$150,000,000: “[Y]ou don’t want it to look like a schlock affair”
The Obamafest on Jan. 20 will be the most expensive inauguration in American history.
Snort-worthy line of the night:
President Barack Obama’s inauguration next week is set to be the most expensive ever, predicted to reach over $150m (£102m). This dwarfs the $42.3m spent on George Bush’s inauguration in 2005 and the $33m spent on Bill Clinton’s in 1993.
Part of the spending includes emergency funding announced by the White House on Tuesday to help with the soaring costs. Most of this new federal funding will be to deal with the huge influx of people, estimated 1.5 million to 2 million.
A White House statement said that President Bush “declared an emergency exists in the District of Columbia”.
If there is snow, the costs will grow higher. The long-term forecast suggests there is a chance of snow on Sunday and again on the day of inauguration, on Tuesday.
Carole Florman, spokeswoman for the joint congressional committee on inaugural ceremonies, told the New York Daily News, which estimated the cost at $160m: “We’re always very budget conscious. But we’re sending a message to the entire world about our peaceful transition of power, and you don’t want it to look like a schlock affair. It needs to be appropriate to the magnitude of events that it is.“
A little late for schlock avoidance, don’t you think?
Let me repeat what I said in my November 28, 2008 post, “Where are all the anti-Inauguration activists now?”
All of which reminded me of the unhinged Left’s protests in late 2004 before the Bush inaugural. He was bashed for continuing the American tradition in a time of war and for holding parties so soon after the southeast Asian tsunami disaster.
Critics are calling on U.S. President George W Bush to scale back the glittering multimillion dollar parties planned this week in honor of his second-term inauguration, saying lavish festivities are unseemly at a time of war.
Bush is to be sworn in Thursday and feted with four days of pomp and party-going at a price tag of about $40 million.
An unprecedented military presence and other security measures will add another $100 million to the cost, to pay for everything from police overtime wages to reviewing stands stretching from the U.S. Capitol building to the White House.
But critics insist that with U.S. troops dying daily in Iraq, the tone surrounding this year’s inaugural celebration should be more modest.
“I would have hoped they would have followed the traditions of President Wilson and President Roosevelt, who at a time of war had a very muted celebration,” said Democratic Representative Robert Menendez, speaking on CNN.
“I think when young men and women are dying we should think about the reality of how we conduct ourselves here at home.”
His comments echoed those of Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner, who, in a letter to Bush, urged the president to redirect some of the $40 million “towards a use more fitting to these somber times — bonuses or equipment for our troops.”
Inaugural committee officials however, point out that the theme of the inaugural fete — “Celebrating Freedom, Honoring Service” — already honors the U.S. military, as well as the president’s role as commander-in-chief.
Bush told reporters last week he sees no problem with either how the money is raised or how it is spent, noting that it has all been raised with private donations.
“There’s no taxpayer money involved in this,” the president said, brushing aside calls that some of the funds be channeled to South Asia for tsunami relief.
“A lot of the people who are coming here to the inauguration have given” to tsunami victims, Bush said.
“I think it’s important to celebrate a peaceful transfer of power. I’m looking forward to the celebration,” he told reporters.
In fact, let me reprint Democrat Rep. Weiner’s entire protest letter from January 11, 2005:
01.11.05
REP. WEINER’S LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH ASKING THAT INAUGURAL FUNDS BE USED FOR THE TROOPS
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500Dear Mr. President:
The festivities surrounding your inauguration later this month are slated to cost $40 million – making this the most expensive inauguration in history. I urge you to re-direct those funds towards a use more fitting to these sober times – bonuses or equipment for our troops.
Precedent suggests that inaugural festivities should be muted – if not cancelled – in wartime. In the midst of World War II, President Roosevelt held his 1945 inaugural at the White House, making a short speech and serving guests cold chicken salad and plain pound cake. During World War I, President Wilson did not have any parties at his 1917 inaugural, saying that such festivities would be undignified.
Furthermore, $40 million could provide substantial support for our troops overseas. For example, we could buy armor for 690 unarmored humvees or provide a $290 bonus for each member of the armed services station in Iraq.
Please re-direct all the funds raised for the inauguration to our brave men and women in uniform.
With an estimated 1.5 million people expected to descend on Washington for the Obama festivities and a federal tax bill alone of at least $50 million, next January’s inauguration will dwarf Bush’s inaugural events and expenses. We are still at war. And, as the Democrats remind us, economic times are tough and average Americans are hurting.
Will Democrat Rep. Weiner demand that Obama go the “cold chicken salad and plain pound cake” route and redirect all the money Obama’s Chicago team is raising to the troops, too? Or has he stopped caring about the brave men and women he exploited in 2005 to score Bush-bashing points with the nutroots?
Will billionaire Mark Cuban, who demanded that Bush donate his inauguration funds to Indonesian tsunami victims, call on Obama to fork over the inaugural funds to victims of the Mumbai terrorist bombings or to distressed American homeowners under water on their mortgages?
Where are all the anti-Inauguration critics now?
Just wondering.
Still wondering…
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- Lavish Obama inauguration contrasts with treatment four years ago « Wellsy’s World
- News Media Slammed Bush’s ‘Extravagant’ Inaugural in ’05, But Now It’s Spend, Baby, Spend « Goodtimepolitics
- Eric Cantor’s Shadow Stimulus Plan « JoHNBRoDiGaNDoTCoM
- Double-Standard Inaugurals « Gunservatively!
- Bloodthirsty Liberal » Worth Every Penny, All 16,000,000,000 of Them
- Random-American » Obama’s Inauguration: An Excercise in Hypocritical Extravagance
- The Colossus of Rhodey
- Offering It Up » The Chosen One will be anointed
- Screw the UN [Dan Collins]
- Jules Crittenden » Hurl-Blogging The Inaugur-A-Palooza, Iranian Edition
- State of Mary-Land Declares Obama Inauguration a Disaster « Teh Resistance Blog
- $150,000,000: “[Y]ou don’t want it to look like a schlock affair” « NObama Blog
- Oprah Cried-Polar Bears Died! | America Needs Me
- Change Is On The Way « Bohicaville
- Obama Inauguration To Cost US $160,000,000; 4x Bush 2005 Inauguration | Right Soup
- Sheer Lunacy; What Has Happened? « Northern Thoughts And Reflections
- $150,000,000: “[Y]ou don’t want it to look like a schlock affair” « Conservative Thoughts and Profundity
- Thoughts on the Inauguration « The Pugnacious Irishman
- OBAMA-ANTOINETTE « FactReal
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Categories: Double standards
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What! Did we Democraps accuse GWB of having an expensive inaugaration? No not us. Nothing to see here. So all you Americans and Main Stream Media please disreguard.
What a joke. We are so screwed.
PEBO “I didn’t know about the 150 million. Shoot, I need a trillion to bail out my buds and to buy more votes for the next election.”
The double standard is absolutely staggering, and is multiplied by the dramatic economic circumstances we find ourselves in. Four years ago, it was cries of Louis XVI extravagance. Now the cost is ridiculously higher, and we are told the price tag is worth it. Time to party it up, baby! Still don’t think a double standard exists? Wake up, folks.
There’s a perfect word for this. Gauche.
I’m so glad that the Republican White House is helping the Democrat throw a party with my money. Anybody else longing for a two party system?
Pimp My Inauguration coming soon to MTV…and NBC…and CBS…and CNN…
A 10 minute ceremony in the oval office would show show the world the meaning of fiscal responsibility and how to achieve a peaceful transition of power.
They’re throwing this party with our money knowing we can’t stop it as a kind of immature scr*w you to the taxpayers. Kind of like hitting your parent’s bank accounts online when they’re out of the country on vacation.
This looks as if it will be bigger than the May first International Workers’ Day in Russia.
OH!
Maybe it is.
Sure, a peaceful transition is something to celebrate, but for $150 Million you could get the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Solid Gold Dancers, and the cast of Moulin Rouge to sing the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ while all the floats from the Tournament of Roses roll past as THE ONE ascends the throne…
or enough Porta-potties for the detainees of Camp Gitmo to move into.
~
As to the indignant letter of 4 years ago, I’m sure Representative Weiner had a ‘Ron Silver moment’,
“that’s OUR money now.”
Thanks!!! Now I have to clean my monitor. That was funny.
All the starving children were unavailable for comment.
Oh sorry. It’s OK for Democrats to do this. Never mind.
It would cost us much less if we let them run wild for a week and then went in and cleaned up all the mess. We can always print some more funny money to pay for all of the partying. Our real money won’t even pass for Monopoly money by the time Obama gets through.
People are &itching about not having any money and having to do cutbacks.
So, what got cutback so that the $150B could be “re-assigned” for this “historic” event?
And if I hear that phrase “historic event” one more time I’m gonna puke. #ell, every event is historic because in 1 minute, this time period will be “history”.
DUH
I think Rush is right on when he says politics is Hollywood for the ugly. Expecting them to give up inauguration extravagance is like expecting Barney Frank to speak in an understandable manner. Ain’t gonna happen.
You know, it would only take 7,500,000 people buying one of those Obama posters from yesterday to cover this thing. After spending close to a billion on the campaign, what’s another $150 million?
Dirtbag.
This makes me want to throw up.The inauguration of King Obama.The ego on this man is enormous.He really thinks he’s being crowned king.It reminds me of the cult following of Hitler.Our economy is buckling,so what!No money for this or that or those poor that Obama so loves.His inauguration is much more important and then misguided President Bush again spitting on us Conservatives,okay Obama we’ll release tons of funds that are for disaster relief for your party.The real disaster is what’s going to happen to this country in the next four years.I heard the first thing he will do will be to strike a blow to our military by removing the don’t ask don’t tell policy.I’m sure all those military guys including my son will be thrilled as they have to live in close quarters.Oh that and making sure that all the unborn are slaughtered.I think the death of the country is imminent.
And then once the 22nd amendment is repealed Oblama can do this every 4 years for life! I know I won’t be watching any TV on the 20th. Holy crap! Oblama president for life.
I’d rather watch infomercials for the entire day. Not that there’s much of a difference.
Well, well, well, all we have here is a black Clinton president-elect who is willing to cut and tax everything except when it comes to himself. YAAAAAAAWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNNN, here we go again with another Clinton (black) presidency.
Reading this article made me take a look at various Libtard websites and do some google searches. In the past they have screamed loudly about the costs. Now, you can find hardly a peep about it. I am not surprised.
I am already wiped out by this over-indulgent inauguration.
Anyone got any recommendations for dvd’s to watch on the 20th? I need enough for an all day marathon. TIA!
Isn’t it amazing that people are more upset at Madof than the US Government. Who has committed the biggest fraud and stolen the most money?
M
I’ve got a good collection of anime, sci-fi series and some good action flicks along with my Netflix stuff. I’d be happy to throw out a few recommendations if those fall within your preferences. Any of those are bound to be more entertaining than what’s going to be on.
Democraps are such hypocrites and liars.
I might recommend History Channel’s “Revolution” or “Founding Fathers”. Maybe HBO’s “John Adams” would be good to view. Certainly a whole lot better than watching Obama say, during his oath of office…”Excuse me, what’s a Constitution?” Either that or watch him giggle during it. Now that would be an “historic event”. Maybe Michelle O. will raise her fist in the old black power salute.
You peasants! How dare you question the One. We will spend as much of your money as we want. Your lucky we let you keep any of it. Now get out of my way you filthy little people.
Ugh, to have to deal with the riff-raff is so disgusting.
Well this is a bit disingenuous:
So are we really comparing $150M to $140M?
Sure. The first step would be to form a second party.
Maybe Obama will recommend the government use those 4,000 public toilets brought in for the coronation as public housing for the poor, once the parade thingy is over. He could save taxpayers a lot of money that way. Wait. Some professor somewhere said there weren’t ENOUGH port-o-lets, and since women take longer to pee than men, that amounted to discrimination, so there would be lawsuits. OK, put air conditioning in every public toilet.
Duh statement of the day. Just watching the commercials running up to this event is enough to make me puke.
If this was being done for Jesus, there would be massive protests and no network broadcasts to be sure.
Eh, we are talking about “The One” so…
Hi chap.
So, you think the cost for this event will NOT go over the $150 million mark by at least 50%?
Be honest…
Charge every body $25 to help defray the cost. Obama supporters always have another $25 to donate. But do it before that cigarette tax goes into effect.
The Democrat double standard on things like this are so predictable it is like the sun rising and setting every day and adds an element of stabilty that says All is as it has always been. There is harmony in the universe. Now if I had heard so much as a peep from a liberal about the high cost or how this money could be better spent that would be reason to pinch myself to see if I am dreaming or give me cause to think I was transported to an alternate universe.
Really depends on whether the strippers are still honoring the buy-one-lap-dance-get-one-free coupons left over from the Denver convention.
All of this pomp and ceremony for any politician has an uncomfortable aura of manipulation, as with the Hitler rallies.
The primary aspect of the Nuremberg Rallies was to strengthen the personality cult of Adolf Hitler, portraying Hitler as Germany’s saviour, chosen by providence. The gathered masses listened to the Führer’s speeches, swore loyalty and marched before him. Representing the Volksgemeinschaft as a whole, the rallies served to demonstrate the might of the German people. The visitors of the rallies by their own free will were subordinate to the discipline and order in which they should be reborn as a new people.
If 1000’s of portable toilets are in DC for the coronation, just where were those toilets last week?
Who has become an unwilling participant in the “wealth-distribution” of toilets?
That means that there are many 1000’s of people who are having to “hold-it” until their toilet comes back from DC.
Hummmmm
Pick up the entire season of Firefly, then watch Serenity. Or all the extended editions of LOTR. Have a VeggieTales marathon (trust me, you’re never too old for those). We’re working our way though the second season of MacGyver.
Great idea.
I am no longer calling Obama “The One.”
I prefer King George IV. It fits.
All this for a man who has accomplished what other than getting more votes in an election. Truly mind-boggling. Lemmings of the world unite. Your King comes.
And oddly enough, it’s French.
…and if they stiff the police officer’s overtime AGAIN.
They can just count it toward their Day of Service requirement.
Still wondering? I can tell you, fitting themselves out in the most expensive clothes they can find for the coming of the almighty one, saint OBAMA, lord of america, peacemaker and light giver. PBUH.
amen.
(you better say amen with me or the obama national security force will find you!!!!)
Chap, how dare you joke about our great leader!!! He will strike you down in his great wrath!!!
KNEEL BEFORE
ZODOBAMA!!!!Not if you donate to his campaign/inaugural fund.
He is a kind and benevolent ruler to those who appease him with supplications of 16 digits followed by a 4 digit expiration.
Freddy…
DVD movie marathon suggestions while cleaning your firearms:
6 am: The Dirty Dozen
8:30 am: We Were Soldiers Once
10 am: The Patriot
12:30 pm: “V” For Vendetta
2 pm: Aliens or 300
3:30 pm: Schindlers List
5 pm: American History X
6:45 pm: My Big Fat Greek Wedding or Momma Mia (hey they’re chick flicks and give your wife/girlfriend a movie that she would enjoy)
8:30 pm Dirty Harry
10 pm: Call it a night, take two Alkaseltezer with a shot of your favorite adult beverage and go to sleep.
GSP
These movie suggestions brought to compliments of one highly caffienated, lone conservative and overworked college student!
“This is Sparta!”
I understood there was kissing and boot licking involved. Maybe even some heartfelt praying???
I’d shut up about it if Obama would redistribute some of his warchest to offset some expenses.
OK JHSII as long as you didn’t say tricked out-that would be racist.
Are they going to dye the Potomac River blue for the event? Dyeing it Red, Green and Black for Kenya would be rather difficult.
Arrogance you can count on!
Gosh, that $150 million would have bought scholarships to let 7,500 disadvantaged children attend the exclusive private school where the Obama’s sent their children because the Chicago Public Schools, run by Obama’s choice for Education Secretary, weren’t good enough.
And there you have the mantra of the next four years.
I hope global warming cases it to be so cold in DC that their butts freeze to the port-o-potties.
Perhaps it IS worth it! Barack Hussein, Allah be Praised, Obama is not yet President and it appears Global Warming is over. The oceans will recede, the ice caps will return and all will be sweetness and light in all the land.
Wicked: Coldest Temps In Over A Decade
First Day With A Low Colder Than -10 In Chicago Since 1999
Rejoice unbelievers-face Chicago, Kenya and Hawaii and Praise He Who Has Come-even the weather bows before the One. Rejoice!
chappie, if your numbers are correct, then dems had a right to be picqued with george, as do we all. but if the numbers are really 40m to 150m exclusive of those 16k dollar military toilet seats and 100m dollar marching marines (like don imus) then we conservatives don’t ever want to hear the word hypocrite utterred from any democrat lips over fallen fallwells or frisky footed fairies.
It is all about ESTABLISHING the RULING class.
As far as I can tell from all the sources I have read on this, the events, balls, parade, etc. will cost $50 million. The other $100 million is for security.
Bush’s inauguration in 2004 (when he was just staing in office, mind you) cost $40 million not including security(something the article above neglected to add in). Hard to nail down how much was spent on security, I have seen anywhere from $20 million (which is certainly wrong, DC itself spent over $17 million) to the above mentioned $100 million figure. But lets be reaaaaal conservative and say $40 million. That would mean $80 million total.
They are expecting about 1.5 million for Obama’s inauguration. Bush in 2005 had about 300 thousand.
So Obama’s inauguration costs about $100 per attendee. Bush’s cost $267 per attendee. Say this year even goes as high as $200 million and only a million attend. That is still less only 75% of the cost per attendee of Bush’s.
So I’d say this inauguration is looking downright frugal.
Then by your logic, wouldn’t it be more truthful to say that Obama’s inaug will cost ~$270M? – presuming the same military presence and security measures will naturally be afforded to the Obama event (plus an additional twenty million for inflation) that were there for President Bush.
Besides, the real issue here is propriety: Obama’s “bundlers” are collecting big sums from corporations seeking tax payer dollars from TARP/bailout funds; in effect, the tax payers are indirectly footing the bill for Obama’s capricious inauguration while, at the same time, affording corporations requesting additional bailout funding inordinate access to the new administration.
The state of Maryland is trying to get FEMA funding by declaring the Inauguration a disaster.
OK, Peanut Gallery, have at it.
I am really not sure. I have seen other sources say the TOTAL cost (including security is $150 million broken down as above). But to my post above, lets say it is $250 million instead. That is still $167 per attendee. Still cheaper than Bush’s.
You got it. Now, factor in what the dollar isn’t worth and this thing is going to make CS 2.0 look like a great deal.
CHAP: Only a lawyer would say 150 million is cheaper than 45 million
Was this part of your “TOTAL cost” chap?
Tip of the iceberg…
Or someone that shops at Costco.
Look, I fully admit I am working on imperfect information here and doing the best I can to use estimates that do not favor my argument (lowballing the cost of security for 2005, lowballing the expected attendees, and highballing the total cos to Obama).
When I do this, on a per attendee basis (which I think is a very reasonable measure) Obama’s inauguration will be cheaper or at worst on par with Bush’s second inauguration.
You got it, Soap! No company that donated royal amount$ (a.k.a., buying audience with the new president) to this “inaugural occasion” has any right to ask tax payers for a handout – regardless of how little our money may be worth.
post of the day….
anything that includes our founding fathers…how about John Adams HBO special….add the Founding Brothers and 1776 and maybe The Patriot…then turn it to the game show network…
best suggestion of the year!!!
No, its spin. Plain and simple. So far everything obama is doing is promising to cost more than bush. Obama is already promising to be the most prolific spender in presidential history.
And he hasn’t even been sworn in yet.
Then let the attendee’s pay it.
A quarter of a billion dollars for what?
Ah the Chavezista Marxists never cease to amaze. Witness the looting of America.
To put this in perspective, $150,000,000 would buy out 5,000 subprime mortgages or put Lindsey Lohan in rehab for 416 years. Either of these would be better for the country.
Spin?
Do you think you are getting a better deal when you go into a store and buy one can of coke for $.85 or buy a case for 5 bucks? Did you just save $4.15?
Try to set aside your disdain for Obama and ask yourself: If Obama’s inuaguration only cost $50 million, but it was essentially a private party held for 1000 guests, would that be better?
Price per unit is not spin.
And remember, 2005 wasn’t even a celebration of transition of power. It was essentially a party held for a guy keeping the same job.
Right – the tax payers shouldn’t have to reimburse Obama’s inaugural donors with more Tarp funds!
Santa Clause Verses the Martians - the MST3K version. A laugh riot!
Right after the folks that attended in 2005 chip in for their share of that one.
Ah, yes it is. And I am not buying it. Your figures put the cost in 2005 at 140 million. 2009 at 250 million. That is an increase in 110 million. Plain and simple. The per unit EXCUSE is simply not flying.
250 million for what? Adoration of the ONE???
chap, we will have to see if there are all these untold millions of visitors and attendees. my understanding is that there will actually be fewer attendees, because of limited tickets, and the visitors won’t even be able to get close to the parade, much less the events. i don’t know, because when there is a democrat event, the msm says we had a million man march, but when it is a republican event, they can’t even get the number of tickets issued correctly, “we estimate a crowd of about 30k filled that 60k seat stadium to capacity to hear sarah palin, and another few filled six auditoriums because they couldn’t get into the stadium.”
Redneck Zombies. Worst piece of crap ever and a waste of 1-1/2 hours of your life.
Get the picture?
Price per unit is math, not an excuse.
frisky footed fairies? Hard man cheapseat, hard.
Well done
Dumbest argument ever – well – next to the liberal argument that spending a TRILLION MORE DOLLARS is all we have left to do to jump start the economy.
cheapseat,
the 1.5 million attendees is the lowest lowball figure I found. They are prepared for 2.5 million, though I’m pretty sure no one thinks that will happen.
Oh please chap, I have heard enough propoganda to know the smell of it.
250 is greater than 140. It is that simple.
Dumb how? No taxpayer dollars are going toward the events. It is going toward security. Just like in 2005. I don’t see anyone asking for those attendees to pony up the cost of security for that one.
You are right. That IS simple. How can you honestly not take into account the number of attendees when comapring the relative costs of the two events? That is so basic I am embarassed I really even have to bring it up.
A quiet, reserved, discreet, and humble inaugural would have befitted America when our country was still a Republic.
Instead, our elites insist on spectacles that would make Leni Riefenstahl lose her lunch. Both sides are guilty of this.
We just had the President declare a State of Emergency, A STATE OF freakin EMERGENCY to fund a party, during a war, during what the guy taking the oath is proclaiming is an economic catastrophy.
And the bulk of our nation and NONE of the MSM is outraged. 1933….
Well
1/ we don’t know how many will show up.
2/ It doesn’t matter. Because this cost is wwwwaaayyyy out of control.
3/ It still cost more than 2005 which your boddies condemed roundly and now are trying to excuse with this “per unit” crap.
The price per unit is one. The new president is what is being aggrandized by the party, not the number of people trapped on the sidewalks by a mob.
They don’t care.