Am curious re: Clinton v. Bush & cost/security measures when traveling

[Whoa_Nelly]

With Bush making another "foray" to the gulf states today, and knowing that during his second "visit" the airways were cleared for security reasons, thus temporarily putting a stop to rescues while the airspace was secured, I am wondering about the following:

Does anyone know if Clinton cost the taxpayers so much money for the securing of any area visited and for the entourage of SS and others, as Bush does each time he travels anywhere? Seems to me, especially clear after the travel visits to other states made by Bush over his most recent vacation, that a shitload of money was spent to house/feed/travel with the little punk. The stories/articles that tell of the air/destination security costs and inconveniencing of American citizens, cities and towns, (not to mention the people missing chemo treatments recently at that Naval hospital in San Diego), has been way over the top.

Would like to hear from DU'ers if there is a comparison between Clinton and Bush re: cost/security measures/Americans and their lives and needs ignored and/or inconvenienced.

Also, am wondering if Bush tops all previous US Presidents in the security measures, etc., taken when out and about whether here in the US or abroad.

[peacetalksforall]

1. Excellent point. I get the feeling the GAO works with them.

However, I also feel that this regime has tons of stolen money they operate with and don't have to exceed their budgets or Congress has increased their budget. I say what they are spending must be five times as much money as any other administration. If you count the money for private fund raising where ordinary citizens are prohibited it is 15 times as much money.

[AlGore-08.com]

2. You'd have to be careful doing the research, it could be misleading

You'd have to factor in inflation, and any changes in the law made at any point in the 12 years since Clinton was sworn in. Plus, Smirk hasn't finished his term yet - - Clinton could end up having cost more (adjusted) than Smirk just because you're comparing 8 years to not quite 4 years.

Also, there are legitimate concerns which would make certain events cost more, no matter who was President: travel to a foreign country (especially one that wasn't a close ally), death threats/potential terrorist attacks (which would not be part of the public record but would increase the amount of security), whether an event was a public or private event (if the President is on vacation, and flies to a private home in a secluded area by helicopter vs. touring the streets of Paris to commemorate VE day) and whether an area had infrastructure or not (traveling to a school in Los Angeles vs. touring a rural county hit by a major tornado).