Posted on 01/19/2005 10:30:11 PM PST by kattracks
Reuters news agency this week headlined a story, "Critics Say Bush Inaugural Too Lavish for Wartime," then quoted one "critic," Rep. Anthony Weiner, New York Democrat, who complained that the estimated $40 million for the Bush-Cheney inauguration is extravagant.
The Associated Press moved a story that asked, "With that kind of money, what could you buy?" The answer, the wire service said: "200 armored Humvees ... vaccinations and preventive health care for 22 million children ... and a down payment on the nation's deficit."But a review of the cost for past inaugurations shows Mr. Bush's will cost less than President Clinton's second inauguration in 1997, which cost about $42 million. When the cost is adjusted for inflation, Mr. Clinton's second-term celebration exceeds Mr. Bush's by about 25 percent.
According to the Consumer Price Index, $42 million in 1997 is the equivalent of $49.5 in 2004.
The significant majority of funding for this year's festivities, including nine officials balls, are from private donations and tickets for events held by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, a similar setup to fund raising Mr. Clinton used to underwrite his inauguration. Mr. Clinton had a record 12 balls in 1997.[snip]
President Johnson didn't eschew pageantry in 1965, racking up a $1.6 million bill for inaugural festivities despite the Vietnam War, historian Robert Dallek told Reuters.
In 1997, there was grumbling that the inauguration cost too much. But Clinton spokesman Barry Toiv said at the time, "It's really a symbol to the world and has been for over 200 years, and it's worth celebrating."
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Does this include Mrs. clinton's?
I don't care if we spend a billion bucks on the Inauguration... as long as it is not taxpayers funds that pay for it.
"Mr. Clinton had a record 12 balls in 1997"
I am trying to resist making a really awful joke here......
Wow, you mean the Democrats are being hypocrites when they complain about the cost of the 2005 Presidential Inauguration? No way!!!! ;)
' "Mr. Clinton had a record 12 balls in 1997"
I am trying to resist making a really awful joke here......'
Hehehehe! Me too!
Mrs. Clinton has brass ....
Oh .. never mind .. it wasn't nice of me
I'm with you on that. Sometimes I'm a slave to temptation and I'll need to have my fingers broken or I might break down and go for the gold.
LOL!
One has to be careful mentioning Billy C and 'balls' in the same sentence!
The urge to have some fun is rapidly overpowering me...
:-)
"Mr. Clinton had a record 12 balls in 1997"
As former Major League Baseball Manager Dick WIlliams once said in a post-game press conference: "...that's a lot of G.D. Balls!"
No wonder he has problems keeping his pants up.
Well, I'm gonna give in to temptation:
At least we NOW we understand what Monica saw in him!
(Sorry!)
Well if they weren't hers to begin with, I'm sure that she's got his in a vice now.
"Mr. Clinton had a record 12 balls in 1997.
Does this include Mrs. clinton's?"
I was under the impression that BC had NO balls. Guess Hillary took them all....
Yeah... this complaint comes from the same people who accuse us of being overly tight-fisted with money. Go figure!
Yeah... this complaint comes from the same people who accuse us of being overly tight-fisted with money. Go figure!
"...vaccinations and preventive health care for 22 million children..." With 40 million? They do live in a fantasy world, don't they?
Bubba has a pair. He had deliberately targeted civilians in the Kosovo war. He had re-resigned the prison blood sale to Canada five times. You bet you. He has ice water flowing in his veins. But Shrillary has a couple bowling balls.
Soon, they will wish that Weiner was zipped up.
Was Clinton's inaugural privately funded? I would like to compare notes strictly based on govt funding.
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