Isn’t this special? It had been widely reported that President Obama himself would hit the campaign trail with Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, kicking things off with a stop in Charlotte, N.C.
What wasn’t known until Monday was that Clinton and her entourage would be ditching her Scooby van and hitching a ride on Air Force One. Might as well, seeing as they’re heading to the same destination — they’re practically saving money and reducing their carbon footprint to boot.
White House: @HillaryClinton will accompany @POTUS on Air Force One to Charlotte for joint rally tomorrow
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 4, 2016
Sure, Clinton spent several hours Saturday being interviewed by the FBI, after her husband just happened to meet with Attorney General Loretta Lynch on her plane as it was parked on the tarmac in Phoenix, Ariz., but this is not an administration that cares about optics. So sure, why not share a plane ride?
Tomorrow: Pres Obama, makes his first campaign appearance for @HillaryClinton at a rally in Charlotte. They'll fly there together on AF-1.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 4, 2016
How does that work, exactly? Does the well-funded Clinton campaign kick in for jet fuel or what? For his part, Donald Trump wasn’t thrilled with his rival’s cushy travel arrangements.
Why is President Obama allowed to use Air Force One on the campaign trail with Crooked Hillary? She is flying with him tomorrow. Who pays?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 4, 2016
It does appear that the Clinton campaign will “split” the costs with the American taxpayer. Actually, let us rephrase that: the Clinton campaign is required by the FEC to reimburse the government for the president’s travel costs. Whether the campaign follows the rules has yet to be seen.
Under @FEC rules, the Clinton Campaign will have to reimburse the government for a share of the costs of Air Force One tomorrow.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 4, 2016
From White House official on who pays for Clinton trip pic.twitter.com/PZJIiQcEQv
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 4, 2016
Determining the specific political reimbursement of any AF1 trip is basically impossible. 1/?
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 4, 2016
We bet Knoller could do it. We know Knoller could do it, and probably will. Until then:
2/? White House counsel makes determinations on burden sharing months after trip.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 4, 2016
“Burden sharing” isn’t such a bad way to describe the past seven years, actually.
3/? The DNC maintains a separate fund for reimbursements to US Air Force for polices AF1/2 trips. These payments are reported to FEC
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 4, 2016
4/4 But you can't match to specific flight since Air Force/WH won't share invoices
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 4, 2016
Looks like the most transparent administration in history is still hanging on to some secrets.
For 7 years, the WH has repeatedly refused to disclose its method of calculating costs of pres political travel that must be reimbursed.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 4, 2016
You don’t say.
"Most Transparent Administration in History"
— Joel Fine (@joelfine) July 4, 2016
It's just like every other lawless banana republic method they use, @markknoller.
Put it on the Underhill's account.
— VACUOUS CIPHER (@THE_DAILY_BLEAT) July 4, 2016
Of course, the reimbursements for his mother in law alone must be significant.
— Ronald Larson (@ronalar) July 4, 2016
It should be 100%. No trips were necessary.
— edward, the ☠. (@tildetoppk) July 4, 2016
Amazing to think that Clinton left the White House “dead broke” and managed to work her way right back up the ladder so quickly.
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