As bu$h sells his illegal war - we get to pick up the ticket

[liberal N proud]

He is out there pumping fear into the voter while we have to pay the bill...

Taxpayers pay for Bush's campaign travel

Presidential sojourns expected to increase as November elections near

WASHINGTON - Bankrolled almost entirely by taxpayers, President Bush is roaming far and wide on Air Force One to help Republicans retain control of Congress and capture statehouse contests in high-stakes midterm elections.

In 15 months, including back-to-back fundraisers Wednesday in Little Rock, Ark., and Nashville, Tenn., Bush has collected $166 million for the campaign accounts of 27 Republican candidates, the national GOP and its state counterparts across the country, according to the Republican National Committee.

Travel expected to increase
All this to-and-fro presidential politicking is only expected to increase as November draws closer. And it is the taxpayers, not the campaigns or political parties, who foot most of the travel bill.

When Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, first lady Laura Bush or any federal official helps a candidate, Federal Election Commission guidelines say the campaign must reimburse the government only the equivalent of a first-class fare for each political traveler on each leg of the trip. Typically, that means paying a few hundred or at most a few thousand dollars to cover the president and a couple of aides from the White House Office of Political Affairs.

Bush's travels
Nearly two-thirds of Bush's travel days outside of Washington for political appearances this election cycle have included an "official" event. Most of the time, the two events are near enough not to require a separate flight, making it even more economical for the campaign.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14588025/

:argh: :mad:

[C_U_L8R]

1. Isn't that illegal ??

good gravy.... it should be.

such crass abuse of office.

[liberal N proud]

2. They combine trips to make sure they don't break the rules

They make sure to have an official activity somewhere close to the campaign stop and then tough shit we get to pay for it.