Democrats in Congress may not have acted on Sen. John McCain's proposal for a summer gas tax holiday, but that hasn't stopped the Democratic National Convention from getting tax-free gas courtesy of the citizens of the Mile High City, reports the Denver Post this morning.
Filed as breaking news and published at 8:13 EDT on July 23, the Post's Allison Sherry has the scoop here. Below is an excerpt:
Since March, staffers working on the Democratic National Convention have been using the city of Denver's tax-free gas pumps to fill up their cars - and using its carwashes.
A dispute about this prompted city officials Tuesday to promise that the local host committee will reimburse the city at a market rate for gas - and pay state and federal taxes on the fuel.
It was never the intent of the city not to properly charge the Democrats for the fuel or its taxes, said Katherine Archuleta, mayoral liaison to the convention.
Kudos to the Denver Post for tracking down the story. We at NewsBusters will be tracking if the national broadcast media picks up the story, although I personally doubt it will get much traction what with the Obama World Tour commanding the MSM's attention.





















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big surprise there
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 10:42 ET by candanceOne of the pillars of the DNC - being generous with someone else's money.
It just warms the heart to see our tax dollars put to such good use, especially since the evil Republicans keep driving up the deficit.
Never our intent....But they
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 10:52 ET by athoughtor2Never our intent....But they let them....do as I say not as I do...
Wexler
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 11:14 ET by iveseenitallSee the Wexler story on O'Reilly last night? The loudmouth Dem from Florida, isn't from Florida. Hypocritical bums, all of them! Yell for term limits, please!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
yeah seenitall
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 11:18 ET by candanceBlonde was all over that here last night. The DNC has long run on the philosophy that the ends justify the means - and when the masses learn enough to pitch a fit, pretend to be just as shocked as they are. Same story, new decade.
"It was never the intent
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 11:18 ET by Hero SquadWell, OK, if I'm going to take you at your word, it appears that the DNC has been doing this since March. So four months later, there are sure to be some invoices and receipts that show the city has properly charged the DNC for the fuel and its taxes, and that the payments have been made. Just show us the paperwork to back up your claim.
Otherwise, this situation has a distinct odor of oatmeal and raisin, or is it chocolate chip. The Denver Post just clicked on the light, and caught the DNC with its hand in the cookie jar. So which one is it?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Good argument, HeroS.
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 11:46 ET by ThisnThatGood argument, HeroS. There's just one flaw -- you require facts and data -- something the Dims never own up to. Now, an argument based on emotion, preferrably lots of tears and dead baby animals -- that's something the Dims can relate to.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Oh, right. Did I mention
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 12:06 ET by Hero SquadOh, right. Did I mention that the Denver Post reporter that investigated this story punched a baby deer in the face.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Twice
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 12:32 ET by ScrapironHero Squad, the reporter punched the fawn with many spots, twice. A million democrats will swear to it in a court of law. LMAO
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Is it any wonder...
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 11:22 ET by ontheright...that the Congressional Dimocrats are stonewalling the energy bills that contain the "drill here, drill now" legislation?
The reason is two-fold:
1. Pandering to the environmental extremist lobby (read: hold onto the power)
2. They don't have to pay the same that we, the commoner has to pay; whether it is in an official or personal capacity - they DO NOT pay the same - many, many reasons to point 2, but not enough time or room here.
"But the Republicans are doing it, too!"
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 11:33 ET by SickofLibs"Archuleta said city gas pumps are preferred for security purposes — particularly during the convention, when host-committee vehicles will be carrying dignitaries..."
Since when is filling up your car a security issue? How many dignitaries have been in Denver since March? And at the convention, the dignitaries will be forced to sit in their limos while they get gas? And the DNCC pays for carwashes? Keep sending in that money, Dem supporters. This is only the tip of the iceberg.
What hypocrites.
Even so, there's no need to
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 12:14 ET by Ken ShepherdEven so, there's no need to use those tax-free pumps before the week of the convention.
As for Secret Service vehicles that may be used, I'm sure there are appropriate existing arrangements that the Service has to procure gasoline for their vehicle fleet in a fashion that safeguards the protectees and the public.
But the Republicans are doing it, too!
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 11:30 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarWhy did I know that that would somehow appear in the article.
"Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper told council members that Minneapolis had a similar deal with the Republicans."
But, unfortunately:
"That isn't true, said Teresa McFarland, spokeswoman for the local host committee for the Republican National Convention.
"We pay for fuel like everyone else does," she said"
Always trying to deflect when they get their hands caught in the piggy bank.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
Rats. He was counting on
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 12:08 ET by Hero SquadRats. He was counting on the reporter not following up with an investigation on that claim.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
The First Rule of
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 16:19 ET by Roger the ShrubberThe First Rule of Liberalism:
Accuse the Right of doing exactly what the Left is doing.
getting tax-free gas courtesy of the citizens
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 11:34 ET by allamericangirlAs usual their hypocrisy knows no bounds and I agree with Mr. Shepherd this story will probably not get any attention. Now if it were republicans getting free gas that would be headlines.
"Liberalism is a mental disorder" -Michael Savage
Following the pattern.
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 12:26 ET by ScrapironThe democrats don't consider anything a crime, until they get caught. The rip off of taxpayers by a political organization was not a mistake, it was a carefully laid out plan to commit a crime and they got caught. Now someone should pay the price in front of a judge and jury.
Democrats keep claiming ignorance of the law to justify their crimes. Isn't that a good indication there are really ignorant?
Old, Retired and glad of it.
So Stupid
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 13:57 ET by Copperhead RidgeThe Democrats are incredibly stupid, but I'm afraid the GOP is not much brighter.
While denying the American people a gas tax holiday, the DNC is taking its own tax holiday in Denver. A story like this could really make a lot of people mad.
In terms of pure strategy and tactics, the GOP would rather sit and whine about the MSM not covering this story than do something to bring it to the knowledge of the voters. Of course, they're not going to cover it. We know that, but in order to win elections members of a campaign must force things onto the playing field. Yeah, it sucks, but it is the reality of things. It is certainly the reality in this election cycle.
Make it a story. It's all so frustrating.
Can I ask where you found
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 18:15 ET by wiwfCan I ask where you found the headline picture for this story? I rofl'd upon seeing it.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy