Obama Entourage Spares No Expense
By Wyatt Earp | October 25, 2010
On the same day that the AP posts a story claiming Barack Obama will practice fiscal discipline during the last two years of his term, we get this story from the Economic Times describing the Obama’s mammoth Indian entourage. The Obama posse will consist of two jumbo jets (in addition to Air Force One), several smaller jets, and a 45 vehicle motorcade. All for a two-day trip to India. Who’s paying for all of this?
US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle will be extremely busy in Mumbai, upon landing on November 6 for a two day India visit.
To ensure fool-proof security, the President’s team has booked the entire the Taj Mahal Hotel, including 570 rooms, all banquets and restaurants. Since his security contingent and staff will comprise a huge number, 125 rooms at Taj President have also been booked, apart from 80 to 90 rooms each in Grand Hyatt and The Oberoi hotels. The NCPA, where the President is expected to meet representatives from the business community, has also been entirely booked.
The officer said, “Obama’s contingent is huge. There are two jumbo jets coming along with Air Force One, which will be flanked by security jets. There will be 30 to 40 secret service agents, who will arrive before him. The President’s convoy has 45 cars, including the Lincoln Continental in which the President travels.”
Look, I get the security issue. I really do. The president needs to be protected, especially when he is traveling abroad. But to me, this seems like expense for expense’s sake during a crippling recession. Am I wrong?
Topics: Politics | 20 Comments »
October 25th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Bo can bite can’t he? Thats all thats really needed..A Boy and his Dog.
I tried calling Mumbai to verify and got this message:
(read with Indian accent)..”Could you hold please!?..We’re all dying of malaria here!”
October 25th, 2010 at 7:31 am
Sounds to me that is just Barry being Barry. Crap on the bitter-clingers and you and your pals live it up!!!
October 25th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Jon – I’m sure Obama’s hotel is malaria-free.
Roger – Three jumbo jets for a two-day trip. Ridiculous.
October 25th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Maybe he could take the camel shortcut thru the Khyber Pass? They could splurge on a two hump model.
October 25th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Does Bo the Dog get his own plane?
October 25th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Jon – Michelle has a camel toe. Is that good enough?
Ferrell – You laugh, but he did when they went to Maine!
October 25th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
They need rooms in 4 hotels. How many people are going? WTF. And this is a trip to one of our allies. I thought it was all going to be peace and love when the great uniter got to be President.
October 25th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Ingineer66 – Yeah, peace through superior numbers (and hotel rooms).
October 25th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
of COURSE he needs all those jets! What is India’s Air Force made of? Flying Carpets powered by magical oil lamps?
October 25th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Your Moochelle comment caused me to lose my lunch due to the mental picture.
October 25th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Dr. Evil – But they have Mola Ram from the Indiana Jones films. He would take Obama’s heart if he had one.
Rick – Sorry about that.
October 25th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Wyatt-
Besides her being overly hairy,
I always thought she was quite..a dromedary.
Exploring my poetic roots.
October 25th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Am I wrong?
Not only are you NOT wrong, while he’s over there, I think we should explore the possibilities of a trade, whereas they KEEP him and his entourage in exchange for HOWEVER many gas stations, 7-11′s and Dunkin’ Donut franchises it will take to seal the deal.
October 25th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Well I hate to be a contrarian here Wyatt, but I don’t know who the hell all is flying in those two extra Jumbo Jets.
I would suppose at least SOME of them are members of the USSS and the rest are either ass kissers from the MSM (excuse the redundancy) but if BOTH Jumbo jets are for either the press or his security, I wouldn’t bitch and moan. After all, wasn’t it the Taj that the Al-Q and ISA trained terrorists attacked.
Now if, OTOH, one of those Jumbo Jets is packed with his “friends and acquaintances” (actually I don’t think he has that many friends and acquaintances but………) then they sure as hell ought not to be flying on our dime.
I’d really REALLY like to know who is on those 2 Jumbo Jets.
October 25th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Realwest raised the most obvious question… The USSS and Marines will fly separately on C-17s with the helos and vehicles (that is about a three bird lift). 900 rooms ARE a bit much, but that’s just me…
October 25th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Not sure on the details here, but 3 jets is normal. 2 identical 747s and a C-17 that has the limo and security vehicles. Unless they mean 3 jumbo jets as in an extra 747 for extra folks. So that might not be that big of a deal. The 1000 hotel rooms irritates me.
October 26th, 2010 at 8:09 am
JT – Oh, I am so in for that!
Real – I’m guessing friends and well-wishers. All traveling on our dime.
Old NFO – And, as always, I bow to your superior intellect on the matter.
Ingineer66 – For some reason, I imagine a room for every single person.
October 26th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I was going to comment on the cameltoe comment, but Rick beat me to it.
Bright side of this, if he’s on vacation, he’s not at home legislating.
October 29th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
They’re got the count as 40 aircraft now:
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/117956/LATEST%20HEADLINES/taj-trip-included-in-barack-obamas-itinerary.html
40… WTF???
November 4th, 2010 at 7:01 am
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