Yesterday, Michelle Obama traveled to Martha’s Vineyard in her own jet, rather than waiting to fly AF-1 with President Obama, costing taxpayers thousands in additional expenses to get her a few hours of extra vacation time.
Mrs. Obama and her daughters arrived just before 2 pm Thursday on a U.S. government jet, according to the Martha’s Vineyard Times, which got its information from the local airport. The first lady’s office has been silent on her travel. President Obama arrived in the evening along with the family dog Bo.
This is not the first time Michelle has gone on vacation ahead of the president on the taxpayers’ tab. Last December, she racked up what was likely more than $100,000 in expenses leaving early for their Hawaii vacation.
READ MORE: http://www.whitehousedossier.com/2011/08/19/michelles-separate-travel-costs-taxpayers-thousands/
Maybe it will all balance in the end.
“Bush took 1,675 flights on Air Force One in eight years. Since taking office, President Barack Obama had taken 281 flights on Air Force One as of Sept. 29.
Bush averaged 17 flights a month on Air Force One. Obama is averaging 14, he said.”
(from STLtoday)
So, you are saying Michele flew on her own so that she could produce more CO2 and warm up the planet a little bit – because Bush did it?
Just that if you start nit-picking you can come up with something ridiculous for all the presidents.
If Obama spent less time on the golf course maybe he’d have more time to fly.
Here’s a fun stat, Chuck….
Bush played golf 24 times in his entire presidency.
On May 13, 2008, Politico reported that Bush said he gave up golf in August 2003, quoting him saying: “I don’t want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf. … I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal.”
Yesterday [8/19/2011 ] was the 77th round of golf Obama has played as president. But don’t expect to see any pictures of him enjoying a round of 18. The president is playing Vineyard Golf Club, a private club in Edgartown. No media is permitted on the property.
I can’t remember – did Laura ever travel separately, with her own Secret Service entourage, her own 14 car motorcade? Just to get somewhere 4 hours before George? Dayum – I just don’t recall that ever happening….. Noblesse oblige
Maybe it has something to do with having small children.
Well, her kids aren’t really small, since they are ten and thirteen. I have four kids between seven and twelve, and we travel just fine with no help. I don’t think the kids wanting to arrive early justifies it, either.
I will start paying attention to the liberals screaming about the CO2 footprint and global warming when they start behaving like they mean it.
Meh. Mataconis addresses the latest vacation outrage.
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/if-its-august-it-must-be-time-for-fake-outrage-over-the-presidents-vacation/
Steve
Given that our planet is being destroyed by Global Warming – it’s a bit strange that the biggest promoters of austerity for the “little people” travel in two separate huge aiplanes to their vacation spot. I mean – maybe Global Warming is not such a big deal, is it?
P.S. I distinctly remember president Bush being derided for playing golf. So, why does Obie play golf so much – is it because he is black, and he cannot be held to same standards as president Bush?
You failed to take into consideration the Obama gas-bag factor. The problem isn’t that he flies. The problem occurs when he lands and begins to fill the atmosphere with hot air.
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