AP Finally Notices that the Obama Inaugration (Obamapalooza, Obamafest) is Getting Pricey

To quote the AP,  “Unemployment is up. The stock market is down. Let’s party”. Oh but wait there is a lame justification, its not a party according to Obama transition team, “It is not a celebration of an election. It is a celebration of our common values.”

How could anyone in the face of such economic times think its a good thing to over spend for a pomp and glitz? As politicians tell us to be responsible and tell corporations how to spend their money, Obamapalooza has spent without conscience. Is this the right message? Where is the outrage? Imagine, just imagine if GWB had ever done something quite like this? Remember when Democrats complained about the Federal deficit?

The AP finally woken up and realized that Obamafest has got expensive. Although they are a day late and a dollar short in reporting the fact that the price tag to Obamapalooza, President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration gala, has gotten way out of hand, especially considering the present situation of today’s US economy, they did at least address the situation in an article, ‘Obama hosting pricey party in a dicey economy’. Can you only imagine if Republicans spent like this during such economic times for a party. Why is anyone surprised, their Democrats and what do Democrats do best, SPEND! Have an issue, got a problem, throw money at it. That’s the ticket.

The price tag for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration gala is expected to break records, with some estimates reaching as high as $150 million. Despite the bleak economy, however, Democrats who called on President George W. Bush to be frugal four years ago are issuing no such demands now that an inaugural weekend of rock concerts and star-studded parties has begun.

Obama’s inaugural committee has raised more than $41 million to cover events ranging from a Philadelphia-to-Washington train ride to a megastar concert with Beyonce, U2 and Bruce Springsteen to 10 official inaugural balls. Add to that the massive costs of security and transportation — costs absorbed by U.S. taxpayers — and the historic inauguration will produce an equally historic bill.

In 2005, Reps. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., and Jim McDermott, D-Wash., asked Bush to show a little less pomp and be a little more circumspect at his party.

However, believe it or not with the skyrocketing costs of the Obama Inauguration reaching $150 million, believe it or not they actually tried to keep prices down. Can you imagine if they didn’t try? As Wizbang states, “and here is the spew-inducing quote of the day — I’m warning you, swallow your coffee first.” And yes Wizbang, we like   “PortaPottyPalooza” much better.

It appears that Town Hall find the quote of the Obama transition team to be quite comical as well as to the backlash of all the inaugural pomp and circumstance during tough economic times.

Obama’s inauguration committee says it is mindful of the times and is not worried people will see the four days of festivities as excessive.

“That is probably not the way the country is going to be looking at it,” said committee spokeswoman Linda Douglass. “It is not a celebration of an election. It is a celebration of our common values.”

Douglass said the campaign sought to keep costs down by having the same decorations at each of the 10 balls, eliminating floral arrangements and negotiating prices on food.

“Those at the Obama administration are trying to be reflective of the climate,” McDermott’s spokesman, Mike DeCeasar, said Saturday.

The over spending during tough economic times as opposed the the questioning of past events by GWB is not lost at Red State.

Where are the disquiet and the demands to be more circumspect now? We are still at war, and as Obama likes to say we are “in the midst of a crisis unlike any we have seen in our lifetime.” Do we hear calls for a short speech and cold chicken salad? No, instead the Democrats’ Obamafest requires a state of emergency and $170 million.

UPDATE I: What Recession? The $170 Million Inauguration

The country is in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, which isn’t stopping rich donors and the government from spending $170 million, or more, on the inauguration of Barack Obama .

Wait, there is a good reason to spend all this money into the teeth of a Recession or as Democrats like to call it, The Great Depression II. It’s ok according to Obama’s people because the $170 million is going to  make Americans feel like we are all in this together. What!!! Couldn’t we have just had a group hug, wouldn’t that have been cheaper? Then again, it ok once again because there are plenty of rich donors willing to pick up the tab and God only knows they don’t expect favors in the future. Hell no, its Barack Obama and he does not believe in special interest money … some one tell us where is the change?

“The money is going toward providing events which we hope are going to connect people, make them feel like we are all in this together and reinforce the notion that when we pull together, we’re stronger,” Douglass said. “And we need to pull together to face the challenges that are before us today.”

Some Inaugurations Are More Equal Than Others