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Michelle Obama’s Spain Vacation Cost Taxpayers $467,585
National Review.com ^ | 4/26/12 | Jim Geraghty

Posted on 04/26/2012 11:31:32 AM PDT by ColdOne

Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and fights government corruption, announced today that it obtained documents from the United States Air Force and the United States Secret Service detailing costs associated with Michelle Obama’scontroversial August 2010 vacation to Spain. According to a Judicial Watch analysis, the records indicate a total combined cost of at least $467,585.

Judicial Watch obtained the Secret Service records pursuant to an August 2010 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. (The agency notified Judicial Watch that it withheld 78 pages of responsive records in their entirety.) Judicial Watch obtained the U.S. Air Force records pursuant to a March 5, 2012, FOIA lawsuit.

The following are highlights from the U.S. Air Force records, which indicate a total cost of $213,124.15:

According to U.S. Department of Defense’s 2010 published hourly rates, the total cost of flying Michelle Obama and her guests from Camp Andrews to Malaga and then to Mallorca and back to the United States was $199,323.75. This is based on approximately 17 hours and 15 minutes of total flying time.The 15-member flight crew stayed at Tryp Guadalmar, a nearby motel. Lodging cost was $10,290.60 and car rental cost was $2,633.50. Food cost was $876.30, including $57.68 for four bottles of maple syrup and a package of pancake mix.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Government
KEYWORDS: 2012; governmentwaste; michelleobama; moochelle; obama; obamavacation; vacationinspain; vacations
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1 posted on 04/26/2012 11:31:38 AM PDT by ColdOne
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To: ColdOne

In fairness, taxpayers would’ve volunteered more if it’d have kept her out of the country longer.

SnakeDoc


2 posted on 04/26/2012 11:33:10 AM PDT by SnakeDoctor ("I've shot people I like more for less." -- Raylan Givens, Justified)
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To: ColdOne

Almost half a mil of OPM for a vacation means that at last, Michelle can experience the lifestyle of an ordinary White American.


3 posted on 04/26/2012 11:36:15 AM PDT by Steely Tom (If the Constitution can be a living document, I guess a corporation can be a person.)
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To: ColdOne
announced today that it obtained documents from the United States Air Force and the United States Secret Service detailing costs associated with Michelle Obama’scontroversial August 2010 vacation to Spain.

and that doesn't even include the cost of the hookers and booze!

4 posted on 04/26/2012 11:38:20 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (SpaceX Dragon launch to ISS, Cape Canaveral AFS, May 7, 9:38 AM EDT)
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To: ColdOne

5 posted on 04/26/2012 11:38:40 AM PDT by FreeAtlanta (Liberty and Justice for ALL)
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To: ColdOne

So, nearly 500g’s for a vacation?

I wonder if she’s finally proud of her country?


6 posted on 04/26/2012 11:39:01 AM PDT by RexBeach (Mr. Obama Can't Count.)
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To: SnakeDoctor

7 posted on 04/26/2012 11:40:02 AM PDT by FreeAtlanta (Liberty and Justice for ALL)
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To: SnakeDoctor

Boo. Hiss.


8 posted on 04/26/2012 11:40:52 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Sometimes progressives find their scripture in the penumbra of sacred bathroom stall writings (Tzar))
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To: ColdOne

Imagine if Laura Bush did this. The major media would be climbing over themself with FOIA requests not just JW.


9 posted on 04/26/2012 11:41:20 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: RexBeach

Not Spain, but same theme

10 posted on 04/26/2012 11:42:39 AM PDT by FreeAtlanta (Liberty and Justice for ALL)
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To: RexBeach

Most people will just say that’s pocket change compared to Barack’s junkets.


11 posted on 04/26/2012 11:42:49 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Sometimes progressives find their scripture in the penumbra of sacred bathroom stall writings (Tzar))
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To: ColdOne

Mooch-hell is such a great good-will ambassador for America.


12 posted on 04/26/2012 11:43:07 AM PDT by IbJensen ( I'm supposed to be more angry about what Mitt Romney does with his money than what 0 does with mine)
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To: Steely Tom

Michelle can experience the lifestyle of an ordinary White American

Now she can finally be proud of America or at least Americans for footing the bill for her extravagant tastes.


13 posted on 04/26/2012 11:44:35 AM PDT by Bitsy
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To: ColdOne

I continue to believe that they do not like the actual job of being president. They like the lifestyle and are taking advantage of all the perks.


14 posted on 04/26/2012 11:44:55 AM PDT by Wyatt's Torch (I can explain it to you. I can't understand it for you.)
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To: ColdOne
Lighten up folks.

Look at it this way:

That's not even $2,000 dollars a pound, on the hoof.


15 posted on 04/26/2012 11:47:22 AM PDT by Iron Munro (If Repub's paid as much attention to Rush Limbaugh as the Dem's do, we wouldn't be in this mess)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
from ObamaisAo

All total, with Christmas and summer holidays included, the Colorado jaunt is trip number 16 for Mrs. Obama since the family moved to the White House. No public events are scheduled for the first lady’s visit to Aspen.

FIRST LADY OF LUXURY TRAVEL: THE COSTLY TRIPS

SPAIN: AUGUST 2010
Michelle Obama and 40 of her friends paid for personal expenses, such as hotels and meals themselves.
But the U.S. taxpayer would have paid for the 68-strong security detail, personal staff and use of presidential jet Air Force Two.
Payment for the secret service team ran at around $281 each - nearly $98,000 for the duration of the summer break.
Use of Air Force Two comes in at $149,900 for the round trip, not including time on the ground.
Mrs Obama's personal staff, of which there were an unknown number, should also be taken into account

HAWAII: DECEMBER 2010
According to the Hawaii Reporter the costs were:
$63,000 on an early flight bringing Mrs Obama and the children to Hawaii ahead of the President
$1,000,000 on Mr Obama’s return trip from Washington on Air Force One
$16,000 to rent nearby homes for Secret Service and Navy Seals
$134,000 for 24 White House staff to stay at the Moana Hotel
$251,000 in police overtime
$10,000 for an ambulance to be on hand at all times

SKI TRIP TO VAIL: FEBRUARY 2011
Michelle Obama and her daughters stayed at the
Sebastian hotel on Vail Mountain, where rooms cost more than $2,400 for multi-bedroom suites.
The family appear to have flown there on Air Force Two. They were escorted to the resort by about a dozen vehicles, including 15 state and local law enforcement officers.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD: AUGUST 2011
The Blue Heron Farm estate, where the Obama family stayed, rents for about $50,000 a week.
Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama flew to the estate just hours before the president to make the most of the holiday - again, incurring extra flight costs.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the Coast Guard was required to keep ships floating near the property. The presidential helicopter and jet remain at the ready and security agents will be on 24-hour duty.

HAWAII: DECEMBER 2011
According to the Hawaii Reporter the costs were:
$63,000 on an early flight bringing Mrs Obama and the children to Hawaii ahead of the President but add security and personnel for a total of about $100,000
$3,271,622 on Mr Obama’s return trip from Washington on Air Force One
$151,200 to rent nearby homes for Secret Service and Navy Seals
$72,216 for 24 White House staff to stay at the Moana Hotel

16 posted on 04/26/2012 11:48:19 AM PDT by FreeAtlanta (Liberty and Justice for ALL)
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To: ColdOne
Photobucket Another vacation for the queen.....and I can't afford to put gas in my car....
17 posted on 04/26/2012 11:48:22 AM PDT by baddog 219
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To: ColdOne

There’s too much “reeee-distri-butin’” goin’ on!


18 posted on 04/26/2012 11:57:24 AM PDT by Tula Git
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To: ColdOne

All BHO and Michelle Obama do is vacation and travel around the country to various campaign fundraisers.

I forget, what is Michelle’s hairdresser’s salary? I go
to Great Clips. I wish she would.


19 posted on 04/26/2012 11:59:37 AM PDT by stpio
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To: ColdOne

Reconstruction II>


20 posted on 04/26/2012 12:01:29 PM PDT by AEMILIUS PAULUS (It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
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