My research indicates that it cost around $206,000 per hour to operate Air Force One, compared to between $20,000–$25,000 for a commercial airline. Here are a few of the president's travel expenses:
Secret Service expense
Hotels
Rental Cars
Additional air travel
Transporting the president's limo (the Beast) Estimated cost of $1.5 million
When not using the presidential limo, helicopters are available
Air Force One carries an estimated crew of 26 along with roughly 70 passengers including the President, government officials and Secret Service. It has been estimated by Judicial Watch that in the first year of presidency, Trump has spent approximately $13.5 million for travel – many trips to his golf courses – many more for political rallies.
Here is the rub. In 2018 alone Trump has made approximately 62 trips. Scores of the trips were to rallies in support of political candidates. Isn’t our President elected to run the country? How can he accomplish this while flying around on Air Force One to political rallies? Bringing it to a local level, several of these trips have been made - again at taxpayer expense - to Tennessee in support of Republican Senate Candidate Marsha Blackburn, a candidate who has repeatedly and openly pronounced that she was tied to the Trump coattail. So, you and I as taxpayers regardless of your interest in her campaign - have subsidized enormous travel expenses for President Trump to campaign for Marsha Blackburn.
Couple this with all the ongoing nasty negative attack ads, which are financed by money from outside entities, including the McConnell PAC, it is clear that Marsha Blackburn does not exhibit the demeanor and good judgment needed to take care of the average working persons business in Washington. Her only interest, she has made this vividly clear, is joining the President Trump liars club while continuing to carry forward the nasty partisan politics in Washington.
Over the years Phil Bredesen has demonstrated mature honest leadership qualities. Moreover, he has proven by his actions that he can and will work across the aisle to represent all Tennesseans regardless of party affiliation.
We have seen enough of President Trump’s narcissistic, philandering untruthfulness, in addition to the child like chants of build the wall, lock her up and drain the swamp. The last thing we need is Marsha Blackburn in Washington solidly aligned with this unconstructive Trump agenda. We must get back to firm progressive statesman like leadership in Washington.
Let’s put the ”air brakes” on the Blackburn candidacy and elect a person of honor, a true statesman, Phil Bredesen as our next Senator.
Johnny Jones
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Mr. Jones,
Nice try to focus attention to the Tennessee senate race by your "research on the cost of flying Air Force One".
Your statement "Isn’t our President elected to run the country? How can he accomplish this while flying around on Air Force One" clearly shows a lack of understanding of Air Force One and its capabilities. The aircraft has enough advanced technology to completely 'run the country" while in flight. Look that up in your "Research" prior to showing a total lack of enough fact finding. I'm not buying what you are trying to sell, that is "a continual assault of the elected POTUS by the liberal smear machine".
And next on the list is this statement, "It has been estimated by Judicial Watch that in the first year of presidency, Trump has spent approximately $13.5 million for travel – many trips to his golf courses – many more for political rallies." Judicial Watch, what is that? Sounds like Democrats wasting their funding money by rich people like Soros and Hollywood so-called stars. Republicans "true patriots of the Constitution" did not watch every penny Hussein Obama (former POTUS) wasted on continual flights to Hawaii to play golf. We already knew he was wasting taxpayer money, and still has Secret Service protection.
Finally this statement, "We have seen enough of President Trump’s narcissistic, philandering untruthfulness, in addition to the child like chants of build the wall, lock her up and drain the swamp." Again shows a complete liberal thought process. You want illegal aliens, terrorists, etc., build your own estate and invite them all in.
There are so many liberals (a.k.a. Democrats) with disregard for our country that the mediocrity smells out loud. Talking about child like; sanctuary cities, ANTIFA (sic), Pelosi, Maxine Waters (Impeach 44), Schumer, Soros, Clintons (pick all three), Kim Jung Ill, and the list keeps on going.
I'm surprised that you don't mention gun control and blame the NRA for all the shameful assaults performed by people with obvious social or mental issues. I'll save that one for a little later since it is a major mid-term election issue for all states.
On to Bredesen. He has impressive TV and internet ads, probably not funded out of his pocket. Don't know if he is a "person of honor, a true statesman" since I have not seen one. I have already voted absentee so your vote is cancelled out.
Jack Varner