The Inaugural Hypocrisy
Let’s take a trip back in time shall we? How about January 20, 2005. In the words of several of our beloved self confessed liberal press outlets like the AP and Salon.com, President George W. Bush was being given a pass for his EXTRAVAGANT over spending on his second inauguration ceremony.
Eric Boehlert of Salon.com wrote;
This week’s inauguration story came ready with two interesting news angles: the huge cost (in contrast with the dire situation in Iraq) and the unprecedented security. And in both cases, the political press corps, as has been its habit under the Bush administration, showed little interest in prying. In the days and weeks leading up to the event, the press has largely treated inauguration criticism as partisan and silly, making sure to give Bush backers lots of time and room to defend the unmatched pomp and circumstance… For the media, simply reporting on the cost of the inauguration proved to be a challenge.
AP Reporter Will Lester spoke up on the lavish spending by saying;
The questions have come from Bush supporters and opponents: Do we need to spend this money on what seems so extravagant?
President Bush’s second inauguration will cost tens of millions of dollars — $40 million alone in private donations for the balls, parade and other invitation-only parties. With that kind of money, what could you buy?
Yet despite the complaints and groans from folks on the left (who were complaining because of WHO it was, not WHAT was being spent) here we are 4 years later watching the apparent second coming of Abraham Lincoln himself… to the tune of some $160,000,000 once all is said and done, and the AP gushes forth the headline “For inaugural balls, go for glitz, forget economy“.
They brush off the extravagance with excuses like “optimism is good for times like these” or laugh it off as Letitia Baldridge did with a light hearted, “Just say you’re doing it to help the economy”.
These folks REALLY need to work on their poker faces more… I can see every card in your hand from here.
Ron Russell
16 Jan, 2009
Democrates love to spend tax-payers money, what else is new. True Bush let the spending get away from him, but there was 911–he was never really an economic conservative anyway. But the Democrates–what a bunch, if we have another 911 on their watch, look out for run-a-way inflation. Thats when the middle class will really suffer.
Dewayne
20 Jan, 2009
You should realize that you’re making budget judgements based upon a Presidental figure who sold himself as a “fiscal conservative” when in actuality, he bled the United States’ government of money.
Of course you’ll probably complain that Obama is “a socialist who will destroy the country by spending too much money” but, unlike Reagan, George H.W. Bush or George W. Bush, Barack Obama and no other Democrat has ever truly sold themself as a fiscal conservative.
To draw the line between a running line of Republican candidates who never upheld their economic policies, against the “evil liberals and Democrats” who never sold themself as anything but a tax and restructure the federal budget candidate.
So what’s your argument again?
James
21 Jan, 2009
I’ve made it VERY clear here that I know Bush “sold” himself as something he was clearly not. I don’t defend the rampant spending by the Republicans who were SUPPOSED to be fiscally conservative… so I fail to see YOUR point.
During a recession, from a President who has openly stated his opposition against the luxurious spending of those EVIL corporations out there in our country, it seems to me a GROSS over spending on something that could have been a landmark for his administration from day one.
Even the press started turning on him in the days leading up to his $170 Million pat on the back.
Larry
21 Jan, 2009
Fox news has some great reporting on this so I don’t see what you are complaining about. Why so much anger?
James
21 Jan, 2009
Leading up to the inauguration most were silent on the rampant spending and apparent disregard for our current economic situation… the day before, the press seemed to wake up and I’m glad they did… just a little late in my opinion.