Obama's inauguration is most expensive ever at $160 million

[NEXT]

MSM Which Faulted Bush's Cheaper Affair Now Defend Obama's Lavish Mid-Depression Soiree

 

January 2005:

President Bush’s second inauguration will cost tens of millions of dollars — $40 million alone in private donations for the balls, parade and other invitation-only parties. With that kind of money, what could you buy?

■ 200 armored Humvees with the best armor for troops in Iraq.

 

■ Vaccinations and preventive health care for 22 million children in regions devastated by the tsunami.

 

■ A down payment on the nation’s deficit, which hit a record-breaking $412 billion last year....

 

The questions have come from Bush supporters and opponents: Do we need to spend this money on what seems so extravagant?

 

 

 

January 2009:

For inaugural balls, go for glitz, forget economy

 

So you're attending an inaugural ball saluting the historic election of Barack Obama in the worst economic climate in three generations. Can you get away with glitzing it up and still be appropriate, not to mention comfortable and financially viable?

 

To quote the man of the hour: Yes, you can. Veteran ballgoers say you should. And fashionistas insist that you must.

 

"This is a time to celebrate. This is a great moment. Do not dress down. Do not wear the Washington uniform," said Tim Gunn, a native Washingtonian and Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne, Inc.

 

"Just because the economy is in a downturn, it doesn't mean that style is going to be in a downturn," agreed Ken Downing, fashion director for Neiman Marcus.

 

Gotta love the AP

 

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/01/13/2009-01-13_obamas_inauguration_is_most_expensive_ev.html

[OhYeaYouThink]

LOL, nice.

[Habib]

Is there a link to the quotes?

[NEXT]

Is there a link to the quotes?

 

 

Its on Newsbusters, I will not put the link because it has some language from people arguing back and forth.

[Hoot Gibson]

Is there a link to the quotes?

Here you go. This was an AP story and every major AP affiliate ran it - including Fox News. Who says the media has a liberal bias?

 

Some question inaugural's multi-million price tag (USA Today 1/14/05)

 

Cost of Inauguration Questioned (Fox News 1/14/05)

 

Price of inauguration? Priceless — almost (San Mateo Daily Journal 1/14/05)

 

Some Question Steep Inauguration Price Tag (CBS 1/14/05)

 

Media-Manufactured Controversies: 2005 Year in Review (National Review Online 12/20/05)

[Run To State]

With the economy being what it is, this ridiculous spending shouldn't have even been a thought and Obama should have demanded it not cost a fraction of this. Shows me what's important to him.............himself. :irked:

[Hoot Gibson]

With the economy being what it is, this ridiculous spending shouldn't have even been a thought and Obama should have demanded it not cost a fraction of this. Shows me what's important to him.............himself. :irked:

Obama has to make sure that Michelle continues to be proud of this country. What better way than to throw a bunch of expensive parties for the nation's first African-American president while letting taxpayers and wealthy donors foot a big chunk of the $150 million bill?

 

After all, as Michelle said, as an African-American male, President-Elect Obama could be shot for simply filling up the family limo (I am paraphrasing here ). Spending a few tens of millions of dollars and deploying a few extra thousand troops to provide a secure inauguration is a small price to pay for his wife's peace of mind.

 

Besides, as many people as possible deserve a chance to see Michelle's inaugural party outfit and 'do in person.

 

I am shocked that the expense of this inauguration or the fact that Obama will be spending nearly four times as much as Bush spent four years ago is even an issue.

Edited January 19, 2009 by Hoot Gibson

[sportsfan41]

If I had $150 million, I would definitely be able to make it last longer than one week.....

[Sting]

Maybe it's part of the stimulus package...

[Clyde]

How much of this is being spent on security and how much of the spent funds are privately raised?

[Lucky Charms]

Maybe it's part of the stimulus package...

 

Maybe its part of the "change we can believe in..":rolleyes:

[sportsfan41]

Maybe its part of the "change we can believe in..":rolleyes:

 

I laugh every time I think about "change" because all I can think about is the South Park episode, "Change is coming!!!"

[Hoot Gibson]

How much of this is being spent on security and how much of the spent funds are privately raised?

Much of the $40 million spent on Bush's 2005 inauguration was spent on security and much of the money spent then was privately raised but it AP reported the Bush expenditures as exorbitant. $160 million v. $40 million. So what is your point?

[All Tell]

C'mon now don't be to hard on them. After all how often does one get to view the coronation of the most high savior of all mankind and exalted messiah of the downtrodden masses, the man (if I dare call Him just a man) who is singlehandedly going to set all things right in America and insure that we are once again universally praised by every socialist country in Europe and around the world. :scared:

[Clyde]

Much of the $40 million spent on Bush's 2005 inauguration was spent on security and much of the money spent then was privately raised but it AP reported the Bush expenditures as exorbitant. $160 million v. $40 million. So what is your point?

 

Two questions:

 

I've read that the expected crowd for this inauguration as compared to previous will be much larger and that the security is now being used over 4 days instead of 1. So with security being 2 to 3 to 4 times larger than it was and it being spread out over 3 more days how much does that add?

 

Secondly, how much of this is being footed by the taxpayers?