Real cost of the inauguration?

[MostlyLurks]

We've all heard that the inauguration cost $40 mill, while Clinton's last one cost $33 mill. It's also widely know that DC was forced to pay for all security expenses for yesterday. What was that, something like $10 mill?

I have not, to this point, heard anybody ask the following: was the $33 mill figure for Clinton's last inauguration inclusive of DC's security expenses? Up until now, the inauguration has always reimbursed DC for expenses. So if we assume $33 mill for BC's '96 shindig, and assume another, idunno, $5 mill for DC security, this means his inauguration really cost $28 mill where Boyking's cost $40 mill. Or, said another way, '96 cost $33 mill while yesterday cost $50. In either case, "hiding" the security costs for yesterday and including them for past events makes the spending gap less pronounced.

Do they tabulate costs like that - was Clinton's inaugural cost inclusive of DC security reimbursement, or not? I'm curious because I'll bet Boyking's crowning yesterday was WAY more than just $7 mill more expensive than BC's and this security loophole is one way they're obfuscating the fact.

Anybody know for sure?

Mostly

On Edit: corrected misspelling in title.
On second edit: corrected ridiculous math mistake.

[ComerPerro]

1. Interesting Question

I wondered that myself.

[BR_Parkway]

2. The same folks who leave the cost of Iraq war out of the budget

so the deficit doesn't look so bad? The ones who threaten to fire people who want to tell Congress that drug bill will really cost an extra hundred billion or so?

I would bet you're right!

[smurfygirl]

3. The cost to DC was 17 mil. n/t

[MostlyLurks]

4. OK, revised "What if" numebrs.

BC '96 inaugural: $33 million (assuming it has included DC security costs).
Bk '04 inaugural: $57 million (adding DC security costs).

Wow, nearly twice as much IF the BC figures are accurate and the assumption that security costs were included in BC's $33 mill. How can I find out if this is accurate or not?

Mostly

[KamaAina]

5. 4 more years of warmongering and economic ruin: priceless.

:grr: :grr: :grr: