Taxpayer-funded Bush GOP campaign trips "only expected to increase"

[Human Torch]

U.S. President George W. Bush waves from the steps of Air Force One upon his arrival at the Tennessee Air National Guard base in Memphis, September 27, 2006. Bush attended a luncheon fundraiser for Republican U.S. Senatorial candidate Bob Corker (R-TN). REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

Taxpayers Pick Up Most of the Travel Tab As President Bush Campaigns for Republicans

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2375344&referrer=BuckFush.com



By JENNIFER LOVEN

WASHINGTON Aug 30, 2006 (AP)— Bankrolled almost entirely by taxpayers, President Bush is roaming far and wide on Air Force One to help Republicans retain control of Congress and capture statehouse contests in high-stakes midterm elections.

In 15 months, including back-to-back fundraisers Wednesday in Little Rock, Ark., and Nashville, Tenn., Bush has collected $166 million for the campaign accounts of 27 Republican candidates, the national GOP and its state counterparts across the country, according to the Republican National Committee.

High-dollar Washington galas headlined by the fundraiser-in-chief brought in a big share of the total. The president also has scooped up campaign cash in 36 cities, travels that have taken him as near as McLean, Va., in the Washington suburbs and as far as Medina, Wash., 2,800 miles to the west. On Thursday, Bush adds yet another locale to the list: Salt Lake City.

All this to-and-fro presidential politicking is only expected to increase as November draws closer. And it is the taxpayers, not the campaigns or political parties, who foot most of the travel bill.

[izzie]

1. Congress used to watch over this. But with Kings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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