 million in federal funds already appropriated for the event.

White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty requested the emergency declaration on Jan. 7 because he decided that the crowds expected for the nation's 56th presidential inauguration would exceed the city's ability to protect the public.

If the extra money is needed, it will come from the Federal Emergency and Management Agency budget, Stanzel said.

In a statement, the White House said the assistance is available to the district for emergency measures to protect public health and safety.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_157637.html

[Yurt]

thats funny, that means obama becoming president is an emergency to this nation...LOOOL

[red states rule]

thats funny, that means obama becoming president is an emergency to this nation...LOOOL

more like a catastrophe

Funny how the Obama lovers have ignored this thread

I wonder what Virgil would have to say about this Yurt :laugh2:

[stephanie]

I hope the little Marxist cult followers enjoy that day..it will probably be the last one they enjoy..
then they will get to partake in that thing he likes to call-shared sacrifice, scraping some of their skin off and putting it in the game..:dance:

[red states rule]

The best part of the story I like best is about the lack of Porta Potties.

With so many Obama supporters there, and their being so full of I can see the need for more potties

It will be a crap fest in DC on 1/20!

[namvet]

times are tuff. I saw a pimp in a Volkswagen. also the porn industry is looking for a bailout :laugh2: but they'll be there.

[red states rule]

Obama is a hell of a spend thirft in bad economic times. What elitism!

You would think he would send some off that money to his brother who still lives in a hut

[namvet]

Obama is a hell of a spend thirft in bad economic times. What elitism!

You would think he would send some off that money to his brother who still lives in a hut

it might cost Osama 10 bucks. oops we're on a budget sorry bro..........:dance:

[red states rule]

it might cost Osama 10 bucks. oops we're on a budget sorry bro..........:dance:

You would think Obama would at least send his brother a "Hut Sweet Hut" wall hanging to brighten up the place :laugh2:

[namvet]

I hope its 10' a snow and 50 below on tues.....................:cheers2:

[red states rule]

The left and liberal media went nuts over Bush's inauguration. Many wanted him to not even have one. So now, 4 years later with the economy in trouble, and the US still fighting 2 wars, they are notably silent on Obama's extravagant event.

Its hypocritical yet so typical of the left

Dems whine and complain about one inauguration being too expensive and innappropriate, and then say NOTHING 4 years later with an inauguration that costs 4 times as much in the middle of a recession.

[namvet]

Bush declares a 'state of emergency' in Washington as cost of Obama's swearing-in ceremony soars to £110m
story (story)

:lol::lol::laugh2::laugh2:

[gabosaurus]

The cost of Bush's 2000 inauguration was $40 million. The cost of his 2004 inauguration was $28 million. Go look it up.

[red states rule]

The cost of Bush's 2000 inauguration was $40 million. The cost of his 2004 inauguration was $28 million. Go look it up.

and the lieft had a cow over the money Pres Bush spent

Now when Obama is spending $150 million - silence

[namvet]

The cost of Bush's 2000 inauguration was $40 million. The cost of his 2004 inauguration was $28 million. Go look it up.

look this up
and how much for the Marxist????


It is believed President-elect Obama's inauguration will be the costliest in history — around $50 million — despite the recession. President Bush has declared a state of emergency to free up federal funds to help the district cope with the soaring cost of the event.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479955,00.html well????

[stephanie]

and the left had a cow over the money Pres Bush spent

Now when Obama is spending $150 million - silence

Hey now, it's for the boy king...we are all supposed to be dancing in the streets, shouting from the rooftops..........WE'VE BEEN SAVED

hallelujah

[red states rule]

look this up
and how much for the Marxist????


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479955,00.html well????

Actually it is up to $150 million


At $150mn, Obama inauguration is most expensive ever
PTIThursday, January 15, 2009 12:58 IST

Chicago: US president-elect Barack Obama's inauguration on January 20 is expected to cost a whopping USD 150 million, making it the most expensive in the American history.

Obama's inauguration expenses are likely to be to the tune of over USD 150 million, overshadowing the USD 42.3 million spent on George Bush's inauguration in 2005 and USD 33 million on Bill Clinton's in 1993, media report said.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1221695

[namvet]

Bush has to delcare a state of emergency for him !!!??? . let the Marxist pay for it all. gezzzzus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[red states rule]

Bush has to delcare a state of emergency for him !!!??? . let the Marxist pay for it all. gezzzzus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing is to good for the messiah Lord Obama - after all HE is not paying for it

[stephanie]

Bush has to declare a state of emergency for him !!!??? . let the Marxist pay for it all. gezus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that ticks me off..why should I pay for this coronation, when I didn't even vote for the fool..

[red states rule]

that ticks me off..why should I pay for this coronation, when I didn't even vote for the jerk..

Steph, there are alot of things you will pay for. This is only the beginning

[namvet]

a 150 mil for this jive ass chump???? we're getting fucked from the get go. its only the beginning. bend over America. here it comes !!!!!!

[red states rule]

a 150 mil for this jive ass chump???? we're getting fucked from the get go. its only the beginning. bend over America. here it comes !!!!!!

This is the change Namvet - this is the change

and when he is done with us that is all we will have left in our pockets

[namvet]

This is the change Namvet - this is the change

and when he is done with us that is all we will have left in our pockets

what pockets??? he'll strip you blind. BTY your being paged