[alessandrofiaschi]

I don't agree with the rhetoric of the first part of this AP article, but I must admit that the inaugurations cost too much, especially in this times, because of the need to prevent terroristic attacks etc. Security costs are very expensive and we could find another way for "celebrating freedom and honoring service". I would have liked a scaled back event, even if I like President Bush.

[dirtboy]

President Bush's second inauguration will cost tens of millions of dollars — $40 million alone in private donations for the balls, parade and other invitation-only parties.

It's so horrible when people spend their own money in a manner that the AP doesn't approve of.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

good points. But this is a tough call.

[CyberAnt]

Except .. if this were a Kerry inauguration - would this subject even be spoken of .. I think NOT! That's why they can go pound sand!!! I don't care what it costs!

[Pikamax]

Will Lester is a lefty hack trying to make a big deal out of nothing.

[RandallFlagg]

SomeWhining Liberal Democrats Now Question Cost of Inauguration

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

People and the press bitch when Republicans do anything. They cried when Mrs. Reagan got new dishes, with private money, for the WH.

Did you or the press speak out when Clinton was having the party? or when he spent $40 million to take his family and a 100% democratic delegation to China? or dig a tunnel for traffic in Boston?

[taxesareforever]

$40 million alone in private donations

Once again the liberals want to tell people how to spend their money. Their own pocket money. Not their tax money, mind you, which gets spent by others whether we like it or not. This is plain hypocrisy on the liberals part. Not one penny of theirs is being spent in this $40 million but they can see such better uses for this money. I can too. Destroy the pro-abortion lobby. Now, get out of my face liberals and go to that party that Ted is throwing.

[Texas_Jarhead]

any chance you got a valid source link for this piece

[Texasforever]

I don't agree with the rhetoric of the first part of this AP article, but I must admit that the inaugurations cost too much, especially in this times, because of the need to prevent terroristic attacks etc

Both of Clinton's inaugurations were close to 30 million each, the first "in the worst American economy in 50 years" or so he said. Bush hardly had an inauguration in his first term and if DC can't spend a small part of that 250 million dollars in HSA grants on security then there needs to be an investigation into why not.

[Prime Choice]

Funny...I don't remember any such squawking from the Leftist media at Carter's or Clinton's inaugural expenses...

[shubi]

I can't believe the leftists are complaining about the cost of the inauguration instead of the cost of government.

[syriacus]

Would the same complainers have told Kerry to have an inauguration "on the cheap"?

[sinkspur]

This is such a flaming bunch of bull-loney. The $40 million is private money. Would these people be forking it over for body-armor, or tsunami victims when they've likely already donated to the tsunami victims?

Why can't we give to the tsunami victims, AND have a party?

And, please! Mark Cuban, who gave a million dollars to some lame reality show, has a lot of room to complain about how money's being spent.

[Poser]

Liberal BS. If Kerry got elected, the parties would be limitless.

[Miss Marple]

I see that you have only been here since November 3, so perhaps you are unaware that the Inauguration is mostly funded by PRIVATE donations. No tax money is being used for the balls.

This whining is simply a leftist tactic to suck the joy out of the festivities. I am ignoring it, as this is what they do about anything to do with Republicans.

[airborne]

Does anyone think that we would hear this crap if it was for Kerry?

[Cicero]

Clinton had big parties, tents on the White House Lawn, and huge formal dinners in the White House all through his eight years in office. He never stopped wining and dining the Washington press corps. And all that was at taxpayer expensive. Clinton is also estimated to have spent a good part of a billion dollars flying thousands of his hangers-on around the world at taxpayer expense. Hillary had a government plane to campaign in at taxpayer expense, even though she held no public office.

I'd say all these liberal reporters are bad because Bush's friends are giving him a big party at their own expense, and NONE OF THEM ARE INVITED.

[xzins]

I disagree.

We are winning.

The ceremony shows our strength.

Every military unit has formal ceremonies each year for just that reason....to show they are strong, organized, and healthy.

[opinionator]

For $40 million your favorite sports team could sign an above average athlete to a multi-year contract.

Not a lot of money, when you think about it.

[LearnsFromMistakes]

This is a tough one. One can only watch so many hollywood gala events where they decry this excess without it affecting you. Can that many people in expensive suits and limousines be that wrong?