Obama takes chopper for 6-mile trip

[Geee]

Politico:

President Barack Obama left the White House this morning for a six-mile trip to a sign factory on the Maryland-D.C. border. But instead of taking the presidential motorcade, he took Marine One – the presidential helicopter.

A quick search on Google maps shows the drive would have taken at least 20 minutes, but the helicopter trip took just eight. And, according to one unofficial estimate, it was the 300th trip Obama has taken in Marine One since taking office 20 months ago.


The Secret Service declined to discuss any details about the President’s travel plans, which they say fall under “ways and means”—information that, if made public, could threaten the President’s safety. Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said that Obama decided to fly instead of drive to the sign factory “probably because it's easier than [taking] a motorcade through the city in the middle of the day.”

Tom Schatz, President of Citizens Against Government Waste, says that it is impossible to calculate how much presidential travel costs or even how much energy is consumed.

Schatz says that whether by motorcade or flight, the cost of transporting the President includes factors such as the use of local police details, military staff, fuel and even the cost of inconveniencing travelers on the road.

[Pepper]

Doesn't the Secret Service usually determines the best way to get POTUS around? Although given the current pResident, there's no telling.

 

The Secret Service still had get there via car to protect the President. The President's entourage traveled by car. I doubt there's much difference in cost.

 

The reality is that the President cannot travel anywhere outside of the White House without incurring protection and thus expense. IMHO flying is a better way to get POTUS around.

 

Let's talk about the tax payers dollars being spent in Spain to soothe FLOTUS.

[Casino67]

As I have said before, Urkel loves the perks of office but not the responsibilities of office.

[pollyannaish]

I might give him a pass on this one. I don't know what time of day this was, but if it was during the morning drive time I bet there were a lot of commuters happy that he didn't add frustration to the morning commute by taking the motorcade.

 

That said, a good planner would take these things into consideration when booking the appointment in the first place. I have a feeling that "good planning" is not exactly Obama's strongest asset.

[Casino67]

To paraphrase Rep. Pete Stark, 'I am the president and I can do almost anything I want to'.

[Pepper]

As I have said before, Urkel loves the perks of office but not the responsibilities of office.

 

 

Casino67!

Careful, that just happens to be my President you're talking about!

 

 

 

 

Had you going....

 

[Casino67]

As I have said before, Urkel loves the perks of office but not the responsibilities of office.

 

 

Casino67!

Careful, that just happens to be my President you're talking about!

 

 

 

 

Had you going....

 

 

My first thought was 'he has been drinking'.

[Pepper]

Casino67!

 

That would help....