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Obama Inaugural To Be The Most Expensive Ever
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| Reports say President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration tomorrow will be the most expensive ever. (M. Spencer Green/Associated Press) |
Critics Of Bush’s 2005 Inauguration Are Now Silent
By Michael P. Tremoglie, The Bulletin
Reports indicate $150 million will be spent by President Barack Obama to celebrate his inauguration ($45 million without security costs). Set against the backdrop of rising unemployment, mortgage foreclosures, homelessness, massive bankruptcies, plunging stock values and soaring national debt many are questioning the wisdom of this.
“He campaigned as a representative of the average American — of the common man,” said Fred McCaffrey, owner of McCaffrey Communications, a public relations consulting firm. “How can he and his supporters justify spending hundreds of millions of dollars with a war in Iraq and an economic depression at home?”
Mr. Obama’s inauguration will cost more than was spent for President George W. Bush’s second inauguration. This celebration was widely criticized, at the time, by many in the media and by Democrats as being inappropriate while American troops were at war.
One congressman, U.S. Rep. Anthony D. Weiner, D-N.Y., sent President Bush a letter on Jan. 11, 2005, suggesting money should be given to the troops in Iraq instead of spending millions on his second inauguration.
“The festivities surrounding your inauguration later this month are slated to cost $40 million — making this the most expensive inauguration in history. I urge you to re-direct those funds towards a use more fitting to these sober times — bonuses or equipment for our troops” he wrote.
Just two days before the inauguration, Mr. Weiner’s office has not notified the public that he sent a similar letter to President-elect Obama.
The Associated Press also questioned the Bush 2005 inaugural expense.
AP’s Washington bureau reporter Will Lester wrote a few days before Mr. Bush’s 2005 affair, “President Bush’s second inauguration will cost tens of millions of dollars With that kind of money, what could you buy? 200 armored Humvees with the best
armor for troops in Iraq. Vaccinations and preventive health care for 22 million children in regions devastated by the tsunami. A down payment on the nation’s deficit, which hit a record-breaking $412 billion last year.”
ABC’s Terry Moran reported the Sunday before the Bush 2005 inauguration, “President Bush prepares for his second inauguration. In a time of war and natural disaster, is it time for a lavish celebration?"
The environment surrounding Mr. Obama’s inauguration is even direr than in 2005. There is still the war, but now these are also perilous economic times.
Not only is this more expensive, the security is unprecedented. There are more people providing security for Obama’s inauguration than there are troops in Afghanistan or looking for Osama bin Laden, a task Mr. Obama has sworn to accomplish.
FOX News reported that the US Secret Service is managing a security force of more than 40,000, including 7,500 active duty soldiers, 10,000 National Guard troops and 25,000 law-enforcement officers. There are only 32,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan.
"From a public relations standpoint the Obama inaugural is like Marie Antoinette’s “let them eat cake” remark," said Mr. McCaffrey.
Michael P. Tremoglie can be contacted at mtremoglie@thebulletin.us
“He campaigned as a representative of the average American — of the common man,” said Fred McCaffrey, owner of McCaffrey Communications, a public relations consulting firm. “How can he and his supporters justify spending hundreds of millions of dollars with a war in Iraq and an economic depression at home?”
Mr. Obama’s inauguration will cost more than was spent for President George W. Bush’s second inauguration. This celebration was widely criticized, at the time, by many in the media and by Democrats as being inappropriate while American troops were at war.
One congressman, U.S. Rep. Anthony D. Weiner, D-N.Y., sent President Bush a letter on Jan. 11, 2005, suggesting money should be given to the troops in Iraq instead of spending millions on his second inauguration.
“The festivities surrounding your inauguration later this month are slated to cost $40 million — making this the most expensive inauguration in history. I urge you to re-direct those funds towards a use more fitting to these sober times — bonuses or equipment for our troops” he wrote.
Just two days before the inauguration, Mr. Weiner’s office has not notified the public that he sent a similar letter to President-elect Obama.
The Associated Press also questioned the Bush 2005 inaugural expense.
AP’s Washington bureau reporter Will Lester wrote a few days before Mr. Bush’s 2005 affair, “President Bush’s second inauguration will cost tens of millions of dollars With that kind of money, what could you buy? 200 armored Humvees with the best
armor for troops in Iraq. Vaccinations and preventive health care for 22 million children in regions devastated by the tsunami. A down payment on the nation’s deficit, which hit a record-breaking $412 billion last year.”
ABC’s Terry Moran reported the Sunday before the Bush 2005 inauguration, “President Bush prepares for his second inauguration. In a time of war and natural disaster, is it time for a lavish celebration?"
The environment surrounding Mr. Obama’s inauguration is even direr than in 2005. There is still the war, but now these are also perilous economic times.
Not only is this more expensive, the security is unprecedented. There are more people providing security for Obama’s inauguration than there are troops in Afghanistan or looking for Osama bin Laden, a task Mr. Obama has sworn to accomplish.
FOX News reported that the US Secret Service is managing a security force of more than 40,000, including 7,500 active duty soldiers, 10,000 National Guard troops and 25,000 law-enforcement officers. There are only 32,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan.
"From a public relations standpoint the Obama inaugural is like Marie Antoinette’s “let them eat cake” remark," said Mr. McCaffrey.
Michael P. Tremoglie can be contacted at mtremoglie@thebulletin.us
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