In 2005, President Bush used $42.8 million from corporate sponsors to fund his inauguration. With only $9.74 million of public money at his disposal, and rules against using money left over from the general election for transition, President-elect Obama must renew fundraising efforts for his January 20th move-in date.
Obama is having a tough time avoiding corporate money, according to CNN. Since many of Obama's everyday American supporters struggle to get by, it's hard to ask them to donate to the transition cause now that their candidate already won. In contrast, wealthy corporations looking to get in good with the new President eagerly offer contributions. Ultimately, Obama may accept corporate cash, but with new and tighter restrictions.
Would you give to the Obama inauguration effort if you knew it would diminish corporate influence, or should the new President stay within the relatively meager public budget (if that's even possible)?
Repetto
Fiorelli
Alexander McQueen
I think it would speak VOLUMES about what he will be able to do if he can manage to stick within the budget. Corporate money should be O U T with no exceptions.
1Oprah could pay for it.
2I could throw a b*tchin' party for 9 million dollars.
3The money spent on these inauguration parties is disgusting, can't we just do away with this. Please Obama, $9 million isn't chump change. Widdle down the guest list or something. Serve McDonalds if you have to, I hear they have a good $1 menu.
4Oh, that's why they keep asking me for money.
I don't think a hugely lavish party is necessary. The guests are coming to celebrate him, not eat fancy food and whatever else it is that would make the inauguration so expensive.
5Didn't Ms. Shasha Fierce say she'd perform for free? I'd say have a big concert on the Mall. People would love it.
Although I know there is usually more than one party, and I'm sure there will be this time - especially because MLK Day is on Monday. With the governemnt closed, there will be four days to celebrate all that is Obama.
6It's going to be hard to balance this year: history and excitement call for a big party, reality suggests small is better. If its seen as too expensive or too cheap the press will start right in on him. But 4-million people are going to try and get to DC for the inauguration, and they're going to expect to see events befitting the occasion.
7I think he should stick with his $9 million budget. I think it would be the first step in the wrong direction if he started accepting corporate money now.
8He should just send out an email asking everyone to BYOB and bring an horderves. Works great when you're trying to entertain a huge group of people.
9And maybe their own chair piper? That would save on renting furniture
10this will be very interesting. who donates, how it's spent, all of it.
11back pedal Obama, faster, faster, faster!!!
12I agree with the amounts spent on the campaigning and this darn inauguration.... that money could be given to the poor he so desperately wants to lift up. So why doesn't he just say, I am sorry, no big ol' party today but 9 million people can eat a double cheeseburger from good ol' Mc D's
tailgate party ya'll
13I don't feel like I can offer any kind of comment. 9 million and 43 million are both so huge and ridiculous, I can't wrap my brain around the difference.
14What difference does it make if Obama lets corporations pay for some silly party?
Do we really think he's so easily swayed that whoever played for his hors d'oeuvres will be given special favor by the president?
15Guess that depends on how good the hors d'oeuvres are.
16I'd trade a government contract for some excellent cocktail weenies.
17I would much rather corporations paid for it, honestly. How ridiculous does it seem to spend $9 million in taxpayer money to celebrate a politician who hasn't even gotten to work yet? I hate all the ridiculous 'traditions' that taxpayers are expected to pay for. Especially facing the current economic conditions. This is Obama's first chance to cut wasteful spending in government! President Obama, please do not let taxpayers buy you fireworks.
18I'm partial to the pigs in the blanket thingies. Got to have some dough around that weenie.
199 million dollars / 4 million celebraters = not that much dough per weenie, piper
20You gotta point, kranky.
21Just keepin' it real, piper.
22man i want to go to this!! i think he should keep it in the budget, but i know he won't be able to. stephley is right - it has to live up to the historic moment. i hope he has stevie wonder play!
23I say no corporation money..there has got to be a way to do this for 9 million dollars..I mean these days people jump all over each other for exposure, sans pay, so surely something could be done - not to mention aren't there plenty of musical artists that would probably volunteer?
NO CORPORATE MONEY. Come on, O, you can do it.
24Even when an artist gives a free concert, the crews have to be fed and paid, there's insurance...
25Not only what stephley has said, but it's 9 million to pay for the TRANSITION. That means this money has to cover all of his staff to properly vet all of his appointees and anything else that comes up before he even gets to inauguration day.
26The inauguration for the general public (the free stuff) is usually the swearing-in ceremony and the parade and Bush spent $17 million for the 300,000 attending in 2005 most of which went to Security and capacity measures. So I don't think 9 mill will cover the 4 million people expected.
Most of the Balls are paid for by the State associations or the people sponsoring them and the people who want to attend have to pay for those (IL Ball is $500 for dinner/ball and $300 for ball but goes up in December to $400)
Maybe Obama can get Warren Buffet and Oprah to spring for his ball but I wish there was an event/party for people who cant afford $500 plus tux/gown and other trimmings to attend.
27Simplify. Operate within a budget. Set an example. Cut the excess.
28If not now, when??
I don't care if the inauguration party is "tradition" or not. In these economic times it shouldn't happen. This isn't the time for a "party" this is the time for serious business. Yes, I think it's great and historical that we have our first black president. It's something I thought wouldn't happen in my lifetime and I'm glad it did, even if it IS Barack Obama. HOWEVER, that's not a reason to go out and spend a ton of money on a big party. Obama himself should come out and say "I know everyone wants this party, but in light of the economic situation I've decided just to televise my swearing in and that's it. No more wasteful spending and let's get down to business."
I would be immensely impressed if he did that.
Use the 9 mil for the transition only, that's what it's there for.
29Mykie- I would see Mr. Obama as a completely different man if he did that, I would be VERY impressed, but he won't. And I could hear all the people saying "they wouldn't let him have a party cause he's black" or something stupid. I don't think that matters, but i just feel that if he is all about the policy of "change" then he shouldn't continue on in wasteful spending as he promised.
30"I could hear all the people saying "they wouldn't let him have a party cause he's black" or something stupid."
You really think people would say that?
31Frankly I found Bush's expensive inauguration party when he was reelected to be in bad taste. He was already president and we were at war.
I don't think I will, but I would like to see an end or redefinition of this tradition.
32yes jude, considering that democrats brought up race numerous times in the election, yes I do think they would say that.
33"Bringing up race" isn't the same thing as saying that Obama wouldn't be allowed to have an inauguration party because he's black. But whatever. I doubt anything is going to change your assumption that people would say that, except for them not saying it. So I'm letting this one go as well.
34time will tell. And I am sure the main stream media would never broadcast that if it is said. Do I think a politician would say that, or obama say that no. But there are some"everyone is out to get us" kind of people that would
35do i think you would say that... no
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