So Far, Media Mum on Obama's Defense Secretary: A Million Dollars for Commuting Costs?
The big three networks have, thus far, shown little interest in investigating the nearly one million dollars in commuting costs spent by Barack Obama's Defense Secretary. According to the Washington Times, Leon Panetta's weekend flights home cost $32,000 and have totaled $860,000 as of early April.
Yet, ABC, NBC and CBS have skipped this subject, even as White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was pressed on it, Wednesday. Yet, on January 29, 2012, 60 Minutes profiled Panetta about his California farm. Journalist Scott Pelley puffed, "He and his brother planted these walnut trees sixty-five years ago with their father...Did you pick the walnuts?"
FoxNews.com reported:
Panetta, the cost and nature of whose travels in more than two years as President Obama’s director of the CIA are classified, faced questions from reporters this week about the costs related to his desire to fly home every other week to see his family and look after his walnuts.
The Washington Times explained that the White House is denying any talk of a "deal" to allow the commuting:
"There's no deal here," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Tuesday when pressed on the issue. "The secretary has addressed the matter. He, I think, spoke about it, and he has decided to try to find a way, if there is, to reduce the cost. But, you know, I don't have anything to add to it."
If the White House is denying a deal, and in the wake of the GSA spending scandal, shouldn't this be a topic of interest for journalists, especially the ones that have fawned over Panetta's walnut farm?
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Comments
They won't ping Panetta
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 5:26pm.
Panetta is well-liked in the Beltway. He's enjoyed good media relations throughout the many years, and I think the Dems and their MSM buddies look up to him as sort of a grown up among kids -- the go-to guy to bring in and clean u[ after the pajama party. Embarrassing him could cost them his services.
"serving" since 1977
Submitted by Rousse on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 5:30pm.
Leon Panetta has stated that he is very sorry [that he got caught ;-( ] for these exorbitant travel expenses.
It's important to remember that he's been feeding at the government trough since 1977. He'll get a handsome pension, but it's definitely time for him to go home and pick walnuts.
Who knew California walnut trees were so high-maintenance?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 5:32pm.
"Hi, my little walnuts, Daddy's home!"
Every two weeks?
I have one in my backyard, and I never touch it yet amazingly it keeps cranking out walnuts.
And needless to say, yes, I have a severe squirrel problem.
Scott Pelley!!
Submitted by BBallleaper on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 5:31pm.
What a joke. What a loser. Hey Pelley, you've got a brown stain on nose!! 'Nuts' to both of them!
"If the network doesn't
Submitted by rockyracoon on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 5:41pm.
"If the network doesn't report it, it means that it's not really news." I don't know if it's a direct quote, or I'm paraphrasing it because I don't remember. What I do remember is the Aaron character saying words to this affect on the movie "Broadcast News." The Marxist media relies on it, I think that it's called self-censorship.
Facts are like kryptonite to the liberal.
No Problemo Man
Submitted by tolstoyx on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 6:55pm.
What is the problem? His commutes cost about the same as an exorbitant retreat for 300 GSA workers.What
is the problem man?
'really regrets' spending all our money on himself
Submitted by Slyrr on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 7:28pm.
He said he 'really regrets' spending all that taxpayer money on himself.
Not enough to STOP, mind you. Or use his giant liberal brain to think of a better way. But he really, really, reeeeallllly 'regrets' it.
I'm sure while he's popping caviar bon-bons and swilling champagne on those luxury flights, he's weeping great rolling tears of misery. And bowing in front of an idol of Al Gore, begging his forgiveness for how much he's causing global warming by blasting carbon out of his backside. He 'really regrets' that too, I'm sure.
Bet he's perfectly happy putting other people in jail for not having hybrid cars, while he flits across the country every week in his luxury jet and drives to his mansion in his gas guzzling limousines.
The real heartbreak here is
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 11:46pm.
The real heartbreak here is that neither anyone in congress or Romney will bring up the issue. They all cower in fear, Romney will lose because just like Santorum he wastes all his time attempting to portray himself as a nice guy.The clown should ignore every personal question and keep hammering on the issues, illegal immigration, solyandra and all the others he is too afraid to speak of. He will lose the election in the same manner McCain did. The consevatives will have no one to blame becuase they won't hold his feet to the fire either.
I don't know, L S 719,
Submitted by texasborngranny on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 11:32am.
but my version of "He will lose the election in the same manner McCain did."
would be: He will give away the election in the same manner McCain did.
I have no problem with it. Here's why:
Submitted by niner-four-whiskey on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:56am.
Panetta has a job that *requires* him to be available for secure communications at all times. The only aircraft that can do this belong to the government.
It is part of his job.
The government rules say he has to fork over the same as coach faire ticket when he wants to go home and the dot-gov flies him on their special equipment with the secure systems on it.
Honestly, I don't think it is wrong or unfair and he's playing by the rules.
I don't like spin, even when it is on my side of the aisle. This story is spin.
I DO have a problem with it!
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 10:35am.
I DO have a problem with it. All he needs for "secure communications" is an encrypted satellite phone or PDA! Once again, the government chooses the most expensive means available, instead of choosing the most efficient means available.
That plane wasn't built just so he can have a "secure" means of traveling back and forth to his house. It was built so that, when needed, he could get out of DC prior to, or during, an attack! It's the Sec of Defense's equivalent to Looking Glass. It's a defensive measure, not a leisure craft! That makes that plane a military asset, military equipment. If anyone else in the military used military assets for personal reason like he is doing, they would be facing disciplinary actions, and rightly so! But, no, the rules that apply to the rest of the military doesn't apply to it's civilian leader! And why is this? Because he's special! I am sick and tired of that attitude in government!
By the way, why can't he just stay where he is needed, in DC? He can always telecommute home, if he feels the need. He doesn't have to travel all the way across the country! He would have to fly back to DC anyways, if there is an urgent need for him. When he accepted his job, he also accepted the responsibilities that come with it, like putting the needs of his position over he own personal wants and needs. He's the Sec of Defense! He should be at the Pentagon, where he belongs! This isn't a 9 to 5 job, you know!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Sure. It's spin. As were the stories on Pelosi's frequent ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 8:11pm.
trips to CA.
These are politicians, first and foremost - not dedicated servants to or for America.
They are all bullshit artists with a greedy, grasping, me first attitude.
Anyone who does not see that, or that states differently, is the one engaging in spin.
MD
How about staying
Submitted by misterbee241 on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 11:09am.
in Washington and going to California once a year on vacation?
What is it with these liberals they have to run all over the country? Biden and his Delaware commute.
Two words, Leon - STAY HOME!!!!!
He should reimburse the full cost.
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 11:33am.
He should reimburse the military for the full cost of his leisure activities. I was in the military for three years, and they NEVER paid for my leisure travel!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Boarding Pass
Submitted by IrateNate on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:10pm.
FYI, United has round trip flights daily for $1300, Leon. Of course, you only get to check one bag free, and I don't think you can have walnuts in your carry-on.