President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 summit

[DA60]

'President Obama's one-night stay in Brisbane for the G20 summit cost taxpayers $1.7 million, a report has revealed.
The cost is said to have covered 4,096 rooms at three separate hotels for his entourage of security guards and assistants on November 15.
According to the Justification document published by the White House, it was 'fair and reasonable based on the pricing available across the city of Brisbane at the time of the visit'.'

...

'Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott opted for the thrifty $270-a-night Rydges hotel, while Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe required just $170 of public funds for his stay at Novotel'


Read more: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 summit in Australia | Daily Mail Online


He does know what currency is right? That things actually cost money? Taxpayers money?


I can see the democrat excuses even now...

'He is the President, he deserves such luxury' (Personal note - the taxpayers deserve not to have to pay for this insane luxury. You want this ridiculousness while 46 million Americans are on food stamps...pay for it yourself pal).
'This was already budgeted' (Personal note - they budgeted for spending insanity?)
'Bush blah blah blah...so that makes it okay.'


Btw, I am neither dem nor rep.

 

[azgreg]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

I remember when Bush went to the G20 summit and stayed at the Motel 6. Oh wait............

 

[Carjosse]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Renting that many rooms in a city who is hosting the G20 seems accurate.

 

[TheDemSocialist]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

More FAUX outrage.

 

[Glen Contrarian]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

'President Obama's one-night stay in Brisbane for the G20 summit cost taxpayers $1.7 million, a report has revealed.
The cost is said to have covered 4,096 rooms at three separate hotels for his entourage of security guards and assistants on November 15.
According to the Justification document published by the White House, it was 'fair and reasonable based on the pricing available across the city of Brisbane at the time of the visit'.'


Read more: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 summit in Australia | Daily Mail Online


He does know what currency is right? That things actually cost money? Taxpayers money?


I can see the dmocrat excuses even now...

'He is the President, he deserves such luxury'
'This was already budgeted'
'Bush blah blah blah...so that makes it okay.'

Well, the first indication there's a problem with the article is that it seems to make the claim that we paid for 4,096 rooms - as if we brought 2,000 or more people on the trip. The second problem is that the cost almost certainly includes the cost of Air Force One and all the security required to keep safe the guy who's got his finger on the nuclear button, the one in charge of the most powerful military in the history of mankind. Would the visit really have cost any less had it been Romney or (horrors!) Michelle Bachmann?

And $1.7M really isn't that much money these days. Frankly, we probably got a bargain.

 

[Beaudreaux]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Given all his staff, Secret Service agents, communications equipment and personnel, the empty rooms they have to rent to create a buffer zone, and the fact that hotels tend to raise prices during major events like this... then yeah, I can see that being the cost.

This was an official visit that was part of his job. /serious response

It's not like he spent millions playing golf... this time anyway. /playful snark

 

[AliHajiSheik]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Fine, as long has his wife didn't take a trip to a different country. That travel pisses me off. The President gets to do that kind of stuff.

 

[Jetboogieman]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

There is no single hotel room in the world that costs that much, it's the total cost for everything they have to do in the hotel to secure it, staffing, security etc.

Faux Outrage... what fuels American opposition.

I can't wait for a Republican president.

 

[OrphanSlug]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Because this is bipartisan, I would say the debate is over on our modern day government aristocracy.

 

[AliHajiSheik]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

So one the one hand, you have a President staying in the presidential suite of a hotel. Isn't that what it's for?

On the other hand, you have a British newspaper with a story about the US expenses.

I do have to admit that if the 4,096 rooms is correct and that each room was occupied, then I think it would be better if at least a couple of these folks had doubled up.

 

[ttwtt78640]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

'President Obama's one-night stay in Brisbane for the G20 summit cost taxpayers $1.7 million, a report has revealed.
The cost is said to have covered 4,096 rooms at three separate hotels for his entourage of security guards and assistants on November 15.
According to the Justification document published by the White House, it was 'fair and reasonable based on the pricing available across the city of Brisbane at the time of the visit'.'

...

'Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott opted for the thrifty $270-a-night Rydges hotel, while Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe required just $170 of public funds for his stay at Novotel'


Read more: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 summit in Australia | Daily Mail Online


He does know what currency is right? That things actually cost money? Taxpayers money?


I can see the democrat excuses even now...

'He is the President, he deserves such luxury' (Personal note - the taxpayers deserve not to have to pay for this insane luxury. You want this ridiculousness while 46 million Americans are on food stamps...pay for it yourself pal).
'This was already budgeted' (Personal note - they budgeted for spending insanity?)
'Bush blah blah blah...so that makes it okay.'


Btw, I am neither dem nor rep.

Yep, that $1,7 million could have been used to give each of the 46 million folks on food stamps 3.7 cents each.

 

[Declan]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

He does know what currency is right? That things actually cost money? Taxpayers money?


I can see the democrat excuses even now...

'He is the President, he deserves such luxury' (Personal note - the taxpayers deserve not to have to pay for this insane luxury. You want this ridiculousness while 46 million Americans are on food stamps...pay for it yourself pal).
'This was already budgeted' (Personal note - they budgeted for spending insanity?)
'Bush blah blah blah...so that makes it okay.'


Btw, I am neither dem nor rep.

Nor are you logical. Do you believe that Obama personally occupied three hotels and 4K rooms in one night?

 

[Carjosse]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

So one the one hand, you have a President staying in the presidential suite of a hotel. Isn't that what it's for?

On the other hand, you have a British newspaper with a story about the US expenses.

I do have to admit that if the 4,096 rooms is correct and that each room was occupied, then I think it would be better if at least a couple of these folks had doubled up.

Well they would also have to buy empty rooms to create a security zone of rooms or even entire floors around rooms like the president's suite.

 

[DA60]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Yep, that $1,7 million could have been used to give each of the 46 million folks on food stamps 3.7 cents each.

:roll:

Great attitude...hey, what's an extra government bailout of a company for $500 million, that's less then $2 per American?

What's another unnecessary government ________ program for $2 billion...it's 'only' $6 bucks per American.

Why can't the POTUS waste money...it only costs Americans a few pennies?

Almost any amount can sound justified if you break it down...and you know it.

 

[WCH]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

:roll:

Great attitude...hey, what's an extra government bailout of a company for $500 million, that's less then $2 per American?

What's another unnecessary government ________ program for $2 billion...it's 'only' $6 bucks per American.

Why can't the POTUS waste money...it only costs Americans a few pennies?

Almost any amount can sound justified if you break it down...and you know it.

You mean it only cost those who actually pay taxes.

 

[ttwtt78640]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

:roll:

Great attitude...hey, what's an extra government bailout of a company for $500 million, that's less then $2 per American?

What's another unnecessary government ________ program for $2 billion...it's 'only' $6 bucks per American.

Why can't the POTUS waste money...it only costs Americans a few pennies?

Almost any amount can sound justified if you break it down...and you know it.

Exactly. You get all outraged over $1.7 million spent on a G20 conference and say virtually nothing about a $40 million investigation/report about some "scandal" dating back to 2006. At least try to get outraged over the bigger ticket items.

 

[DA60]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Exactly. You get all outraged over $1.7 million spent on a G20 conference and say virtually nothing about a $40 million investigation/report about some "scandal" dating back to 2006. At least try to get outraged over the bigger ticket items.

1) I am not 'all outraged'...please don't speak for me. Nothing posted on this board 'all outrages' me.

2) If I got 'all outraged' over everything outrageous about government spending, I would never stop being 'outraged'.

3) What's it to you what I choose to get 'all outraged' (as you put it) about?

 

[Grant]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

'President Obama's one-night stay in Brisbane for the G20 summit cost taxpayers $1.7 million, a report has revealed.
The cost is said to have covered 4,096 rooms at three separate hotels for his entourage of security guards and assistants on November 15.
According to the Justification document published by the White House, it was 'fair and reasonable based on the pricing available across the city of Brisbane at the time of the visit'.'

...

'Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott opted for the thrifty $270-a-night Rydges hotel, while Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe required just $170 of public funds for his stay at Novotel'


Read more: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 summit in Australia | Daily Mail Online


He does know what currency is right? That things actually cost money? Taxpayers money?


I can see the democrat excuses even now...

'He is the President, he deserves such luxury' (Personal note - the taxpayers deserve not to have to pay for this insane luxury. You want this ridiculousness while 46 million Americans are on food stamps...pay for it yourself pal).
'This was already budgeted' (Personal note - they budgeted for spending insanity?)
'Bush blah blah blah...so that makes it okay.'


Btw, I am neither dem nor rep.

here's a comparison with other countries. Still Number One in Entourages! :: SteynOnline

Will they check the Aussie translator this time using the same criteria they used in South Africa?

 

[AliHajiSheik]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Well they would also have to buy empty rooms to create a security zone of rooms or even entire floors around rooms like the president's suite.

I can understand a few floors and such, but there are no huge hotels in Brisbane. How many planes would have to be used to bring that number of people to occupy even half those rooms?

One thing I find very weird is that the number of rooms is exactly 2 to the 12th power in number (2^12).

 

[WhyteRash]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Yep, that $1,7 million could have been used to give each of the 46 million folks on food stamps 3.7 cents each.

or paid about a dozen farmers not to farm..

 

[ttwtt78640]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

or paid about a dozen farmers not to farm..

Farm subsidies, while not the brightest use of tax money, are also small potatoes when compared to SNAP which is about 80% of the USDA budget.

 

[TBone]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Regardless of the fact that it was a Dem or GOP, it is the POTUS, and in order to ensure that he has adequate security, etc., and this is a conference that the USA must attend, it is an expenditure that is required. How much do the British pay for the Royals?

 

[Grant]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Regardless of the fact that it was a Dem or GOP, it is the POTUS, and in order to ensure that he has adequate security, etc., and this is a conference that the USA must attend, it is an expenditure that is required. How much do the British pay for the Royals?

Here are some numbers! The Royal Presidency | National Review Online

 

[JasperL]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Another BS story from the right wing. The headline cited by the OP provides the obvious clue, "President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 summit in Australia."

Well, no. Some unknown costs for the entire U.S. delegation, from security to support to diplomats to the POTUS, totaled $1.7 million for the entire time U.S. personnel were on site prepping for, during, and after the Summit, which was far longer than "one night."

1) The 4,096 figure was total nights for all of the delegation, so if 1 security person arrived two weeks early to set up security, stayed during the conference, and a few days after for clean up/removal, he or she would count for perhaps 20 nights of the total. Same with all the diplomats who spend days or weeks in pre-Summit meetings so the big boys arrive during the Summit and announce what it took weeks for underlings to accomplish.
2) There is no breakdown of the costs, so who knows what the totals include.
3) How large was the delegation and who did it include? Who knows..
4) How much of the delegation was security/diplomats/support/POTUS and assistants, etc.?
5) Is the delegation larger or smaller than in previous years/administrations? Who knows...
6) Who among the delegation should have been left at home?

Etc.

Just another edition of "Obama Outrage O' The Day" from the right wing puke funnel.

 

[Grant]

Re: President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 su

Another BS story from the right wing. The headline cited by the OP provides the obvious clue, "President Obama charges taxpayers $1.7 MILLION for one-night hotel stay at G20 summit in Australia."

Well, no. Some unknown costs for the entire U.S. delegation, from security to support to diplomats to the POTUS, totaled $1.7 million for the entire time U.S. personnel were on site prepping for, during, and after the Summit, which was far longer than "one night."

1) The 4,096 figure was total nights for all of the delegation, so if 1 security person arrived two weeks early to set up security, stayed during the conference, and a few days after for clean up/removal, he or she would count for perhaps 20 nights of the total. Same with all the diplomats who spend days or weeks in pre-Summit meetings so the big boys arrive during the Summit and announce what it took weeks for underlings to accomplish.
2) There is no breakdown of the costs, so who knows what the totals include.
3) How large was the delegation and who did it include? Who knows..
4) How much of the delegation was security/diplomats/support/POTUS and assistants, etc.?
5) Is the delegation larger or smaller than in previous years/administrations? Who knows...
6) Who among the delegation should have been left at home? Etc. Just another edition of "Obama Outrage O' The Day" from the right wing puke funnel.

Lots of questions but, as in the case of the IRS, Fast and Furious, etc., don't expect any immediate answers.