Posted on 11/03/2010 7:08:00 PM PDT by Kaslin
Diplomacy: Yes, a traveling president deserves security. But the 3,000-person entourage accompanying Barack Obama to Mumbai, India, this week reeks of pashalike decadence.
With an electoral repudiation still ringing in his ears, we can't blame President Obama for wanting to get away from Washington as a new Congress prepares to roll in. He's hardly the first chief executive to do it.
But there are problems with this "strategic" visit, with a stated interest in celebrating Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, that suggest this won't be time well spent.
In a time of trillion-dollar stimulus packages and $600 billion Fed easings, the $200-million-a-day price tag for these 10 days abroad is an expenditure that will show up as more than a blip on the books.
Five fully loaded jet aircraft will fly Obama and his party of 3,000 caravan-style in luxury that would make a sultan blush. The entire Taj hotel — 570 rooms — plus other space next door are the sort of accommodations only a khan might have arranged until now.
Why the president requires so many attendants in support of a face-to-face meeting with India's prime minister doesn't say much for this administration's money-management skills. All that's missing are peacock feathers, yak processions and a presidential litter.
(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...
I still cannot believe this $200M/day number. Despite everything, this has to be some wild exaggeration.
I have a bad feeling.
Speechless. Just speechless. Will anybody care? I very seriously doubt it. Prediction time — nobody will notice, nor care. Mark my words.
Well, my only hope is that Michelle gets to eat some good tandoori chicken. But does this pass the strict dietary guidelines that she expects from us?
Perhaps I’ve had my head in the sand the last 24 hours but I haven’t heard anyone report on this except talk radio. Am I right?
BTW, very short, and very well written article. $2Bil down the Obama filth-hole. Hoooray for the American voter!!!!
Even if the $200 million is an inflated figure, it can’t be too far off with an entourage of 3000 people accompanying him & all the vehicles he’s taking. I have yet to see a legitmate purpose put forth for this trip. And, let’s not forget all 13 vacations this dipcrap has taken since he’s been in office. He’s a leech.
“...presidential litter.”
That’s a funny was of putting it, I just call him garbage.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_us-to-spend-200-million-a-day-on-obama-s-mumbai-visit_1461370
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/us-to-spend-200-mn-a-day-on-obama-s-mumbai-visit-64106
This could be great fodder for the GOP in 2012. They could use the scene from 300 where Xerxes goes to meet Leonidas on his mobile throne. The narrator could say that while America suffered from 10% unemployment, and while our economy stagnated, you paid $400,000,000.00 for him to take a vacation in India.
They could cue it so the last line is given while Xerxes walks on the backs of his slaves.
Bill Clinton spent $ 280,000,000 to take 3,000 of his closest friends with him on his last trip to China as President. That’s back when a dollar was worth something.
The media is afraid to say the total cost : $ 2B as the taxpayers might think that is a bit excessive.
Try to imagine Bush taking such a trip at such a time with 10% unemployment. Think Americans would notice? Sure they would, because Katie Couric would tell them to notice, and they’d snap to like the little trained monkeys that they are.
They’re taking the White House chef with them and bringing their own food from the US...
not joking.
No, no it’s factual
Bang go all diplomatic ties with India! Can you imagine the gridlock those 3,000 folks will impose on Mumbai and then the city of Agra on his 750 mile (by plane) side trip to Agra to see the actual Taj Mahal. All those average Indian folks having their Divali celebrations and travel plans plans screwed up by his entourage? Namaste Hindustan!
Oh I have read about it for several days. The news didn’t report it though
It’s a phenomenon! BOTH Obamas are Marie Antoinette!
So... what’s the “published” purpose if this trip? I’ve heard that the 3,000 people going along are largely business executives, presumably with some sort of interest in the region... but what exactly are they saying this trip is for?
There is something seriously wrong here.
Diwali started 3 weeks ago.
It’s inconceivable that he is going there solely for Diwali.
India is seeking arms sales.
Putin and Sarkosy are scheduled to meet with BJ Singh over the matter.
This guy is up to something.
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