I suppose I am supposed to be the “Outraged Conservative” about this here. Well, Surprise.
Unemployment is up. The stock market is down. Let’s party.
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.
“President Roosevelt held his 1945 inaugural at the White House, making a short speech and serving guests cold chicken salad and plain pound cake,” the two lawmakers wrote in a letter. “During World War I, President Wilson did not have any parties at his 1917 inaugural, saying that such festivities would be undignified.”
The thinking was that, with the nation at war, excessive celebration was inappropriate. Four years later, the nation is still at war. Unemployment has risen sharply. And Obama pressed Congress to release the second half of a $700 billion bailout package in hopes of rescuing a faltering banking industry.
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. — via Obama hosting pricey party in a dicey economy – AP.
Okay, call me the guy who just cannot muster the strength to complain about this. The facts are that this is the first African-American President; I think that he has earned the right to whoop it up a little. I mean, after all, A great percentage of Americans voted for the man. He won fair and square. So, I won’t be in amongst of the crowd of Conservatives who are going to bash him for this. I might bash him on some things, but this is not one of them.
He did win and he deserves to celebrate. I will give him that.
Others:, NewsBusters.org, Scared Monkeys, Wizbang, Right Wing News, Redhot, Townhall.com, Macsmind and RedState
Update #1: Interestingly, but not surprisingly; Larry Johnson disagrees. Seeing Larry was one of the original racist PUMA’s or Hillary Supporters.