BH e-mailed this question: “Remember when the three big auto companies got beat up for taking a plane [corporate jets] to Washington. My question is whether or not Obama is obligated to reimburse for all his flights to campaign instead of using our money? This must be costing us support him or not millions”.
BH, Yup, actually it costs us billions. Essentially the way it works is so long as their is an offical public duty, or presidential event, at the destination then the entire cost is carried by the taxpayer. If the event is exclusively for campaigning, then the Obama Campaign must reimburse expenses.
Of course you know what happens is the Administration schedules a policy speech, or an official presidential outreach appearance, in the same geographic vicinity to the campaign stop/fundraiser. That way they don’t have to pay for it. (more…)