Obama takes the misses out for dinner. In NYC!!!! At the taxpayer expense

[Robor]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
This thread is filled with so much crap it's pathetic.

You're correct there but it's your side that's FOS.

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
I have no problem with the President taking 'vacations' of course there is no such thing as a day off for the President.
And if Obama took Ms O to NYC for the whole weekend it would bother me either.

What bothers me is the amount of tax payer money spent so he can have dinner and watch one show.
This whole trip probably lasted a bit over 8 hours which means us tax payers spent perhaps $20,000 an HOUR so Obama could make his wife happy.

BTW it seems that the European press is all over Obama for this wasteful spending.

So it's not the overall cost but the length of the date? Do you realize how little sense you are making? WTF difference does it make if they spent a night or a weekend there? In the end you're nit-picking over 36 hours and regardless of the duration it does not lower the cost of the trip. If anything staying longer would cost more. Your logic is akin to someone eating more at a buffet to make it cost less.

 

[DealMonkey]

You suck PJ, you know that? Your petty little thread sucks too. Now, go find something substantial to bitch about or go away, preferably the latter.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Really? A thread about this is your best effort? Ok...

 

[jpeyton]

Bush took 77 AF1 trips to Crawford at $226,000/each

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: Mani
Dude with all this fake outrage you will turn into a nervous wreck.

I'm not that outraged.

I just think it is ridiculous for Obama to fly off to NYC for a dinner date. This is the same guy who told CEOs that they would have to give up their private jets and trips to Vegas.
From a speech Obama gave back in Feb

This time, CEOs won't be able to use taxpayer money to pad their paychecks or buy fancy drapes or disappear on a private jet. Those days are over.

and

Our job is to govern with a sense of responsibility. I will not spend a single penny for the purpose of rewarding a single Wall Street executive,

From another speech Obama gave

?You are not going to be able to give out these big bonuses until you pay taxpayers back. You can't get corporate jets. You can't go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayers' dime. There's got to be some accountability and some responsibility.?

Maybe he should start by practicing some responsibility at home. Perhaps he should set an example for others to follow?

So what's your proposal on presidential discretionary spending? Obama is a work hard, play hard kind of guy. After the work little, take a huge vacation philosophy over the last 8 years, it's a nice change.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Honestly, there are much bigger and far more serious concerns with the current administration than whether or not the president and first lady go out on "date night".

This is nitpicky, at best...all politicians do this. About the only thing you can say about it is that the timing was horrible. GM, one of the biggest and most iconic American companies, is about to file for bankruptcy, and the O-Man talks about how we have to "sacrifice", yet he goes out for a night on the town.

The hypocrisy is very apparent, but this is small potatoes.

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: guyver01

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Hey... if Obama wants to fly to Chicago or Hawaii for a few weeks vacation I am all for it.

But flying to NYC and back in the same night!!! Are you kidding me!!!!

as opposed to GWB taking 500 vacation days during his 8 years in office? that amouns to TWELVE WEEKS a year... who gets 3 months vacation?

the point of PJ's post... ZOOOOMMM RIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD!

Uh, the point is, why wasn't he complaining about Bush's excesses? None of guys have any credibility taking shots at spending after supporting a guy who wrote the book on it the last 8 years.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Bush took 77 AF1 trips to Crawford at $226,000/each

But that was OK, because he stayed longer than 8 hours. Plus those were "normal times". Well, they weren't but he wasn't an evil democrat. And he was visiting "Real America" rather than a den of liberals, Jews, and gays like NYC.

Got it?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: smashp
Obama's Date Night in New York


ABC News' Vija Udenans Reports: Today Pres. Obama and the First Lady are taking their 'date night' to New York, dinner and a Broadway show. Mid-afternoon the President, tie-less in a stunning black suit escorted the first lady to Marine One on South Lawn, while Sasha, the youngest daughter watched and waved from the upper balcony.

Michelle Obama wore a sleeveless, body-fitting, knee length, black cocktail dress and black heels that almost stuck in the South lawn sod. The President took her hand as they continued to the waiting chopper.

A White House press spokesperson tells us the President had explained the visit, "I am taking my wife to New York City because I promised her during the campaign that I would take her to a Broadway show after it was all finished."

The couple did not take the large 747 to New York, but flew a much smaller C-20 (G3). The press pool flew in a separate plane, identified by the military as a G5, followed by a staff in a third plane (G3). White House staff said the smaller planes were more fuel efficient.

AF-1 landed at Kennedy Airport. Marine One flew them over the Brooklyn Bridge to Lower Manhattan.

The motorcade made its way over to West Street, banged a right on a cobblestone Clarkson, then on to Carmine. They ended up at 6th and Washington place.

The first couple dined at Bluehill Restaurant where reservations are reportedly hard to get. The restaurant features "locally grown fare" and
has it's own farm in upstate new York.

The first couple arrived at the Belasco theater on West 44th Street, where they will see "Joe Turner's Come and Gone."

Earlier in the day, both parents attended eldest daughter, Malia's soccer match. Spectators informed the press pool that Malia's team, "the tsunamis" did win.

They are expected to return to the White House tonight.


So he promised his Wife a Broadway show for putting up with all the hectic wear and tear of a campain......


Sounds like a healthy Marriage they they can find time to go out. Its refreshing to see a President and First lady that actually spend time together.

Agreed. Much ado about nothing.

Honestly, I think it's good to see the President and First Lady keeping some semblance of normalcy in their lives. It is also good for the American public to see them going out together and enjoying themselves.

 

[outriding]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Bush took 77 AF1 trips to Crawford at $226,000/each

By the numbers:


bush: every 37 days @ 226,000
obama : every 65 days @ 260,000

total for bush after 4 years 8,701,000

total for obama after 4 years 5,840,000

obama has a savings of 2,861,000 over 4 years.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Desturel

Originally posted by: tk149
How many people are involved in NYC versus DC? Also, what distance must be traveled, and what precautions must be taken on the route? You can't honestly believe that the manpower involved in the longer trip to a much more densely populated city is the same.

I don't know if you are serious or not, but I'll ask you a few questions.

Every time the president makes an appearance at the UN, do you think they hire a completely new security detail?

Every time the president does a live interview in a New York studio (for example, he's appeared in studio for Evening News with Katie Couric, The Daily Show, David Letterman, and the Today Show since he was inaugurated), do you think they hire a completely new detail every time he does one of these shows?

The distance from DC to NYC is 230 miles. The president took a plane so the precautions are all air traffic control related. It's a 45 minute to an hour air flight on a normal commuter airplane. I'm sure the president's jet can get there quicker. His trip to Saudi Arabia to speak to King Abdullah this morning drawfs preparation costs and manhours. The staff that plans these trips for Obama are full time staff. The airports in every major city have protocols for visits that would not require additional hired manpower meaning no EXTRA cost beyond normal operations.

You are completely daft if you think security isn't already in place in a city the president has already been to at least 10 times since his inauguration according to a quick scan of news headlines. Between interviews, general meetings, and international obligations.

But whatever, I'm done arguing with someone who has never worked in security or transportation before. It's obvious you believe the best security is never to plan ahead and not to have any plan in place until the last minute. You also believe that every time a new trip is begun that a completely new security detail is hired. You know nothing of how the government works and it shows.

Wow, you totally twisted my words and intent. I never claimed that security planning should be at the last minute. On the contrary, I think that it would take more time and more resources to plan a NYC trip versus a DC trip.

Your attempted insults are the last resort for someone with no substance. You're claiming that there are no extra security costs involved when the President, arguably the most targeted person on earth, visits the largest city in the U.S. You have cited no facts or figures to back up that assertion. Apparently, you are privy to the budgets and security procedures of two major cities and their airports.

Here's a summary of our discourse:

You: A = B
Me: A = B + C + D
You: I'm right, you're wrong.
Me: What about C and D?
You: I like ice cream, and you suck.

It's apparent that you're not interested in intelligent debate.

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: tk149
It's apparent that you're not interested in intelligent debate.

I think you summed up the entire thread.

 

[shrumpage]

This is one of the more bizarre threads in P&N in a long time.

The president travels, he travels a lot. Personal, business, political he goes for all reasons and when he does it is not cheap - no shock there.

Obama, after telling Americans how tough times are, how we need to tighten our belts and make sacrifices. He decides to take his wife to NY via plane just to watch a Broadway show.

At a minimum it comes across as very wasteful and hypocritical, especially when you taken in his account of being 'green.' It reinforces with conservatives that liberals are "do as i say not as a I do," giving talking heads on the right another reason to bash on Obama.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: tk149
It's apparent that you're not interested in intelligent debate.

I think you summed up the entire thread.

The whole premise of the thread is unintelligent. I wonder who the dumbass OP is that started it...

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: outriding

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Bush took 77 AF1 trips to Crawford at $226,000/each

By the numbers:


bush: every 37 days @ 226,000
obama : every 65 days @ 260,000

total for bush after 4 years 8,701,000

total for obama after 4 years 5,840,000

obama has a savings of 2,861,000 over 4 years.

Something tells me NonProfJohn glanced over this post.

 

[senseamp]

Originally posted by: shrumpage
This is one of the more bizarre threads in P&N in a long time.

The president travels, he travels a lot. Personal, business, political he goes for all reasons and when he does it is not cheap - no shock there.

Obama, after telling Americans how tough times are, how we need to tighten our belts and make sacrifices. He decides to take his wife to NY via plane just to watch a Broadway show.

At a minimum it comes across as very wasteful and hypocritical, especially when you taken in his account of being 'green.' It reinforces with conservatives that liberals are "do as i say not as a I do," giving talking heads on the right another reason to bash on Obama.

Maybe Obama cares more about taking his wife to a Broadway show than what conservatives think about him. Plus you don't know if plane was his idea, maybe he wanted to take Greyhound there, but the secret service vetoed that idea for security reasons.

 

[Desturel]

Originally posted by: tk149
It's apparent that you're not interested in intelligent debate.

Okay then. I'll give you my details and you tell me where I'm ignoring details:

1) Transportation to the airforce base where his jet is located.

- This cost would not be incurred if he stayed in DC.

2) Contacting the NYPD to inform them to enact the security procedures for when the president or a diplomat will be going around time.

- This cost would be incurred in DC as well. If the president is going out on the town, the local department has to be informed and have to get the men to section off his route. So the price difference would be the difference in pay between the NYPD and the DCPD.

3) The cost of fuel for flying to NYC.

- this cost would not exist if the president had stayed in DC.

4) The cost of securing the restaurant that the president and first lady would be eating at.

- this cost would exist even if the president was eating in DC. Considering that he's gone to Ben's Chili Bowl and Ray's Hell Burger, I guess you guys should be having a fit over this one. The cost of the food isn't a factor. He paid for that himself.

5) The cost of the local motorcade to transport the president when he wasn't walking around.

- This cost is exclusive to NYC as the motorcade in DC is not a separate cost. This is added to transportation costs.

6) The cost of securing the theater where they were watching the play.

- This cost would occur in DC as well. The price of the ticket was covered by the president.

7) The cost for flying back to DC.

- this cost would not exist if the president had stayed in DC.

Do you agree or disagree with this list? If you agree then the cost difference comes from:

1. Overtime for local police when they secure the president's travel route (a cost that is based on the difference in salary and number of officers that would need to secure the route in NYC vs. the number and salary in DC.)

2. The transportation costs to the Air base that take off from. (transportation costs)

3. The costs for flying to and from New York. (transportation costs)

4. The costs of the motorcade in New York used to transport the president. (transportation costs)

Point out anything I'm missing.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: tk149
It's apparent that you're not interested in intelligent debate.

I think you summed up the entire thread.

Yeah, starting with your OP.

 

[shrumpage]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: shrumpage
This is one of the more bizarre threads in P&N in a long time.

The president travels, he travels a lot. Personal, business, political he goes for all reasons and when he does it is not cheap - no shock there.

Obama, after telling Americans how tough times are, how we need to tighten our belts and make sacrifices. He decides to take his wife to NY via plane just to watch a Broadway show.

At a minimum it comes across as very wasteful and hypocritical, especially when you taken in his account of being 'green.' It reinforces with conservatives that liberals are "do as i say not as a I do," giving talking heads on the right another reason to bash on Obama.

Maybe Obama cares more about taking his wife to a Broadway show than what conservatives think about him. Plus you don't know if plane was his idea, maybe he wanted to take Greyhound there, but the secret service vetoed that idea for security reasons.

Doesn't it come across just a little hypocritical to talk about making sacrifices and how tough times are and then use public money to fly to another state just to take his wife to a Broadway show?

 

[WHAMPOM]

All you're doing is posting in a troll thread, guys. Same old puffjohn, same old SOP splinter/beam/eye. :roll:

 

[senseamp]

Originally posted by: shrumpage

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: shrumpage
This is one of the more bizarre threads in P&N in a long time.

The president travels, he travels a lot. Personal, business, political he goes for all reasons and when he does it is not cheap - no shock there.

Obama, after telling Americans how tough times are, how we need to tighten our belts and make sacrifices. He decides to take his wife to NY via plane just to watch a Broadway show.

At a minimum it comes across as very wasteful and hypocritical, especially when you taken in his account of being 'green.' It reinforces with conservatives that liberals are "do as i say not as a I do," giving talking heads on the right another reason to bash on Obama.

Maybe Obama cares more about taking his wife to a Broadway show than what conservatives think about him. Plus you don't know if plane was his idea, maybe he wanted to take Greyhound there, but the secret service vetoed that idea for security reasons.

Doesn't it come across just a little hypocritical to talk about making sacrifices and how tough times are and then use public money to fly to another state just to take his wife to a Broadway show?

No. It really doesn't. The need for all this security and transportation arrangements is a direct result of his job responsibilities as president of the United States, so it's only fair that it be paid by his employer, the people of the United States. If I wanted to go see a Broadway show, and my employer insisted I take a private jet there, I'd expect them to pay for it too.

 

[shrumpage]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: shrumpage

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: shrumpage
This is one of the more bizarre threads in P&N in a long time.

The president travels, he travels a lot. Personal, business, political he goes for all reasons and when he does it is not cheap - no shock there.

Obama, after telling Americans how tough times are, how we need to tighten our belts and make sacrifices. He decides to take his wife to NY via plane just to watch a Broadway show.

At a minimum it comes across as very wasteful and hypocritical, especially when you taken in his account of being 'green.' It reinforces with conservatives that liberals are "do as i say not as a I do," giving talking heads on the right another reason to bash on Obama.

Maybe Obama cares more about taking his wife to a Broadway show than what conservatives think about him. Plus you don't know if plane was his idea, maybe he wanted to take Greyhound there, but the secret service vetoed that idea for security reasons.

Doesn't it come across just a little hypocritical to talk about making sacrifices and how tough times are and then use public money to fly to another state just to take his wife to a Broadway show?

No. It really doesn't. The need for all this security and transportation arrangements is a direct result of his job responsibilities as president of the United States, so it's only fair that it be paid by his employer, the people of the United States. If I wanted to go see a Broadway show, and my employer insisted I take a private jet there, I'd expect them to pay for it too.

Most people take in to account how much it actually costs to do something before they do it.

And someone who is concerned about carbon foot prints, should also consider the environmental impact vs the benefit of a trip.

I find it difficult to support anyone who lives by a "do as i say, not as a do" mantra.

 

[JSt0rm]

whats funny is when fox news reported this they said "it could of cost 50k to 100k" then it gets here and becomes 250k to 500k.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: JSt0rm01
whats funny is when fox news reported this they said "it could of cost 50k to 100k" then it gets here and becomes 250k to 500k.

So Fox News isn't lying hard enough? They should hire profjohn!

 

[cyclohexane]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: Dari
STFU please. He's the President. You telling me he isn't allowed to take his wife out? And if he wanted to, do you think the Secret Service would let him take a commercial jet?

Half a million dollars or tax payers money so Obama can take the misses out for dates.

You don't think this is excessive?

DC has some of the nicest restaurants in the country, why not take her to one of those places and save the tax payers a TON of money.

Bush was on vacation for most of his presidency. How much tax payer money doyou think he spent?