President Obama's vacation cost is the buzz in Oahu

Politico ^

[Sub-Driver]

President Obama's vacation cost is the buzz in Oahu

By BYRON TAU | 12/17/11 11:11 AM EST

With President Obama and his family headed to Hawaii for a long vacation, the Hawaii Reporter takes a look at the cost to taxpayers and concludes this year's trip is more expensive that previous trips:

[T]he advanced trip and the cost that comes with it – as much as $100,000 (flight and security) – adds to an already expensive vacation for the taxpayers.

Hawaii Reporter research shows the total cost for the President’s visit for taxpayers far exceeded $1.5 million in 2010 – but is even more costly this year because he extended his vacation by three days and the cost for Air Force One travel has jumped since last assessed in 2000. In addition, Hawaii Reporter was able to obtain more specifics about the executive expenditures.

The total cost (based on what is known) for the 17-day vacation roundtrip vacation to Hawaii for the President, his family and staff has climbed to more than $4 million.

Blogger Keith Koffler calculated that First Lady Michelle Obama's decision to leave a few days early without her husband will cost more than $100,000 -- a charge that the White House would not address directly in Friday's daily press briefing.

"I wanted to ask, isn’t it quite an extravagance -- four people to go in two jets to Hawaii -- particularly given the state of the economy, the state of the budget, and also given the directive that was just put out about limiting air travel by the administration?" one reporter asked Press Secretary Jay Carney.

[Brilliant]

Obama’s 4 year vacation is almost over.

[bgill]

Don’t worry about the money, he’ll just print more.

[McBuff]

Obama's, mere royalty?!!. . .I THINK NOT!

[Logical me]

The Presidency means nothing to King Obama and his leaches. It is his playground around the world at my expense. The constant Hawaiian vacations cost millions and accomplish nothing but fun and games. Everywhere he moves on Hawaii means the public is restricted.

[Coyote Choir]

Wouldn’t a certain percentage of Obama’s core supporters get a vicarious pleasure out of seeing the Obamas “living high” and sticking the US with the bill? So while conservatives may have fits, this vacation may be a part of his re-election strategy for those Obama voters in what is definitely a post-modern world where even the President and his family are, first, celebrities to their admirers?
—One of the best thing about the rise of Neut, I think, is that we have no illusions about the guy, for he has a long track record, and he seems more than willing to speak at length, without a teleprompter, to anyone about what he thinks (at that moment). He is definitely not a packaged political celebrity product offered to a tv-addled public. Would I have liked some other conservative to emerge through the process to this point? Yes. But at least Neut is clearly visible to us, warts and all, and you can see he can’t wait to get into a public argument with Obama. That does count for something.

[asinclair]

I have a question: what kind of plane did Ms. Obama, the kids, and the Secret Service detail use? If it was a smaller executive jet, the cost to the taxpayer would be lower than if they took one of the larger Air Force planes.

Even better, if Mr. Obama would have rented an executive jet on his own dime, it would look far, far better. I say rent an executive jet because I understand why the First Family won't fly commercial, but the one-way trip wouldn't make much of a dent in his personal wealth...not to mention it would stimulate the economy that much more.

Some history: during a trip to the Comdex show, there was a major snafu at San Francisco International with flights. So seven or eight executives, anxious to avoid delays and miss appointments, decided to pool for a private executive jet...and discovered that the one-way cost of the jet, divided equally, was just a little more than the cost of the first-class tickets the group held.

[skeeter]

How can anyone expect to have a decent vacation on 4 million measely dollars?

[Georgia Girl 2]

I posted this before but I’m going to post it again. In the middle of the worst financial mess since the Great Depression what’s wrong with Christmas at a fantastic resort like Camp David or the WhiteHouse with all the chefs and yummy food and 30 christmas trees, homemade beer, movie theatre, indoor pool and bowling alley? The POS jerk could fly in every friend he has to the Whitehouse for 1/10th the cost of sending an entourage out to HI.

[tioga]

Yes, you missed the fact that W and Laura stayed at the White House through Christmas so that their Secret Service detail could be with their families for the holiday. Pretty classy. I still remember they did that.

[tioga]

[Bernard Marx]

These people have a Third World dictator mentality - they loot the Colonial institutions of learning, law and largesse - for themselves.

Right on the money (our money!) Obamamugabe is the right name for the street grifter occupying the White House.

[Islander2]

Last time 0bummer came to Oahu, they parked one of the Air Force 1 planes on the tarmac here in Hilo. It sure is a lot bigger than any of the planes that normally land at Hilo International.

[Old Sarge]

Moochelle wants a couple of extra days with her Secret Service lover

DING DING DING a WINNAH!

[Dawgreg]

I still believe in miracles but I get your point.....(sigh). :(

[newheart]

[Fantasywriter]

pfl

[LibLieSlayer]

POS kenyan usurping welfare pimp.

LLS

[OldPossum]

Low class scum.

That's almost complimentary compared to my opinion of the SOB. But I cannot write it out (too many curse words).

[Dawgreg]

LOL..nope Bam Bam don’t worry and you owe Alfred E. Neuman an apology for bunching Al in with Bam........LOLOLOL

[ArmstedFragg]

Back in the day, I used to take a 747 to Hilo. It was the only island airport besides Honolulu that could accomodate them. I also recall stopping there briefly to top up fuel on one of the early “direct” Maui/LAX flights.