Chicago Tribune Blog: 'GOP Attacks Obama Bus, But Bush Did Same'
Posted today on the Chicago Tribune's Clout Street blog is the story "GOP attacks Obama bus, but Bush did same," written by Rick Pearson. It begins:
As President Barack Obama traveled to the first of two “town hall” stops in western Illinois today, top national and state Republicans criticized his campaign-style visit and criticized his use of a taxpayer-funded Canadian-manufactured bus as part of a jobs tour.
But no mention was made by Republican National Chairman Reince Priebus or Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady that a re-election seeking President George W. Bush used a bus from the same manufacturer, Quebec-based Prevost, for a spring 2004 “Yes, America Can” campaign tour through the Midwest.
The writer reports, as the Associated Press has, that the $1.1 million Obama bus was purchased with tax dollars. But he ignores that the bus used by President Bush was leased by his 2004 campaign, using voluntary contributions. There's a world of difference, but why let facts get in the way of yet another effort to cover for the most inept president in history?
A May 5, 2004 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article titled "A busload of election fodder: Bush campaign rides into heart of manufacturing on Canada-built vehicle" reported:
The guts of the 45-foot-long bus were made in the United States, including the sturdy Detroit Diesel engine. And much of the value of the imposing coach was added during its conversion by a Nashville firm that also has included as its clients Aerosmith, Toby Keith, Britney Spears and Christian performers Amy Grant and Third Day.
And later:
The Bush campaign is leasing the president's bus and seven others from the Hemphill brothers of Nashville, from whom the campaign leased in 2000.
More than one million in tax dollars for Obama to travel in luxury for a few days as he bashes Republicans. We're the ones getting taken for a ride. But don't expect that to be worth a story in the mainstream media.
- Mike Bates's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
Didn't they buy two of these?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 5:23pm.
.
Yep
Submitted by Joe W. on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 5:31pm.
One is a decoy in the event some patriot with an RPG happens by the roadside.
LOL
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 5:33pm.
Or a well-placed cow.
Or a well-placed cow.
Submitted by phryingphish on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 4:15pm.
Is Michelle on the road?
He doesn't have to worry too
Submitted by poseA on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:13pm.
He doesn't have to worry too much about that until he declares himself exempt from Amendment 22.
Then all bets are off.
Until then I'm investing on precious metals.
Specifically steel, copper, brass, and lead.
Recite the following to the tune of "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes":
Steel, Copper, Brass and Lead,
Brass and Lead.
Steel, Copper, Brass and Lead,
Brass and Lead.
We'll shoot despots in their heads and then they will be dead
because we invest in Steel, Copper, Brass and Lead,
Brass and Lead.
Rare Earths are Better But Don't Negrect the Fundementals
Submitted by Avitar on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 6:14am.
Canned Goods and shotgun shells have to be the top priority,
Rifle ammo and shortwave radio transmitter with computer modem and power source,
Smithing tools and the kind of farm co-op books that are so hard to find any more for homebrew chemistry.
Looks like a HuffPo Posting
Submitted by JayVee on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 9:16am.
You sure you're a conservative, and not a "Progressive" troll trying to make us look the way the MSM like to portray us?
They talk civility, we practice it.
Poor decoy
Submitted by stunned on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 2:45am.
Obama is riding in the black bus the other is painted fire engine red...even a blind man with a RPG could tell the diference :)
tired of liberal lies
Yes, DHS will release a video shortly...
Submitted by NavyBuckeye on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 7:44am.
I do believe that will be the next video released by DHS:
A homely white farmer riding a tractor. As the bus drives by, he lets his pigeon loose. It fly's past the bus to his neighbors farm, another homely white farmer, who pulls the RPG out of his cows arse. But the whole situation is thwarted by the illegal Mexicans working the fields.
Ma belle
Submitted by Mike Bates on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 5:46pm.
Maybe the other one is for if Michelle decides to join the listening tour.
Wrong-o
Submitted by Joe W. on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 5:50pm.
FLOTUS couldn't fit her fat ass through the door in the bus, my friend...
But, but. . .
Submitted by Mike Bates on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 5:52pm.
those arms are so toned. Hubba hubba.
Actually, those arms ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:52pm.
got that way from hauling the double wide up the campaign bus steps many, many, times.
MD
He had the doors designed that way
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 5:53pm.
So he could enjoy a burger and fries in peace without MOOOOCHELE... harping on his bad eating habits.
If Michelle
Submitted by Mike Bates on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:01pm.
were along, she'd stop the bus at MickyD's for a light snack of a Deluxe Breakfast, an Angus Bacon & Cheese Burger, a McFlurry with M&Ms, and a McSkillet Burrito with a Triple Thick Shake. Then go to brunch.
Facts????
Submitted by Joe W. on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 5:30pm.
"We don't need no stinking facts"---MSM
"Why let facts. . .
Submitted by rickbren on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 5:50pm.
. . .get in the way of yet another effort to cover for the most inept president in history?" Nails this story right on the head!!
Gracias
Submitted by Mike Bates on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 5:53pm.
as they say in Chicago.
On left-wing
Submitted by Bob K on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:03pm.
websites you can search and find plenty of threads about Bush's bus tour, including that the was made in Canada. Oddly, there is not a single thread on the the origins of Obama's bus. Color me shocked.....not.
The mainsteam media
Submitted by Mike Bates on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:09pm.
can't cover everything, just the important stuff. Like Michele Bachmann getting Elvis' birthday mixed up.
Because the bus was bought by
Submitted by Mperiod on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:29pm.
Because the bus was bought by the SECRET SERVICE to be used as transport for the president, the republican nominee, and foreign dignitaries for the next 10 years... because they said it would save money from retrofitting leased buses (which was paid for by tax payer dollars, as are all Secret service expenses) over the 10 years that they are expected to use them. Does this site do any research before they play the victim card? I was honestly expecting to come here and read some fact based analysis - but how do I know more about issues than people who are actually paid to write about them? The media sucks, DO YOUR JOB, and actually call them out for real issues not this nonsense that obviously you didn't feel like researching before writing.
Hey
Submitted by desert3030 on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:34pm.
You know it had to be turned around and be W's fault. If Obama was smart he would had just said it came from the 56th state of our 57 and all would have been well.
My ears still ring.....No taxes, and I won't sign! Call my bluff! Fines are not taxes!
The Republican nominee is going to be using Obama's bus(es)?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:36pm.
LOL.
Good evening SoL
Submitted by cocodrie on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:40pm.
They will have to go to Canada and buy their own.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Good evening Cocodrie.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:45pm.
Yes, but I hope they at least have the sense to check with Groupon for potential valuable international savings first.
Since when are the taxpayers obligated to buy Campaign Busses?
Submitted by Boudin on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:16pm.
These creeps have no Shame.
Be interesting to here what the Right candidates say about it?
BTW (I do use BTW, BTW) where are the dimwits Candidates? Is Obama gonna take the nomination unopposed, like he did in Chicago?
Wow
Submitted by bkeyser on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:37pm.
The intent of this piece went completely over your head.
Eight weeks on board, eh, Mperiod---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:10pm.
and here you are, jumping up and down and complaining about articles here at NB's not being researched.
Pfffft.
Since you are so sharp, in that you know so much more than Mike Bates (and apparently more than all contributing authors), do send NewsBusters a list of what "issues" are to be covered, and please state the depth of inquiry via "research" that you want done in order that the articles presented may attain the level you desire.
The media does suck; the articles here do not.
See how easy it is to appear to be biased?
Unsure which of the "P's" you represent - Plant, or Putz.
MD
Yeah! What Matt said!!!
Submitted by Diesel on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 10:41am.
Yeah!
What Matt said!!!
lol!!!!
The bus was bought to used as transport?
Submitted by UpNorth on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:19pm.
For the Republican nominee, and foreign dignitaries? For what, a trip to see the Washington Nationals? The Caps? Even you can't believe what you just typed. My bad, the Chicago Sun-Times says, "One of the buses will probably be used for roadtrips by the 2012 GOP presidential nominee". Probably? Now, that's definitive.
Now, as to doing research, perhaps you'd care to research just how the bus that W used was paid for? As opposed to the bus that WE bought, for political uses, for President Present?
"I was honestly expecting to come here and read some fact based analysis", which translates into I was honestly going to come here to push dem talking points.
Doggone it, UpNorth---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:23pm.
I knew I omitted something in my reply to Mperiod's screed; Dem talking points, indeed.
Good one.
MD
It really doesn't have to be said, MD.
Submitted by UpNorth on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:26pm.
It's a given, shoddy research done by conservatives, superlative work done by dems.
You should follow your own advice
Submitted by Injest on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 8:33pm.
"Because the bus was bought by the SECRET SERVICE to be used as transport for the president, the republican nominee, and foreign dignitaries for the next 10 years."
Last time I checked SECRET SERVICE is taxpayer money.
Last time I checked using public money for your campaign is illegal unless you decide to follow the strict guild lines source “Public Funding of Presidential Elections”.
The President of the USA does not have the authority to DICTATE how current and future candidates MUST run their campaign.
In other words your claim “as transport for the president, the republican nominee” is so bogus as to warrant immediate rejection.
Perhaps you hadn't noticed President Obama has already had a few “fund raisers”.
Are you accusing President Obama of having committed a felony? Nope, didn't think so.
“and foreign dignitaries for the next 10 years”
And this bus is a replacement for what? What is wrong with the “foreign dignitaries” bus we already had? Other than no one knows of some other “foreign dignitaries bus”?
Did Congress include the purchase of this bus in the Federal budget? Nope, cuz we haven’t had a federal budget for over 830 days. On CR's you can only spend on what was the last federal budget.
“because they said it would save money from retrofitting leased buses over the 10 years that they are expected to use them”
Who is “expected to use them”? Can't be Presidents or Presidential candidates for reasons stated above. Foreign dignitaries? Me think the state department (hint, that's who handles Foreign dignitaries)
usually send a Limo not a downtown bus!
“Does this site do any research before they play the victim card? I was honestly expecting to come here and read some fact based analysis” - but how do I know more about issues than people who are actually paid to write about them?
You should follow your own advice. Most folks except for the truly stupid kool-aid drinkers spotted these laughable bogus claims by the incompetent boob we now have in office.
Nov. 2012 can't come fast enough!
Yikes!
Submitted by theprofessor on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 12:02am.
That reply is gonna leave a mark!
Fact Obama Stopped in Indiana but did not buy.
Submitted by Avitar on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 6:33am.
One of the towns he has stopped in repeatedly Elkhart, Indiana Damon Motor Coach makes Class A Motor coaches/buses like those. They used to have millionares working their when the stock was high. The doubling of gas prices has sent the industry into the ground.Could he at least have bought a Winnebago in Iowa?
slow down...
Submitted by OuttaMyWay on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:56pm.
Pay? get paid to do the job of the media? the point is to point to the left leaning...
maybe if some nazi called soros dropped a thick envelope with green backs, someone could be paid to do a little more research.
Americans with Disabilities act
Submitted by Injest on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 6:58pm.
Does this bus have wheelchair access? If not then it is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities act.
If he had rented this bus this would not apply.
If his campaign had bought this bus this would not apply.
However sense we that tax payers bought this bus, Americans with Disabilities act DOES apply!
Obama better hope the GOP nominee
Submitted by Mike Bates on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:04pm.
Isn't disab. . . I mean, other abled. I just learned the Republican presidential candidate will be using it for campaigning. Same as Obama is.
Well Mike B.---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:16pm.
It's not your fault that Mperiod is the world's most successful fact digger upper; able to ferret out factoids at will - apparently even as he is doing a high-speed driveby. :o)
MD
He is a wiz, MD
Submitted by Mike Bates on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:21pm.
and I'm pretty sure I want to run everything by him first from now on. Heck, I'll even split that money I'm getting paid for posting articles here with him.
Now that, Mike B.---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:31pm.
is the ultimate in fairness.
Remember, though; in lib land, what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine.
Recommend highly remitting Mperiod's share through the mail.
If, however, it is a face to face transaction, be sure to count your fingers after; if they are all there, wash them thoroughly for health purposes.
Full disclosure: I am not a doctor, the letters MD can be misleading.
MD
Didn't many of the lefties in the LSM
Submitted by UpNorth on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:28pm.
tell us the bus wasn't going to be, couldn't be, used for campaigning, because it was purchased with tax payer funds? And, of course, this trip isn't a campaign.
Seriously, are you an idiot?
Submitted by Injest on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 8:49pm.
Isn't disab. . . I mean, other abled. I just learned the Republican presidential candidate will be using it for campaigning. Same as Obama is.
You do realize your stating Obama is ONLY going to use “Public funds” for his Presidential campaign, Meaning all those dollars he has collected at his fund raisers are illegal?
And who is the Republican presidential candidate that has signed on to “ONLY going to use “Public funds” for their Presidential campaign”?
A sense of humor is important
Submitted by Boudin on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 8:54pm.
Here at NB's
~Required, really
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:05pm.
Violators will be subjected to intense hazing.
You kidding dude?
Submitted by Boudin on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:28pm.
This Buss comes equipped with Secret Service agents. They will pick your fanny up, and carry you anywhere, you need to be!
Wonder how many agents it takes to---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:34pm.
carry Obama's fanny?
She is a hefty one.
MD
carry Obama?
Submitted by Boudin on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:38pm.
TOTUS, right
Use once and throw away.
Submitted by upcountrywater on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:13pm.
Hay !
How's that Minion free bus tour?
Got yelled by a Taxed Enough Already flyover country person, ever again shall I travel by custom bus and be terrorized by that, whew' at least the bus has a piano bar!
You Didn't Build That.
Did you folks know
Submitted by Boudin on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:32pm.
The Obama has increased the Limo fleet by 73%,
You gotta love his gall.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 7:52pm.
Bambi is riding around on busses that He bought in Canada telling His rapt audience that His goal is to see Made in America stamped on everything sold in the USA. Technically, I guess Canada is ON North America, if not IN America.
Some Cuban exile called in to Rush today to explain that the colors of red and black that Bambi had His busses painted are the colors of international communist revolutionaries. Guess he is showing his True Colors.
I mean, would it have killed Him to have them painted red, white, and blue?
The dork is apparently color-blind, Newsbubba---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 8:05pm.
and would not recognize red, white, and blue, as a combination, if it bit his arse.
Speaking of anatomy, he seemed to have a lot of trouble distinguishing between his left pectoral muscle and his crotch during any America blessing activity when first campaigning - until such time as he was called out for his most obvious insults in that area.
MD
Grabbing his crotch ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 10:19am.
... kind of says it all about how Da One thinks about this country.
He needs to be gone, and forget about the pension and Secret Service benefits he has coming.
Newsbubba, got 12 minutes of Rush, and that was the clip I heard
Submitted by upcountrywater on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 5:33am.
Did I get it right He bailed out of Cuba days after the missile crisis?
My folks were there in the 50's, never got off the plane, guys with machine guns were running around the airport...
Dear, lets just stay on the plane, and that they did.
Got their 60 minutes of Cuba on the tarmac outside Havana.
You Didn't Build That.
Yep.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 10:26am.
The guy bailed 47 years ago, and I don't think he's going back. He seemed to realize that Cuba is screwed for a couple more generations even IF they got rid of Fidel tomorrow.
It's amazing how communists can totally screw up a nation to the point that it takes lifetimes to recover. That's why we need Bambi gone and I mean now.
I know many Cubans who all feel the way this guy did. They hate what is happening to this country more than the liberal idiots who were lucky enough to be born here. After all, they have seen our future if we don't change soon.
Same with Eastern European's who are working here. Talk about conservative! They make Rush look like a liberal! Their statement to me when we talk politics is, "There is nowhere to go from here. It is our last hope."
In The 'Hoods That His Supporter Live Yes It Might Kill Him.
Submitted by Avitar on Thu, 08/18/2011 - 6:43am.
Red, White and Blue are good colors for Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman, Ron Paul or other armed Republicans who every knows can shoot but rolling in to the projects in red white and blue will at least get your hubcaps stolen.
I wonder if that SS agent that got a DUI was a Blunderbus driver
Submitted by Dave. on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:14pm.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Too Many Scifi Movies Watched by the Secret Service...
Submitted by gruyere cheese on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:27pm.
Can you picture this bus in one of those scifi futuristic movies? Looking at it does not spell out "hope, happiness & change"...is more like sadness and gloom. I would have chosen something closer to one of the transformers movie characters, maybe bumble bee?