Michelle Obama’s ‘goodwill tour’ of Africa cost U.S. taxpayers up to $800,000

Daily Mail UK ^ | June 28, 2011

[COUNTrecount]

While her husband continues to battle a flagging economy at home, Michelle Obama's 'goodwill tour' of Africa cost taxpayers an estimated $800,000, it has emerged.

According to Whitehousedossier.com the First Lady's trip to South Africa and Botswana last week will certainly cost well over half a million dollars and could be as much as $800,000.

The cost of local transportation, Secret Service protection, food for her family and staff members, the cost of firing up 'Air Force 2' not to mention the pre-trip preparations would all have contributed to the final amount.

Firing up Air Force 2 could cost in the region of $12,723 per hour meaning the cost of the plane for the whole trip could work out to be a cool $430,000

Firing up Air Force 2 as it is sometimes known could cost in the region of $12,723 per hour meaning the cost of the plane for the whole trip could work out to be a cool $430,000

Mrs Obama said the trip would help 'youth leadership, education, health and wellness' in southern Africa, according to the White House.

All laudable goals. But with the news agenda endlessly dominated by the deficit, the raft of job loses and general economic misery, many may question why the money wasn't used closer to home.

While in Africa Mrs Obama, who also brought along her mother, daughters Malia and Sasha, and two of their cousins, enjoyed a meet up with Nelson Mandela, visits to historical landmarks and museums and a safari. Mrs Obama, her daughters Sasha and Malia and her mother Marian Robinson enjoyed a safari in Madikwe Game Reserve

If Mrs Obama had been accompanied by a military plane it could easily add on another $200,000 to the cost, based on Defence Department rates.

[COUNTrecount]

Thanks for the memories: Michelle Obama waves as she boards her private plane after a week-long trip to Africa, which could have cost the taxpayer an estimated $800,000

Play time: Mrs Obama, her daughters Sasha and Malia and her mother Marian Robinson enjoyed a safari in Madikwe Game Reserve during the trip

[Sacajaweau]

maybe it averages it out to that per day....

[Dr. Ursus]

Keep your eyes on the road,Boy!

[laweeks]

Pathetic . . . and at taxpayers’ expense too . . . when will this madness end?

[Jane Long]

Did the majority of the $$ go toward the food bill?

[biggredd1]

hussein dunham forced to apologize...
http://newsflavor.com/politics/world-politics/white-house-insider-daley-forced-obama-apology-to-family-of-fallen-soldier/

[Berlin_Freeper]

That’s a heck of a lot of fat cakes.

[shadeaud]

This reminds me of an episode from The Bachelor

[Colonel Kangaroo]

Pathetic . . . and at taxpayers’ expense too . . . when will this madness end?

On this one I can't fault the Obamas any more than any other president. It's the life of a president's family. Laura Bush and the twins made a goodwill trip to Africa when President Bush was in office.

[KosmicKitty]

Looks like MO’s not too happy on the safari

Probably just getting hungry and there’s no french fry stand in sight.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

She’s never happy.

[P-Marlowe]

While her husband continues to battle a flagging economy at home, golf....

[Thank You Rush]

This is how she dresses for a safari?? Bet she traveled in an armored car - got in the jeep for the photo op - returned to secure automobile....OR perhaps they had her in a truck originally. Something about this woman just sets me off - hope it doesn’t last all day..

[CitizenM]

But, oh remember...it was an "official" visit. The last I looked Michelle has never been elected as an Official of the U.S. Nor have her children, or the cousins, or the Granny. We all know calling it "official" is just a cover for another of Michelle's "entitled" vacations and treat her children on the taxpayers' dime. Just another chance for her to get out of Washington and the WH (a place she has said she does not like). Everyone who hasn't been under a rock for the past 2.5 years knows that.

The best part of the article is what the WH released as her statement: Mrs Obama said the trip would help 'youth leadership, education, health and wellness' in southern Africa, according to the White House

Yep, a few days in a few interesting locations in the enormous country of Africa...by a woman who spent a great deal of the time just touring...will make an impact on 'youth leadership, education, health and wellness.' As if there are no individuals in Africa who try to do, or can do just that. They don't need no former Chicago ghetto dwellers to tell them how to run their lives.

[Arrowhead1952]

Robbing Peter to pay Paul, just like the flash mobs stealing merchandise from stores.

[Calvin Locke]

My first thought was "While her husband continues to batter a flagging economy at home, .... "

If only he was concerned with just golfing.

[skimbell]

♫...Girls Just wanna have fun...♫

[DustyMoment]

Remind me again . . WHAT political office was Moochelle elected to that allows her to squander tax dollars on thses boondoggles??

[laweeks]

On this one I can't fault the Obamas any more than any other president.

These grifters are way beyond any sense of respect for the taxpayers. Her trip to India was at a couple billion dollars . . . and on and on . . . if the Bushes did half, even a quarter of these mindless trips, the media would be howling like wolves.

Yes, I find fault. Spend the money here in the U.S. if they're going to spend taxpayer dollars . . . not to go visit a mass murdering communist like Nelson Mandela and slop around at American taxpayer expense on safaris and other grand vacations with an entourage that rivals kings and queens.

[Buckeye McFrog]

the Rainbow Tour of Evita Peron comes to mind...