Awww. Michelle and Barry had a date last night. That’s cute. And you know what? I don’t deny them a date night. I think it’s great that the prez and his first lady take time out of their busy schedules to have some couple time.
But you know what’s not great? It’s not great when the president continues to insist that everyone needs to sacrifice and “have skin in the game” but then decides that the only way he can have couple time with Michelle is to use taxpayer dollars (I don’t even wanna THINK about what it cost) to take Marine One from JFK into Manhattan, have streets closed for their visit, just so they can take in a broadway show. Do they not have theater in DC, for crying out loud?
I mean, it’s nice and all that he flew in a smaller Gulfstream-type plan instead of the big giant ones he typically uses for travel. But it wasn’t just Marine One - two other planes carried staff and reporters. Just THINK about the cost of all of that. So our president could have a fancy date. Can you even imagine how many people’s entire annual energy bills that could have paid for?
But you know – you need to get busy painting your roof white and buying an electric car. You better get on that.
UPDATE: According to this, the date cost upwards of TWENTY FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS. That would pay my energy bills for 16 years, you guys.
Obama can suck it. Mr. Mock is keeping his giant gas guzzling truck and I’m keeping my black top roof.
Let em’ eat cake!
That dress looks like a tablecloth from my Grandma’s house. I figured she had a stylist…
That is one ugly dress!
thats nice to know. they can hop on any plane at anytime to go like 5 miles and i’m having to cuss out people who barely speak english to get a flight back to civilization. nice.
But they look GREAT!
I also think they look nice… I like her dress. It’s actually pretty high fashion and actually flattering on her.
While I am not glad to hear about such a thing… Again, I don’t think this sort of thing is unusual for either party.
Like, Bush was KNOWN for his vacation time and the Republican party spent 300k on Palin’s wardrobe for campaigning.
Not sayin’ it’s right… but it’s not anything new. On either side.
i think perhaps the ‘estimate’ of 24K is way off.
a gulf stream, planes for security and media staff?
marine one? fuel costs, clearing air space, the cost of security in
N.Y. closing off of streets, cost of police dept manpower,
cost of screening of the actors in the play, not to mention
securing of buildings in the vicinity, then to secure the
restaurant and it’s employees?
yeah, i think this ‘estimate’ is going to get much larger by the
time it’s all said and done.
btw, when bush went on vacation, he usually went home to crawford.
as for the ‘palin wardrobe’, the clothes were purchased by the republican party, not the taxpayers, where they were returned when she was done with the campaign.
QC wow what it so deal. They were just simply stating the irony of it all. Its just like the old cliche “practice what you preach”
So is THIS the CHANGE that the Obama voters voted for? Mr. President goes to NYC for a night out with his lady – ON YOUR DIME? I’m certain if Bush did this (oh wait he never did this in EIGHT YEARS), the Obama supporters would think this was a-O-K.
Can’t wait to hear your response.
Hey, QC, can you name ONE visit to NYC that Bush made (other than after 9-11 and business?). Oh wait, Bush vacationed at his own ranch and Camp David. Yeah, that was in the budget. But please, enlighten us all with Bush’s crazy jet-setting expenses…PLEASE.
Just more of that big carbon footprint we’re supposed to reduce.
Statistically, Bush vacationed 35% of his entire presidency.
So, basically, he worked a “three day week” for $400k and several hundred thousand in expense accounts.
Not a bad deal… if you ask me.
Oh, and there was the cost of setting his ranch (and many of his other ‘compounds’) up to be as conected as the White House… On the tax payer dollar. That isn’t cheap.
Oh, and I imagine… many of his own staff and plenty of reporters followed. That too, costs.
George Bush was never the ‘city night life’ kind of man. But, we were paying him to do a lot of brush-clearing on his ranch.
Also, you think Bush drove down to Crawford? Hell no. He took a plane… and so did all his cronies. And we paid for all of that.
I would say D.C. to Crawford of a tad further than D.C. to NYC.
Which also means it’s a tad more expensive.
And, we paid for that more than 147 times… not to mention all the trips to Camp David or to his parents’.
Obama isn’t anymore expensive than Bush… However, Obama is a full-time president.
Again, I don’t agree with either side entirely. But, I will say that I don’t see what the big f’in deal is… This is not worse than any other president prior.
All of these political types are like this… It’s not a one sided situation.
And still… $300k for Palin’s clothing!!??
I would be willing to bet that even as extravagant as this trip was… it’s still less that what the Republican party spent to make Palin presentable.
LOL
QC, I seriously wouldn’t expect for you to see a problem with all of this.
Oh by the way, the tax payers (as in TAX DOLLARS) didn’t pay for the Palin wardrode. Funny, how that’s been drilled in your brain, by the MSM, perhaps? Those clothes were bought with PRIVATE money donated to the Republican party. I’m sure the clothes that the First Lady wore during the primaries were also provided with money from the DNC. Now, try complaining Michelle’s clothes first, okay?
QC – you’re missing my whole point. I don’t care that Obama went on a crazy expensive date. I care that he keeps telling me that I need to sacrifice. Bush never did that. THAT is my point.
Plus – holy cow! Bush had all that vacation time and STILL kept us safe? GOD, I love that man.
“Plus – holy cow! Bush had all that vacation time and STILL kept us safe? GOD, I love that man.”
GOD, me too. If it weren’t for him keeping us safe, we would have had a 9/11. Oh, how I LOVEEE that man.
Wow. You really want to get into the reasons 9/11 happened? REALLY????
Jeff, you left out the word “another” before 911. It should read “if not for Bush we would have had ANOTHER 911.
But fortunately he started rounding up terrorist and keeping them in camps such as Guantanamo and through appropriate interrogation uncovered several more plots in the working thus preventing more similar attacks. But of course that’s all changed now because they are being turned loose to go about their business.
Hilarous. It took like four posts before someone used the totally worthless “OH yeah, I know you are, but what am I!?” argument.
It’s not the time away from the White House anyone has a problem with. And even though we could calculate the cost per hour of Obama’s trip to be WAY higher than any of Bush’s trips to Crawford, that’s not the point either.
RE-read the post and then go from there.
QC: First of all Palin’s wardrobe was at a cost of 150,000, not 300,000 and it wasn’t paid for by taxpayers. Get your facts straight. I don’t know how old you are but when the Clinton’s ran a whole lot more money that was spent on them. Do you need me to adjust for inflation? Parties spending money on candidates is nothing new under the sun. Perhaps the Democrats should have done a better job of spending since some of what Michelle wears is terrible.
As to Bush’s vacation time. Take note of a couple of things. We never had to pay, for instance, horrible pictures of George and Laura on a beach in bathing suits! Or let’s not forget that huge amount of money spent on Hillary and Chelsea going to Europe…11 million dollars! Need I go on?
Be aware that just because a president is on vacation, doesn’t mean he is vacationing. President’s don’t ever truly get a vacation. Why do you think the job ages them so much?
I have to agree with majordawg. All of your arguments are “But what am I!” Justifying bad behavior with bad behavior is no way to go through life.
I didn’t justify it…
I just don’t understand why anyone was surprised or angry…
This is politics.
I clearly said, “Not sayin’ it’s right… but it’s not anything new. On either side.”
Oh, and this…
“Again, I don’t agree with either side entirely. But, I will say that I don’t see what the big f’in deal is… This is not worse than any other president prior.
All of these political types are like this… It’s not a one sided situation.”
I would say that is a terribly moderate answer.
And, I am but, 23. I wasn’t even old enough to vote when Clinton left office. And, I didn’t try to speak of presidents prior to my own recollection. I did however point out, that every president I can genuinely remember (all two of them) have done these sorts of things.
My point was that as silly as this expenditure was… It’s not like Bush never spent a dime of taxpayer money.
Also, say what you will about Palin’s clothing… but the McCain campaign took national funds… they are held to a different standard than Obama, who did not accept those same funds.
If it’s all your own money… do what you will. But, if you accept public funding, you accept a greater responsibility.
AND, with a little research, it was actually $173k. Regardless, that’s CRAZY. That is nearly as much as she would make in salary in a full-year in the Vice Presidency. Hilary, Obama and even McCain, don’t need to worry about how much they spend on clothing… Because they buy their own clothes! If Palin bought her own clothes, I wouldn’t give a rat’s ass what she spent.
But, that isn’t my point… My point is… This is not a Democrat issue. This is politics issue.
I bet Obama paid for the tickets, himself. But, you’re right, he did use the government expense accounts for the travel… as has every president. Except Kennedy, that is.
As president, you’re correct, they cannot take normal vacations as you or I can… but we can set their homes up for communication and safety or provide them safe travel to a desired destination. It’s not as if he and Michelle could take a few days away and drive to NYC and just waltz into the theatre. However, taking a small plane and zipping up there to catch a show and then get back to work… Is not horribly unreasonable.
When you have a crisis on your hands, you must act accordingly. And taking a lot of time away from the White House would not be reasonable.
Yeah, Bush did a lot, even though he took all of that time… But, just think of how much he could have done if he’d worked full-time?
He could have gone down as America’s best president ever… Instead of having one of the highest disapproval rating all-time.
Aaaaaand, you’ve still missed my entire point.
Mock, I understood your point perfectly. I do not disagree with you. I think that the President should live by his own standard for the American public…
Again, I think this attitude is not anything new within politics…
We have men that barely served in the military sending our boys across the world to fight an invisible enemy. We have men that oppose gay marriage meeting up with random guys in airport bathrooms. We have women that claim to just like you and I, shopping at Saks 5th avenue. And, we have Obama telling us to sacrifice, while he flies to NYC for a show.
I didn’t miss your point… I just responded to the people that more directly challenged my position of ‘So what?’
This whole attitude of ‘do what I say not as I do’ is old news in politics.
QC: Do you have any proof at all that the McCain campaign used public funds for the clothing of the entire Palin family and entourage? Nope you don’t. The RNC paid for it, and it is a legal campaign expense regardless.
I suggest you study history and approval ratings. In short they don’t mean diddly squat.
Bush didn’t take a vacation every week. EVERY WEEK! That is unreasonable especially when the economy is tanking and government spending is in the red. You bet he paid for the tickets himself? What basis do you have for that?
I guarantee you no politician pays for all of their clothing. NONE! Ever hear of tax deductions and campaign expenses? Good grief!
Do you have any concept that you just contradicted yourself with your crisis statement? Bush had far more of a crisis to deal with than Obama.
I have to agree with Mockarena. I really resent any politician telling me to cut back while they live high on the hog at my expense. Where is Obama’s skin in this game?!
America has already opened a vein, does Obama need an artery too?
NO ONE who is trying to preach how to tighten our belts should be out on a night on the town (Hundreds of miles away) on our dime! I don’t care who they are! The word HYPOCRITE comes to mind…. I strongly agree with Mock! This makes no sense- as a matter of fact, they have a fabulous theatre in DC and I believe they still have 4 and 5 star restaurants to dine in…. GEEZ!
Laurel,
ALL POLITICIANS DO THIS! THIS IS NOT NEW! OBAMA IS NOT THE FIRST GUY IN D.C. TO DO SUCH A THING!
That’s my point.
I have said multiple times that I don’t totally disagree with the post… and that I don’t disagree with Mock’s point.
I just don’t think it’s THAT news worthy.
What would be news worthy? If a politician actually practiced what he preached. I would LOVE to hear about that.
It doesn’t even have to be a Dem… I would applaud a Republican just as easily.
Also, I didn’t say Bush took vacation every week… I said he was on vacation 35% of the time and suggested that this was as if he only worked a three day week… Which, if you average it out, he did.
I didn’t even suggest Bush was a bad president… I just said that if he hadn’t taken so much vacation, he would have been a GREAT president. Additionally, while I don’t put a ton of weight in the argument that polls mean anything (I work with statistics and polls as part of my job) I will say that it isn’t a great indication if your ratings are that significantly low. Something has gone terribly wrong if that’s the case.
I also understand taxes and expenses… that’s another part of the work I do on a daily basis… which means, I know how tax deductions work. And, that theory that they didn’t actually pay for anything because they can deduct it on their taxes is void.
I agree, QC (shocker, right?) Obama does crappy stuff. So do other politicians. Most of them, even. The problems in today’s politics come from the lines that are constantly being drawn between parties, when most people exist somewhere in the middle. “Liberal” does not mean “idiot,” but you make sweeping generalizations that imply as much. Here’s a liberal concept: why not be equal-opportunity mockers? You have every right not to be, of course, but why not?
With that in mind, I will say goodbye. I’ve enjoyed this for awhile, but anymore I am aggravated and disheartened. I will leave you to pat one another on the back, celebrating the irreproachable conservatives. Hey, it’s America — you have every right to.
And a bonus quotation, for you self-professed quote collectors: “Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.” -Samuel Butler
Sorry that the kitchen has become too hot for you, fallandmiss – and I hope you’ll drop in every now and then both here and at The Mock Dock. I appreciate your input to date – and I mean that sincerely.
Republicans have got to get off the petty hating thing, it does not advanced the cause. Personally I would rather a president who takes his kids to soccer games and then takes his lovely wife to a night on the town to blow off steam rather than a president who deals with stress by getting blow*** and sticking cigars up 24 year old coochies in the oval office.
The mans hangin with his family, that’s awesome, repubs should should embrace that.
I DO embrace the fact that Obama appears to have a tight family. I love that, in fact. But my point, in the original post, stands.
My husband “hangs with his family,” but doesn’t spend 24K of other people’s money to do so. ESPECIALLY after telling everyone else to quit spending money. Just sayin.
Is that the cost of the ‘date night’?
Estimates I am finding are more in the 250K range.
http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/news/lone_republican/index.php/2009/06/02/another-broken-obama-campaign-promise/
Ho. Lee. CRAP.
Now THAT is indefensible.
I agree.
Holy WOW.
Hey! Not all husbands, some of whom have even been presidents, hang with their families, I’m just sayin too…and Daisy your husbands also not leader of the free world who has to move with an entire security force evertime he goes to take a piss…this is a non issue-it makes repubds look small and weak if this is the best we got… Still no unifying message, still waiting for this guy to fail as the dow approaches 9000…at my company, hiring has already quietly started…still running behind Chaney, Limbaugh and Newt; political corpses, all of them. I thought this site was about a new vision, a ‘makover”, identifying new voices like the cool gov of Indiana, who no one is talking about yet..thats the chatter I am waiting for! Not just the same old rehashed fox crap, their market is shrinking beleive it or not, especially if this economy turns around, which don’t let any dooms dayer fool you, it is.
JDN – spending a QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS OF OUR MONEY on a date is NOT a non-issue. It’s a big fat giant in-your-face issue.
This site is our way of showing other like-minded conservatives that we don’t have to talk about politics in the same buttoned-up serious way that we always have. That we don’t all look like old stodgy white guys. That conservatives don’t ALL look like Newt and Cheney (God love ‘em) – but that we also represent hot and trendy chicks who aren’t afraid to speak up about stuff that’s making us crazy about the world of politics right now.
I’m not sure what you were expecting – I mean, I’ve been writing about “the cool gov of Indiana” like every other day for crying out loud. We can only do so much.
JDN: Fox News market is shrinking? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Wanna buy a bridge?
Hope your company is hiring on a temporary basis, because as an economist I can tell you none of what Obama is doing is sustainable. One can only rob Paul to pay Peter for so long before it catches up to them.
What is hilarious is all the hootin’ and hollerin’ over Bush’s vacations, but liberals see no problem with expensive weekly date nights while a large chunk of the country is out of work. Double standards anyone? I will give you a great big serving of it!
Didn’t the French have a revolution over this kind of crap? Thought so.
QC:”I didn’t even suggest Bush was a bad president… I just said that if he hadn’t taken so much vacation, he would have been a GREAT president.”
Pure conjecture with no basis in fact. How do you know? Do you have a crystal ball or something? Read minds much?
As to politicians doing exactly everything they say…nothing like putting up a bar there that is unreachable. Ever hear of the opposition? What one says and can actually do are two different things. Obama is currently learning that.
Apparently you don’t understand taxes as well as you think. I work with politicians on a daily basis and know how expense accounts work, as well as campaign funds. I have also been paid to work on campaigns for many years. I don’t fault you though. The tax code is so ridiculous that no one could know it all, including the IRS. I also know polls and how they are manipulated and how the media effects them.
Quit trying to split the baby in half.
BTW poll taker…What was Bush’s success rate during his first and second term in accordance with his campaign promises? I will give you a freebie. The first term was 78%, so how does that stack up with history?
M the site is cool and you and D are doing a kick ass awesome job, keep it up. Just want to see you on the cutting edge. And laurel no doubt I was being funny with the Fox stuff to make a point, I work in media, I know better than anyone that Fox has a bigger share point than CNN and MSN combined, but that dominance in cable TV is not helping the party advance its agenda, partly because the content is so petty…anyway it’s all
good keep rolling-the trip to NY WAS poorly timed and too dam expensive hahahha.