The AP on “extravagent inaugurations” then versus now

Newsbusters’ Rich Noyes reports on how the Associated Press treated Bush’s “extravagent” inauguration in 2005 with Obama’s inauguration – which is said to be the most expensive in history:

Four years ago, the Associated Press and others in the press suggested it was in poor taste for Republicans to spend $40 million on President Bush’s inauguration. AP writer Will Lester calculated the impact that kind of money would have on armoring Humvees in Iraq, helping victims of the tsunami, or paying down the deficit. Lester thought the party should be cancelled: “The questions have come from Bush supporters and opponents: Do we need to spend this money on what seems so extravagant?”

Fast forward to 2009. The nation is still at war (two wars, in fact), and now also faces the prospect of a severe recession and federal budget deficits topping $1 trillion as far as the eye can see. With Barack Obama’s inauguration estimated to cost $45 million (not counting the millions more that government will have to pay for security), is the Associated Press once again tsk-tsking the high dollar cost?

Nope. “For inaugural balls, go for glitz, forget economy” a Tuesday AP headline advised. The article by reporter Laurie Kellman argued for extravagance, starting with the lede:

Read the rest here.

Only the best for The One, right?

I really don’t understand why it’s so expensive. I mean, PEBO already has his own presidential seal, his own customized presidential plane, his own Greek temple/WH set …

9 Responses to "The AP on “extravagent inaugurations” then versus now"

Carol says:

January 15, 2009 at 11:51 am

I really thought (and hoped) that the media would come around and start doing their job, but from the looks of their total ignoring of how much Obama’s inauguration is going to cost at a time when so many people are losing their jobs and hurting financially, I am losing more hope each day. I’ve been afraid to say I hope Obama fails, but now I’m saying it. I hope he fails at destroying our country. It doesn’t make me a racist. It doesn’t mean I want America to fail. I’m just sick of the media totally ignoring the truth and reality.
NC Cop says:

January 15, 2009 at 1:32 pm

I know several people who think that Obama’s “love affair” with the media will end soon when reality sets in. I couldn’t disagree more. The media were the ones who got Obama elected and they will do whatever it takes to cover for him.

Look at some of his nominees? Socialists? Failure to pay taxes? HILLARY CLINTON?? Isn’t it sad that Obama is so inexperienced and untested that we feel relief that Hillary Clinton is Sec. of State?!?!?! If it was McCain making nominations like this the media would be covering it 24/7.

The media’s bias is well known and documented. However, when you have to answer to noone, you can do what you want whenever you want to.

Indeed, 2008 will go down in the history books as the year journalism died in America. I belive history will look kindly on Bush and his accomplishments. History will not, however, be kind to a media that blatantly chose sides.
Great White Rat says:

January 15, 2009 at 4:04 pm

Meanwhile, the Democrats in Maryland inadvertantly stumble into the truth: LINK

Members of Maryland’s congressional delegation are asking for federal money to help offset costs the state will incur for inauguration preparations.

(snip)

The delegation is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make the money available through an expedited federal disaster declaration.

So…Steny Hoyer claims that Obama’s inauguration is a disaster??? For once, he’s right.

Of course, if he thinks the inauguration’s a disaster, just wait till you see the next four years…
Sister Toldjah says:

January 15, 2009 at 4:26 pm

Oh man – that is priceless, GWR.
Let the party begin, Obama inauguration to cost… a lot | Radio Vice Online says:

January 15, 2009 at 8:40 pm

[…] Sister ToldjahÂ leads us over to Newsbusters postsÂ by Ken Shepard and Rich Noyes. Four years ago, the Associated Press and others in the press suggested it was in poor taste for Republicans to spend $40 million on President Bush’s inauguration. AP writer Will Lester calculated the impact that kind of money would have on armoring Humvees in Iraq, helping victims of the tsunami, or paying down the deficit. Lester thought the party should be cancelled: “The questions have come from Bush supporters and opponents: Do we need to spend this money on what seems so extravagant?” […]
Nina says:

January 15, 2009 at 8:41 pm

One of the things to come is a bailout of the media giants(too big to fail) and that I think is the main reason the “media” helped elect BO. They were failing before the economic downturn. The problem they have is that the more they show their hand for BO the more readers and viewers they loose. Right now abc,cbs and nbc are down millions in viewers in their “news” as well as regular programing. The nyt is down to junk as well as lat ,ChiTrib etc.

So forget about fair reporting. It will be the citizens in 2 years time that will bring fairness at the ballot box when all the trillion pork projects(payola) are done and the economy is worse. By then we will have a worthless dollar,out of control inflation,spiraling interest rates , huge unemployment and a national debt out of control. Carter part II.
Kumbaya? Not so much! « The Daley Gator says:

January 18, 2009 at 11:55 am

[…] know I am galled byÂ theÂ Â hypocrisyÂ being shown by the Left, but really, consistency is not their strong suit is it? Four years ago, […]
CS says:

January 19, 2009 at 4:47 pm

now the inauguration is being compared to the Islamic hajj – see CNN video
Brian says:

January 21, 2009 at 7:53 am

NY Cop, I’m predicting they’ll rake him over the coals for about six months (give or take), and then there’ll be a massive effort to resurrect him. They want to re-establish (har!) their credibility, and they’ll try to do that by bashing him (nothing too harse, mind you). It won’t last very long, though…just long enough for them to point and say “see? we can be fair.”

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