Air Force One Soars Over Travel Costs for Congress
Email ABC News’ Jonathan Karl reports:
The Chicago Tribune offers a reminder today of one of the fundamental truths of Presidential travel: It ain't cheap. The Trib did a little back-of-the-envelop calculation, and determined that President Obama's 2 1/2 hour trip to Chicago today will cost about $236,000. That's more than $1,500 per minute, and the Tribune's calculation does not include the steep costs of Secret Service protection and motorcades. The $236,000 covers only the estimated costs of flying Air Force One roundtrip between Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and Chicago's O'Hare airport. The cost estimate doesn't even include the cost of helicopter transportation to and from those airports.The White House travel costs — Air Force One was just as expensive for President Bush — make Congressional travel look downright cheap.As ABC News and Politico reported last week, the offices of Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) are the leaders when it comes to spending taxpayer money on Senate travel. But with one 2 1/2 hour trip to Chicago, the White House will spend almost as much on Air Force One as Cornyn and Schumer — and their entire staffs — spent on official Senate travel for the 6-month period from October 2008 to March 2009 (the two Senate offices spent a combined $296,780).
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Over a quarter of a million dollars for a meeting.
At a time when we are all cutting back, you’d think he would too. Nope.
Can’t his campaign be done via video or teleconference.
Thanks for reporting the figure on the flight.
Posted by: Clip | June 15, 2009, 10:44 am 10:44 am
I missed the part that this cost doesn’t include the helecopter.
Can you find out the costs of the motorcade and the helecopters so we can have an idea of the total cost.
Also will they fly the C130 with his speical limo out there too?
Thanks
Posted by: Clip | June 15, 2009, 10:48 am 10:48 am
No doubt 1st the $300k photo opp then the $25k date and now this. Hey Obama team do a video conference or may GOTOMEETING.COM
Posted by: Don't bankrupt me Bro! | June 15, 2009, 11:06 am 11:06 am
This president is by far the worst of all as a hypocrite. When opportunities avail to him, he will travel because he’s a narcissist. Certainly video conferencing works, but why waste an opportunity for photo opportunity that can be used for his re-election? We’re footing the bill. My travel budget at anytime for an entire year doesn’t exceed $100K. He flies in style, and we eat beans. He thinks he’s entitled, and we scratch to remain in our jobs. Welcome to the age of Obama.
Posted by: Gina | June 15, 2009, 11:30 am 11:30 am
These reports are starting to remind me of the guys who calculate the miles per gallon of an aircraft carrier.
The President is allowed to fly home to Chicago in the manner allowed by the Secret Service. It seems some won’t be happy until he’s living in a mobile home calling foreign leaders using weekend minutes. Then they’ll happily decry him as another Carter since he has to wear a sweater to keep warm.
Talk about Republicans racing to irrelevancy.
Posted by: jhw539 | June 15, 2009, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm
Where was all this trip calculating when Bush went to Texas nearly every weekend? This Obama Derangement Syndrome by conservatives is just pathetic.
Posted by: Brianne | June 15, 2009, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
jhw
There are no comments that are even suggestive of being partisan whining from republicans.
Why be the partisan yourself?
Yes, we all know that the president is allowed to fly home. Just don’t pretend that a trip to chicago to drum p support for his healthcare plan is really a trip “home” as if to see the wife and kids or grandma. It’s business.
Secondly, we all cut back, where’s his? My family used to travel quite a bit, and first class to boot. Since vacations are nolonger affordable, we quit traveling. The government should be no different. They don’t have the money either, but they pretend or act as if it grows on trees. I wished they would show a little restraint and more responsibility with reguards to money in these tough times.
Nothing partisan, jhw, just hoping to see the “change” we were promised other than doing the same as Bush. That isn’t an excuse either for you guys, “Bush did it too”. Where’s the change?
Posted by: Sweet Corn | June 15, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
Is this the same president and Congress that was shaking their fingers in the faces of the CEOs of auto companies for using private planes when Congress demanded they appear in Washington – a thousand miles from Detroit? The same CEOs that are responsible for tens of thousands of jobs in numerous countries around the world? The same president whose first flight in Air Force One was to fly 100 miles away to Virginia? Yeah, I thought so.
Posted by: 7pillars | June 15, 2009, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
This man seemingly has spent more time with his fanny on AFO than behind the desk in DC. Also…the overseas trip to Egypt……why in the heck did Michelle and entourage have to have a separate plane to take them to Paris…..or why did they need to go period? This costs us folks …and when his mantra is cut costs…..he doesn’t know the meaning of what he says. Get rid of him…sooner than later!
Posted by: CG | June 15, 2009, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
Oh…forgot..Michelle and girlies are headed back to Great Britain to view the Queen’s private quarters. Why?????
Posted by: CG | June 15, 2009, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
Just so you lib’s know, the Tribune IS NOT a conservative run newspaper.
Posted by: Ryan | June 15, 2009, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
Obama will either be one of the worst presidents we ever had to one of the best. I didn’t vote for him for I felt he was wrong for our country. But I am hoping I was wrong and want him to succeed. What bothers me is the house speaker is a loser along with reid and they are pushing money at problems with no plan or direction.
I think they will be his undoing – if panetta doesn’t kill him first
Posted by: a citizen | June 15, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
Sweet Corn:”Yes, we all know that the president is allowed to fly home. Just don’t pretend that a trip to chicago to drum p support for his healthcare plan is really a trip “home” as if to see the wife and kids or grandma. It’s business.”
That’s right, it is business – it is his job. Perhaps after 8 years we have forgotten that the best presidents, be they Reagan or Clinton, spent time out in the country they were leading.
“Secondly, we all cut back, where’s his?”
Obama has cut back on the flying off to vacation compared to the prior administration. And why is he punished for being president? If he were a lawyer, he would be free to travel.
Posted by: jhw539 | June 15, 2009, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
The secret service protection and all the security must be easily 10 times the cost of travel! I really wish ABC news would point that out more clearly.
I guess the next “date night” is going to have to be in DC.
Posted by: Jon F | June 15, 2009, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm
Has he not heard of gotomeeting
Posted by: Jane | June 15, 2009, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
Has anyone bothered comparing Obama’s travel expenses to other President’s? Remember all of Bush’s trips to Crawford and Camp David? Having a President is expensive. Get over it.
Posted by: Eric | June 15, 2009, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
Obama will see the effects of all this spend and so will congress come election time..
Posted by: whatifitwasu | June 15, 2009, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
jhw539 Excuse me…for someone who has been on the job less than six months there should NOT be ANY vacation! However on 2nd thought..maybe he should be on permanent vacation anywhere but in America
Posted by: CG | June 15, 2009, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
Obama will see the effects of all this spend and so will congress come election time..
Posted by: whatifitwasu | June 15, 2009, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
Now the President cannot travel outside the Whitehouse because it cost too much. Lets just lock him inside the Whitehouse.
Posted by: Mike | June 15, 2009, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
CF:” Excuse me…for someone who has been on the job less than six months there should NOT be ANY vacation! ”
Unbelievable. He is the President of the United States, not a convict. I know in my office we would never be able to hire anyone over a janitor if we gave no vacation for the first six months (I work for a mechanical engineering firm). And the question was what has he done to cut back. The obvious answer is he has almost ceased vacation travel, travel that as a college professor, or lawyer, or state senator, or any of the other 40+ presidents would be considered perfectly reasonable.
I suppose you believe his family’s annual Christmas vacation to Hawaii should be canceled for the next 8 years because it’s too expensive? Will you at least let him take his kids to the zoo, or will the Secret Service cost break our nation?
Posted by: jhw539 | June 15, 2009, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
So was Obama supposed to fly on a commercial airline and maybe on an economy class seat? I never heard this problem when Bush was flying AF1, or was Bush’s travel fuel subsidized by our Saudi friends and not US taxpayers?
Posted by: panabiker | June 15, 2009, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
It’s those dinner dates with Michelle at taxpayer expense. Perhaps His Holiness the President might start using something called “a budget” to live within and to not spend more than his means?
Oops! Forgot! He’s a Democrat… They know not how to live within their means… Sorry.
Posted by: Jon | June 15, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
Presidential travel would not have become so expensive had wingnuts like E. Howard Hunt and his henchmen simply stayed away from that grassy knoll!
Posted by: Jordan | June 15, 2009, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
I can understand that arguement because I can relate to it.
Bush, however you view him is irrelivent, enjoyed a good economy where there was good income for the federal govenment.
The government doesn’t make as much now as they did with Bush. Obama should reflect that with his spending and the White House budget. We have to keep our house in order.
I also agree that if you want change, you can’t whine and say Bush did it too.
Posted by: Joan | June 15, 2009, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
Why is everyone spending time thinking about the cost when it is part of the job.
people should worry about more important issues like Iran and NK. With all this it is about time for congress and senaters to travel by private jets as they are the one’s that take care of the country. Restart Air America for the travel and hope the world is a safer place
Posted by: Pierre | June 15, 2009, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
It was his home town paper not the conservatives, this was not Fox who reported this on their site it is ABC. Remembered comparered to socialized medicine at $2 Trillion whats $250k for a trip home.
Posted by: Jim | June 15, 2009, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
Remember “Rick Santelli” before any news is published. You don’t want to become history.
Posted by: Freedom | June 15, 2009, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
Obama hasn’t traveled excessively compared to other presidents, and less than Bush. This is another smokescreen from the right, and the pettiness of it is very revealing.
Posted by: Realist | June 15, 2009, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
I know the president needs to travel and meet with other countries to push our agenda, but cant he cut back a little? We are all cutting back why cant he? Obama should look into using a telepresents or a go to meeting function to meet with these people. Also isn’t Obama suppose to be for the middle class and poor? Out of all the billions and trillions given away not a single penny has gone to the poor which make me to believe he is truly for big business and corporate lobbyists. Boy did he pull the wool over everyones eyes. I did not vote for him but would like to see him be successful in being president. I will still give him the benefit of the doubt for he walked into a meat grinder. Good luck OB and please stop spending. Remember debt never goes away and it will come due.
Posted by: CK | June 15, 2009, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm
Amazing what happens when you have a president that actually does his job, instead of hangin’ out at the ranch.
Posted by: rob | June 15, 2009, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
Amazing what happens when you have a president that actually does his job, instead of hangin’ out at the ranch.
Posted by: Rob | June 15, 2009, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
Wow — I guess that when George Bush flew to Texas every other week to clear brush on that stupid ranch, it was absolutely FREE!
BTW — George Bush set records for the number of days he was on vacation during his administration: 879 days at the Crawford Ranch. That’s roughly a third of his entire presidency on vacation. If you recall (and most Bushies have a very short memory, so let me refresh), Bush took the ENTIRE MONTH of August off in his first year in office. That was the month he ignored the Presidential Daily Briefing memo with the headline: “Bin Laden Determined to Strike in US.” That memo came on August 6, 2001 while George was clearing brush and playing golf on his summer “holiday.”
Let’s not forget — Obama didn’t invent presidential travel and I’m sure he would prefer (as I’m sure all presidents do) to travel more simply. But being the most powerful person in the free world doesn’t allow a president to hop on a supersaver commuter flight or take a quick trip to the corner for milk.
Posted by: rmc100 | June 15, 2009, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
Now the President cannot travel outside the Whitehouse because it cost too much. Lets just lock him inside the Whitehouse.
Posted by: Mike | Jun 15, 2009 2:52:52 PM
========================================
GREAT IDEA!
Posted by: Don't bankrupt me Bro! | June 15, 2009, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm
This man is going to reek financial ruin on the USA. 2010 is the start of change we can believe in.
Posted by: john | June 15, 2009, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
Two of my favorite Obama quotes: “Everyone needs to sacrifice in these difficult times.” And, “Words should mean something.” I was honest enough to call Bush a liar and manipulator (once it became apparent). When will Dems do the same of Obama?
Posted by: Me | June 15, 2009, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
Do I smell a double, maybe even a triple standard? Of course not, because until this particular man took office I didn’t see any news stories about how much it costs for the President of the United States to travel.
Now suddenly a black man is elected President and he’s expected to what … fly coach? Nevermind that he’s the President of the United States of America. The only thing that matters for some people at this point is that someone did a little “back of the napkin” math and figured that it costs roughly a quarter of a million dollars every time that Air Force One goes wheels up.
Well whoop-dee-frackin-doo!
Congratulations, you can add. So I guess that the American school system isn’t so bad after all.
A message to the fake media commentators like Jonathan Karl. Go find a real story, or better yet, go find a real job.
Posted by: FaceInDaCrowd | June 15, 2009, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
“Just so you lib’s know, the Tribune IS NOT a conservative run newspaper. ”
Actually, yes it is. Obama was the first Democrat it ever endorsed for President in its 161-year history. Its mission statement is a virtual parroting of the Republican platform.
To be fair, this article does point out that Obama is spending way less than Bush or Reagan did…
Posted by: Sam | June 15, 2009, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
This wouldn’t be so bad if obama didn’t run his mouth about personal sacrifices.
Is this guy ever going practice what he preaches?
Posted by: ReallyMeanIt | June 15, 2009, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
Don’t bankrupt me Bro! What a ridiculous comment! You are whining about his extravagant travel expenses when you say your -meager- travel budget per year is less that 100k…Cry me a river…While $236,000 for a single flight is absurd, so are the potential security threats the president and his staff/security face. I guess we all need something to whine about. When families aren’t budgeting 20,000-40,000 for the ENTIRE year, then you can resume your whining…
Posted by: misrepresented | June 15, 2009, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
I guess President Bush ate ham sandwichs and traveled with a flying Toyota Prius the whole time he was in office bringing his cost to the tax payers to $1.23.
Posted by: DJDAZ05 | June 15, 2009, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
I’m not Bush fan but don’t compare Obama to Bush.
The problem is Obamas keep saying that they are rooting for middle class people.
They care about being green etc.
I want them to proof it now.
Posted by: catleya | June 15, 2009, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
Why didn’t he have to drive a hybrid from DC to Chicago and skip the airplane like the auto execs were forced to do?
Posted by: Chris | June 15, 2009, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
The President did not go to Chicago to catch a Cubs game, he went there to talk at a medical conference in order to get support for the changes he wants to make in medical care. That is not something you do over GOTOMeeting. I know it has been a while since a President has traveled within the US for something other than a vacation, but this is what he is suppose to do. Also, it is not like the President can book a flight on a commercial airline like the car company CEOs could have in order to save money. So, don’t compare his chastising the big 3 CEOs for private jet use to the President taking Air Force One.
Posted by: Mack | June 15, 2009, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
With the exception of the cost of jet fuel (which actually might be less now) HOW does this expense differ from all those trips to Waco (Crawford) to cut firewood?
I don’t recall seeing this concern then -
Posted by: larry J | June 15, 2009, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
People, get over yourselves and this issue. The media takes great pride in reporting irrelevant items like to get individuals emotional about something that does not mean anything. They did it with Bush and they are doing it with Obama.
For all the people who are complaining, do you really expect the President of the United States to conduct a bunch of Web Conferences on every important issue? And do not say you would if you were president because you would be lying if you did. As much as I hated Bush, I would come to his rescue on this as well. Face it people, the heads of states, no matter who they are, require special travel arrangements and protection.
Let’s try to find something more important to exercise our energy upon. Let’s slam the news media for coming up with dumb stuff like and letting us know they are truly bored or truly dumb, but definitely overpaid if this is all the news they have.
Posted by: DB69 | June 15, 2009, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
Good to see the rightist fringers still frothing over what used to be normal presidential expenses.
Bush43 took more vacations than any president before him and I don’t recall him flying commercial coach.
So, the frothing isn’t really about the normal expenses of the presidency.
Posted by: Giftedroot | June 15, 2009, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
Obama should be ashamed. Flying to New Mexico to sign a bill for history? Flying his wife out to dinner? Flying to Chicago for nothing more than a speech? Everyone should be using common sense, not just us folks trying to find or keep jobs, our homes, our businesses.
To jhm259 – - Free to fly anywhere Obama chooses? Who is Obama working for? WE THE PEOPLE!
OBAMA, you should be ashamed of careless and unnecessary spending. The money, office, planes, and perks have gone to you and Michele’s head. That is a shame!! I had such hope for you.
Posted by: goosiluci | June 15, 2009, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm
The cost of Secret Service is usually overlooked. When President Reagan was in Fairbanks, Alaska for a 15 minute visit with the Pope in 1984, there were 157 Secret Service here for over a week. I’m sure that number has increased in this day and age. And yes, his sedan was flown in.
Bill
Posted by: Bill Robertson | June 15, 2009, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm
I don’t recall anyone caring how much Bush spent on anything…including the war. While you are criticizing him let me point out that President Obama has refused the money alloted to all new presidents to refurbish the living quarters stating that he and Michell will use their own money and may even keep some of the items already there. Also, they have spent their own money to purchase the white house dishes to save on spending.
Posted by: talmag | June 16, 2009, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
In this economy, maybe he should figure out other ways to participate – gotomeeting.com
Let’s seem him tighten his belt as he has asked others to do.
Posted by: Ngg | June 16, 2009, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
need we remind people that this is the president who is telling us to “tighten our belts” – yet he flies around the country campaigning, takes his wife on $24,000 date nights, flies AirForce One over NY City, dresses his wife in $500 gym shoes, takes the wife, daughters and mother in law to Paris. It’s a different time people and he should do as he says….
Posted by: Nancy | June 16, 2009, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
sorry, messed up there on who posted…SHOULD READ MJ not hello? Sorry-kind of weird how they connect them!
Posted by: marski | June 16, 2009, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm
We need to remember that these are different times we are living in. This president needs to practice what he preaches and “tighten his belt” – what’s wrong with “gotomeeting.com” -
Posted by: Nancy | June 16, 2009, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm
Why shouldn’t the Democratic Party be responsible for all of cost involved in Obama’s campaigning for his parties activities and campaigning trips? The cast of campaigning for someone in the political party to which you belong should NEVER be borne by the taxpayer. This President has never come off the campaign trail and has cost this Country millions of dollars that could be used to other worthy causes. Tax payer money should NEVER be spend on a POLITICAL Party. The political parties should always foot Total cost of their campaigner……
Posted by: T. Ray | November 10, 2010, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm