Taxpayers spent $1.4 billion on Obama family last year, perks questioned in new book

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http://dailycaller.com/2012/09/26/taxpayers-spent-1-4-billion-on-obama-family-last-year-perks-questioned-in-new-book/

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[Pete]

I would have liked the story better if it had listed the total figure for say the last four Presidents.

But still - they've had some rockin' parties at the WH the last four years.

[Richard]

Specifically, Gray said taxpayer dollars are subsidizing Obama’s re-election effort when he uses Air Force One to jet across the country campaigning.

I agree with Pete - a comparison of election year expenditures.

Richard :munchin

[JimP]

Buncha hating haters who hate here.

I want the free ice cream Obama promised me.

[Deadhead 63A1]

I just suffered through a combined POTUS/SECSTATE 24-hour visit to the humble country in which I'm working. There were over 700 people brought in to support the visit, and that's not counting the hundreds of Americans and local staff already at the Embassy. I'll give you an example of the degree of largesse we're talking...

I was assigned to escort luggage from the airport to the hotels and back again. Not the principles' luggage, mind you, just a bunch of staffers' bags. Why some GS-whatever is A) incapable of carrying their own luggage with them and B) is somehow important enough that their socks and underwear are not to be trusted in the hands of a local national is beyond me. The worst part is that I had an SES there overseeing that I got the bags to the right hotels. You heard that right, an SES-level government employee. His job during this period was to do the same thing I'd been tasked with, but as I was told, "he's too important and has too many things on his mind to actually watch the bags during the transit, so you take care of that while he goes with you."

[afchic]

I just suffered through a combined POTUS/SECSTATE 24-hour visit to the humble country in which I'm working. There were over 700 people brought in to support the visit, and that's not counting the hundreds of Americans and local staff already at the Embassy. I'll give you an example of the degree of largesse we're talking...

I was assigned to escort luggage from the airport to the hotels and back again. Not the principles' luggage, mind you, just a bunch of staffers' bags. Why some GS-whatever is A) incapable of carrying their own luggage with them and B) is somehow important enough that their socks and underwear are not to be trusted in the hands of a local national is beyond me. The worst part is that I had an SES there overseeing that I got the bags to the right hotels. You heard that right, an SES-level government employee. His job during this period was to do the same thing I'd been tasked with, but as I was told, "he's too important and has too many things on his mind to actually watch the bags during the transit, so you take care of that while he goes with you."

I have worked more POTUS moves in my 18 years than I care to count. Most people only consider the movement of Air Force One. If they ever knew how many C-17s and C-5s were involved it would blow their minds. The comm equipment, the armored limos, Marine One and backups, stair trucks, etc etc etc... The advance team that needs to go in and recieve all this stuff before the Primary ever hits the airfield.

But it happens with every POTUS, not just this one.

[Roguish Lawyer]

The worst part is that I had an SES there overseeing that I got the bags to the right hotels. You heard that right, an SES-level government employee. His job during this period was to do the same thing I'd been tasked with, but as I was told, "he's too important and has too many things on his mind to actually watch the bags during the transit, so you take care of that while he goes with you."

I was tasked (with some Marines) with unloading luggage from the press plane and transporting it to the hotel where POTUS was staying during a visit to LA in the early 90s. Some of the luggage, including that of certain national correspondents, somehow was subjected to unusual stress. If that resulted in the additional supervision, I do sincerely apologize. :D