Judicial Watch Obtains Documents Detailing the Cost to Taxpayers for Michelle Obama’s

[Clementine]

According to U.S. Department of Defense’s published hourly rates for the C-32A aircraft used for the trip, Judicial Watch calculated the total cost to American taxpayers was $424,142 for use of the aircraft (34.8 flight hours x $12,188 per hour). (The C-32 is a specially configured military version of the Boeing 757.) Other expenses – meals (off the plane), transportation, security, various services, etc. – have yet to be disclosed. The passenger manifests confirm the presence of Obama’s daughter’s, Malia and Sasha on the trip. The two girls are listed as “Senior Staff.” The manifests also list Mrs. Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, and niece and nephew, Leslie and Avery Robinson, as well Mrs. Obama’s makeup and hairstylist (Carl Ray and Johnny Wright). The expense records also show $928.44 was spent for “bulk food” purchases on flight. Overall, during the trip, 192 meals were served for the 21 passengers on board.

WTF. Obama's daughters are senior staff?? Does this mean they get paid, too? We're supposed to pay for official business, but looks like we're paying for their family vacation and they take relatives along for the ride.

“This trip was as much an opportunity for the Obama family to go on a safari as it was a trip to conduct government business,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “This junket wasted tax dollars and the resources of our overextended military. No wonder we had to sue to pry loose this information.”

Judicial Watch had to sue for the information. What else would you expect from the man who falsely claimed his administration would be transparent?

Judicial Watch Obtains Documents Detailing the Cost to Taxpayers for Michelle Obama’s Family Trip to Africa
Judicial Watch Obtains Documents Detailing the Cost to Taxpayers for Michelle Obama

 

[RoadVirus]

The Obama spin machine is no doubt working double time to counter this.

 

[Conservative]

A... October 4, 2011... old news

B... Listing the girls as 'senior staff' was most likely a security thing, so I have no problem with that.

Now, having said that, the overall cost of the trip does seem a little over the top.

 

[Claudette]

Its expensive to fly AF1 no matter who's on it and security doesn't come cheaply either.

I have no problem with the Prez and family taking a VK.