White House makes CEOs pay for lunch

[Perky]

Four of the most powerful business leaders in America arrived at the White House one day last month for lunch with President Barack Obama, sitting down in his private dining room just steps from the Oval Office.

But even for powerful CEOs, there’s no such thing as a free lunch: White House staffers collected credit card numbers for each executive and carefully billed them for the cost of the meal with the president.

The White House defended the unusual move as a way to avoid conflicts of interest. But the Bush administration didn’t charge presidential guests for meals, one former official said, and at least one etiquette expert found the whole thing unseemly – suggesting it was a serious breach of protocol.

“I’m sure they have their political reasons for doing that, but I think it’s not what quote, hospitality, unquote is all about,” said Letitia Baldrige, who headed Jacqueline Kennedy’s White House staff in the early 1960s. “We’ve got to relax about this. To have people to the White House and worry about the price of things is laughable.”

“I don’t know what the menu was, but I’m sure it wasn’t braised pheasant,” she said.

The White House did not say what was served for lunch or how much the attendees were charged. A spokeswoman said White House staff collected the credit card numbers separately from the event.

Around the table with Barack Obama that afternoon were Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox Corporation; Muhtar Kent, CEO of The Coca-Cola Company; AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson; and Honeywell International CEO Dave Cote.

“From time to time, White House guests are asked to reimburse for their meals, the reasons include ensuring there is no conflict or appearance of a conflict,” said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki. “That is consistent with our tough ethics rules and we will continue the practice when appropriate.”


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25627.html#ixzz0MmlYWoSC

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Good!

[rvablue]

2. First, I think it's lame whatever multi-millionaire felt the need to leak this story. Second, I

think it's kind of weird to make them pay for a sandwich when, maybe not these CEOs, but others who took billions of tax dollars are still giving lavish paychecks to their employees.

I was just raised, if you invite someone over, you pay for the eats.

It's no big deal. Just find it strange and kind of useless.

[dflprincess]

36. It's an empty gesture

and means nothing.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. That's just rude.

If it's an ethics issue all that needs to be done is to make sure the public record indicates who met with the POTUS and the business reason for the meeting.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Exactly. They don't have to have fois gras. nt

[RollWithIt]

8. Ok, so the CEO of Exxon Mobile goes to a White House Luncheon, gets a $500 meal for free

And only a record of a meeting taking place? I like the idea of charging them. It's taxpayer money they're eating btw.

[Gormy Cuss]

10. It's still rude.

No need to feed them $500 meals either.

[JuniperLea]

12. Did you see the invite?

Do you know for a fact they didn't all know about this before they accepted the invitation?

If it were rude, no one would have attended. I don't consider looking after my hard earned tax money as rude.

[Gormy Cuss]

26. I don't know for a fact anything about the invitation. Have you seen it?

As for no one attending because it's rude, I think you're underestimating the eagerness of the CEOs to have an audience with Obama.

It makes people feel good to think the CEOs had to pay for lunch but it's not only a breach of etiquette it's peanuts compared to the amount of money those CEOs save their corporations by using every loophole in our tax code. I'd rather pay for a luncheon where they're told to start paying up like good corporate citizens.

[JuniperLea]

52. I'm not sure where this idea came from that it's a breach of etiquette...

I throw several corporate luncheons and other gatherings a year; my sister does nothing else but manage those gatherings. A cover charge, even buying a table at $5000+ isn't unusual, and this isn't for a fundraiser either. This is to get an audience with politicos or corporate CEO's. The charge pays for the food, parking, overhead, hall rental, service, and the event planners. I have two requests in for tables as I type... one is political, one is banking and corporate in nature. This is in no way a breach of etiquette... not in the slightest. This is just another lie we've been fed, and because most of us aren't exposed to such things on an administrative level, we believe.

[Gormy Cuss]

59. Letitia Baldridge, quoted in the OP

She's the doyenne of White House protocol. If the president wants to avoid a conflict of interest the easiest way would be to schedule meetings without meals.

Selling tables for corporate functions is somewhat different. As you noted, it goes to pay for the planning, space, and amenities. It's probably also a business expense that will be deducted from taxable income, so in the long run taxpayers are subsidizing those luncheons too in the form of lost tax revenue.

[JuniperLea]

60. She was social secretary to Jackie Kennedy...

I'm sorry, things have changed. I don't think she's credible any more than I think my third grade teacher, who taught me grammar the way she was taught forty years earlier, is a viable source of grammatical information now.

[Gormy Cuss]

64. I'm sorry, but dismissing Baldridge that way is just silly.

Baldridge didn't hide in a cave after leaving White House service. She's been writing widely used etiquette books ever since. Her most recent book on the topic was within the last ten years.

We had lots of etiquette breaches in the Bush White House (shoulder rubs to foreign leaders and a vice president dressed like Elmer Fudd at a solemn public ceremony, for example.) Obama has more class in his little finger than that freak show but charging for a meal at the White House is not good etiquette no matter what the guise.

[rvablue]

14. $500 meal?!?!?!?!?! What do you think they're serving up for lunch at the WH?

[RollWithIt]

28. To be honest, I don't know, but I still think it's important to cut costs on all levels...

I am a small business owner. Every day I struggle with bills vs income. I think it would be great for small business if these things were all regulated and it wasn't always left to the little guy (US Taxpayer) to pay for free commerce.

[TankLV]

49. Jellied Candied Sour Old Wrinkled Elephant Balls...

With a Viagra twist...

I never got to read past the apetiser...

[Abq_Sarah]

44. This was wrong, period.

It's a breach of etiquette to turn down a lunch invitation with the President. To be charged for that lunch is absurd. Can you imagine being invited to your congressman's house for a meal and then to have the cook come round with a credit card machine after coffee is served?

If the President is worried about a conflict with taxpayer money, as host he needs to pay for it himself.

[lame54]

67. yes but in a good way

[MercutioATC]

4. I think we can probably afford to feed people who have lunch with the President.

I see where they're coming from, but it strikes me as very tacky.

[Cha]

34. Who cares? Either way, you'd

have something to complain about.

[MercutioATC]

35. I don't complain about the President feeding invited guests.

Perhaps you're confusing me with somebody who has no sense of etiquette.

[BlooInBloo]

5. It's funny watching the Obama-can-do-no-right crowd....

He charges them: he's tacky.
He doesn't charge them: ZOMG! HE'S BOUGHT AND PAID FOR! HE'S GIVING OUR MONEY AWAY TO THE RICH WALLSTREETERS!!!

With friends like these....


:rofl:

[Zynx]

7. You stated it succinctly and correctly.

[silverweb]

17. Exactly!

I think it's a very appropriate symbolic gesture. The price of lunch isn't even pocket change to these CEOs, but their egos are horrendously sensitive.

Charging them for lunch during their very privileged "face time" with this President is just a way of letting them know they don't run things in the White House anymore, and they're just not as special as they were under Bush.

And I love it!

[girl gone mad]

21. On the list of things to worry about..

whether or not CEOs pay for the sandwiches they are served in the WH dining room is way, way, way down at the bottom.

[goclark]

24. Bingo!

[harun]

54. Well put.

[ellie]

63. Thank you

It is really getting ridiculous.

[mkultra]

65. again you win. +infinity

[glowing]

9. I think its great.. you know who has to pay for those lunches if the CEO's don't?

You and me. Tax payer money.. Think they've gotten enough. They already have a personal seat at the table. How many of us will ever be invited to lunch with the President to ask him for personal favors that make our lives, jobs or whatever easier and better? They have wayyyy too much buying power as it is. I wish he'd invite avg people within the companies that the CEO's represent. Then the bottom employees can explain to the CEO's what is wrong, what would save money, and what would make a better company.. and offer a perspective of how the rest of the country is really feeling.. not just the elites.

[JuniperLea]

11. I bet it was no surprise... I bet the invite stated the charge...

This is bogus. Some coward leaked this and framed it his/her own way to make it appear a fast one was being pulled.

Good for Obama! It sends a powerful message that he can't be bought, and he isn't going to treat the wealthy to perks or engage in any give and take back scratching.

Go Obama!

[Beaverhausen]

13. Of course, the CEOs put the lunch on their expense account

It's not out of their pocket, either.

[Gormy Cuss]

27. And that becomes a cost item for the corporation and reduces the taxable profits.

We pay for it either way.

[DrToast]

15. Wait until they find out it was just a plot to ring up $700 billion on their credit cards!

;)

[silverweb]

20. I wish!

:D

[wroberts189]

40. hehe :) nt

[kestrel91316]

16. As a taxpayer, I don't want CEOs getting free lunch on MY dime.

Good for the WH. It's about time.

[Fire1]

18. And that's exactly why the WH charged. n/t

[wroberts189]

19. I would be happy to pay for a meal with the POTUS.

And I can barely afford a night out at Chilli's

And these CEO's make millions ..its less then buying a postage stamp for them and I am sure they will charge their company or write it off.


I cannot believe their are people here who say its wrong or impolite. Why should the taxpayers pay ?

[high density]

22. That's fine by me

When I visit DC I don't get free meals.

[Laelth]

23. That's senseless, silly, and rude.

When you invite someone to lunch, you're supposed to pick up the tab.

:dem:

-Laelth

[RollWithIt]

30. God forbid that these multi millionares would actually have to pay for their lunch!!!!!!

I mean, how dare they? Those limo riding high flying make it rain 10 bedroom home owning masterminds should never, ever, have to pay for something as low as a sandwich.

Huh?

[Laelth]

31. I am perfectly willing to pay more taxes ...

... so that my President doesn't have to insult his guests.

Are we charging ambassadors from other countries when they visit?

:shrug:

:dem:

-Laelth

[RollWithIt]

38. Insult his "guests???" Ridiculous...

His guests ask for the meetings twice a day. That's capitalism. They want to play, then they pay for their stupid meals. Insult? wtf are you thinking?

[wroberts189]

42. insult them? ..I hope he smacked them around as well. nt

[proud patriot]

25. ohhh those poor Ceo's

:sarcasm:

[firedupdem]

29. Good...let them pay. They can certainly afford it. They are so

worried about money being spent, pay for your damn meals then.

[Amos Moses]

32. Of all things for this administration to take a stand on,

they decide to get tough on lunch. Way to stick it to the man, Barack! :eyes:

[Cha]

37. That's not the only shit they've taken a stand

on, rolly eyes..but, you knew that.

Political Tiger (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-20-09 06:36 PM
Original message

"What your President has accomplished just 6 months into his first term

Signed executive orders to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, within a year, ban torture and end the CIA’s secret overseas prisons and define treatment of Detainees.

Reversed restrictions on stem cell research.

Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Reducing discrimination based on gender, age, religion, or race.

Signed an executive order reversing the ban that prohibits funding to international family planning groups that provide abortions. Gag rule revoked (Mexico City policy).

Creates the White House Council on Women and Girls "to provide a coordinated federal response to the challenges confronted by women and girls and to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies consider how their policies and programs impact women and families."

Signed a Presidental Memorandum extending federal benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers and announced support for the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009.

Reverses U.S. position on LGBT Issues at the UN: At the "Durban Review Conference," U.S. supports language condemning “all forms of discrimination and all other human rights violations based on sexual orientation.”

Signed executive order requiring federal contractors to offer jobs to current workers when contracts change.

Reversed a Bush order requiring federal contractors to post notice that workers can limit financial support of unions serving as their exclusive bargaining representatives.

Signed executive order preventing federal contractors from being reimbursed for expenses meant to influence workers deciding whether to form a union and engage in collective bargaining.

Created a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners.

Expanded eligibility for the refinancing portion of the Making Home Affordable plan to help Americans struggling with distressed mortgages refinance at lower interest rates, even if they owe up to 25 percent more than their homes are now worth.

Established a credit card "bill of rights".

Expanded loan programs for small businesses.

Extended and index the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch.

Expanded eligibility for State Children's Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP).

Expanded funding to train primary care providers and public health practitioners.

Created a new White House task force on the problems of middle-class Americans, and installed Vice President Joe Biden as its chairman.

Appoints Vice President Joe Biden to Oversee Stimulus Plan Payouts.

Granted a reprieve to Liberian immigrants facing imminent expulsion.

Directed military leaders to end war in Iraq.

Allowing Caskets to be photographed when the return from Iraq with family approval.

Released nine previously secret internal Justice Department memos and opinions defining the legal limits of government power in combating terrorism.

On Arab TV Network, Obama Urges Dialogue.

Gave a speech in Cairo engaging the Muslim and Arab world.

Bars independent contractors from conducting interrogations of terror suspects.

Granted Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send money to Cuba.

Ordered the release of nearly a quarter of a million pages of records from the Reagan White House that were kept from the public during a lengthy review by President George W. Bush.

Restored funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program.

Released presidential records.

Required new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliation or contributions.

Pushed for enactment of Matthew Shepard Act, which expands hate crime law to include sexual orientation and other factors.

Invites gay families to the Easter Egg Roll as part of the Obama administration's outreach to diverse communities.

Created a White House Office on Urban Policy.

Increased funding for the NEA.

Appointed an assistant to the president for science and technology policy.

Funded a major expansion of AmeriCorps.

Banned lobbyist gifts to executive employees.

Investment in all types of alternative energy.

Enacted tax credit for consumers for plug-in hybrid cars.

Support for high-speed rail.

Provided grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes.

Extended unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits.

Created the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers to help auto industry workers transition to new manufacturing opportunities, including jobs in alternative energy.

Stopped raids on medical marijuana dispensers.

Nominated Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States. If confirmed, Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic to ever serve on the Supreme Court.

Appointed more than 60 openly LGBT persons to positions in the executive branch.

Issues Presidential Proclamation for Pride, proclaiming June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.

Signed a mercury reduction pact with 140 other nations.

Signed the Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act to curb wasteful spending by the Pentagon. Intended to price contracts and budgets lower; may potentially save billions of dollars in defense.

Signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, which serves to protect two million acres of land and creates a new system of land conservation for the Bureau of Land Management.

Phase out government payments to crop producers making more than $500,000 a year and eliminates subsidies for cotton storage to help trim the U.S. budget deficit.

Cut funding for a proposed U.S. nuclear storage facility at Yucca Mountain.

Restored Endangered Species Act Provision requiring U.S. agencies consult with independent federal experts to determine if their actions might harm threatened and endangered species.

Orders The Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration "to protect and restore the health, heritage, natural resources, and social and economic value of the Nation's largest estuarine ecosystem and the natural sustainability of its watershed."

Signed the 2009 Omnibus Public Land Management Act designating two million additional acres of public wilderness areas the highest level of government protection from logging and other forms of commercial use and development.

Signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act which will expedite the search for cures and treatments for millions of Americans living with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury, stroke, MS, Parkinson's and many other diseases and disorders.

Established The Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record, a new system for updating medical records of servicemen and women both during and after their military careers.

Established the White House Office of Health Reform

Created new and stronger safety standards to safeguard the country's food supply."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8538282

[santamargarita]

33. And I hope the cook pissed in their Clam Chowder

(The CEO's, of course)

[wroberts189]

43. I don't think that was p... err nevermind. nt

[anonymous171]

39. Kind of a dick move but I like it anyways. nt

[wroberts189]

41. These CEO's would be the first to say "no such thing as a free lunch" to their workers. nt

[Jennicut]

45. Good, it was rude and they deserve it. I'd make them clean up in the kitchen afterward

too. These idiots get free breaks everywhere. Making them pay for one little meal is no big deal. I have a small violin ready for anyone who is offended by etiquette.

[Hawkowl]

46. I like it

It sends a powerful signal to the business elite that are destroying this country.

Now, I want to see another lunch with regular folks, community activists etc. completely gratis!

Because that sends a message also.

[quakerboy]

47. This seems counterintuitive

I'm pretty sure the idea is that Corp/CEO/lobbyists buy things for/donate to pols to win their votes. Politicians trying to bribe CEO's with food seems somewhat... unlikely.

On the flip side, fiscal responsibility, I suppose.

[TankLV]

48. You know, I would almost DIE to have THAT credit card bill on MY statement!!!

"Lunch at the White House"

better than an autographed picture almost!!!

I can almost hear the new commercial:

Cab fare - Twenty Bucks...
Time Lost From Work...( )
Lunch Tab - Fifty Bucks...

Dinner At The WHITE HOUSE with OBAMA - PRICELESS!!!

[depakid]

50. Politico

What else can you say?

[Wilms]

51. I hope they remembered to tip the wait staff. n/t

[ensho]

53. good

nt

[nini]

55. CEOs don't pay for anything - they'll expense this

just like they do their cars, their gas, their flights, their hotels, their everything. On top of their bloated salaries they don't have to pay for anything on top of it.

They should have not charged them but served them baloney sandwiches and a bag of fritos. Fuck 'em.

[masuki bance]

56. Did they charge Gates and Crowley for the beers? nt

[Cha]

58. Why don't you don't find out and

report back.

[Canuckistanian]

57. CEO's get treated every day by the government

Obama was just drawing the line somewhere.

Besides, the government is still paying for this. Each and every one of the CEO's will get to write this off as a business expense.

[lumberjack_jeff]

61. CEO's are not dignitaries.

Breach of protocol my ass.

They may get fealty in their workplaces, but in an audience with the king, they're just a bunch of chumps with their hands out.

[RedCloud]

62. tanstaafl. CEOs need to brush up on that.

Of course they are too busy playing games with our tax dollars.

[mkultra]

66. the only people here complaining are the O-haters