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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

Where Is the Outrage At Captain Bull Malarkey and His Bus Tour?

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  August 17th, 2011 at 09:16 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

August is such a vacuum in Washington. I would like to think the GOP might seize on it to focus on two things for which I do not think there is sufficient outrage.

The first is Barack Obama’s bus tour. It is a campaign trip. The administration is doing little to hide it and a passive press corps is even describing it as a bus tour while minimizing the fact that American taxpayers are footing the bill in its entirety.

When George W. Bush took his own bus tour, he did so with campaign funds. Barack Obama is expecting you, me, and everyone else to fund his re-election campaign. At a time when 17% of the country is either unemployed or underemployed, it is appalling that the President would use our money to fund his re-election and that re-election message would be that we need to give him even more of our money.

Sell the damn buses and refund the money, Mr. President. It is a campaign trip pure and simple and your campaign should fund it. It is outrageous that you would buy million dollar buses from Canada in order to drive around the countryside demagoguing private jet owners.

Even more appalling than that is his Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, declaring the expansion of the food stamp program to be a stimulus. I don’t know about you, but I think if I were dependent on food stamps, I would not exactly feel stimulated.

He has the temerity to say that for every food stamp dollar spent, $1.87 is turned by into the economy. He, of course, ignores all the additional money consumed by the bureaucracy and administration costs of the program and the waste, fraud, and abuse the President goes on and on about.

Not only that though, but Vilsack actually brags that the Obama administration has expanded the food stamp program and . . . wait for it . . . has consequently expanded the stimulus.

And on top of it all, with 17% of Americans either unemployed or underemployed, Barack Obama has the nerve to tell us on his taxpayer funded campaign trip that sometime after he gets back from vacation in September he will have a jobs program. Finally. More than 900 days into his administration, Captain Bull Malarkey and the Banana Republic bunch will show up with a jobs plan.

Well, I’m sure you all feel better now. We are being managed like we’re a third world banana republic. Where the heck is the outrage?

The GOP should spend August focused like a laser on these buses and Vilsack’s comments.

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COMMENTS

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  • http://www.fpcr.org balloonjuice

    Visack’s argument (and Pelosi’s regarding unemployment) uses the tired old broken window argument that Bastiat (and Hazlitt after him) debunked a century and a half ago. These ponies only know one trick. Take away from the productive and give to the unproductive. It’s called a controlled or command economy.

  • http://www.pursuit-of-liberty.com davidmiller

    Obama can’t tell the difference between the two. Why shouldn’t taxpayers continue to fund him doing the same thing that he’s been doing every day on this job?vacationing and campaigning?

  • smitch61

    for this site. My husband is not very political (can you imagine?) and he basically is sick and tired of listening to me spout off. We have all the outrage….

    On a sidebar: Can we open a blog or thread titled “shut the hell up Karl Rove”?

  • gekster

    and get what you want.
    It’s a good idea.
    Go with it.

  • DerKrieger

    For me that about sums up my view of government. I’m sick and tired of politicians and bureaucrats, from both parties, thinking that we need anything more than for them to get the HECK out of the way and leave us alone. It’s maddening to hear day after day how the government is going to “create” jobs. Especially the tiresome infrastructure jobs line. How many people work in infrastructure anyway? How many no -union people work in infrastructure. All Obama is doing is making me more and more angry and disgusted with government. I don’t need or want government involved in my life in any way. Governor Perry’s comment about making government inconsequential will win him the GOP nomination.

  • Repair_Man_Jack

    I’m driving in to work and some Reporter is describing the bus tour as “Barack Obama is beating Congress to the Punch!”

  • smagar

    Then, show the MSM what they wrote, accuse them of bias and force them to respond.

    The more we do this, the more likely it is that the MSM will refrain from having further sex with Obama. (Thanks for letting me twist your words, Bill Maher).

    Sunlight is a great disinfectant.

  • Tbone

    see nothing wrong with taxpayer/serfs supporting the elected aristocracy regardless of Party.

    We have to remember, it really is about them.

  • johnt

    are stimulus? You might conclude that the crazies believe only the federal government can have beneficial economic effects.
    This is worse than Bastiat & Hazlitt, this is the wild notion that federal dollars have a magical quality that other dollars lack. They believe this crap.

  • izoneguy

    And why are they buying new buses?
    I realize the President needs extra security.
    But $1.1 million per bus?
    They are worth about $500,000 now.
    Let the Feds keep them – Rick Perry will be able to put them to good use.

  • izoneguy

    I am driving her nuts.

    My 12 year old son is more interested and in-tune with what is going on.
    He is bummed out that he will miss the 2016 election by one year.
    I told him he can vote for Sarah Palin in 2020.

  • izoneguy

    And the Sec. of Agriculture said foodstamps were stimulus.

  • romeg

    that the same media, who never miss the opportunity to either hurl or repeat charges of racism at anyone who criticizes ANY action by this President to even BE outraged, let alone make that outrage known publicly.

    That you would suggest that they might indicates that you are still sleep deprived from Charleston. Get some rest.

  • charliesalmanack

    ….it is my sincere hope that the GOP House Leadership schedules their own major jobs conference THE DAY BEFORE Obama gives his own.

    The House GOP should discuss their own proposals, including large de-regulation, reducing taxes on investment, REAL CUTS in low/negative multiplier federal spending, etc. I mean, let’s not forget that the Ryan budget IS a pro-growth, pro-jobs budget….but let’s talk about that PLUS some new, bold ideas that we know will help.

    Our leaders should also make it clear to Obama that entitlement REFORMS should be designed to allow the next generation of Americas to access the safety net….not Obama’s plan to make minor modifications to try and sustain a 1930′s & 1960′s-designed entitlement structure that produces NEGATIVE returns for those in their 40′s or younger.

    Make it a high-profile speech with sharp contrasts. DO NOT make it easy for the MSM to paint Obama as the “reasonable one” who has plans, if only those rascally Republicans would “go along.” (even though, let’s face it, that’s probably how it will be portrayed anyway).

  • Spartan4Life

    If you want to collect food stamps and be unemployed, the Democrat Party is the place for you!

  • http://www.FranBaker.com frankieb

    This at the same time BOzo is riding around on buses made in Canada!

  • izoneguy

    Prevost Motorcoaches

    Didn’t Obama know that Warren Buffet owns a MotorCoach company?

    Forest River Motorcoaches

    BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY TO ACQUIRE FOREST RIVER

  • runner12

    that food stamps were a stimulus on the radio today, I almost drove off the road. How insulting to the millions of Americans out of work and who are trying to better themselves. If food stamps are Obama’s idea of a stimulus, Lord help us.

    I did hear on Rush that the Congressional Black Caucus is upset that his campaign stops, I mean “bus tour”, is not stopping in African- American neighborhoods. Hell has frozen over and I actually think the CBC stumbled upon a valid point. Unemployment among African- Americans is 16% and Obama is taking a vacation next week to Martha’s Vineyard. Unbelievable.

    The reality is that Democrats, including Obama, are not interested in solving the problem of unemployment among minorities. All they care about is maintaining a voting block, nothing else. It is disgusting how Dems use people for their own ends.

  • mutantone

    Prohibited Contributions and Expenditures
    The FECA places prohibitions on contributions and expenditures by certain individuals and organizations. The following are prohibited from making contributions or expenditures to influence federal elections:
    Corporations;
    Labor organizations;
    Federal government contractors; and
    Foreign nationals.
    Furthermore, with respect to federal elections:
    No one may make a contribution in another person’s name.
    No one may make a contribution in cash of more than $100.
    In addition to the above prohibitions on contributions and expenditures in federal election campaigns, the FECA also prohibits foreign nationals, national banks and other federally chartered corporations from making contributions or expenditures in connection with state and local elections.

    to me the way it reads Obama is in violation using Government funds, thus a government contract to fund his “Magical Mystery Tour” as we await the mystery of his plan for jobs.

  • nunleigh

    My mother is a very wise lady. As I raved about everything you have pointed out, Erick, she smiled and said, “Let them keep talking.” She is right. Ranting and raving only makes us look mean and radical. The outrage is here. We do not need the GOP to stir it up or point it out. This weak silly President and his group have been pushed in a corner. Their only hope is to come out clawing and scratching. How mean and radical and ridiculous they all look, including the meme media. Conservative groups just need to save the footage. And, don’t ever fall for riding on that ridiculous bus.

  • rmcdinga

    I cannot recall during the past 50 years a more incompetent POTUS! BO truly perceives us as too ignorant to see through his BS! I have become entirely convinced of this man’s capacity to be anything more than a puppet! The “Agenda Project”, founded by the author of the most anti-American progressive handbook in circulation, is a think tank with the most socialist liberals as members! Erica Payne’s book has influenced the so-called elitists in the US! Soros, Krugman, Schummer, Eliabeth Warren, and many more are the major puppeteers of Mr. Obama. Cass Sunstein, BO’s regulatory czar, set in motion all current regulations now clogging the arteries of our free market system. From oil companies being stifled, to the current proposal to require tobacco manufactures to place cancerous lungs on every cigarette pack sold! Obama has no clue as to the intellect of the American public! God used this man to serve so Americans would wake up and get into action by becoming engaged in what these New World Order Socialists are doing to our country! We have heard the call, and we will put these naive bafoons out of their current comfort one! RMcDinGa

  • rmcdinga

    Where do these people get their education? This is the dumbest statement BO’s Administration has blabbered in the last, well, few weeks! The same old tired talking heads will actually defend this nonsense! Can you imagine someone in Reagan’s Administration saying such? 2012 cannot come soon enough! RMcDinGa

  • lakecrazy

    Your son won’t be able to vote for Sarah because 8 years is all she can do as POTUS ;) But, get him involved in a local race. Like a congressman, the 2 year term is a good fit for teens because they see how fast the time goes until the campaign starts again. Phone banking, sign placements etc are great ways for teens to be involved and they pick up great info along the way that helps in Government class. It might get your wife interested too.

  • 2cowboys4u

    I am not sure why you would expect anything different from this president – we have paid for every vacation he has taken and on yeah we pay for everything he does we chose to elect this person into office. How is that hope and change working out for you. He has no idea what it takes to run the country but he has a great idea on what it takes to get elected to an office. He has been on re-election campaign the day he took office, He has traveled across the fruited plains at every whim and on our dime to convince people he is not full of it and it’s not his fault it was President Bush who gave away the farm. Frankly I am surprised by anyone who would be shocked by what Obama is doing. He has ran this country into the ground from the day he took office and his master plan is to kill our democracy so that he can by King. He wants to be the last man standing when we go down in flames.

  • edintexas

    My wife simply told me she doesn’t want to hear it. In her defense, when elections roll around, she asks for recommendations. The poll watchers thought it was kind of funny when she told me (in November 2010) that she forgot the note of who to vote for and would I get it from the truck since she couldn’t ask me who to vote for.

  • mcked

    There may be one good outcome of BHO becoming POTUS: Americans have been startled awake….just hoping its not too late. When he’s gone, everything should come roaring back to life for real hope and change and we will thrive once again and never again become complacent. We should become aggressive about teaching our children what the constitution means and share with them your convictions.
    Term limits should be the first order of business.

  • travis690

    The best job program will come, but we have to wait until November, 2012.

    How many job programs is this? I think about 19. He’s had more job programs than the communist Chinese have had 5-year economic plans. Unfortunately for us, all of his have been failures.

  • thebadpiper

    Let’s cut the man some slack here. He is taking all of these vacations so that he can understand what it is like to be unemployed. He doesn’t work while he is on vacation. The unemployed aren’t working. He is just trying to share the pain.

  • mcked

    but if he really wanted to know what it felt like to be unemployed, he should be sitting at someone’s kitchen table who is unemployed and listen to their concerns. But that will be a cold day in hell. He is at the pinnacle and taking it for everything its worth and, guess what, good for him as long as we’re dumbskulls enough to put him there. We deserve it for being so complacent and irresponsible. Someone said he needs another four years to accomplish his agenda, but the question is…..what agenda? Can’t people see what he’s about. They are, finally.

  • mcked

    I know you are being facetious but if he really wanted to know what it felt like to be unemployed, he should be sitting at someone’s kitchen table who is unemployed and listen to their concerns. But that will be a cold day in hell. He is at the pinnacle and taking it for everything its worth and, guess what, good for him as long as we’re dumbskulls enough to put him there. We deserve it for being so complacent and irresponsible. Someone said he needs another four years to accomplish his agenda, but the question is…..what agenda? Can’t people see what he’s about. They are, finally.

  • mcked

    If he really wanted to know what it felt like to be unemployed, he should be sitting at someone’s kitchen table who is unemployed and listen to their concerns. But that will be a cold day in hell. He is at the pinnacle and taking it for everything its worth and, guess what, good for him as long as we’re dumbskulls enough to put him there. We deserve it for being so complacent and irresponsible. Someone said he needs another four years to accomplish his agenda, but the question is…..what agenda? Can’t people see what he’s about. They are, finally.

  • misplaced texan

    that Karl Rove needs to shut the hell up.

  • willhen50

    Obama just doesn’t get it.
    What kind of bus tour was this? He is promising a jobs program in September, but all we will get is the same old mularky. Borrow more, tax more, and spend more. The Dems keep saying “what is the Republican plan?” and nobody reminds them that there were 3 plans passed and presented by the House, but the Senate refused to bring it up for a vote and Obama thretened to Veto.
    When Bush went on the road he had a plan and presented to the people. It was also financed by the Republicans.Is Obama going to have another trip after he “presents” his plan in September?, Probably, but it will not be in the United States, maybe Monte Carlo, they might seem interested in this Presidents jobs plan. He could play a little golf, baccarat, and/or polo.
    I read that in the United States 130 jobs are lost every hour, by the time he presents his plan; 15 days away there will be 46,000 people out of a job; not to worry 25 people are hired every hour and 10 are government positions. From the BLS.gov website.

  • cwfoster

    These are the same Republicrats that had a gun to the head of the Fedral bureaucracy, and either lacked the cajones, or were too COMPLICIT to pull the trigger! Spending taxpayer funds on a campaign trip is a CLEAR violation of campaign finance laws, negotiating a UN treaty that puts the Second Amendment ‘on the table’ is a Clear violation of his (and Hillary’s) oaths of office. And all we can do is demand a “Laser like focus?” YES, I KNOW the Senate would never vote for impeachment, but let’s see who votes AGAINST it in the House, and What Republicans DON’T fight for it in the Senate! You want to hamstring and hobble this tyrant? IMPEACH HIM!

    The time has come to separate the foxes from the chickens, The way to accomplish this is by the sentiment that was expressed on a wall in New York when John Jay negotiated an unpopular treaty.

    “God D**N John Jay, God D**N anyone who WON’T D**N John Jay, God D**N anyone who wont stay up all NIGHT D**NING John Jay” -Anon.

  • gunslingr45

    myself have taken a family from Boston (they live in Indiana now) and over a couple of years have turned them into Conservatives from stark raving liberals. One mother and three stepchildren. Anyone top that?
    Good thing I love them, it’s been a long hard road, but worth the trip.

    Obama?s popularity is falling so fast that Kenyans are now claiming Obama was born in the United States.

  • paulplantowin

    By spending taxpayers $. Jobs for drivers, servants, security, shills in the audiences, reporters, people who build sets that look like quaint barns. They forgot to hire more cheerleaders though, ‘crowds’ were kind on quiet.

  • funwithknives

    and I say this in true admiration. From the day he was “Oathed”, I said to myself: “Self, say a prayer that he’ll just keep talking”. And I was answered, from On High.
    But we can present words spoken, to show innate failure, Obfuscation, and malfeasance in respective offices. Using their own words and deeds is a natural.
    So by all means “…save the footage.” Please! GOP , Then go out and use it.

  • funwithknives

    or WHAT?. Barry’s really bad at poker and telegraphs much too easy. Cap leaks to the max. No pre-interviews. We need the viewers, with no expectations of prior Kibbitzing.
    Think back to when Sarah would not give M/Media her Itinerary. They got really chapped, ’cause someone else held the cards. Time for a Re-Peat.
    Lordy, I am having a moment….

  • mspector

    The MSM has characterized this as a campaign tour funded with taxpayer dollars. It was the AP that broke the story on the “Made in American Canada” buses, and it is unusual for that hack pack to break anything critical of Obama. These are cracks in the glass house that has surrounded him for so long. As for the general public, I think people are tired. The default debacle wore a lot of folks out. But this has been noticed and I think it is something the GOP can hammer on as the weeks go by. Just wait for the next time Obama talks about “Made in America ….”

  • ihateliberals

    not the USA. what kind of message is that? “Pay for me to be re-elected so I can send collect more money form you and sponsor off-shore companies to supply goods to the White House and Government.”

  • ihateliberals

    Wht we need to do is recall all the RINO’s and Impeach Obama. Most of Americas problems could then be solved.

  • ihateliberals

    if it continues to drop the Democrats will dump him for 2012. That would be disastrous for us. The Dem’s would put in a new player like Hilary and energize the independents to stay with the Dem’s. as it stands right now the independents are being swayed to the Republicans. There is a point where he could drop too low for us.

  • snowshooze

    Poor Obama..
    Good work!

  • acat

    Which .. some of us have said before. Once or twice.

    The more apparent Obama’s anti-coattails are, the more his presence on the ticket will suppress down-ticket races (costing the Dems even more Senate and House seats and Governorships and Statehouses) the more likely he “decides to spend more time with the family”.

    Mew

  • Xasteius

    The campaign ads write themselves. As I see it, it’s paid advertising for the GOP!

  • scubadiver49er

    This will happen when nObama gets it right, which won’t happen until he’s voted out of office.

  • evas

    he said that Obama knows that he has the black vote in his pocket anyhow, so he doesn’t have to bother with them. He knows they’ll vote for him no matter what. He has a good point.

  • runner12

    It is sad, but most likely true. It frustrates me to see how the Left uses minority groups to get votes and then tosses them to the side once elected. I just wish that people would realize that it is Conservatives who believe that everyone can achieve the American dream. We want people to succeed in business!

  • Flagstaff

    Maybe Obama can use them to go on vacation again. At least it would keep HIM in North America, although I agree that we are all better off the more he talks and the less he does, and on his foreign vacations all he does is talk.