This has slipped under the radar around here too...

[mardyn]

Our Texas Governor, besides embarrassing himself and our entire State with a lame attempt to gain the GOP Presidential nomination, is spending $400K a month of our money chasing his own personal agenda.

See below:

Gov. Rick Perry was near the height of his national popularity when he barnstormed California in September to raise money for his presidential bid and to participate in his first nationally televised debate.

His state-provided security guards were flying pretty high, too, spending more than $32,000 in taxpayer money for travel and lodging in San Francisco, $4,400 to dine near the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum in Simi Valley, and $6,400 for plane tickets to San Diego, records show.

In the ensuing weeks, Perry's political fortunes would plummet, falling to as low as 6 percent in public opinion polls from a high of 32 percent. But the bills for his omnipresent security detail continue, costing taxpayers as much as $400,000 a month.

yeah, this steams my broccoli pretty good...

mardyn

[Lason]

Yeah I read about that the other day. I was pretty pissed untill I read this is standard for Govenors running for president and the prices are in line with what Bush spent when he ran in 2000. Sucks but of course in the end, we are the ones getting the bill.

[Vertnut]

Unfortunately , (as stated above) it is in line with what it normally costs'. It sucks we have to pay for it, but it's common-place when a gov runs.

[CexMashean]

Imagine what we're paying for obama's campaigning.


Stop bitching.

[krazy kris]

I heard it was almost twice as much as every other candidate with the exception of ohbuma

[03mustangdude]

he wont win he'll come back and raise taxes or something to offset the costs.

[Lason]

I heard it was almost twice as much as every other candidate with the exception of ohbuma

Right but most of the other canidates are Senators and dont require State DPS security. If I remember right, its state mandated that Tx DPS do this when a govenor runs.

That being said, the prices they are throwing out there are nuts. I would like to hear how many people are in this security group and would also love to see a itemized breakdown.

[Forever_frost]

Exactly. I'd love to see what Obama's cost is, especially with that new bus he just had to have

[diablo rojo]

Right but most of the other canidates are Senators and dont require State DPS security. If I remember right, its state mandated that Tx DPS do this when a govenor runs.

That being said, the prices they are throwing out there are nuts. I would like to hear how many people are in this security group and would also love to see a itemized breakdown.

I believe that there is a total of 44 people.

[Treasure Chest]

Exactly. I'd love to see what Obama's cost is, especially with that new bus he just had to have

Hell, his Christmas vacation alone was $4M.

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/with-more-vacation-days-and-separate-travel-price-of-obama%E2%80%99s-annual-hawaiian-holiday-rises/123

The President and his family are traveling separately to Hawaii because he wants resolve the payroll tax cut issue before leaving Washington – and his wife does not want to wait.
But the advanced trip and the cost that comes with it – as much as $100,000 (flight and security) – adds to an already expensive vacation for the taxpayers.
Hawaii Reporter research shows the total cost for the President’s visit for taxpayers far exceeded $1.5 million in 2010 – but is even more costly this year because he extended his vacation by three days and the cost for Air Force One travel has jumped since last assessed in 2000. In addition, Hawaii Reporter was able to obtain more specifics about the executive expenditures.
The total cost (based on what is known) for the 17-day vacation roundtrip vacation to Hawaii for the President, his family and staff has climbed to more than $4 million. Here's why.

TRAVEL: $3,629,622
The biggest expense is President Barack Obama’s round trip flight to Hawaii via Air Force One, a cost the GAO office estimated at $1 million in the year 2000. Contacted today, the GAO confirmed there is no report the independent office affiliated with Congress has prepared since 2000 to operate Air Force One and Air Force Two.
However, the U.S. Air Force provides the most current numbers of $181,757 per flight hour. Travel time for Air Force One direct from Washington D.C. to Hawaii is about 9 hours or $1,635,813 each way for a total of $3,271,622 for the round trip to Hawaii and back.
The cost for USAF C-17 cargo aircraft that transports the Presidential limos, helicopters and other support equipment to Hawaii was not made available. However, the flight time between Andrews Air Force Base and Hawaii is at about 21.5 hours roundtrip, with estimated operating cost of $12,000 per hour. (Source: GAO report, updated by C-17 crew member). The United States Marine Corps provides a presidential helicopter, along with pilots and support crews for the test flights, which travel on another C-17 flight. That is $258,000, not including costs for the 4 to 6 member crew's per diem and hotel.
Mrs. Obama’s early flight to Hawaii costs about $63,000 (White House Dossier), but add security and personnel for a total of about $100,000.

HOUSING: $151,200
The President and his family pay for their own beachfront rental (they are not staying in the Winter White House this year but rather a house on the same street further to the ocean point).
The Kailua rentals are fronted by the ocean and backed by a canal. So, the taxpayers must cover the costs for housing U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Coast Guard and Navy Seals in beach front and canal front homes in Kailua.
That costs about $1,200 a day ($200 allocated per bedroom per day). Since security arrives one day early, homes are rented for 18 days.
That is about $21,600 per home for approximately 7 houses rented at a total cost of $151,200 for security to stay nearby.

HOTEL: $72,216
The President’s staff and White House Press Corps stay at one of Hawaii’s oldest and most elegant hotels, the Moana Surfrider. Hawaii Reporter confirmed they are again staying there this year. Besides its stunningly beautiful view of Waikiki, and its traditional architecture, it is one of the most pricey hotels in the state.
Government rates are $177 per night, but that only is available during certain times a year.
Rooms typically start at $250 but can cost on average as much as $450 a night, and are even higher during the holidays. Hotel spokeswoman Marsha Weinert said she could "neither confirm nor deny" the president's staff is staying there.
A conservative estimate with rooms at the government rate of $177 per day (excluding a 9.25 percent Transient Accommodation Tax and a 4.712 percent General Excise Tax on each bill, meals, internet charges and other charges) means the taxpayers are covering more than $72,216 in hotel bills for an estimated 24 staff.

LOCAL TAXPAYER COSTS: $260,000
Local police over time for the president’s visit has historically cost Oahu taxpayers $250,000 but may be more expensive this year with the extended vacation.
The city ambulance the accompanies the president 24 hours a day through his entire visit is $10,000, according to city spokeswoman Louise Kim McCoy.

UNKNOWN COSTS
There are several costs the White House annually refuses to release, citing security.
For example, the president’s security usually rents an entire floor of an office building in Kailua on the canal during the president’s stay.
There are security upgrades and additional phone lines to several private homes where Obama and friends are staying. That includes bullet proof glass installed, home security systems disabled, new security measures put into place and additional phone lines added.
There is the cost for car rentals and fuel for White House staff staying at Moana Hotel.
And there are additional travel costs Secret Service and White House staff traveling ahead of the President.
The total cost (based on what is known) for a 17-day round trip vacation to Hawaii for the President and his family and staff and security is an estimated $4,113,038.

[SMEGMA STENCH]

Bet you won't see those figures on liberalimbecile.org

[juiceweezl]

Don't target one party over another in this debate -- go after everyone. With internet access and TV broadcasts, travel could (should) be minimal for all candidates. They could continue to function 100% at their current positions and then campaign on the side or on their own/personal time. I could give 2 shits if a debate is web broadcasted with candidates being in different locations versus being done in the same locale.

[UserX]

he wont win he'll come back and raise taxes or something to offset the costs.

Nothing that another toll road or two won't fix!