Bush Wanted Carpool Lanes Closed For His Use Only (Virginia)

[matcom]

<snip>

WASHINGTON -- Talk about political gridlock.

Secret Service officials confirm to The Washington Post they tried to get the Virginia Department of Transportation to close down the carpool lanes on a highway leading out of Washington Wednesday so President George W. Bush could easily get to and from a fundraiser for Republican Sen. George Allen.

State experts who monitor traffic predicted a commuting nightmare, because they would have had to close down the lanes for much of the day for logistical reasons, so they denied the request.

Vehicles using Virginia's high occupancy vehicle lanes must have three or more riders from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Some hybrid vehicles and motorcycles are exempt.

The president traveled to the fundraiser by helicopter.

Allen has been under fire for a racist remark he made. He was caught on tape calling an American-born college student of Indian descent a "macaca," and saying, "Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia."

The White House said the president had no qualms about Wednesday night's fundraiser. However, a Democratic campaign spokesman said attending made it look like Bush was rewarding Allen's behavior.

http://www.wftv.com/politics/9735828/detail.html

[billyskank]

1. Maybe he would like it to be like Soviet Russia

where I hear that the roads had a special lane just for govenment ministers. :eyes:

[NewWaveChick1981]

2. Hooray for the VA Dept of Transportation!

:applause: Once again, King George tried to abuse the taxpayers and citizens by singling himself out for such a privilege, and it's for a FUCKING POLITICAL FUNDRAISER for that loser asshole racist senator Allen! :grr: He was trying to inconvenience thousands of people so he could have yet another photo op.

I wish the midterm elections would hurry up and get here. I'm just waiting for the Dems to kick ass...

[billyskank]

3. So he went there by helicopter instead

at the taxpayer's expense, I presume.

:nuke:

[NewWaveChick1981]

4. Yes indeed. Everything he does is at the taxpayers' expense.

:grr: However, going by helicopter did not inconvenience the thousands of commuters unfortunate enough to be along his proposed route. It's still traveling to a political fundraiser at taxpayers' expense, though. :mad:

[northzax]

5. eh, the RNC will pay for some of it

not much, but there is a flat rate for campaign travel. After all, the President has to travel with certain things (like the Secret Service) he can't exactly fly commercial or drive a dodge dart, right? so there is some reimbursement. every president does it.

[billyskank]

6. Every president does it

but this guy seems to be doing fundraises ALL THE FUCKING TIME. Does he work for your country or just for the Republican party?

:wtf: