Bush's Lavish Inauguration
I remember hearing the figure but didn't have a source to go to. Fortunately, Paul at Wizbang does so I'm pointing to
this article on his website:
bq.
Inaugural price tag in line with history
Now they tell us.
Inaugural price tag in line with history
Reuters news agency this week headlined a story, "Critics Say Bush Inaugural Too Lavish for Wartime," then quoted one "critic," Rep. Anthony Weiner, New York Democrat, who complained that the estimated $40 million for the Bush-Cheney inauguration is extravagant. ...
But a review of the cost for past inaugurations shows Mr. Bush's will cost less than President Clinton's second inauguration in 1997, which cost about $42 million. When the cost is adjusted for inflation, Mr. Clinton's second-term celebration exceeds Mr. Bush's by about 25 percent.
According to the Consumer Price Index, $42 million in 1997 is the equivalent of $49.5 in 2004.
The significant majority of funding for this year's festivities, including nine officials balls, are from private donations and tickets for events held by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, a similar setup to fund raising Mr. Clinton used to underwrite his inauguration. Mr. Clinton had a record 12 balls in 1997.
bq. Multiple snaky things could -and probably should- be said about the people propagating this nonsense, but I'm feeling charitable on inauguration day.
bq. I'll call them idiots tomorrow.
bq.
Update: Right Wing Duck has a surprisingly interesting
accounting of the Inaugural expenses.
Heh...
Posted by DaveH at January 20, 2005 6:26 PM